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The Black Madonna of Derby

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The Black Madonna of Derby

By: Joanna Czechowska
Narrated by: Claire Nicholls
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About this listen

During and after the Second World War, 200,000 Poles were given leave to remain in the UK as thanks for their help during the conflict - this book is a fictional account of just one of those families. Set during the 1960s and 1970s, The Black Madonna of Derby traces the story of the Baran family living in a provincial town in England. Their seemingly ordinary existence hides secrets of past betrayal, madness, and tragedy.

The story focuses on three generations: the elderly grandmother whose proud Polish patriotism hides dark events from the past that affect the present, the mother whose tries to meld her past life in war-torn Poland and Germany with her new life in England and the granddaughter who lives a double life culturally and linguistically - Polish at home and English outside.

The swinging sixties in London is vividly recreated, as is the hardship of life under communism in the Poland of that time. This book is unique in that there are no other novels dealing with the story of second generation Poles in the UK. It is a story that deserves to be told, a story of a group of people who have had little attention in the literature. Listen to what they have to say.

©2008 Joanna Czechowska (P)2020 Joanna Czechowska Fiction Historical Fiction England War United Kingdom

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This is a fascinating story about a Polish family living in Derby during the 1960s and 1970s. The family came to England after WW2. Behind the facade of an ordinary family hides the horrors they've faced, their secrets and tragedies. It's an extraordinary story.

The characters are authentic and relatable. The story draws the reader into the characters' lives, and you care what happens to them. The insights into the 1960s and 1970s in England and Poland are interesting and vividly portrayed.

The clear professional narration brings the story to life.

I received a copy of this audiobook from the author in return for an honest review.

Secrets and tragedies of a Polish family in Derby.

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I found this book difficult to follow initially, I think the unfamiliar names of Polish characters threw me a bit. Once I grasped who was who, and the story unfolded, I was hooked.
The narration saved me, being so easy to listen to, drawing me in to the fascinating history and experiences of the extended family.

Worth persevering with...

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