THE WAR I FINALLY WON

Jayne Entwistle narrated Bradley’s earlier book, THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE. Her narration of the sequel cements the books’ connection. Entwistle recognizes the characters’ complexities, particularly Ada’s. Ada, the heroine, has survived living with a clubfoot and her Mam’s cruelty—now comes her healing. Entwistle gives a layered portrayal of Ada’s strength and distrust, showing her need for intellectual and emotional growth. Fortunately, Ada is now surrounded by characters who care about her in rural England. Each is complex, and all face emotional struggles as WWII continues. Entwistle presents their subtleties, and Ada’s dawning perceptions of them. Gradually and believably, Entwistle shows Ada’s courage as she takes risks that broaden her experiences and elicit her compassion. The poignancy of the story is stunning, as are the author’s wit and eloquence. Entwistle captures both. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2017]