22 Britannia Road: A Novel

Amanda Hodgkinson

Apr. 2011 · Penguin Random House Audio · Voorgelees deur Robin Sachs

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A tour de force that echoes modern classics like Suite Francaise and The Postmistress.

"Housekeeper or housewife?" the soldier asks Silvana as she and eight- year-old Aurek board the ship that will take them from Poland to England at the end of World War II. There her husband, Janusz, is already waiting for them at the little house at 22 Britannia Road. But the war has changed them all so utterly that they'll barely recognize one another when they are reunited. "Survivor," she answers.

Silvana and Aurek spent the war hiding in the forests of Poland. Wild, almost feral Aurek doesn't know how to tie his own shoes or sleep in a bed. Janusz is an Englishman now-determined to forget Poland, forget his own ghosts from the way, and begin a new life as a proper English family. But for Silvana, who cannot escape the painful memory of a shattering wartime act, forgetting is not a possibility.

One of the most searing debuts to come along in years, 22 Britannia Road. is the wrenching chronicle of how these damaged people try to become, once again, a true family. An unforgettable novel that cries out for discussion, it is a powerful story of primal maternal love, overcoming hardship, and, ultimately, acceptance-one that will pierce your heart.

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Amanda Hodgkinson was born in Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, England, and grew up in Essex and Suffolk. She currently lives in southwest France with her husband and two daughters. Her first novel, 22 Britannia Road, is available from Penguin Books.

Robin Sachs's career as an actor in film, television, and stage spanned two continents, having moved to the United States from his native England in 1991. His credits include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alias, Dynasty, Rob Roy, and Chessgame on television and Galaxy Quest, Northfork, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Megalodon, and Ocean’s Eleven in film. He also worked extensively in voice-over, animation, and on the London stage. He passed away in February 2013.