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The Porcelain Maker cover art

The Porcelain Maker

By: Sarah Freethy
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
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Summary



Two lovers caught at the crossroads of history
A daughter’s search for the truth

Germany, 1929.
When Max, a Jewish architect, and Bettina, a beautiful and celebrated German avant-garde artist, meet at a party their attraction is instant. In love with each other and the art they create, their talent transports them to the dazzling lights of Berlin. But Germany is on the brink of terrible change, and their bright beginning is soon dimmed by the rising threat of Nazism.

When Max is arrested and sent to the Dachau concentration camp, it is only his talent at making the exquisite porcelain figures so beloved by the Nazis that stands between him and certain death. At first, Bettina has no idea where Max has been taken but when she learns of his fate, she is determined to rescue him whatever the cost.

Now, a lifetime later, Bettina’s daughter, Clara, sets out on a journey to uncover the truth about her identity. As she weaves together the fabric of her past, she discovers the terrible secret her mother wanted hidden forever.

For fans of Heather Morris and Kristin Hannah, The Porcelain Maker is a sweeping, epic story of love, betrayal and art, set across Europe from the 1920s Weimar Republic, to dark and glittering 1930s Berlin.

©2023 Sarah Freethy. All rights reserved. (P)2023 Simon & Schuster, UK. All Rights Reserved.

Critic reviews

‘A page-turning journey to uncover a past of heroism, betrayal, love, and loss’ Heather Morris, bestselling author of Sisters under the Rising Sun

'So compelling' Sunday Times

'A gorgeous debut' Heat

What listeners say about The Porcelain Maker

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Beautifully written and absorbing story

I listen to a a lot of audio books day to day, and this has been my absolute favourite in a long while. Beautifully written, richly absorbing and evocative of the era, I didn't want it to end. The narrator, is worth mentioning and was excellent. Would highly recommend.

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Characterisation and storytelling at its best

Of course that dreadful period in modern history would bring with it a story laced with cruelty and thus sadness so I had wondered if I was ready to commit to a lengthy listen. And then all too soon I found I did not want this book to end. I shan’t spoil an extremely well written - and narrated - book; I will say you will not regret a single moment of time spent listening or reading a story which spans troubled family relationships, a mothers love and dedication, comrades supporting one another in unspeakable situations and an enduring love and mutual respect between two main characters who I was so invested in from beginning to end

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An extraordinary listen.

An exquisite story told like a painting through layers of time. A story that shows how fascism starts and how people let it happen. This one will stay with you. 5 🌟

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Gorgeous book with a perfect narrator

This book gripped me from the first paragraph and I found myself inventing chores that needed long car journeys to listen to it. Gripping narrative, wonderful characters, beautifully written. I’m recommending it to my book club and I want to share the experience.

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A gripping and deeply moving story of love, art and betrayal

A totally immersive and heartbreaking story with memorable characters, I was captured from the start. This clever and well researched debut by Sarah Freethy is also a fascinating education in German art history leading up to and during WWll, demonstrating how love and art transcend time. Excellent narration too - highly recommend.

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