Book description
The Lies They Told - A Powerful Portrait of Courage Amidst Cruelty
Ellen Marie Wiseman's The Lies They Told pulls readers into a heart-wracking yet hopeful journey set against the backdrop of 1930s rural Virginia-a place where the harsh realities of America's eugenics movement clash with the quiet resilience of ordinary people. Through Lena Conti, a young immigrant mother thrust into an unforgiving world, Wiseman weaves a narrative that feels both intimate and universal.
From the opening pages, the stakes are clear: Lena fights not only for her own dignity but for the survival of her daughter in a system that seeks to erase those it deems "unfit." Wiseman paints her characters with tenderness and depth-Lena's fierce love, Silas Wolfe's reluctant guardianship, and the tight-knit community's quiet defiance. The Blue Ridge setting becomes almost a character itself, its misty hills echoing Lena's longing for home while also symbolizing the unknown future she must navigate.
What sets this novel apart is how Wiseman balances tragedy with an undercurrent of hope. Even as Lena confronts the terrifying realities of forced sterilizations and state-run colonies, her determination shines through. The narrative never loses sight of the human spirit's capacity to endure, to protect loved ones, and to stand up against injustice.
Wiseman's prose is accessible yet evocative-every line feels like a breath taken in the quiet valleys or the tense moments before an inspection at Ellis Island. She respects her readers by avoiding heavy-handed exposition; instead, she lets the characters' actions and emotions drive the story forward. The result is a book that stays with you long after the last page.
For fans of Susan Meissner's historical empathy, Kristin Hannah's fierce protagonists, or Christina Baker Kline's lyrical storytelling, The Lies They Told offers a compelling blend of history, humanity, and an unyielding belief in hope. It is a reminder that even in the darkest times, the light of compassion can guide us toward a better tomorrow.
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience