The Hidden Village

I was completely swept away by The Hidden Village, and Antonia Whillans' narration was a big part of that. Her gentle yet firm delivery perfectly captured the vulnerability and resilience of Sofie, drawing me into the story from the very beginning. Matthews' writing is infused with a deep sense of community and loyalty, and I found myself becoming increasingly invested in the fate of the characters. If I had any criticisms, it would be that the pacing occasionally felt a bit uneven, particularly in the first half of the book. A few scenes felt a tad rushed, which somewhat disrupted the otherwise seamless flow of the narrative. Additionally, I felt that some supporting characters could have benefited from a bit more development to make them feel more fully realized. Nonetheless, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise impressive and emotionally resonant audiobook that I would highly recommend to fans of historical fiction and literary storytelling.