The Last Orphan
- Author Carly Schabowski
- Narrator Stephanie Cannon
- Publisher Boldwood Books
- Publish Date 1 December 2025
- Run Time 7 hours and 36 minutes
- Format x-book®
- Genre Fiction: general and literary, Historical fiction, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: Displacement, exile, migration, Narrative theme: health and illness, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging, Narrative theme: Interior life, Narrative theme: journeys and voyages, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Narrative theme: Social issues.
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What to expect
A BRAND NEW unforgettable, heart-wrenching and utterly unputdownable tale of courage, sacrifice and hope from the bestselling author of The Rainbow . Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah, Fiona Valpy and All the Light We Cannot See. 🦋🗝️
1939, Poland: Would you save a child in a warzone? Marcin is just hoping to keep himself safe during the Nazi invasion. But once he befriends his Jewish neighbors, his fate is sealed, and when their building is raided by the Nazis, Marcin finds himself hiding their son, Adam.
Marcin vows to keep Adam safe at all costs. But as he starts an impossible journey across the borders of wartorn Europe towards safety, he begins to realize Adam isn’t the only child who needs his help. And when they encounter more orphaned children in hiding, Marcin becomes determined to save as many as possible. Even if that will put his own life—and Adam’s—at terrible risk.
What Adam and the other orphans don’t know, is that Marcin has a secret. He did something terrible in Poland. Something he can never forgive himself for. Until many years later, where he’s living his life peacefully in rural Washington, USA, and he answers a call from another mother in distress. Marcin is needed again. But this time, it’s Adam’s daughter who needs him...
An impossible journey, a secret that spans generations, and a story about loss, bravery and healing that you’ll never forget!
Readers love Carly Schabowski’s heartbreaking historical novels:
“A stunningly, different WW2 story… Emotional and raw… Will stay with me for a long time.” Helen Parusel, author
“A powerful and moving story… I was both intrigued and touched… Highly recommended.” Kate Hewitt, author
“Never have I read a story told in such a poignant manner… Absorbing with a beautifully-drawn cast of characters. An exquisite gift to the reader that wraps around your heart.” Jina Bacarr, author
“Oh my gosh I don’t know where to start, this book broke me… it will stay with me for a very long time... Heartbreaking, poignant, gripping and compelling, I felt every emotion… I read this book in one sitting.” Fiction Vixen Reads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Phenomenal and heartbreaking… Amazing… Heartfelt, emotional and unputdownable… In tears… An absolute must-read.” Page Turners ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wow!! Just wow!!… This book is brilliant! More than brilliant, amazing!!!… Absolutely gripping, addictive and captivating… I was absolutely hooked from the first page to the last!!” Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Will rip your heart out… It has heartache, pain, loss, joy, and sorrow. It’s great WWII historical fiction… Heartbreaking.” Books Read By Prairie Girl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Left me speechless and had me wanting to roll up in a ball and cry hysterically… Heartbreaking… Had me in tears and kept me hooked until the final page… I could not stop thinking about the characters.” Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I was captivated by this powerful and emotional WWII novel… I found myself hanging onto every word, and it felt almost as though I had become part of the story… Heart-rending… left me close to tears.” Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Beautifully crafted… Moving… A vivid picture of resilience and survival… A heart-wrenching yet hopeful exploration of the human spirit… I highly recommend it to fans of WWII fiction.” Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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