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When the Apricots Bloom: the emotionally powerful international bestseller

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When the Apricots Bloom: the emotionally powerful international bestseller

By: Gina Wilkinson
Narrated by: Raghad Chaar
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 Three very different women must confront how far they will go to protect their families, under the ruthless rule of a dictator

'Thrilling yet heart-wrenching ... This must-read novel is mesmerizing, captivating, and profound' DEBORAH RODRIGUEZ, million-copy bestselling author of The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul

'Baghdad springs into vivid violent life ... Outstanding!' DINAH JEFFERIES, No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Tea Planter's Wife

Iraq, 2002. As night falls in Huda's fragrant garden of apricot trees, a breeze sweeps in from the desert, warning of visitors at her gate.

A secretary at the Australian embassy in Baghdad, Huda has been ordered by the mukhabarat to befriend and spy upon the Deputy Ambassador's wife, Ally Wilson. To refuse is to risk her son being forced to join a deadly militia. But - though Huda cannot yet know it - Ally is keeping dangerous secrets of her own.

Meanwhile, Huda's estranged friend Rania - a sheikh's daughter whose wealth is long gone - is battling to keep her own daughter safe from the dictator's men. As Huda and Rania are brought together again, through their relationship with Ally, their hidden pasts spill into the present. Facing betrayal at every turn, all three women must trust in a fragile, newfound loyalty, even as they discover how much each is willing to sacrifice to protect those they love...

Lose yourself in this evocative and completely gripping bestseller, where secrets are precious currency and three courageous women are tested to the limit by a horrifying power seemingly beyond their control.

'Rarely do we hear stories of those who are most oppressed. And stories from recent wars told by women about women are even rarer ... Wilkinson's evocative language shapes the novel into one of suspense, intrigue and conspiracy; where female friendship is platformed ... Although it is set within a backdrop of male power, where human grief is "almost a creature unto itself", the power of a woman's intent for the safety of those she loves carries the novel through with a mesmerising pulsating force' Sydney Morning Herald

'Richly drawn characters and high-stakes plot' Publishers Weekly

'A deeply involving and important novel by a master storyteller. Gina Wilkinson brings her lived experience to every page of this dramatic, and ultimately hopeful book' SUSAN WIGGS, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author

'Riveting and profound! I adored this book!' ELLEN MARIE WISEMAN, New York Times bestselling author Women's Fiction Fiction Middle East
All stars
Most relevant
This book has made me eager to learn more about Iraq's Golden age & the political history that brought Saddam to power.

I really enjoyed this story, although the Australian accent grated a little in the narration, I got so engrossed in the plot I could ignore it!

Fantastic Story

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I was so looking forward to reading this. It was an interesting read, written with pieces of brilliance, but mostly mediocrity. This book had the potential to be so much better. I couldn't get into this book, was a good storyline, and felt like the author was just telling the story, forgetting the setting. I would have like more descriptive writing. I kept falling asleep, which rarely happens when I listen to a book, narrator was below average, perhaps a novice, mostly just reading aloud with little emotion, the Australian accent was so wrong in this setting. Perhaps reading hard copy may be a better option.

Good story, poor narrator

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Bad Australian accents and a clunky story. Much telling, little showing. I wasn't drawn in at all. I don't believe living in a place for a year gives you licence to tell local stories.

Terrible Aussie accents

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