The Last Book Smuggler, Birute Putrius
The Last Book Smuggler, Birute Putrius
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The Last Book Smuggler

Author: Birute Putrius

Narrator: Gabrielle de Cuir

Unabridged: 12 hr 45 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/06/2022

Synopsis

In 1902 Lithuania, a group of rebels armed with books triumphs against the mighty Russian Empire.Part folktale, part thriller, The Last Book Smuggler tells the story of Ada and her grandfather Viktoras, an old book smuggler tired of his forty-year battle to keep his language alive despite the attempts of the Russian Empire to destroy it. Into their world steps Jonas, a young man in love with Ada and ready to join the underground book smugglers. But there is a traitor in their midst who must stop them or lose everything.Based on the author’s grandfather, who was a book smuggler, the novel deftly captures the politics and dangers of the times while bringing to life an engaging and quirky family, with an element of the supernatural.

About Birute Putrius

Birute Putrius is a Lithuanian American author who was born in a displaced person’s camp in Germany, grew up in Chicago and now lives in California. She has published short stories and poetry in numerous literary journals and anthologies. “Lucy in the Sky” was highlighted by Publisher’s Weekly “for its charming magical realism.” Two of her stories were optioned for short films by Columbia College in Chicago. She was a finalist in the Sol Books contest and has translated poetry and non-fiction.

About Gabrielle de Cuir

Gabrielle de Cuir, award-winning narrator, has narrated over three hundred titles and specializes in fantasy, humor, and titles requiring extensive foreign language and accent skills. She was a cowinner of the Audie Award for best narration in 2011 and a three-time finalist for the Audie and has garnered six AudioFile Earphones Awards. Her “velvet touch” as an actor’s director has earned her a special place in the audiobook world as the foremost producer for bestselling authors and celebrities.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jurate Motiejunaite on April 28, 2018

This is a wonderfully written story. I must say, I was wary to start - the history of book smugglers in Lithuania is not a happy one, and I was expecting a very historical (i.e. didactic, dry, and only appealing to people like me who know and care about this history) story. Was I wrong! "The Last Bo......more

Goodreads review by Vanessa on June 28, 2019

Phenomenal story inspired by true historical events. Beautifully written about a piece of history that many don’t know about: book smuggling during Soviet oppression. Love, loss and risk during difficult times pre WWI. Highly recommend!......more

Goodreads review by Linda on September 01, 2023

This was a gift from my daughter-in-law who is Lithuanian. I enjoyed the historical fiction story and especially admired the passion that the book smugglers embodied for the preservation of their language and culture. Parts of the book (young lovers, family strife, traditions) reminded me of Fiddler......more

Goodreads review by Terri on July 03, 2021

An interesting and well written account of the trails and tribulations of Lithuanian farm life in the beginning of the twentieth century as seen by a young woman and her grandfather. Both are engaged in the smuggling of literature written in their native language, a practice that was illegal in the......more

Goodreads review by Sandra on February 06, 2022

After a disastrous attempt at reading a classic Lithuanian novel for my around-the-world tour, Vilnius Poker, I settled on Putrius’ more accessible novel. Much, much better. This is the type of novel I seek out for my armchair tourism. The Last Book Smuggler is written as a family saga, centered aro......more

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