The Fountains of Silence cover art

The Fountains of Silence

Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

$14.95/mo. after 30-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Try for $0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for $34.87

Buy Now for $34.87

About this listen

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray comes a gripping, extraordinary portrait of love, silence, and secrets under a Spanish dictatorship.

Madrid, 1957. Under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into Spain under the welcoming promise of sunshine and wine. Among them is eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson, the son of an oil tycoon, who arrives in Madrid with his parents hoping to connect with the country of his mother's birth through the lens of his camera. Photography--and fate--introduce him to Ana, whose family's interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War--as well as chilling definitions of fortune and fear. Daniel's photographs leave him with uncomfortable questions amidst shadows of danger. He is backed into a corner of difficult decisions to protect those he loves. Lives and hearts collide, revealing an incredibly dark side to the sunny Spanish city.

Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys once again shines light into one of history's darkest corners in this epic, heart-wrenching novel about identity, unforgettable love, repercussions of war, and the hidden violence of silence--inspired by the true postwar struggles of Spain.

Includes vintage media reports, oral history commentary, photos, and more.

Praise for The Fountains of Silence:

* "[Sepetys] tells a moving story made even more powerful by its placement in a lesser-known historical moment. Captivating, deft, and illuminating historical fiction." --Booklist, *STARRED REVIEW*

* "A stunning novel that exposes modern fascism and elevates human resilience." --Kirkus, *STARRED REVIEW*


Read by Maite Jáuregui, with Richard Ferrone, Neil Hellegers, Joshua Kane, Liza Kaplan, and Oliver Wyman, and with an Author’s Note read by the author
Family Family & Relationships Fiction Historical Historical Fiction History & Culture Literature & Fiction Romance War Heartfelt Spanish History Fiction

Featured Article: The Best Young Adult Audiobooks For Women Of All Ages


Many people equate "growing up" with "growing serious." But while interests may change over time, age does not have to be the deciding factor in what games you play, movies, or books you enjoy. Young adult novels are the perfect example of this. Though written with a teenage audience in mind, women of all ages are sure to enjoy the genre’s hallmarks: strong yet flawed characters, heartbreaking twists and turns, romance, and drama.

All stars
Most Relevant
I have read this book a few times and this is the first time that i’m listening to it and it’s still as good. ♥️

Would listen over and over

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The author makes a period of Spain’s modern history come to life. Loved the references throughout and the well drawn characters.

Fabulous story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Not my first Ruta Sepetys novel, she is still as talented in retelling history in parallel with a compelling fictional story.

Love the Spanish accent

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This historical fiction explains an important part of history that I didn't know about. It's written gracefully, without excessive drama and explores individuals beautifully. The narration is exceptional, with careful pronunciation with accents for the right characters, and voices and intonations that not only made it easy to keep track despite numerous people in the story, but also made me feel more attached to them. Here, the audio version of the book truly gives it an additional dimension.

Wonderfully written and performed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I’ve been a big Ruth Sapetys fan in the past but sadly this one didn’t have the same compelling plot or characters. I found the narration inconsistent. Overall disappointing.

Couldn’t get into this story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.