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A New York Times and USA Today Bestseller!"I've loved every one of Susanna's books! She has bedrock research and a butterfly's delicate touch with characters—sure recipe for historical fiction that sucks you in and won't let go!"— DIANA GABALDON, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Outlander
A hauntingly beautiful tale of love that transcends time. A modern American woman travels to Scotland to write a novel about the Jacobite Rebellion— only to discover that the vivid scenes and show more the romantic hero she's imagining actually exist...
In the spring of 1708, invading Jacobites plot to land the exiled James Stewart on the Scottish coast to reclaim his crown. When young Sophia Paterson travels to Slains Castle by the sea, she finds herself in the midst of the dangerous intrigue.
Now, American writer Carrie McClelland hopes to base her next bestselling novel on that story of her ancestors in the dim, dark past . Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle, she starts to write.
But as Carrie's mind slips back in time, she learns of the ultimate betrayal that happened all those years ago, making her the only living person who knows the truth—and that knowledge comes very close to destroying her.
Other bestselling books by Susanna Kearsley:
The Rose Garden
A Desperate Fortune
The Firebird
Praise for RITA Nominee, The Winter Sea:
"Lifts readers straight into another time and place to smell the sea, feel the castle walls, see history and sense every emotion. These are marks of a fantastic storyteller." —RT Book Reviews
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avalon_today Largely centered around the sea. Both have that bittersweet quality running threw the book
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This isn't your typical time travel story. In fact, no one actually travels back into the past, which makes this book even better, in my opinion. I was intrigued by the concept of ancestors' memories passed down in the DNA, influencing what we are drawn to and the choices we make.
The story has two plotlines - one takes place in the present and one in the past. I don't usually enjoy books that jerk you suddenly out of a modern setting into the past within a few chapters, but it worked here. I liked that the sections about each character - the writer Carrie and Sophia, the ancestor whose memories she'd inherited - were short, so that you never got huge chunks of storyline that made you reluctant to switch back to the other story. The show more plot was interesting and for me, it was a wonderful way to fill in the gaps in a period of history I usually avoid reading about (the Jacobite uprising isn't a favourite topic ever since I read Stevenson's"Kidnapped" as a kid and tried deciphering what on earth the intrigue was all about). show less
The story has two plotlines - one takes place in the present and one in the past. I don't usually enjoy books that jerk you suddenly out of a modern setting into the past within a few chapters, but it worked here. I liked that the sections about each character - the writer Carrie and Sophia, the ancestor whose memories she'd inherited - were short, so that you never got huge chunks of storyline that made you reluctant to switch back to the other story. The show more plot was interesting and for me, it was a wonderful way to fill in the gaps in a period of history I usually avoid reading about (the Jacobite uprising isn't a favourite topic ever since I read Stevenson's"Kidnapped" as a kid and tried deciphering what on earth the intrigue was all about). show less
“My father always told me that the sea was in my blood” (2).
Emotionally draining at times (the longing and waiting of the characters), intellectually demanding at others (so many dates and events and historical figures to know and connect), but poetically stimulating throughout, even if much of the swirling, gray sea descriptions were a bit somber and melancholic. In the end of this maudlin Scottish seaside story, there is a beacon of light—the promise of the winter sea: the hope of what lies beneath.
While the atmospheric Slains Castle off the coast of Scotland sets the stage for this gothic story, it’s the characters and the rich historical plot—full of espionage and clandestine lovers and secret plotting—that kept me show more waiting and hoping and longing right along with the characters. I really loved these characters, especially Countess of Errol who seemed ahead of her time, not content to be a female bystander in this male-made war but leading like a General with intelligence and grace and shrewd confidence. I also loved professor Graham—his quiet confidence—and John Morray—his contrast of pirate persona and devoted lover—and Colonel Graeme—the perfect mix of a roguish yet reliable uncle.
Beyond the history and plot and characters and setting—all of which I loved—I also loved the bigger ideas in this book: genetic memory and blurred lines. Anything that explores the connection we have to our ancestors and the land of our roots is something that inspires me. The way Kearsley tells this dual-plotted story is original in blurring the lines between fact and fiction, imagination and memory—never knowing where one ends and the other begins. Intriguing, imaginative, and inspiring: a story that makes me want to know more about these determined Jacobites. For a reader who rarely reads series, I’m eager to explore the other Slains stories. show less
Emotionally draining at times (the longing and waiting of the characters), intellectually demanding at others (so many dates and events and historical figures to know and connect), but poetically stimulating throughout, even if much of the swirling, gray sea descriptions were a bit somber and melancholic. In the end of this maudlin Scottish seaside story, there is a beacon of light—the promise of the winter sea: the hope of what lies beneath.
While the atmospheric Slains Castle off the coast of Scotland sets the stage for this gothic story, it’s the characters and the rich historical plot—full of espionage and clandestine lovers and secret plotting—that kept me show more waiting and hoping and longing right along with the characters. I really loved these characters, especially Countess of Errol who seemed ahead of her time, not content to be a female bystander in this male-made war but leading like a General with intelligence and grace and shrewd confidence. I also loved professor Graham—his quiet confidence—and John Morray—his contrast of pirate persona and devoted lover—and Colonel Graeme—the perfect mix of a roguish yet reliable uncle.
Beyond the history and plot and characters and setting—all of which I loved—I also loved the bigger ideas in this book: genetic memory and blurred lines. Anything that explores the connection we have to our ancestors and the land of our roots is something that inspires me. The way Kearsley tells this dual-plotted story is original in blurring the lines between fact and fiction, imagination and memory—never knowing where one ends and the other begins. Intriguing, imaginative, and inspiring: a story that makes me want to know more about these determined Jacobites. For a reader who rarely reads series, I’m eager to explore the other Slains stories. show less
The Winter Sea
( UK Title: Sophia's Secret )
by Susanna Kearsley
Rating: 4.5
Genre: Contemporary | Romance | Historic
History has all but forgotten the spring of 1708, when an invasion fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown. Now, Carrie McClelland hopes to turn that story into her next bestselling novel. Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle, she creates a heroine named for one of her own ancestors, and starts to write. But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory...making her the only living person who can know the truth of what did happen all those years ago - a tale of show more love and loyalty...and ultimate betrayal.
As a well known author, Carrie is seeking inspiration for her upcoming historic novel. But upon visiting her editor outside of Aberdeen, Scotland, she becomes mesmerized by an abandoned castle and spontaneously plans to reside near the structure for the remaining Winter to research her characters; in hopes that the voices in her head will settle down as well. Yet, as her detailed dreams become written words and her fictional story reveals shocking truths, Carrie finds herself swept up in a déjà vu world that consumes her nights while her landlord's son begins to occupy her days. And when a secretive time in Scottish history begins to become unveiled within her book, Carrie realizes she has a much closer relationship to her past and her characters than previously thought.
This was fantastically refreshing read! The story throughout had a little bit of everything that I enjoy in a good book: romance, history, mystery, an almost past-life theme, and lots of engaging characters. It can be a bit complex with the parallel stories going on, especially near the end when those two plot-lines begin to really bounce back and forth at a quicker pace (i.e. building the anticipation) compared to the beginning of the book. Yet, I was able to easily keep everything clear, in my head, and highly enjoyed the outcome. Lots of various character relationships throughout, which boosted the emotional aspect since both stories either suffered a misfortune or had moments of intense joy around the same time -- so it was like double the pleasure or trouble.
Most of all, the romance in The Winter Sea was hauntingly sweet and revealed just how much love can triumph over all...especially time. And because the heart wants, what the heart wants, both female protagonists had strong romantic connections that really added spark and excitement to the tale. Both romantic relationships carried a similar theme throughout, but were in their own way unique and oddly very connected in the end. All in all, a very satisfying book!
Likes: The "ancestral memory" aspect was quite fascinating and had me wishing I had that! :) Plus, the Scottish setting and her rented cottage by the sea sounded so charming that I was instantly daydreaming about vacationing there.
Dislikes: As much as I enjoy character development, I felt this story was somewhat lacking, especially in the "contemporary" part of the tale. Sophie personally grew a lot throughout, but Carrie really remained the same from beginning to end. I can understand there were different time-spans going on between both tales and that can be a huge factor in the lack of development, but I really wanted more from Carrie (who was actually the MAIN protagonist) and did not receive it.
Chapter One/Paragraph One: "It wasn't chance. There wasn't any part of it that happened just by chance."
Favorite { Scene, Character or Setting }: Scene
"He was not exactly smiling, but his eyes held deep amusement. 'I believe 'tis proper form, when running races, to inform the other party when to start.' Swinging himself from the saddle, he came and put his two hands round her waist to help her down.
Sophia said, 'I did not mean to race. I only--'
'Aye,' he said. 'I ken what ye intended.' She was standing on the ground now, but he did not take his hands away. He held her very differently than Billy Wick had done--his hands were gentle, and she knew that she had but to move to step clear of their circle...but she felt no will to move. The horse, still standing warm against her back, became a living wall that blocked her view of everything except John Moray's shoulders, and his face as he looked down at her. 'If ever ye do find my pace too slow,' he told her, quietly, 'ye only have to tell me.'" show less
( UK Title: Sophia's Secret )
by Susanna Kearsley
Rating: 4.5
Genre: Contemporary | Romance | Historic
History has all but forgotten the spring of 1708, when an invasion fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown. Now, Carrie McClelland hopes to turn that story into her next bestselling novel. Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle, she creates a heroine named for one of her own ancestors, and starts to write. But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory...making her the only living person who can know the truth of what did happen all those years ago - a tale of show more love and loyalty...and ultimate betrayal.
As a well known author, Carrie is seeking inspiration for her upcoming historic novel. But upon visiting her editor outside of Aberdeen, Scotland, she becomes mesmerized by an abandoned castle and spontaneously plans to reside near the structure for the remaining Winter to research her characters; in hopes that the voices in her head will settle down as well. Yet, as her detailed dreams become written words and her fictional story reveals shocking truths, Carrie finds herself swept up in a déjà vu world that consumes her nights while her landlord's son begins to occupy her days. And when a secretive time in Scottish history begins to become unveiled within her book, Carrie realizes she has a much closer relationship to her past and her characters than previously thought.
This was fantastically refreshing read! The story throughout had a little bit of everything that I enjoy in a good book: romance, history, mystery, an almost past-life theme, and lots of engaging characters. It can be a bit complex with the parallel stories going on, especially near the end when those two plot-lines begin to really bounce back and forth at a quicker pace (i.e. building the anticipation) compared to the beginning of the book. Yet, I was able to easily keep everything clear, in my head, and highly enjoyed the outcome. Lots of various character relationships throughout, which boosted the emotional aspect since both stories either suffered a misfortune or had moments of intense joy around the same time -- so it was like double the pleasure or trouble.
Most of all, the romance in The Winter Sea was hauntingly sweet and revealed just how much love can triumph over all...especially time. And because the heart wants, what the heart wants, both female protagonists had strong romantic connections that really added spark and excitement to the tale. Both romantic relationships carried a similar theme throughout, but were in their own way unique and oddly very connected in the end. All in all, a very satisfying book!
Likes: The "ancestral memory" aspect was quite fascinating and had me wishing I had that! :) Plus, the Scottish setting and her rented cottage by the sea sounded so charming that I was instantly daydreaming about vacationing there.
Dislikes: As much as I enjoy character development, I felt this story was somewhat lacking, especially in the "contemporary" part of the tale. Sophie personally grew a lot throughout, but Carrie really remained the same from beginning to end. I can understand there were different time-spans going on between both tales and that can be a huge factor in the lack of development, but I really wanted more from Carrie (who was actually the MAIN protagonist) and did not receive it.
Chapter One/Paragraph One: "It wasn't chance. There wasn't any part of it that happened just by chance."
Favorite { Scene, Character or Setting }: Scene
"He was not exactly smiling, but his eyes held deep amusement. 'I believe 'tis proper form, when running races, to inform the other party when to start.' Swinging himself from the saddle, he came and put his two hands round her waist to help her down.
Sophia said, 'I did not mean to race. I only--'
'Aye,' he said. 'I ken what ye intended.' She was standing on the ground now, but he did not take his hands away. He held her very differently than Billy Wick had done--his hands were gentle, and she knew that she had but to move to step clear of their circle...but she felt no will to move. The horse, still standing warm against her back, became a living wall that blocked her view of everything except John Moray's shoulders, and his face as he looked down at her. 'If ever ye do find my pace too slow,' he told her, quietly, 'ye only have to tell me.'" show less
4.5 I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time stars.
Reading Susanna Kearsley is such fun. I find that I both want to read faster so that I can see what will happen and read slower so that I can stay in this story and this world just a little bit longer. She sifts in just the right amount of romance, mystery and history to make a perfect cake, and she is one of the few writers who can keep me as interested in the modern-day story she is telling as the historical one. I typically find myself just wanting to get back to the past, but with Kearsley I am happy to follow the present as well.
This story begins with Carrie McClelland, who is writing a historical novel set in 1708 and dealing with the failed attempt to put James Stewart show more back on the throne in Scotland. The novel is meant to be about Nathaniel Hooke, an Irishman who is in the thick of the action at the time, but when Carrie decides to include a character named after her own ancestor, Sophia Paterson, she seems to lose control of the story to the events of the past.
The dynamics of writing a historical novel is something Kearsley obviously knows everything about, the research she does is meticulous and adds complete credence to her tale, and her handling of characters and dialogue is both charming and believable. I had determined to read all of her books after finding my first encounter with her so enjoyable--this book has convinced me that I made a great decision. show less
Reading Susanna Kearsley is such fun. I find that I both want to read faster so that I can see what will happen and read slower so that I can stay in this story and this world just a little bit longer. She sifts in just the right amount of romance, mystery and history to make a perfect cake, and she is one of the few writers who can keep me as interested in the modern-day story she is telling as the historical one. I typically find myself just wanting to get back to the past, but with Kearsley I am happy to follow the present as well.
This story begins with Carrie McClelland, who is writing a historical novel set in 1708 and dealing with the failed attempt to put James Stewart show more back on the throne in Scotland. The novel is meant to be about Nathaniel Hooke, an Irishman who is in the thick of the action at the time, but when Carrie decides to include a character named after her own ancestor, Sophia Paterson, she seems to lose control of the story to the events of the past.
The dynamics of writing a historical novel is something Kearsley obviously knows everything about, the research she does is meticulous and adds complete credence to her tale, and her handling of characters and dialogue is both charming and believable. I had determined to read all of her books after finding my first encounter with her so enjoyable--this book has convinced me that I made a great decision. show less
Carrie rents a cottage in Scotland while she writes her next novel, set around the Jacobite rising of 1708. She bases her heroine on the little she knows about her Scottish ancestor. Sophia’s story develops an uncanny life of its own, and Carrie finds research keeps supporting things she's already made up and written down.
Once I become used to the way the book switches back and forth between the present and the past, I really enjoyed reading it. Both Carrie’s and Sophia’s storylines have a lovely, vivid sense of place and time, and the way their stories echo each other is intriguing. So are the historical details -- not a part of history I knew much about! I liked the friendships Carie and Sophia each have and the romantic show more relationships which develop. The book ends more or less as I’d been hoping it would.
But after I put it down, I had a nagging feeling of dissatisfaction. I have a few ideas as to why this was:
Towards the end, a significant amount of time passes in Sophia's storyline and she makes a few difficult decisions. If the book had shown Sophia in the midst of deciding, instead of skipping ahead to focus on what happened afterwards, I might have better understood, and been more invested in, her choices. (Alternatively, if Sophia had played a more active role -- but as a young woman, she is constrained by her era more than Carrie is by hers.)
As a matter of personal preference, I would have liked more ambiguity as to whether Carrie’s story about Sophia was true or invention, and more ambiguity as to whether details were accurate due to coincidence, educated guesses or something supernatural.
And the love triangle was unnecessary. Surely another, less awkward, source of tension could have been found for Carrie’s part of the book?
“I said the feeling of writing it was wonderful. That doesn’t mean the story’s any good.”
“Come on. You know it is.”
“OK,” I said. “I think it’s fantastic, too. But it’s still nice to hear it from somebody else.”
“Insecurities,” she said again.
“I can’t help it.” It came with the job -- all the time I spent on my own with that blank stack of paper I had to turn into a book. Sometimes I felt like the girl in the fairy tale Rumplestiltskin, locked up and told to spin straw into gold. “I’m never sure,” I said, “if I can pull it off.” show less
Once I become used to the way the book switches back and forth between the present and the past, I really enjoyed reading it. Both Carrie’s and Sophia’s storylines have a lovely, vivid sense of place and time, and the way their stories echo each other is intriguing. So are the historical details -- not a part of history I knew much about! I liked the friendships Carie and Sophia each have and the romantic show more relationships which develop. The book ends more or less as I’d been hoping it would.
But after I put it down, I had a nagging feeling of dissatisfaction. I have a few ideas as to why this was:
Towards the end, a significant amount of time passes in Sophia's storyline and she makes a few difficult decisions. If the book had shown Sophia in the midst of deciding, instead of skipping ahead to focus on what happened afterwards, I might have better understood, and been more invested in, her choices. (Alternatively, if Sophia had played a more active role -- but as a young woman, she is constrained by her era more than Carrie is by hers.)
As a matter of personal preference, I would have liked more ambiguity as to whether Carrie’s story about Sophia was true or invention, and more ambiguity as to whether details were accurate due to coincidence, educated guesses or something supernatural.
And the love triangle was unnecessary. Surely another, less awkward, source of tension could have been found for Carrie’s part of the book?
“I said the feeling of writing it was wonderful. That doesn’t mean the story’s any good.”
“Come on. You know it is.”
“OK,” I said. “I think it’s fantastic, too. But it’s still nice to hear it from somebody else.”
“Insecurities,” she said again.
“I can’t help it.” It came with the job -- all the time I spent on my own with that blank stack of paper I had to turn into a book. Sometimes I felt like the girl in the fairy tale Rumplestiltskin, locked up and told to spin straw into gold. “I’m never sure,” I said, “if I can pull it off.” show less
I began The Winter Sea with expectations - which is not really that fair of me, I know... but I'd heard really great things about this book and was anxious to get into a historical story that contained magic, hunky men, and a historical story with depth. The last time I'd encountered this was while reading Diana Gabaldon's Outlander's series.
I also wanted to give my mother a book she'd enjoy - since she has been lamenting the lack of new Gabaldon books lately.
So my senses started tingling when I began Kearsley's story. It had all the right ingredients: mysterious men, the coast of Scotland, a researching writer, fantastic dialects ... what could go wrong?
Folks - the very historical story that was so important held absolutely no pull for show more me. I'm almost crying thinking about it because I wanted it to be so good. I wanted to look forward to those sections of the book that had me hurtling back through time but it just did not work for me. At all. Instead, I found myself good and stuck in the present and, to my horror, starting to dread the forays back in time.
So now that some time has passed, I am trying to figure out where it went wrong for me - and I think that the answer is, sadly, one of the main bits of glue that holds the whole thing together. Rather than a character traveling back in time, as featured in some of my favorite stories, the main character here merely experiences that time through the means of written word.
So The Winter Sea did not work for me. I was hugely entertained by the modern setting and disappointed in the historical. It may work for you, but for me... I was hoping for something more. show less
I also wanted to give my mother a book she'd enjoy - since she has been lamenting the lack of new Gabaldon books lately.
So my senses started tingling when I began Kearsley's story. It had all the right ingredients: mysterious men, the coast of Scotland, a researching writer, fantastic dialects ... what could go wrong?
Folks - the very historical story that was so important held absolutely no pull for show more me. I'm almost crying thinking about it because I wanted it to be so good. I wanted to look forward to those sections of the book that had me hurtling back through time but it just did not work for me. At all. Instead, I found myself good and stuck in the present and, to my horror, starting to dread the forays back in time.
So now that some time has passed, I am trying to figure out where it went wrong for me - and I think that the answer is, sadly, one of the main bits of glue that holds the whole thing together. Rather than a character traveling back in time, as featured in some of my favorite stories, the main character here merely experiences that time through the means of written word.
So The Winter Sea did not work for me. I was hugely entertained by the modern setting and disappointed in the historical. It may work for you, but for me... I was hoping for something more. show less
Carrie McClelland, an established author of historical fiction, arrives in a small coastal Scottish town to begin work on her next novel. She rents an old cottage from a local and settles in, welcomed with open arms into the village and simultaneously into the owner's family. As she commences writing, the story seems to pour forth effortlessly from her fingers as though it were telling itself, and Carrie is both stunned and disturbed when, upon researching further some of what she's written, she discovers names, dates and places that she thought originated in her own imagination were uncannily accurate.
I'd heard positive things about this book the past few years, but hesitated to pick it up, fearing an unsatisfying lack of substance show more given its "Romance" classification at the library. After reading it, I'd argue that it actually ought to be in general fiction, given that the plot would not cease to have meaning if not for the romantic elements of the story line. The Winter Sea is definitely a page-turner, the sort of book I began reading only on breaks at work, only to find myself toting it home as well, despite already having a book in progress there. I was sincerely disappointed when it ended, wanting more. Happily, it appears to be the first in a series, so I'll be off very shortly to check out the next. show less
I'd heard positive things about this book the past few years, but hesitated to pick it up, fearing an unsatisfying lack of substance show more given its "Romance" classification at the library. After reading it, I'd argue that it actually ought to be in general fiction, given that the plot would not cease to have meaning if not for the romantic elements of the story line. The Winter Sea is definitely a page-turner, the sort of book I began reading only on breaks at work, only to find myself toting it home as well, despite already having a book in progress there. I was sincerely disappointed when it ended, wanting more. Happily, it appears to be the first in a series, so I'll be off very shortly to check out the next. show less
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Author Information

21+ Works 11,409 Members
Susanna Kearsley was born in Ontario, Canada in 1966. She is an award winning author of historical fiction and mystery. She received the Romance Writers of America RITA Award for Best Paranormal Romance for her work, The Firebird, in 2014. Her other title's include: Undertow, Mariana, Season of Storms, Every Secret Thing, The Rose Garden and show more Bellewether. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Awards and Honors
Awards
Series
Work Relationships
Is contained in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Winter Sea
- Original title
- Sophia's Secret
- Alternate titles
- The Winter Sea
- Original publication date
- 2008
- People/Characters
- Carrie McClelland; Sophia Paterson; John Moray; James Douglas-Hamilton, 4th Duke of Hamilton; Graham Keith
- Important places
- Slains Castle; Scotland, UK
- Important events
- Jacobite Rebellion
- Epigraph
- Come home! The year has left you old;
Leave those grey stones; wrap close this shawl
Around you for the night is cold;
Come home! He will not hear you call;
No sign awaits you here but the beat
Of tides upo... (show all)n the strand,
The craig's gaunt shadow with gull's feet
Imprinted on the sand,
And spars and sea-weed strewn
Under a pale moon.
Come home! He will not hear you call;
Only the night winds answer as they fall
Along the shore,
and evermore
Only the sea-shells
On the grey stones singing,
And the white foam-bells
On the North Sea ringing.
-E.J. Pratt, "On the Shore" - First words
- It wasn't chance.
- Quotations
- A grieving person’s like a person treading in deep water—if they’ve nothing to hold on to, they lose hope. They slide right under.’
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)And then his arm came round me, solid, safe, and drew me firmly back against the shelter of his chest, and I felt peace, and turned my face against the pillow, and I slept.
- Canonical DDC/MDS
- 813.6
- Canonical LCC
- PR9199.3.K4112
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- Reviews
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- Rating
- (4.01)
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- 6 — English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
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- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 42
- UPCs
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