Audiobook….read by Orlagh Cassidy, Euan Morton …..15 hours and 52 minutesThis was the second book I ‘listene…Audiobook….read by Orlagh Cassidy, Euan Morton …..15 hours and 52 minutesThis was the second book I ‘listened’ to by Jennifer Steil. Having never forgotten how ‘much’ I enjoyed “Exile Music”….(fabulous storytelling- and worked so well in the audiobook format), I knew I wanted to try ‘another’ book by Jennifer Steil ….[one day]….Ha….in the busy world of ‘book-choosing-desirables’!!!!And….THAT’S it…..(now TWO MEMORABLE Historical Fiction books by Steil…I’m a fan!!!)“Exile Music” is still my ‘favorite’ of the two Steil-novels I’ve read so far —- but “The Ambassador’s Wife” comes damn close — BOTH 5 star ratings from me ….This story FIT THE NEED I HAD A CRAVING FOR…. ….a return to old fashion storytelling [taking place in a fictional town in the uncompromising Islamic country] ….….sweeping me into a world — so far away from my own — [but I’ve traveled in the Middle East]…. …..with luscious sensory feelings, gripping suspense tension, filled with moral quandaries—ethical paradoxes to examine—artistic creations, sexuality, gender divisions, freedom in the Arab world, idealism vs. realism, security restrictions, a mother’s natural reflex to protect her child, indignation, anger, fear, guilt, sadness > THE PIERCING EMOTIONAL DIALOGUE was VIVID & GRIPPING…. ….looking at the historical horrors of terrorism, the suppression of women, devastating injustice, adoption, politics -cultural challenges > …..centered around a bisexual bohemian American artist (Miranda), and a British diplomat (Finn) > a kidnapping > a marriage > a child (Cressie) > women’s cross-cultural friendships > love, forbidden love, ……AMAZING STORYTELLING….. I was mentally, and emotionally spent by the end….and the last …