Gretchen Berg Bücher

USA 1950: Eine Kleinstadt, eine neugierige Telefonistin und ein unerhörtes Gerücht, das ihre ganze Welt verändert Niemand kennt die Einwohner einer beschaulichen Kleinstadt in Ohio so gut wie Telefonistin Vivian Dalton. Sie verbindet Telefonleitungen und Leben. Zuhören darf sie zwar streng genommen nicht, doch sie tut es trotzdem. Eines Nachts belauscht sie ein Gespräch und erfährt, dass ihr Mann angeblich mit einer weiteren Frau verheiratet sein soll. Empört will Vivian beweisen, dass an diesem Gerücht nichts dran ist – das wäre ja ein Skandal! Schon bald merkt sie aber, dass in einer Kleinstadt immer ein Geheimnis zum nächsten führt …

A delightful, uplifting and moving novel about a 1950s switchboard operator who learns a shocking secret when she eavesdrops on a phone conversation. 'Irresistible' Kathryn Stockett, author of THE HELP

A delightful, uplifting and moving novel about a 1950s switchboard operator who learns a shocking secret when she eavesdrops on a phone conversation. 'Irresistible' Kathryn Stockett, author of THE HELP

In a small town in 1950s America, switchboard operator Vivian Dalton knows everyone’s secrets, thanks to her intuitive eavesdropping. While her teenage daughter, Charlotte, views it as mere snooping, Vivian and her colleagues at Bell on East Liberty Street connect lives and gossip. They overhear conversations that reveal the town's dynamics, including Mrs. Butler's ungrateful daughter and Ginny Frazier's social rejections. However, everything changes one cold December night when Vivian listens in on a shocking call involving the snobbish Betty Miller. The revelation threatens to upend Vivian's orderly life, risking her reputation and making her the subject of town gossip. Determined to uncover the truth behind the rumor, Vivian embarks on a quest for answers, aware that in a close-knit community like Wooster, one secret often leads to another. As she digs deeper, she confronts the complexities of her relationships and the hidden truths that bind the townspeople together, revealing the absurdities and challenges of life in a seemingly simple era. Vivian's journey is one of resilience, as she navigates the delicate balance between truth and the potential fallout it brings.

Set in the 1950s, this novel offers a humorous and insightful exploration of suburban life through the eyes of housewives. It delves into the complexities of their relationships, revealing themes of jealousy, infidelity, bigotry, and even embezzlement. With a tone reminiscent of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the story highlights the absurdities of a seemingly simpler era, showcasing the depth and intrigue hidden beneath the surface of everyday life. The narrative promises to be both engaging and thought-provoking.