Deborah Swift’s Last Train to Freedom is a gripping historical novel set in 1940, following a perilous journey across Siberia as two siblings flee Soviet-occupied Lithuania with explosive intelligence that could change the course of World War II.

Author:	Deborah Swift (audiobook read by Lizzie Schenk)
Publisher:	HQ Digital, Bolinda Audio 08-May-2025
ISBN:	9780008739683 ISBN10: 0008739684
Characteristics:	357 pages, Paperback ; 24 cm.
Source:	Yarra Plenty Library Service
Date Read:	31-Oct-2025, audiobook

To deliver the truth, she must survive the journey.

I enjoyed the audiobook; it’s constant action and suspense about the character’s escaping the Nazi’s kept it highly interesting. The absolute desperation of the characters constantly trying to keep ahead of capture creates empathy in the reader/listener; and getting the visas and train tickets was a risky and frustrating task. Getting worse over time as more Jews seek escape from the Nazis.

It’s well worth listening to the last parts; here you discover that Jews being rescued by the Japanese during World War II actually happened, and the Japanese consulate, Sugihara, is based on a real person during the war who actually helped thousands of Jews escape the Nazi’s. He lost his position due to misuse of his power, but later on history rewarded his heroic deeds.

The audiobook claims that Jews were part of Japan’s ancient history, but this is not true, however.

There is a twist in the story, one of the characters disappoints big time, but given the relationship with the main characters it’s probably not surprising.

Model Railway

The novel makes two mentions of a Bing model railway, described in the author’s typical high detail, including working lights, signals and a lit-up workshop. Being an audiobook, it is difficult to “scan” the book to discover which character owned it, still it was a pleasant addition.

Audiobooks

This was the third audiobook I have listened to, as buses replaced my train service, reading a book became too difficult. Vibration, bad light and lack of space in front made book reading unviable; so audiobooks were a good replacement.

I still prefer reading as it’s easier to skip back to clarify details; something that is not easy with an audiobook using VLC. Often my place would be lost as I forgot which file I was up to. And the parts do not correspond to the chapters, so it’s easy to get lost. To get around this I made a playlist from the audiobook parts, and at the end of a journey the ones played were removed. No more guessing which part I was up to.

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Plot Summary

Set against the backdrop of Soviet and Nazi aggression, the story centres on Zofia and her younger brother Jacek, who must escape Lithuania as Soviet forces invade. Their lifeline comes in the form of Chiune Sugihara, the real-life Japanese consul in Kaunas, who defies Tokyo’s orders by issuing transit visas to Jewish refugees. In exchange, Zofia is tasked with delivering a mysterious parcel to Tokyo—containing evidence of Nazi atrocities so damning that both Soviet and Nazi agents will stop at nothing to intercept it.

Their escape route takes them aboard the Trans-Siberian Express, a 5,700-mile journey through harsh terrain and constant danger. As Japan teeters on the brink of alliance with Nazi Germany, Zofia races against time to complete her mission and expose the truth. Along the way, she confronts betrayal, espionage, and the emotional toll of survival, all while protecting her brother and preserving the contents of the parcel deborahswift.com Aspects of History.

Last Train to Freedom blends real historical events—particularly Sugihara’s heroic defiance—with fictional suspense, offering a powerful narrative about courage, resistance, and the fight for justice. It sheds light on a lesser-known escape route for Jewish refugees during WWII and the moral complexities faced by those who dared to help.

Main Characters

• Zofia: The novel’s courageous protagonist, a young Lithuanian woman who becomes an unlikely courier of vital intelligence. She is fiercely protective of her younger brother and determined to complete a dangerous mission that could alter the course of WWII.
• Jacek: Zofia’s younger brother. Innocent and vulnerable, he represents the emotional core of Zofia’s journey and the stakes of their escape from Soviet-occupied Lithuania.
• Otto: German friend who first works with the escape then against them; and lastly changing his tune big time to work with Zofia.
• Masha: Jacek’s love interest, who although not Jewish, leaves Lithuania for a new life with them.
• Chiune Sugihara: The real-life Japanese consul in Kaunas, Lithuania. He defies his government’s orders by issuing transit visas to Jewish refugees, including Zofia and Jacek, enabling their escape via the Trans-Siberian Railway.
• Soviet and Nazi Agents: Though not always named, these antagonists pursue Zofia and Jacek across Siberia, desperate to intercept the parcel containing explosive intelligence on Nazi atrocities.
• Supporting Characters: While specific names aren’t widely publicised, the novel includes fellow refugees, train passengers, and resistance figures who either aid or hinder Zofia’s mission during her perilous journey.

Further Reading