Overview

FROM NAZI GERMANY TO BLITZ-TORN LONDON, A Jewish mother and daughter endure turmoil, lost love, and hardship. After years of a loveless marriage, recently widowed Clara finds solace in music and memories. Then, as living in Germany becomes more dangerous, she discovers romance for the first time. Meanwhile, Edith, no longer willing to endure Nazi persecution, leaves her first love to find safety in London and the arms of an Englishman. On the eve of war, Clara and Edith reunite in London and forge a new relationship. Will mother and daughter weather the stress of air raids, the mood swings of Edith's erratic husband, and the demands of house and childcare? Will their bond sustain them, or will it crack under the pressure of wartime traumas? Based on the true story of the author's grandmother and aunt, Ashes and Ruins brings readers the full story of Clara and Edith, introduced in K. Lang-Slattery's earlier novel, Immigrant Soldier. In this stand-alone story, the two women come alive in a tale of quiet courage and perseverance before and during World War II.

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9798986201313

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Reviews

""Ashes and Ruins is a compelling page-turner woven with romance, long-buried secrets, and enduring love. This poignant story of a Jewish mother and daughter captures the heartbreak, fear, and resilience of living in Germany and England as Nazi power tightens its grip. Through intimate diaries and letters, the author paints vivid scenes that make history pulse with life. How will they navigate the perilous path to safety-and at what cost?"" --Jill G. Hall, author of On a Sundown Sea: A Novel of Madame Tingley and the Origins of Lomaland ""A mini epic, Ashes and Ruins distills the terrors of the World War II catastrophe, staging them, not on a battlefield but in that other sphere where the war also took place-the home. Its exploration of the strains and confidences of the mother-daughter bond is sensitive and inspiring and proves that the lives of quiet women are not without dynamite."" ꟷ Janet Long, editor of Longhare editing ""Clara and her daughter Edith's experiences are intertwined throughout .. . The novel will appeal to both adult and mature young adult audiences because of the .. . parallels between mother and daughter and the devotion shown by women of all generations in times of great peril."" ꟷ Kate Robinson, The US Review of Books

Author Information

Kathryn Lang-Slattery's published works include a previous historical fiction novel, Immigrant Soldier, a memoir, Wherever the Road Leads, the Caitlin at Camp children's book series, essays, and short stories. In addition to writing, Kathryn enjoys reading, painting, cooking, and traveling internationally. She lives near the Pacific Ocean, only steps from her childhood home.

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