Description
Discover the evocative tale of resilience and reality in *The God of that Summer*, a poignant historical fiction novel set during the harrowing final stages of the Second World War. This compelling narrative follows twelve-year-old Luisa, who, along with her mother and sister Billie, escapes the bombing in Germany by seeking refuge on a dairy farm. While the countryside seems like a safe haven, the looming shadows of war and the power struggles within their family reveal a brutal reality. Luisa's brother-in-law, an SS officer, brings a chilling tension as his focus shifts dangerously towards Billie amidst their struggle for survival.
In a world torn apart by conflict, Luisa finds solace in literature, yet the horrors of war are ever-present—the roar of Allied bombers, the desperate plight of nearby prisoners, and the haunting absence of young boys sent off to fight. As Luisa navigates this chaotic landscape, she learns heartbreaking lessons about life, death, and the darkness of humanity.
Ralf Rothmann's *The God of that Summer* is an exploration of innocence shattered, where one birthday celebration forces Luisa to confront the unimaginable, marking her transition from childhood to an understanding of the world's harsh realities. This novel offers readers a profound look at the impact of war on civilians and the indelible scars it leaves behind.
With 240 pages of gripping storytelling, this brand new release from Pan Macmillan UK is essential reading for those who appreciate deeply moving historical narratives.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781529009842
Year: 2022
Publisher: Pan Macmillan UK
Pages: 240
Description:
As the Second World War enters its final stages, millions in Germany are forced from their homes by bombing, compelled to seek shelter in the countryside where there are barely the resources to feed them.
Twelve-year-old Luisa, her mother, and her older sister Billie have escaped the devastation of the city for the relative safety of a dairy farm. But even here the power struggles of the war play out: the family depend on the goodwill of Luisa’s brother-in-law, an SS officer, who in expectation of payment turns his attention away from his wife and towards Billie. Luisa immerses herself in books, but even she notices the Allied bombers flying east above them, the gauntness of the prisoners at the camp nearby, the disappearance of fresh-faced boys from the milk shed – hastily shipped off to a war that’s already lost.
Living on the farm teaches Luisa about life and death, but it’s man’s capacity for violence that provides the ultimate lesson, that robs her of her innocent ignorance. When, at a birthday celebration, her worst fears are realized, Luisa collapses under the weight of the inexplicable.
Ralf Rothmann’s previous novel, To Die in Spring, described the horror of war and the damage done on the battlefield. The God of that Summer tells the devastating story of civilians caught up in the chaos of defeat, of events that might lead a twelve-year-old child to justifiably say: â€I have experienced everything.’
In a world torn apart by conflict, Luisa finds solace in literature, yet the horrors of war are ever-present—the roar of Allied bombers, the desperate plight of nearby prisoners, and the haunting absence of young boys sent off to fight. As Luisa navigates this chaotic landscape, she learns heartbreaking lessons about life, death, and the darkness of humanity.
Ralf Rothmann's *The God of that Summer* is an exploration of innocence shattered, where one birthday celebration forces Luisa to confront the unimaginable, marking her transition from childhood to an understanding of the world's harsh realities. This novel offers readers a profound look at the impact of war on civilians and the indelible scars it leaves behind.
With 240 pages of gripping storytelling, this brand new release from Pan Macmillan UK is essential reading for those who appreciate deeply moving historical narratives.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781529009842
Year: 2022
Publisher: Pan Macmillan UK
Pages: 240
Description:
As the Second World War enters its final stages, millions in Germany are forced from their homes by bombing, compelled to seek shelter in the countryside where there are barely the resources to feed them.
Twelve-year-old Luisa, her mother, and her older sister Billie have escaped the devastation of the city for the relative safety of a dairy farm. But even here the power struggles of the war play out: the family depend on the goodwill of Luisa’s brother-in-law, an SS officer, who in expectation of payment turns his attention away from his wife and towards Billie. Luisa immerses herself in books, but even she notices the Allied bombers flying east above them, the gauntness of the prisoners at the camp nearby, the disappearance of fresh-faced boys from the milk shed – hastily shipped off to a war that’s already lost.
Living on the farm teaches Luisa about life and death, but it’s man’s capacity for violence that provides the ultimate lesson, that robs her of her innocent ignorance. When, at a birthday celebration, her worst fears are realized, Luisa collapses under the weight of the inexplicable.
Ralf Rothmann’s previous novel, To Die in Spring, described the horror of war and the damage done on the battlefield. The God of that Summer tells the devastating story of civilians caught up in the chaos of defeat, of events that might lead a twelve-year-old child to justifiably say: â€I have experienced everything.’