Lucy Beckett Knihy

Beginning in 1914 and ending on the eve of World War II, this epic story follows the coming of age and early manhood of the Prussian aristocrat, Max von Hofmannswaldau. From the idyllic surroundings of his ancestral home to the streets of cosmopolitan Breslau menaced by the Nazi SS, Hofmannswaldau uncovers the truth about his own identity and confronts the modern ideologies that threaten the annihilation of millions of people. A Postcard from the Volcano  opens with the outbreak of World War I and the Prussian pride and patriotism that blind the noble von Hofmannswaldau family to the destruction that lies ahead for their country. The well-researched narrative follows the young count as he leaves home to finish his education and ends up a stranger in the land of his birth. Both intelligent and sensitive, Beckett’s prose explores the complex philosophical and political questions that led Europe into a second world war, while never losing sight of a man whose life is shaped by his times. A deeply moving historical novel that shows the horrific impact that two world wars had on whole countries, and how individuals struggled to deal with the incredible challenges presented by such devastation.

Clare Wilson, a widow in her late seventies, navigates the complexities of post-Brexit Britain while grappling with personal loss and the impact of Covid-19. Her comfortable life in South Kensington is disrupted by unexpected events, forcing her to confront a world filled with anxiety. The novel serves as a poignant 'state-of-the-nation' commentary, rendered in Lucy Beckett's precise and gentle prose. Richly detailed, it offers intimate reflections on faith and the human experience, evoking the essence of a Flemish painting through its domestic and distant imagery.

Clare Wilson, nearing eighty and grappling with the solitude of old age, finds unexpected solace in a new friendship amidst the isolation of the Covid pandemic. As she navigates her grief from past losses and her disillusionment with contemporary England, this late-in-life connection offers her companionship and a deeper understanding of her country’s tragic history. Their bond becomes a refuge, highlighting the resilience of human connection even in the face of external turmoil and personal sorrow.