The narrative explores the impact of a violent act on three generations of women, focusing on Mimi, who lacks memory of her mother Eva's abuse, and Eva, who grapples with her shame and detachment from her own mother, Anna. Anna's presence serves as a painful reminder of the past. Amidst this turmoil, young Adam, Mimi's son, innocently observes and embodies love, becoming a catalyst for healing within the fractured family dynamic. The story delves into themes of memory, trauma, and the potential for reconciliation.
Set in 1950s Brussels, the narrative follows Marfa, a Ukrainian woman grappling with the traumatic loss of her child during World War II. Her introspective journey reveals deep-seated guilt and loneliness, as she navigates her haunting memories. The story alternates between narrative and reflection, showcasing her gradual awakening to friendship, kindness, and the potential for redemption and love through meaningful work and the support of others.
"The characters are strongly drawn and fascinating... Cramer's writing is lush and poetic with a refreshing edge." --Shelf Awareness When Nazi forces occupy the beautiful coastal city of Yalta, Crimea, everything changes. Eighteen-year-old Filip has few options; he is a prime candidate for forced labor in Germany. His hurried marriage to his childhood friend Galina might grant him reprieve, but the rules keep shifting. Galina's parents, branded as traitors for innocently doing business with the enemy, decide to volunteer in hopes of better placement. The work turns out to be horrific, but at least the family stays together. By winter 1945, Allied air raids destroy strategic sites; Dresden, a city of no military consequence, seems safe. The world knows Dresden's fate. Roads is the story of one family lucky enough to escape with their lives as the city burns behind them. But as the war ends, they are separated and their trials continue. Looking for safety in an alien land, they move toward one another with the help of refugee networks and pure chance. Along the way, they find new ways to live in a changed world--new meanings for fidelity, grief, and love.
