The Almond Tree - Couverture souple

Maier, Simon

Couverture souple

ISBN 13 : 9798389841604

Editeur : Independently published, 2023

Synopsis

The Almond Tree is a collection of unnerving but occasionally heartening short stories set in 1930's Germany, a time that was for many a period of absolute terror and for others a time of infatuation with Adolf Hitler.

Each story has a powerful injection of thrill and some heart-warming, lighter moments. The tales feature people living in the heart of Germany’s Black Forest which was and is full of innocence, mystery, fear and fairy tales, all of them possibly true!

One story focuses on the present, a second takes place in the 1980's and the Great War is the backdrop for another. The remainder are set prior to or during the Second World War.

In each story something odd, shocking or extraordinary occurs, has occurred or is about to occur to upset the status quo and turn someone's life upside down.

The tales interlock and focus on the effect of persecution and mental or physical violence thrust on an individual, family or community. Much of the brutality is borne out of hatred, panic or self-loathing. Each story has in it decent characters as well as others who are wretched or despicable – all touched in different ways by loss.

The stories are a study in ignorance, frailty and a lack of morals. They are about the everyday, the absurd and the twists of fate that change expectations and dash or create hope.

The Almond Tree is a tale about the love of a beautiful tree and the sudden awareness of hate. Exeunt Omnes is about greed, stupidity and arrogance. The Three Kettles is a story set in the 1980's about a fairy tale coming to life. Philosophy is about a naïve young man caught up in espionage and lust. The Box tells the story of a mysterious find and the resultant greed, treachery and hope. The Gargoyle is about lechery and revenge. The Gentle Man, set in 1914, is about a modest city council secretary who finds that telling the truth is difficult but important despite its risks. The Camp is a story about a spark of hatred that envelops a UK internment camp in 1940. Violin is about the brutal death of a twelve-year old boy’s best friend, the loss of his parents and his attempted escape from hate. Merry Christmas shows what happens when an army becomes disillusioned and its soldiers capable of deeds that in normal times would never cross their minds.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Independently published
• Date d'édition: 2023
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 13: 9798389841604
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 247
• Coordonnées du fabricant: Manufactured by Amazon on behalf of the author; https://www.amazon.fr/hz/contact-us; ; c/o Amazon Media EU S.à.r.l., 38 Avenue John F. Kennedy; Luxembourg; L-1855; Luxembourg