Stone Mother serves as an elegantly composed narrative surrounding the life of Marie, the youngest of three children in a quintet family. The trajectory of her life, from the crumbling ramparts of a medieval castle to the cramped confines of a single room with her mother and elder sister, and from an austere institution for children of criminal parents to a modest occupation as a waitress in Canada, before eventually returning to Germany, is the crux of the tale. Bereft of the customary affection typically extended to children, Marie forges an extraordinary connection with the castle, her longing to return to what she views as her authentic home becoming a central theme.

Situated in the volatile backdrop of post-World War II Germany, the author weaves a poignant narrative of survival. Reflecting the collective perseverance of a society grappling with the aftermath of the Holocaust, the book encapsulates the life of a splintered family, each member contending with their personal array of trauma, abuse, and sorrow. Marie’s journey through time transports the reader, revealing a community shadowed by the mute, oppressive guilt of historical misdeeds and entrenched in the hushed torment of an inherited eternal mourning.

Despite its modest length, Stone Mother offers a narrative scope akin to that of an epic. The narrative’s simplicity, coupled with exquisitely complex descriptions, imbues the characters with vivid life, eliciting empathy and a sense of connection from the reader. History unfolds organically before our eyes. Burns proves herself to be a talented author, crafting a world within the novel that captivates us even after the last page is turned. This book is recommended for those seeking a temporary respite from everyday reality.

Pages: 282 | ISBN : 1639889248