Blog Archives
Therapy for the Soul
I Stood Among the Ruins and Cried shares your story of growing up in Germany post-WWII with a dysfunctional family brought on by the hardships of living in a war-torn country. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Writing my childhood memoir was never on my agenda. I was working on a historical novel and needed a new home for my young German protagonist after the collapse of the Third Reich and the fascist regime in northern Italy. That new home became Bremerhaven, a port in northern Germany where I grew up. Walking down post-WWII memory lane triggered an overwhelming number of recollections, some sad some funny, all of which left me in a melancholic state. There was only one way to ease my mind: turn those recollections into a book. Writing the book was therapy for the soul and the book has now become a little history of me as a child, for my family and generations to come, and for all those who wish to know what it was like for a child to grow up surrounded by ruins.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The importance of books. Books were my saviour. I was an early reader. Fortunately, reading was encouraged in my family. After many unhappy moments, I sought refuge in the stories I read. Books became my trusted friends, my escape from reality, another learning route, a source to satisfy my curious mind. To this day, I cannot imagine a life without a good book.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
My mother. She deserved a kinder husband, a more loving father to their children. It was painful to write about my middle brother’s life, his death and her devastation, and about her nervous breakdown.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
The importance of peace. I want to illuminate the devastating effect of war on a nation’s soul and all individuals, where nobody is spared, and where especially the children, the most innocent, pay a high price.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Author’s Note:
I was not raised in a family of men and women who once were Nazi collaborators or members of the underground resistance who later wrote sensational books, or left their mark in the field of science that might have earned them a Nobel Prize. My family was ordinary and bourgeois, shaped by alcohol, adultery, and lies, its members, male and female, further twisted and damaged through the horrors of both World Wars. I Stood Among The Ruins and Cried are bittersweet, occasionally amusing childhood recollections, a kaleidoscope of events as seen and experienced through my innocent eyes in post-WWII Germany in a US military occupied zone: life in cramped quarters with a violent father; early years at school; about my brothers, childhood friends and neighbours; my first love and other observations and experiences and much hurt and pain and a strong desire to grow up fast and escape the unhappy environment in which I lived.
I STOOD AMONG THE RUINS AND CRIED
Ingrid McCarthy’s memoir, I Stood Among the Ruins and Cried, presents an evocative portrayal of her childhood in Germany during a tumultuous period. Her narrative brings to life the blend of simplicity and resilience that marked her formative years amidst the backdrop of war. The memoir is enriched with vivid recollections of cherished moments shared with family and friends, highlighting the strength of human connections in overcoming adversity. McCarthy’s reflections on the joy found in simple pleasures, despite the hardships, emphasize the warmth and kindness within her family circle.
McCarthy skillfully crafts a narrative that balances the gravity of her experiences with a touch of humor. She confronts the difficult realities of growing up in a family grappling with the aftermath of war, including her father’s struggle with alcoholism. Her candid storytelling imparts insights into themes of love, compassion, and friendship while also illuminating the constrained roles of women during that era. The memoir is not just a journey through McCarthy’s personal experiences; it offers a broader perspective on German culture and character. Her mother’s resilience and Ingrid’s own quest for emotional connection paint a vivid picture of the human spirit’s endurance.
I Stood Among the Ruins and Cried is a testament to the power of personal storytelling in understanding historical contexts. It is a valuable addition to the genre of autobiographies and memoirs, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally relatable narrative. The book is engaging and insightful, making it recommended for those interested in personal histories set against the backdrop of significant historical events.
Pages: 231 | ASIN : B09G5KJZNZ
LITERARY TITAN 