David R. Gillham is a New York Times bestselling author whose transition from screenwriting to fiction is marked by a deep immersion into historical detail. With a background in the book business, Gillham brings a unique perspective to his narratives. His work is characterized by meticulous research and a profound exploration of human resilience and moral complexities during pivotal historical moments. He skillfully uncovers lesser-known facets of significant events, offering readers an intimate and compelling journey into the past.
"1955 in New York City, the city of progress. But in the Perlman residence, the past is as close as the present. Rachel Perlman, a child of Berlin and an artist bearing her mother's legacy, arrives in New York as part of the wave of Jewish Displaced persons who managed to survive the brutalities of the war. But despite her efforts, Rachel is unable to live the "normal" life of an American housewife, not until she can shake the ghosts of her past and the tremendous guilt that weighs down on her, her own "crime" of survival"--
Having survived the concentration camps but lost her mother and sister along the way, a sixteen-year-old Anne Frank reunites with her father, Pim, in newly liberated Amsterdam. But it's not as easy to fit the pieces of their life back together. Anne is adrift, haunted by the ghosts of the horrors they experienced, while Pim is fixated on returning to normalcy. Her beloved diary has been lost, and her dreams of becoming a writer seem distant and pointless now. As Anne struggles to overcome the brutality of memory and build a new life for herself, she grapples with heartbreak, grief, and ultimately the freedom of forgiveness. A story of trauma and redemption, Annelies honors Anne Frank's legacy as not only a symbol of hope and perseverance but also a complex young woman of great ambition and heart.
In 1943, amidst the chaos of the Second World War, Berlin has transformed into a city dominated by women. The narrative follows Sigrid Schröder, who appears to be the ideal German soldier's wife, diligently managing her daily life, rationing supplies, and caring for her intrusive mother-in-law while turning a blind eye to the regime's atrocities. However, beneath this exterior lies a different Sigrid, haunted by memories of her former lover, a Jew lost in the turmoil of war. As Sigrid navigates her life, a high-ranking SS officer and his family move into her building, drawing her into their complex world. A young woman fulfilling her duty-year presents Sigrid with unsettling questions, while a blind man selling pencils on the street seems to watch her every move. As Sigrid becomes increasingly aware of the harsh realities surrounding her, the protective walls she has built begin to crumble. She faces a moral dilemma, forced to confront the distinctions between right and wrong, and the murky spaces in between. This gripping tale delves into the impact of extraordinary circumstances on ordinary lives, highlighting how critical choices can determine survival amidst moral ambiguity.
