Gudrun Mouw

From Ashes Into Light by Gudrun Mouw is a novel which follows several people and a mysthical creature, and jumps timelines to boot.

This is a novel with a strange narrative, reading more as an adult fairytale than Holocaust fiction. The narrative follows three voices, a Jewish child during the Holocaust (Ruth), a Native American during the time of the Spanish conquest (Saqapaya), a sexually abused immigrant from Germany during the 1940s (Friede Mai), all guided and a phoenix bird who watches over them.

The different points of view give the story a much wider view of the world and how little human kind has advanced. The story is very insightful and absorbing, written with spirituality and hope.

The novel is written beautifully, even though the crossover stories are a bit difficult to get used to and a bit annoying. While slow at times, the narrative grows on the reader and we get a glimpse into the author’s mind.

For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com… (altro)

This book is about strength, courage, spirituality, hope, remembrance and tragedy. It is told by:

Ruth - a Jewish adolescent growing up in Austria during the holocaust.
Saqapaya - a Stalwart Native American in California during the Spanish conquest.
Elfriede Mai - born during World War II to a Bavarian soldier and a East-Prussian mother. Her whole life she has been haunted by memories that are not her own. Friede and her family eventually immigrate to the United States where she meets her spiritual guide, a Rabbi, who helps her find inner peace.

Their stories were palpable and for the most part they were really good. I didn't like the Phoenix in the beginning, but I got used to it. The author's imagination and creativity are wonderful.… (altro)