The Porcelain Maker
By: Sarah Freethy
ISBN: 9781250289346
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 11/07/2023
Format: Other
My Rating: TBR (ARC)
An epic story of love, betrayal, and art that spans decades, through the horrors of World War II to 21st century America, inspired by an actual porcelain factory in Dachau.
Two lovers caught at the crossroads of history.
A daughter’s search for the truth.
Germany, 1929. At a festive gathering of young bohemians in Weimar, two young artists, Max, a skilled Jewish architect, and Bettina, a celebrated avant-garde painter, are drawn to each other and begin a whirlwind romance. Their respective talents transport them to the dazzling lights of Berlin, but this bright beginning is quickly dimmed by the rising threat of Nazism. Max is arrested and sent to the concentration camp at Dachau where only his talent at making exquisite porcelain figures stands between him and seemingly certain death. Desperate to save her lover, Bettina risks everything to rescue him and escape Germany.
America, 1993. Clara, Bettina’s daughter, embarks on a journey to trace her roots and determine the identity of her father, a secret her mother has kept from her for reasons she’s never understood. Clara’s quest to piece together the puzzle of her origins transports us back in time to the darkness of Nazi Germany, where life is lived on a razor’s edge and deception and death lurk around every corner. Survival depends on strength, loyalty, and knowing true friend from hidden foe. And as Clara digs further, she begins to question why her mother was so determined to leave the truth of her harrowing past behind...
The Porcelain Maker is a powerful novel of enduring love and courage in the face of appalling brutality as a daughter seeks to unlock the mystery of her past.
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Praise
"Once I started reading The Porcelain Maker, I didn't want to stop...Freethy is brilliant as she weaves two time periods effortlessly into a page-turning journey to uncover a past of heroism, betrayal, love, and loss."
―Heather Morris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Three Sisters
"In her exquisitely crafted and poignant debut, Sarah Freethy brings readers an unforgettable tale of love and loss.... Phenomenal."
―Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Mitford Affair
"As detailed, delicate, beautiful, and brutal as the hidden porcelain Sarah Freethy conjures, this heart-rending debut intertwines real history and characters both noble and endearing into a story to live in, learn from, and love."
―Meg Waite Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Postmistress of Paris
"A heartbreaking story of beauty in the midst of brutality."
―Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of Band of Sisters
"A riveting and immersive novel, at the intersection of art and war."
―Laura Spence-Ash, bestselling author of Beyond That, the Sea
"A standout novel of heartbreak, survival and hope in time of war. Gripping, beautifully written, The Porcelain Maker is destined to be a huge bestseller."
―Rachel Hore, bestselling author of One Moonlit Night and A Beautiful Spy.
About the Author
I am a writer and television producer, a screenwriter and a script consultant. My first novel, The Porcelain Maker is due out later this year. I live in Hampshire with my partner, my daughter and a three-legged wonder-hound named Martha.
For over 25 years I have worked as a television producer, working with wonderful teams and any number of briliant people. From the iconic Clive James On TV and the excitement of the early years of Big Brother, right through to the rural idyll of Country House Rescue, I've been tremendously fortunate with many of the projects I've made and the lovely people I've worked with. Special mention through much of this must go to my friend and mentor, Walter Iuzzolino, a lovely man and a divine force of nature. In recent years I have made forays into script consultancy and screenwriting, on dramas such as Professor T (ITV) and Before We Die (C4) which is something I hope to do more of down the line. I am currently in the process of writing my second novel. Watch this space…
