AUTHORAMP PROUDLY
PRESENTS THE
PRESS RELEASE
FOR
TWO SONS
by
Stewart Gill Owen
The story of two families divided by war and united in grief.
It’s 1932 and Hitler and the Nazi Party are threatening to take control of Germany. There is a growing fear of another war.
Two families from vastly different
backgrounds make their way to visit their sons’ war graves in the
Flanders region of Belgium. John and Annie Williams are on their annual
trip from England in memory of their son, Herbert, who had been killed
while fighting at the battle of Passchendaele in 1917. Erich and Martina
Lehmann have travelled from Germany to pay their respects to the memory
of their son, Kurt who died in the same campaign. During their visit,
the couples meet and in the wake of such devastation, confrontational
events take place.
‘Two Sons’ moves from the war on the
western front to the domestic lives of both families over a period of
two decades. Having lost their sons in one conflict, both families fear
that they may have to make further sacrifices in light of the growing
threat.
About the Author
Stewart Gill Owen was born in Blackburn and grew up in Lancashire. After art school, his
career was in design and advertising, and as a lecturer in further and
higher education. He now lives in Somerset with his wife Jessie. Their
two daughters often visit, bringing the five grandsons with them.
Stewart is a keen historian. It is the most immediate and ‘living’
history that has inspired Two Sons, which is his first book. Many of us
still have links with the First World War. Stewart lost an uncle in
Flanders and one of his ancestors was the poet Wilfred Owen. Something
that happened so long ago is in many ways still with us.
Reviews
“This is a very engaging story with rich characterisation, a roller coaster of emotions and excellent period detail.” Bruce Payne, Amazon UK.
“I really enjoyed this read, and
would congratulate the author on the way he handled such a sensitive
subject and told the stories of two separate families intertwining the
past with the present.” Weeki, Amazon UK.
“This book is a sensitive reminder of the impact the war had on both sides. A very good read, which I highly recommend.” JR Hold, amazon UK.
“One hundred years on this is a very relevant book for young and old. Read it. You will giggle and cry, and be glad you did.” H P Johns, Amazon UK.
Background
“Some of my family history forms the basis of this book,” says Stewart, “I
changed some of the characters, added to the detail of events and
changed the name of the family. I wanted to tell a story that promoted
the experiences of joy, pride, despair, love, grief and the fear of
loss. Two Sons is about those emotions, it’s about the passion and the
feelings that many of us share, regardless of nationality, class, faith
and status.”
It’s a story about the consequences of
the battle of Passchendaele that took place in Flanders in 1917. The
book is based on a number of confrontational encounters that takes place
between a British and a German family in Belgium in the summer of 1932.
“I chose the date because, in July of that year, Hitler and the Nazi party were threatening to take control of Germany” says Stewart, “and there was a growing fear in Belgium of the possibility of renewed hostilities.”
During the visit, heated disagreements and arguments take place. The
story moves from the battlefields of the Western Front to the domestic
life of the families over a period of two decades.
The choice of the battle of
Passchendaele as the main campaign theme of the story was very
deliberate. “Passchendaele or as it was also known, the Third Battle of
Ypres,” explains Stewart, “became it’s known, not only for the scale
of the carnage and the high level of casualties, but also for the mud
and the creation of a desolate landscape that is so recognizable as a
typical image of World War One.”
“Although it’s a work of fiction,” continues Stewart, “I wanted the detail to be as accurate as I could make it and this involved considerable in-depth research. My view is that this is a story that has never been told in any depth before. This is my first novel I know it wont be my last I’m already working on a sequel.”
Click here to watch the > Book Trailer for ‘Two Sons’ <
‘Two Sons’ is available now from all major online bookstores, including Silver Wood Books, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Amazon and on Kindle.
If you would like a copy of ‘Two Sons’ to read, review or feature please contact Kris Barnes of Authoramp. Stewart is also available for interview.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LZX27RK?creativeASIN=B00LZX27RK&linkCode=w01&linkId=YWUO5CWB6ZJ46KP2&ref_=as_sl_pc_ss_til&tag=authoramp-21
http://www.authoramp.com/2014/11/story-two-families-divided-war-united-grief-stewartgillowen/#more-955
No comments:
Post a Comment