Sunday, June 22, 2008

Synopsis

Since I had to share a synopsis of my novel with my new writing classmates, I thought it only fair that I share it on the blog because many of you have followed my journey to write this novel. Enjoy. (I hope.)

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At the End of Silence is the story of a family caught up in the calamity of World War Two Europe. It follows Ruth, the youngest child in a modern Jewish family, from her comfortable family life in Prague through her deportation to the concentration camps and eventual emigration. At the end of the war, Ruth is the only member of her family to survive, so she buries her past and begins a new life in California with the American medic she meets upon liberation.

When Ruth’s fears are reawakened in the aftermath of 9/11, her daughter Sarah journeys to discover her mother’s hidden past armed with only a few fading photographs and antique foreign books. What she discovers will call to question the foundation of their relationship and her entire family history.

At the End of Silence explores the potentially divisive consequences of silence, but it also discovers the ultimately redemptive quality of love.

19 comments:

Jenny Beattie said...

Oh Wow. I cannot wait to read it. It sounds fantastic. Keep up the good work, Angie.

Helen said...

The Synopsis sounds so professional and also really makes me want to read the book. Fantastic.

Yvonne said...

Really impressed by your synopsis, sounds like you've been writing them forever. And I'd love to read it.

Kristen @ frostingandfroth.com said...

Sounsd excellent, Ang. Sign me up for the first copy! Okay, maybe husband should get the first, but I call the second!

Angie said...

Thank you, JJ, that's a great reaction. :)

Helen, yay! I'm glad it sounds professional and you want to keep reading.

Yvonne, in my past life I did help authors with their cover copy, but it's so much harder to summarize your own work. Huzzah!

Kristen, see Husband should be nicer to you and stop teasing - you're allowing him to have book one! Don't know if my mom will be so obliging. ;)

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Wow, what a powerful sounding book. I can't wait to read it.

I'm hopeless at synopses. Yours is so professional, very impressive.

Sarah*G* said...

Synopsis(es) (is there a plural for that word or is it like fish?) worry me. I have no idea what to write for mine or even what to wrote for my query letter to agents asking them to read my 3 chapters or full. I am hopeless really!
Well done on getting yours done. Sounds great.

Becca said...

Excellent job on the synopsis, and the novel sounds wonderful! Get to work and finish it so we can all read it!

I'm curious about the kind of research you're doing. I did a novel for NaNoWriMo that was partially set in post WWII America, and just wondered how you're gathering your background information.

Unknown said...

Awesome! History is always something that I'm passionate about and the story that your synopsis promises has me ready to buy a copy. Very well done!

Angie said...

Debs, thank you so much.
In truth, it took me many many drafts to craft the synopsis.

Sarah, yep synopses is the plural (so it's not fishies then? ;).
Ugh, the query letter is another terrifying obstacle, but I have time to put that off.
Thanks!

Becca, thank you. Oh dear...I better get to work then!
I've always been interested in that period, so I suppose I've been collecting information for awhile, but I started online, found loads of books on the period, memoirs of survivors, etc. Most of the Holocaust centers worldwide have a wealth of information available, so I utilized that. Lots of archival videos. I also did a research trip to Prague and Munich. (Not sure if that answer helps.)

Chad, I love history too, which made this book really fun to write (even though the subject matter was difficult). Let's hope the book lives up to the synopsis' hype then! ;) Cheers.

Sue Guiney said...

Sounds terrific. And what a great synopsis -- those things are the hardest to write of all! Can't wait to read it.

Karen said...

Sounds wonderful :o)
I shall pre-emptively add it to my TBR pile!

Kat W said...

I HAVE to read it! Your synopsis was great. I will be coming to you for lessons very soon.

Could you please hurry (no pressure) as I truly want to read it NOW!!!! Any chance of emailing me the whole script so I can read in bed tonight????

Oh and one of my closest friends is Czech and used to live in Prague - so if you need me to ask her anything, I'm sure she'd be glad to help.

Kat
Seriously excited!

Angie said...

Sue, isn't it funny how that short piece is so hard to write? Cheers!

Thank you, Karen. What a compliment. :)

Ah, thanks, Kat. Not sure I have many good tips though.
Yes ma'am! *hurries off to write*
I think if you read it tonight, the synopsis would be the best part. haha. ;)
I might take you up on that offer. I have a few lines that were difficult to translate to Czech. Husband's aunt is Czech, but she was born here and is only semi-fluent.


I'm loving everyone's comments. Thank you so much for the boost. :)
x

Pacha said...

Sounds like a fantastically good read! Absorbed and intrigued already by the synopsis! Especially love that last sentence

Angie said...

Hi Pacha, thank you so much (and thanks for visiting :).
Don't you just love our 100 word group? It's renewed my excitement for writing. Speaking of which, I better be off... ;)

Zmunda said...

I seriously have goose bumps already. If I have not said it before I am so very proud of you!

Rebecca said...

Angie - this sounds completely intriguing. And like you have had to do a mass of research. What an achievement.


I can't wait to see it on the shelves!

Angie said...

Ah, thanks, Rebecca. I appreciate that.

Hopefully someday... :)