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Author of The Midwife of Auschwitz, Anna Stuart on uncovering the torment of the Abba star with the Nazi father and the courageous midwife who delivered 3000 babies in Auschwitz.
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Anna Stuart is international time traveller, roaming the past for stories. The historical fiction writer turns out three novels a year, writing under two different pseudonyms. As Joanna Courtney she wrote a trilogy set in the 11th century, Queens of Conquest and as Anna Stuart, she writes WW2 fiction.
Her recent novel, The Midwife of Auschwitz, is inspired by the harrowing true story of the women who delivered babies in the midst of hell and it's sequel, The Midwife of Berlin is out now.
From Book 1: Auschwitz, 1943: As I held the tiny baby in my arms, my fingers traced the black tattoo etched across her little thigh. And I prayed that one day this set of numbers, identical to her mother’s, would have the power to reunite a family torn apart by war…
Inspired by an incredible true story, this poignant novel tells of one woman’s fight for love, life and hope during a time of unimaginable darkness.
Ana Kaminski is pushed through the iron gates of Auschwitz beside her frightened young friend Ester Pasternak. As they reach the front of the line, Ana steps forward and quietly declares herself a midwife – and Ester her assistant. Their arms are tattooed and they’re ordered to the maternity hut. Holding an innocent new-born baby, Ana knows the fate of so many are in her hands, and vows to do everything she can to save them.
When two guards in their chilling SS uniforms march in and snatch a blond-haired baby from its mother it’s almost too much for Ana to bear. Consoling the distraught woman, Ana realises amidst the terrible heartache there is a glimmer of hope. The guards are taking the healthiest babies and placing them with German families, so they will survive. And there are whispers the war is nearly over… Ana and Ester begin to secretly tattoo little ones with their mother’s numbers, praying one day they might be reunited.
Then, early one morning, Ana notices the small bump under Ester’s thin striped clothing…
An absolutely heartbreaking and page-turning WW2 novel of one woman’s bravery and determination to bring life and hope into a broken world. Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Alice Network and The Nightingale will be gripped.
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