Bone and Blood

Bone and Blood opens in Berlin August 2005 as the death of Brigitte's daughter, Katharina brings back memories of her conception in 1945 when Brigitte was imprisoned in Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. Brigitte has never told her story of the war years but is challenged by Aisling, her great-niece and a student from Dublin, who arrives for the funeral. Aisling takes possession of a collection of unposted letters, written by Brigitte during war, and commandeers a laptop she finds in Katharina's room. She gradually becomes hooked on images conjured up by the letters. They forge a relationship bonded by Brigitte's memories and Aisling's future, and Aisling learns as much about herself as about the past. Bone and Blood is the compelling story of two strong women, their difficult memories and the bonds of love and fear.

Margo Gorman was taught by Seamus Heaney in Belfast. She spent several decades organising programmes for international bodies. Publications include All Equal: All Different published by the Council of Europe. She is based in Donegal, Ireland and Berlin, Germany. An earlier version of Bone and Blood was shortlisted for the Virginia Woolf prize for fiction in 2009.