The Wish Child

In a turbulent Germany, two children, Sieglinde and Erich, find solace in an abandoned theatre as their world unravels. The Wish Child explores their bond amidst chaos.

In The Wish Child, the story unfolds in 1939 Germany, where two children, Sieglinde and Erich, navigate the complexities of a world engulfed in turmoil. Sieglinde, sheltered in the comforts of middle-class Berlin, remains oblivious to the dark realities surrounding her. In contrast, Erich, an only child from a lush rural background, grapples with unsettling questions about his existence and the world around him. As the political landscape shifts, both children bear witness to their parents' entanglement in the intricate and often bewildering mechanisms of power that threaten to reshape their lives forever.

As the hope for a brighter future crumbles, Sieglinde and Erich find solace in an abandoned theatre amidst the ruins of Berlin. This refuge becomes a sanctuary where they can escape the harshness of reality, even if only temporarily. Their time spent together in this forgotten space allows them to forge a bond that transcends the chaos outside. The theatre, with its faded grandeur, serves as a backdrop for their shared experiences, shaping their perspectives and destinies in profound ways.

The Wish Child is a poignant exploration of childhood innocence amidst the horrors of a nation in turmoil. It paints a dark and haunting picture of how ordinary lives are irrevocably altered by the quest for a so-called perfect nation. Ultimately, the novel delves into themes of friendship, loss, and the impact of societal upheaval on the lives of its most vulnerable members.