A powerful examination of the darker aspects of the human heart…
Gates makes a powerful debut with this gripping collection that traces the life of Klaus Barbie, a mid-level Gestapo agent. Through a series of interconnected stories, she explores his troubled upbringing, indoctrination into Nazism, and rise as Gestapo chief in Lyon during World War II. The collection opens with “Mama’s Boy,” revealing the early influences that shaped Barbie. “Number 12 Rue Sainte-Catherine” vividly captures the horrors of his 1943 raid on a Jewish welfare office. Gates’s meticulous research and vivid prose bring to life the chilling experiences of Barbie’s victims, including the torture and death of Resistance leader Jean Moulin.
The collection also covers Barbie’s post-war escape to Bolivia, his life under an assumed identity, and his eventual extradition and trial in the 1980s. The book skillfully introduces alternate perspectives, such as a journalist uncovering her mother’s disturbing connection to Barbie, sparking a profound identity crisis. The book deftly explores how war affects families and how trauma shapes relationships. Gates handles these themes with subtlety and depth, leaving a lasting impact.
A stunning debut.
Number 12 Rue Sainte-Catherine and Other Stories
Roberta Hartling Gates
Pub date September 2024
ISBN 9781960018908
Price $19.99 (USD) Paperback, $9.99 Kindle edition
