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Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Wound Closest to the Sun by Karl Berger is a poignant historical novel that spans decades and continents, weaving together the lives of those shaped by war and regret. The story follows Yann, a semi-retired French journalist in 1960, haunted by his past. Through his friendship with Klaus, the son of a German soldier who once saved him, Yann is forced to revisit memories of World War II. As the narrative moves between 1919 Bavaria, WWII France, and 1960s France, Berger explores themes of guilt, forgiveness, and the enduring scars of conflict. This introspective and emotionally charged novel offers a powerful meditation on the personal cost of war and the possibility of redemption.
Author Karl Berger has done a lot of research into a period that he's very passionate about, and the rich historical detail vividly captures the atmosphere of post-war Europe with nuance and understanding. I enjoyed the fact that although the period is so present in the story, this is still very much a tale about people. The character-driven narrative offers a deeply moving exploration of guilt and forgiveness that you can feel in every moment of dialogue and thought. The structure helps to evoke the chaos of the era as the non-linear timeline creates a layered and compelling read that keeps readers closely paying attention to even the smallest details. I also really enjoyed the friendship between Yann and Klaus and how it showed the generational impact of war in a way that feels relevant to the here and now. Overall, The Wound Closest to the Sun is an accomplished historical novel that I would not hesitate to recommend.
