No Second Chance

by Mark Stephenson

In 1947 Anna seeks refuge in New Zealand, bringing only a suitcase and a number tattooed on her arm. She begins a new life with Des, an easy-going waterside worker, but something holds her back. Haunted by her past, Anna has difficult choices to make. What price must she pay for her second chance?It should be simple for two young people in love to marry and start a family. So why does Anna feel terror at the prospect? Her struggle to overcome her fears and put the past behind her comes at a cost.Their son, Brent, grows up in peacetime but something is missing. Unable to understand his over-protective mother, he flees her controlling ways.Later in life, estranged from her son, Anna longs to see more of her beloved grand-daughter, Lena, growing up in America. Her love for the child could be the catalyst for reconciliation, but how can she bring it about, and will she be in time?'No Second Chance' spans a lifetime, crossing continents and cultures in a tale of cruelty, survival and redemption, from pre-war Austria, through the social upheaval and industrial unrest of New Zealand in the 1950s, to the modern day.It explores the tension between the anchors of the past and the will to start anew. Brutality, guilt and secrecy affect not only an individual, but the generations to come.This is the story of one woman’s choices, a woman with the courage and strength, finally, to face her demons.Only a special love can heal the wounds of the past.

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Bridget E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book about a young Jewish woman post world war 2 who ends up living in Wellington. The writing style was perfect for the main character. It’s what wasn’t ever spoken that summed up her character. I loved it!

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written short novel about an Austrian jewish woman who escapes the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp and starts a new life in Wellington, New Zealand. She gradually learns to adjust, and marries a local man, but the echoes of her past haunt her and her family. The story unfolds in flashbacks as we learn more about what actually happened to her. It's terribly sad but very moving.