Wounded Wing

by Richard Rashke, Julie Psenicka (Illustrator)

Renowned author Richard Rashke's new book, Wounded Wing, is a magical love story for children from nine to ninety-nine. It's about betrayal and forgiveness, greed and justice, healing and hope, courage and delight. Set in the ancient kingdom of Japan, this retelling of a folktale is brought to life by Julie Psenicka's elegant paintings inspired by the traditional Japanese ink-wash style. 



In this enduring tale of love and loss, an injured crane named Tsuu falls in love with the poor farmer who nurses her back to health. She takes human form and marries him, protecting him from the unreasonable demands of his greedy landlords by weaving an exquisite cloth for the empress. She asks only that her husband never look upon her at the loom. When he breaks his sacred promise and learns her secret, a heartbroken Tsuu must navigate the complexities of betrayal and forgiveness.



Rashke's Wounded Wing is a healing tonic for a world filled with war, violence, hatred, and intolerance.

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

Richard Rashke is a lecturer and author of non-fiction books, including The Killing of Karen Silkwood, Escape from Sobibor, Useful Enemies, A Boy Named Red: A True Crime Story, and The Whistle Blower’s Dilemma: Snowden, Silkwood and Their Quest for the Truth. His works have been translated into thirteen languages and have been the subject of films for the screen and television. Rashke worked with Sobibor survivor Esther Tenner Raab on a powerful play called Dear Esther, and he has recently released a new book for all ages, Wounded Wing.

Reviews

[Duane Dargis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each life is a Fairy Tale.
Hopes and Fears
Laughters and Tears
Wounds and Scars
Clouds and Stars
Healing !
Hold your Crane
tightly, but gently.
Your Crane
is fragile, but giving.
This beautiful story embraces what we each need more of
through risk, and courage, and humility.
It taught me to be forgiven
and to fly again
after forgetting how.
BRAVO !

Duane Dargis
Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)
retired

[Barbara Rashke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Rashke offers fresh view on a treasured fairytale that has endured centuries. This story captures the struggles of good versus evil; the “haves” and “have nots” and powerful versus morally strong. There is hope that love will endure hardships and is a great gift. The result has the sweetness of O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi with a satisfying finish.

I quickly liked the primary character, Yohei, which connected me to the story. As a fairytale does, it evokes emotions of care, concern, angst and hope.

The prose flows with poetic dialogue and descriptive text. The story engages the reader and the easy style provides an enjoyable read. Julie Psenicka’s illustrations envision ancient Japan and support the reader in understanding the times of the characters.

Richard Rashke’s Wounded Wing delivers a delightful tale and engaging read.

[RObert Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Wounded Wing” by Richard Rashke is a beautiful story for the child in all of us. It is a story of love and loss and redemption. It is a story of the evils of greed and averice.
It is a story of the oneness of living beings.
As he says: “It is only with the heart that once can truly see”. This is the essence of this beautiful allegory, a modern day fairly tale that can be appreciated on many levels.
It is a book that can be read by young children, or it can be read to young children with room for discussion about the meaning of the story.

[Bruce J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courage, love, faithfulness and resilience do battle with greed and ruthless thuggery where, ultimately, forgiveness triumphs.

Richard Rashke’s words and style paint many pictures captured beautifully in the many illustrations by Julie Psenicka in in this Japanese folktale told anew.

It is a story worth reading again and again; for enjoyment, reflection, strength and inner peace.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. This was a beautiful retelling of the Crane Wife story with a much better ending and lyrical writing.