Bone and Blood

Bone and Blood was inspired by a visit to a concentration camp for women near Berlin where Donegal author, Margo Gorman, discovered Irish women had been imprisoned during the Second World War. The result is Margo’s novel; a compelling story of two strong women, their difficult memories and the bonds of love and family.
Bone and Blood opens in Berlin August 2005 as the death of Brigitte’s daughter, Katharina brings back memories of her conception in 1945 when Brigitte was imprisoned in Ravensbrück Concentration Camp. Brigitte has never told her story of the war years but is challenged by Aisling, her great-niece and a student from Dublin, who arrives for the funeral. Aisling takes possession of the unposted letters, written by Brigitte during war, and commandeers a laptop she finds in Katharina’s room. She gradually becomes hooked on images conjured up by the letters.
Bone and Blood was originally shortlisted for the Virginia Prize for Fiction in 2009, but has since been worked up into a full length novel.

Margo Gorman was taught by Seamus Heaney in Belfast. She spent several decades organising programmes for international bodies. Publications include All Equal: All Different published by the Council of Europe. She is based in Donegal, Ireland and Berlin, Germany.