Join us for a discussion of The Wound Closest with the author, Karl Berger on Saturday, October 16th at 11am. The discussion is part of Classic Element’s Author Series and is free to the public.

About The Wound Closest to the Sun:

The novel plays out in three historic frames: 1919 Bavaria, Germany; Second World War France; France in 1960.

The main character, Yann, is a French journalist, professor, and Camus scholar who is plagued by a lifetime of regrets. He finds hope in an unforeseen friendship with Klaus, the only son of Karl, a German soldier who saved Yann’s life in 1919. Klaus is a depressed young man burdened by history and challenged by the stories that he encourages Yann to revisit and to share.

In Southern France during World War II Yann again meets Karl and also Madeleine, a French engineer and Resistance fighter who attempts to recruit Yann to join the Resistance. Yann’s hesitation eventually leads to Madeleine’s death, and this will haunt Yann ever after.

About the Author:

Karl Berger published his first novel, Clipperton, in 2006. Over the years, his short stories have been published by local and regional journals such as The Loyalhanna Review. Dr. Berger was born in Munich and immigrated to the United States in 1970. His most recent novel, The Wound Closest to the Sun, was influenced by his upbringing after World War II & the disastrous role his country played during the 20th century. Karl has been working as a pediatrician in Johnstown for many years.