The Anderwald's, a Polish family, settle on a ranch in Bandera, Texas on the eve of the Civil War. Anderwald patriarch Marcin is soon enlisted to help the Confederacy with the unique project of building a wagon for a team of camels at Camp Verde. Marcin completes his service and makes friends with the camel handlers, Khalil and Ahmad and an enemy of Private Brewer who died horrifically in battle. Upon returning home, Marcin finds his family troubled, especially his wife, Agnieszka. The shadow of war has followed Marcin home as tragedy strikes the Anderwald family with multiple deaths. However, the Anderwalds carry on, welcoming Khalil, Ahmad, their camels and Sargent Kirby to their ranch. Soon, the Anderwald's oldest son, Zacharias is married and expecting a child with his wife Liza. However, the shadow persists over the Anderwald family, seemingly followed by a benevolent woman in white. Zacharias and Liza's son, John Marcin grows up on the ranch and is well aware of the tragedy that has come before him, but with war looming, he enlists along with his neighborhood friends. The shadow finds John Marcin as he returns from service with a new wife, Anna, who has plenty of demons of their own. John Marcin and Anna's kids, Lucas and Junior also cannot escape the shadow that has followed their family.
The Wretched and Undone is a multi-generational family saga that compounds the haunting effects of trauma, grief and vengeance with a supernatural curse. The writing pulled me in from the prologue with a new tenant wondering about the history and haunting of the ranch. From there, the pacing was fairly quick, moving through four generations of Anderwalds. Because of this, the male Anderwald's are more developed and the story is told from their point of view. However, the Anderwald women and wives were equally affected by the shadow. I would have loved to know more about Agnieszka's experience with the shadow as well as Liza and Anna's experiences with the shadow and the woman in white. Despite the relentless haunting of the shadow and the countless tragedies that the Anderwald family incurs, they carry on and find comfort within family, friends and community. The epilogue brought the Anderwald's story full circle with a surprising character and the continuing escapades of good versus evil at the Anderwald ranch.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
The Wretched and Undone is a multi-generational family saga that compounds the haunting effects of trauma, grief and vengeance with a supernatural curse. The writing pulled me in from the prologue with a new tenant wondering about the history and haunting of the ranch. From there, the pacing was fairly quick, moving through four generations of Anderwalds. Because of this, the male Anderwald's are more developed and the story is told from their point of view. However, the Anderwald women and wives were equally affected by the shadow. I would have loved to know more about Agnieszka's experience with the shadow as well as Liza and Anna's experiences with the shadow and the woman in white. Despite the relentless haunting of the shadow and the countless tragedies that the Anderwald family incurs, they carry on and find comfort within family, friends and community. The epilogue brought the Anderwald's story full circle with a surprising character and the continuing escapades of good versus evil at the Anderwald ranch.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
