Author Biography | Interview | Books by this Author | Read-Alikes
David R. Gillham is a New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction. His work includes City of Women (2012), Annelies (2019) and Shadows of Berlin (2022)
Having studied screenwriting at the University of Southern California before transitioning into fiction, David Gillham relocated to New York City, spending more than a decade in the book business. He now lives with his family in Western Massachusetts.
David R. Gillham's website
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Where did the idea for Shadows of Berlin come from? Where do you start when writing a new book?
I had been very interested in the idea of survivor's guilt, and I wanted to explore the aftereffects of trauma and what the living owe to the memory of the dead.
All your books have dealt with World War II in some way. What brings you back to this era in history?
I have been interested in the Second World War since childhood. On a personal note, my father served in the army during the war. More broadly, I believe the war shaped the world we live in today. And we are still dealing with many problems the war created or failed to address. So I believe it remains relevant and very fertile ground for fiction.
While we come to understand Angelika, the narrative does not forgive her actions. Do you think it matters why people do bad things? Should it change the consequences they face?
I have always searched out the "gray" areas of my characters' actions and intentions. No one is totally good or totally bad in my books; no one rides for free. Everyone must pay a price for their actions. I don't expect readers to feel any particular sympathy for Angelika. In the end, she was still a murderer. But I do hope readers are moved to discuss the ...
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