In a Nutshell…

As the dark clouds of Hitler’s regime descend upon Austria in 1938, Sigmund Lichtenthal, an Austrian hat-maker. loses everything dear to him. Fueled by an unyielding determination to reclaim his formerly thriving legacy, he embarks on a lifelong odyssey, battling against formidable adversity and confronting the heart-wrenching reality of his son’s internment in concentration camps. The effects of this family tragedy linger on, casting a profound shadow on Sigmund’s granddaughter, Doris.

The baton is passed to Sigmund’s great-granddaughter, Debbie, seven decades later, who takes up the mantle with newfound determination. As she confronts the haunting echoes of the past and unearths buried truths, readers are left to ponder: Will she be successful in completing his lifelong quest? Driven by a deep sense of familial duty and armed with revelations from preserved letters and historical documents, she undertakes a profound journey to honor Sigmund’s legacy.

Nothing Really Bad Will Happen skillfully weaves together the threads of history, loss, and family bonds, transporting readers through time to witness the indomitable resilience of the human spirit across generations. With meticulous attention to actual records and intimate family letters, this captivating tale explores the interplay between self-worth and the resilience of the human spirit. Through the lives of Sigmund, his son, and their descendants, readers are invited to reflect on their own sense of value, even in the face of unimaginable adversity. This poignant narrative serves as a testament to the transformative power of recognizing one’s intrinsic worth and the enduring legacy it leaves behind.

The Story Behind the Pages…

I did not originally set out to write a novel. Blissfully unaware of the trials my ancestors endured, I embarked on a journey to gain reparations for my mother. As I delved through the materials to support our claim, I began to appreciate what they had lived through.

As i gathered more documentation and learned more about my family’s experience, it became clear that this was a story that needed to be told. My previous writing experience was limited to nonfiction. But this. This required special treatment. I needed my readers to understand my ancestors, to suffer along with them, to scream at them to leave, to understand why some didn’t, to celebrate their resilience, and to recognize why we should NEVER FORGET.

After honing my skills in the creative nonfiction genre, I set out to write the story. It took seven years. It was worth it.

You can learn more about the book and view the supporting documentation at: nothingreallybadwillhappen.com