Magda, Caring
Christine Fallert Kessides
Type: Beta project
Genre: Historical fiction
Word count: 53,000
In post-World War I America, a young woman is determined to take advantage of new political and social freedoms, but finds that persistent family demands and societal prejudices still hamper her dreams of independent achievement. If she cannot escape their pull, can she exert enough control of her own life to help others have more control of theirs? Please note: this book is only available in PDF format.
In 1921, Magda emerges from the crucible of the Great War and Spanish flu, scarred but more determined to reclaim her aspirations. Recently married and pursuing the dream of a college degree, she sets her sights on helping disabled veterans recover their lives.
The Roaring Twenties beckon with promises of liberation—women’s suffrage, daring fashions, and a nation seemingly full of opportunity. But America’s golden facade conceals darker truths pushing against the hopes of many.
Magda finds she cannot escape the emotional pull of her family and friends, their relentless needs for her time and her support—and if not escape, can she exert enough control of her own life to help others have more control of theirs? In this sequel to “Magda, Standing”, one woman’s journey represents the conflict between internal choices and external demands. Caring for herself versus caring for others—where should she draw the line?
Christine Fallert Kessides was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from a long line of German immigrants. She loosely based her first novel “Magda, Standing” (Bold Story Press, 2023), set in WWI and the Spanish flu era, on her family experiences. Learning about the tumultuous socio-political environment in America in the early 1920s has prompted the sequel.
Now retired from a career with the World Bank in international development, Christine volunteers with nonprofits that support women and families. She lives with her husband outside Washington, DC and enjoys visiting their four children and two grandchildren across the country.
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