When World War II halts ocean travel in 1940, two American sisters find themselves stranded in Ireland—but in different realities. In 18-year-old Gaby’s world, Ireland remains neutral, just as history records. But in 17-year-old Sabine’s world, Germany has invaded Ireland, and she must survive on the run. Both sisters find refuge at the same remote Irish manor owned by distant relatives. There, for one hour each dusk—”the time of pookies and ghosts” in Celtic lore—their two worlds overlap, and they can be together again. But when Sabine falls in love with a German officer who is charming in her world but sinister in Gaby’s, even that brief time is in danger.
We Meet Apart evokes the dreamlike style of Haruki Murakami, revealing how thin the veil between worlds can be. It asks: If you lose the people you love in one world, how hard would you fight to keep them in another?
Praise for We Meet Apart
“As German forces descend on neutral Ireland, two sisters — one fighting to survive on the streets of an occupied city, the other navigating the perilous refuge of privilege — search for each other across a landscape transformed by war. Poignant, propulsive, and deeply suspenseful, We Meet Apart is a story of exile, sisterhood, and the resilience of the human spirit against the backdrop of a world at war.”
—Christina Baker Kline, author of The Orphan Train and The Exiles
“A historical novelist at the top of her game, Martha Conway makes WWII-era Ireland so real that you can smell the tinned ham and floor polish, and taste the fear. Two brave sisters struggle to find each other in separate timelines, a brilliant conceit that invites the reader to consider how war shapes each of these women: who they fall in love with, and what sacrifices they are willing to make. This haunting tale is certain to delight fans of Kate Atkinson and Tracy Chevalier.”
—Helena Echlin, author of Clever Little Thing
“A spellbinding novel that blends history, fantasy and the supernatural, with a captivating dual-reality narrative and deeply emotional stakes. Beautifully written and unforgettable.”
—Louisa Treger, author of Mad Woman
“This deeply engrossing story follows two American sisters trapped in Ireland during World War II as they search for love and safety. With a touch of magical realism, We Meet Apart offers a fresh twist on historical fiction, asking how much you will give up for your family? Martha Conway is one of my very favorite writers, whose novels often explore the bond and tensions between sisters. This is her finest work yet.”
—Malena Watrous, author of If You Follow Me
“Set in WWII Ireland, Martha Conway delivers a mind-bending tale of the power of sisterhood, even after death. Impeccably researched and written, We Meet Apart will stay with the reader long after the last page. A hypnotic read from one of my favorite contemporary authors!”
—Ashley E. Sweeney, author of The Irish Girl
