Rachel Clare

The Woodcarver of Krakow

Two brothers. Bound by a promise. Torn apart by war.

Tadeusz and Jacek Lewandowski are the closest of brothers. After the tragedy of losing their mother and with their father in the Polish army, they are raised by their grandfather, a skilled wood-craftsman. They enjoy an idyllic childhood in the Tatra Mountains.

Relying on each other for everything, Tad and Jacek have never been apart. That is, until, the Nazi and Russian armies close in on Poland in September 1939, forcing Tad to leave behind his degree course and everyone he loves to escape across occupied Europe.

Tad’s journey is fraught with danger but he battles on using the life-skills Jacek taught him growing up. Eventually reaching Blackpool, he joins the Polish Air Force. The war against the Nazis is just beginning and the aftermath of war has a huge impact on the lives of both brothers in more ways than one...

Rachel Clare lives in Lancaster, has a BA (Hons) in English and French, an MA in Modern Languages Research and a Postgraduate Diploma in Newspaper Journalism. She teaches French in a Primary School and has always enjoyed writing. Roses of Marrakech (2018) was her debut novel, inspired by her travels and family history.

Rachel says, “I have been on many holidays to Poland and have wanted to write a novel set there for many years. My mother, who grew up in Blackpool, told me of the strong links between the Polish Air Force in World War II and the town. From my research of that period, I found a lot of interesting facts and places in Blackpool with connections to the airmen and have therefore used them as a basis for this novel.”