Errors of Night: The Silent Trial of Gen. Julian von Wille

by Ronald Stewart

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2022

Reviews

[RJ Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am honored the my book Errors of Night is a finalist for best literary fiction of 2022 by the Colorado Authors League. Each of my novels has achieved this honor. - RJ Stewart 7/3/2023


My book, Errors of Night, was reviewed Feb. 8, 2023, by Kirkus Reviews:

Stewart has a vivid descriptive style that often borders on the poetic


In Stewart’s historical novel, an aging Nazi general returns to Italy in search of forgiveness for an act he committed during the war. Presiding over the Italian Cassino battlefield in 1944, German Gen. Julian von Wille leads an army in retreat. Tasked with slowing Allied advances, his tactic is to “introduce complications” by means of destruction. Amid the chaos, he takes possession of a satchel, containing a rare Percy Bysshe Shelley poem and an unusual artwork, found on the wounded body of a marchesa. After shouldering the burden of guilt over this theft for 40 years, von Wille returns to Italy with his son, a priest, to return the satchel. He finds the marchesa paralyzed by her wartime injuries and rendered mute by a subsequent stroke. The elderly woman is also tormented by the horrors of her past, having lost two of the men she loved to the war and having failed to save the lives of the children at her orphanage. The general’s musical background and the discovery of an old harpsichord may hold the unexpected key to making amends. Stewart’s novel draws on factual wartime events, particularly the Nazi looting and subsequent Allied bombing of the Monte Cassino monastery, to skillfully weave a gripping fictional narrative that examines remorse and reconciliation. Written in the first person from the perspectives of the marchesa, the general, and others, the novel takes on a confessional quality. Stewart has a vivid descriptive style that often borders on the poetic: “The war came, burrowing beneath our skins like ticks.” On occasion, the author over embellishes his tale with grandiose monologues improbably assigned to characters such as Attilio, the gardener: “I am God’s own angel tending the garden of His troubled children.” However, this remains an emotionally complex, finely wrought novel that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Stewart’s poetic flair for detail and firm grasp of military history make for a truly compelling read. --Kirkus Reviews

[Sarah Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Errors of Night," RJ Stewart delves into the profound complexities of an anguished soul seeking redemption amidst the haunting shadows of a post-war world. With a delicate blend of beauty and intellect, Stewart skillfully navigates the treacherous waters of differing perspectives and internal struggles, leaving readers enthralled by the raw emotional depth.

Stewart employs a poetic command of language to craft a mosaic of introspection, tracing the path of ex-Nazi Julian von Wille and his trek to Italy to return a stolen package containing a valuable work of poetry and unknown art. The author meticulously acquaints readers intimately with each character, unraveling their innermost thoughts and revealing the profound impact of their personal histories on their ability to confront their past and find solace in the present… juxtaposing this conflict with a tranquil Italian villa setting.

"Errors of Night" serves as a testament to Stewart's masterful prose, expertly amalgamating the realms of poetry, art, and music to create an evocative narrative. The story transports readers into the minds of the characters, allowing them to bear witness to that turmoil, while at the same time, intertwining serendipity, a sense of completion, and unexpected resolution that leads to the characters’ long-awaited catharsis.

This literary masterpiece is a triumph, an exploration of the complex human spirit, and the power of forgiveness. "Errors of Night" will captivate your senses, leaving an indelible mark on your heart and mind long after you've turned the final page.