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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, paying tribute to his wife’s Polish parents, The Chocolate Suitcase by Bryan Wiles recounts the story of the Baranek family being forcibly evicted from their Polish village by the Russians and transported in a cattle wagon to central Siberia.
The Chocolate Suitcase
In the wake of Stalin’s invasion of Poland, over a million people faced deportation to the Soviet Union. “The Chocolate Suitcase” chronicles the ordeal of the Baranek family, the in-laws of author Bryan Wiles, alongside their extended relatives.
This poignant novel transcends individual experiences, becoming a testament to the enduring human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship. Wiles draws upon his wife Rysia’s firsthand accounts, passed down from her Polish-Canadian cousin Jaś, who shared his family’s story during a visit in 1992.
With vivid descriptions and well-developed characters, the narrative transports readers to a world forever shattered by war. Scattered across the globe after choosing resettlement in various free Western countries, the Baranek family represents countless others whose stories deserve to be heard.
This powerful saga, inspired by true events, is more than a historical novel. It’s a tribute to the courage, resilience, and unwavering love that binds families together. Wiles weaves a tapestry of love, loss, and ultimate triumph, spanning continents and generations. Through Rysia’s family history, “The Chocolate Suitcase” ensures that the sacrifices and unwavering spirit of the Baranek family are forever etched in memory.
Bryan Wiles
It was the summer of 1992 when my wife’s Polish/Canadian cousin, Jaś came to visit. He had not seen my In-Laws since the end of the Second World War. Soon stories began to tumble from them, incredible stories that were met with laughter and tears. Stories that took the participants to far flung places and to the edge of life itself; of how my brother-in-law was born in a Siberian Gulag and picked cotton in Samarkand as a toddler, of how they crossed the Caspian Sea to freedom, of refugee camps in India and the battles of Monte Cassino and Arnhem.
This was living history and to truly live again, in the minds of others, it had be told as a novel. Above all this book is a true story for the modern age to remind us of eternal values and the risks we take if we ignore them.
-Bryan Wiles
While Bryan Wiles married Rysia in 1983, it’s her family’s wartime experiences that take center stage in “The Chocolate Suitcase.” Over the years, he listened intently as Rysia’s parents and extended family recounted their struggles. However, the full weight of their ordeal became clear only in 1992 when Rysia’s cousin Jaś arrived from Canada for the first time since leaving in 1946. This long-awaited reunion sparked a flurry of storytelling, prompting Bryan to document their experiences.
Balancing the demands of his job as a physics teacher and his love for woodcarving, Bryan meticulously documented their tales. His dedication is further highlighted by a poignant gesture in 1994 – carving a replica of the “Mother of God Victorious” icon, a symbol of the Polish Second Corps during World War II, for his mother-in-law. The emotional response to this act solidified his resolve to share the family’s story.
Finally, upon retiring as Head of Physics at Wisbech Grammar School in 2014, Bryan was able to fully dedicate himself to the novel. While his passion for science and artistic pursuits – portrait painting and woodcarving – continue to enrich his life, “The Chocolate Suitcase” stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to preserving his family’s remarkable history. His efforts to learn Polish, though ongoing, further demonstrate his dedication to understanding and honoring his wife’s heritage.
Find more from Bryan Wiles now:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4bWngqz
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4bVBxnw
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