Sierra Clara
A tale of a mother and daughter shifting horizons.
Told in a voice as light and clear as mountain air.
Originally published in German in 2022. Nominated for the community award on the reader’s platform “LovelyBooks”. English edition & audiobook coming in December 2025.
“This book touched me deep inside my soul. The pages flew by far too quickly.”
"Karin Eger has a unique writing style that captivates me from the very beginning and draws me into the story with incredible ease.”
(Reader’s voices on Amazon & LovelyBooks)
Skyhouse Publishers, Kelowna BC / Translated from German by Kalen Manshack and Karin Eger / Audio version read by Melinda Daura / Sensitive reading: Sameya Moro and Melinda Daura / Cover Photo & Design: Michael Eger
The deep Alpine south of Germany in the 1990s.
A single mother and her daughter struggle to build a life in a village shaped by patriarchy and tradition. Clara’s father is unknown, her skin tone sets her apart from everyone around her, and her mother’s past remains a mystery.
While young Clara dreams of distant horizons, her mother longs only to belong in this idyllic place, far from the city of her downfall. The kindness of some neighbors offers safety, but others are less welcoming, and the shadows of the past keep stirring beneath the surface.
In search of her roots, Clara must leave behind those she loves most. Drawn to Canada, the land of her father, she begins to uncover her mother’s story. In a world where men hold the power and women are kept small and dependent, her mother fought a fierce battle to free them both from humiliation.
Horizons shift, and Clara returns to the mountains. Can she allow herself to love again?
Melinda Daura, Voice Talent and Sensitive Reader
With her captivating range as a narrator, Melinda brings the characters of Sierra Clara vividly to life - from young Clara’s wildness to her grown-up vulnerability and strength, and through the multicultural cast of figures who shape the story.
Melinda also has over a decade of experience fostering diversity and inclusion in global organizations and contributed as a sensitive reader. By adding nuance to complex experiences, she adds authenticity to the story.
“An emotional novel about growing up in a society marked by prejudice and exclusion. While the story begins in 1984, the theme is now more relevant than ever. A must-read!”
Sameya Moro, Sensitive Reader
As a child, Clara longs to soar through the sky and cross the most distant Alpine horizon.
She wants to immerse herself in a colorful sea of people and break free from the limitations imposed on her by her skin color. Meanwhile, her blonde and vibrant mother Sabine yearns for an idyllic piece of land where she can set down roots.
When Clara is six years old, her mother moves with her from Munich to the deep southern German province. Sabine leaves behind a draining existence as a receptionist in a large business hotel, navigating a milieu where women are kept dependent and used as bait. Her hopes to escape the disapproving glances of society by leaving the big city remain unfulfilled.
When Clara grows into a woman, she experiences firsthand the humiliations that her mom has to endure. Fortunately, her boyfriend Benedikt teaches her to embrace her body and sexuality as something treasurable. But the time comes when Clara must follow her inner calling and leave behind all those she loves.
For years, the airspace is the only place where Clara feels at home. The ambiguity in the story of her origin and the shadow of shame that looms over it leave her restless. Only one person can shed light on it all. In the encounter with her father lies Clara's deepest longing and her greatest fear. What if he rejects her?
“A magnificent novel that convincingly depicts how women are squeezed into society’s expectations. The sharp insight into emotions and the beautifully clear language truly impressed me. At times, it is so accurate that it hurts.”
Anne Paulsen, Editor
“Through the vivid description of character and the visually powerful setting, Karin Eger has breathed an abundance of life into the story, creating a plot that inspires reflection and lingers long after. I wholeheartedly encourage you to read it if you’re in the mood for more than just a light family story. I give this well-crafted novel 5 out of 5 mountain peaks!”
Tanja Klingenberg on Goodreads
“A wonderful book! Clara is one of my favourite heroines!”
Marion Voigt, Literary Agent & Author
“I’m fascinated by the figurative writing style. It presents the characters so vividly that you think you know them personally. In one way or another you probably do. A novel in which a nostalgia resonates that seems to arise from one’s own childhood.”
Christine, Reader