Exiles

The narrative intertwines the tragic journey of five nuns exiled from Germany and their ill-fated voyage on the steamship Deutschland, which ends in disaster at the Thames. Alongside their story, it explores the impact of this shipwreck on Gerard Manly Hopkins, a poet and seminarian, who finds inspiration in their fate to create a profound poem. Ron Hansen skillfully connects these two poignant tales, blending themes of loss, faith, and artistic expression into a compelling and riveting novel.