DESCRIPTION OF THE NOVEL ''WILHELM GUSTLOFF'' - DIANNA DIVERNO
Young Norman Schiffer is tasked with taking a letter about a secret bank account to Baron Herman's ex-wife, who lives in Norway, on the last sailing of the ship Wilhelm Gustloff. He does so and leaves to get ready to board the ship. A bounty hunter named Ervin later visits Baron Herman. But since he doesn't find that letter, he kills an older man and goes on a "hunt" for young Norman Schiffer so that the letter would never reach the former Mrs. Herman - Maria Frost.
The two Ursel and Uma sisters are among the crowd of 10,000 refugees who were on board. That night, Uma befriends the young Norman Schiffer and they spend the evening in a passionate embrace. He becomes aware that he is the target of a bounty hunter and he gives the letter to young Uma to hand over to Maria Frost.
Then three torpedoes are aimed at the ship and the water starts to rise. During this time, Ervin kills Norman Schiffer and is looking for young Uma. She manages to save herself on one of the boats, and the bounty hunter loses his life in the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff.
Much later, young Uma discovers that she became pregnant that night and decides to give birth to that child. She meets Maria Frost and hands her that letter and tells her about everything she's been through. Seeing the girl's kindness, the older woman rewards her with a nice sum of money.
Later, Uma gives birth to a son whom she names Wilhelm in memory of the ship.
The ship Wilhelm Gustloff is considered one of the greatest maritime accidents of all time. The names of the victims are preserved to this day. Out of 10,000 people, about 1,230 people survived. The true number of those who died has never been determined exactly.
The novel was published and promoted in 2012