Stephen Kiernan offers ‘a healing book’ for a divided nation

Stephen Kiernan spent much of his life as an award-winning journalist for the Burlington Free Press and the Boston Globe. In 2013, he made the jump from reporter to novelist with the publication of his debut book of fiction, “The Curiosity.” He has never looked back.Kiernan has now published five critically acclaimed novels, including “The Baker’s Secret” and “Universe of Two.” His latest novel is “The Glass Chateau,” which was published in June. It’s a haunting tale set just after World War II in France. The story centers around an assassin for the Resistance who struggles to reckon with the killings he has committed. Around him, a traumatized nation attempts to rebuild after war. The challenge is captured in an attempt to repair the shattered stained glass windows of a grand cathedral.Kiernan is a graduate of Middlebury College, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop.“The Glass Chateau,” Kiernan said, is intended to be “a healing book.”“Covid was underway when I started this book, but also what was happening in the fabric of our culture, our politics and all of that. Why is everyone so angry? And why are so many people also so sad and lonely?” he said,“This book begins a month after the war is ended. And it's about these people trying to rebuild this really divided nation” Kiernan said.