Oskars Lapa’s latest book, the novel Castle of Light, focuses on a group of Latvian soldiers who escape the Red Army’s siege of Danzig during World War II and flee across the Baltic Sea to Sweden, only to be put in detention to await their fate.

Lapa, who lives in Australia, notes that the novel is inspired by actual events.

“Within weeks of their arrival,” according to a description of the book posted by First Edition Book Sales, “the Swedish Cabinet concludes a secret deal with Soviet Russia. In exchange for Polish coal vital to Sweden’s steel industry, the Swedish government will deport to the Red Army all the military refugees who have fought on the Eastern Front.

“Castle of Light,” the description continues, “starkly dramatises the collision between humanity and politics that generates hunger strikes, suicide and murder. Coiled within the drama is Sweden’s unique past that underlies the motivation to undertake such an abhorrent act.

“Castle of Light starkly dramatises the collision between humanity and politics that generates hunger strikes, suicide and murder. Coiled within the drama is Sweden’s unique past that underlies the motivation to undertake such an abhorrent act.”

This is Lapa’s third book. He previously wrote Adelina’s Garden (2010) and The Path of the Moon (1995).

Castle of Light is available for AUD 25 (plus postage and handling) from the Sydney Latvian Centre, P.O. Box 457, Strathfield, NSW 2135, Australia, as well as direct from the author, Oskars Lapa, P.O. Box 210, Kurmond, NSW 2757, Australia.

Castle of Light is Oskar Lapa’s third book.