The Burgomaster's Wife — Volume 02

"The Burgomaster's Wife — Volume 02" by Georg Ebers is a historical novel that takes place in 16th-century Holland, telling the story of Maria, the burgomaster's young wife, as she feels lonely and worries about her marriage while big political things are happening. The book paints a clear picture of what life was like back then, showing the troubles of love, doing what you're supposed to, and wanting something more in your own life. The story starts with gloomy weather that matches how Maria is feeling inside as she waits for her husband to come home from a dangerous trip, feeling like she's not as good as his first wife and very alone. Key people in the story include the burgomaster, who has a lot of important duties, and Wilhelm, the musician, who affects the story by bringing news from Maria's husband, making the personal and political parts of the book even more intense, as Maria tries to figure out why her husband is so distant as she wants a deeper connection with him.