Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ · WVTX
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

VPR's coverage of arts and culture in the region.

'The Baker's Secret': An Interview With Author Stephen Kiernan

Former journalist Stephen Kiernan is the author of three novels and two works of nonfiction.
Nancy Winship Miliken
/
HarperCollins, Courtesy
Former journalist Stephen Kiernan is the author of three novels and two works of nonfiction.

Morally fraught historical events can lead to compulsion to wonder, "What would I have done in those circumstances?" Vermont writer Stephen Kiernan's new novel, The Baker's Secret, unspools the transformation of its heroine Emma from a normal teenager to a clever, but desperate, survivor of German occupation.

'The Baker's Secret' is Stephen Kiernan's third novel.
Credit HarperCollins, Courtesy
/
HarperCollins, Courtesy
'The Baker's Secret' is Stephen Kiernan's third novel.

Emma's talent for baking puts her in proximity to occupying soldiers and helps her develop an intricate web of bartering that keeps her hungry neighbors fed throughout the occupation.

Kiernan spoke with Vermont Edition about how his new novel explores pragmatism, cunning and faith in the civilian experience of World War II on the eve of D-Day.

Listen to the interview above. A condensed version of the interview was broadcast on Vermont Edition on Wednesday, June 14, 2017; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Patti is an integral part of VPR's news effort and part of the team that created Vermont Edition. As executive producer, Patti supervises the team that puts Vermont Edition on the air every day, working with producers to select and research show ideas, select guests and develop the sound and tone of the program.
Latest Stories