Beneath the Edelweiss
From a poetic new voice in historical fiction comes a story of resistance, community, and survival set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Austrian Alps and the heartbreaking onset of World War II.
Growing up on a farm, high among the flowering slopes of Carinthia, Mitzi Hauser has never fit in—not even with her own family. At thirteen, she’s no taller than a six-year-old, and her peers’ taunts of “Witchy Mitzi” follow her everywhere. Thankfully, she has her loyal pup for comfort. And Oma, the grandmother who raised her.
But Oma, a gifted herbalist, won’t be around forever. She vows to pass on her knowledge before it’s too late, sharing her mysterious alpine remedies with Mitzi. With no marriage prospects, herbs may be her only path forward. Indeed, when resources grow tight, her resentful older sister sends Mitzi away to Talend to care for a grieving widower and his sickly young child.
In the town, against all odds, Mitzi’s life gradually blooms into something unexpected and she discovers she belongs. But when political violence and Nazi eugenics policies come to town, she’s forced to make a life-altering choice.
Additional information
| Genre | Book Club, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction |
|---|---|
| Age | Adult |
| Publisher | Amazon Publishing |
| Imprint | Little A |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format(s) | Audiobook, eBook, Trade paperback |
| Author | Elizabeth Noel |
| Release Date | 20 October 2026 |
| Release Month | October Releases |
| Content Rep | Chronic Illness, Disability |
About the Author
Elizabeth Noel has called many places home, including the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. She holds an MEd from the University of Exeter and an MLitt from the University of Saint Andrews and has taught at various universities in the UAE. Long-listed for both the Katherine Mansfield Sparkling Prose Competition and the Anthology Short Story Competition, Elizabeth has published various short works. She is represented by Priya Doraswamy of Lotus Lane Literary and her debut historical fiction novel, Beneath the Edelweiss—a story of resistance, community, and survival set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Austrian Alps and the heartbreaking onset of World War II— is published by Litte A. She lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband and two daughters.
