From the author of The Bronze Horseman and Tatiana and Alexander, a story as emotionally involving and broad in sweep as her best previous books. The original Crying Room is in the Vatican. It's where a newly elected Pope retires when he assumes the responsibilities of office. As God's representative on Earth, he will tremble at the weight that has fallen on his shoulders and weep at the knowledge of humanity's terrible failings ... including his own. Paullina Simons's new novel shows us the heart and mind of a young girl coming to terms with death through her discovery of this place in her own imagination. The narrative takes on an epic sweep in creating family background and situation. Few authors can move the reader to tears both of sorrow and joy as Paullina Simons. The new novel has convinciing historical background and is a heartrending story of a young woman who becomes larger than life with the knowledge that she is about to die.