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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
What a gem this book is! The relationship between Noel and mattie was so endearing and I loved and the contrast at the beginning to his relationship with Vee who “kindly” takes him in as an evacuee and then the way they help and the connection between them grows is wonderful. This author has taken the setting of the Second World War on the home front and uses this to show the normality of how life had to go with its hardship living through it and what we learn from each other however old we are. I also liked that it was set in Hertfordshire where I grew up which made all the more poignant. This is a superb piece of storytelling and can’t recommend it highly enough. I read it in two days! It’s heartwarming, funny and emotional all at the same time
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
None of the main characters are really likeable at first meeting (it's hard to forgive even the loveable Mattie her irresponsibility towards Noel), some of them downright unpleasant. I came to appreciate, forgive and even like all of them as they are each defined through what they are, or come to be, to others. Noel's aunt and uncle are redeemed by the circumstances of their death, Mattie through being remembered as an inspiration and Noel, Vera, Donald & Hilde through their relationships with each other. This novel is more sweet than bitter- hinting that everyone has it in them to live a worthwhile life if they are only given the right circumstances.
What a fabulous read.
The main characters (Vee and Noel) were very believable and lovable (even if flawed). The setting is stunningly of era. The letters to Churchill by Vee's mother were hilarious.
And, the ending.... gosh, it will deliver a punch to your stomach and tears to your eyes.
Highly recommended!
The main characters (Vee and Noel) were very believable and lovable (even if flawed). The setting is stunningly of era. The letters to Churchill by Vee's mother were hilarious.
And, the ending.... gosh, it will deliver a punch to your stomach and tears to your eyes.
Highly recommended!
captivating story
WWII home front evoked very deftly
the issues of intergenerational dependency
dementia and the worlds people inhabit in their minds
WWII home front evoked very deftly
the issues of intergenerational dependency
dementia and the worlds people inhabit in their minds
This book took me totally by surprise. I had it in my wish list but couldn’t remember why or from where the recommendation had come. It became available on a special offer so I got it.
I devoured it in two days. I am quite keen on shorter books as I consider many doorstop bestsellers to be badly edited, self indulgent and baggy; this is especially the case for some book series and bestselling authors. This book was, by contrast, a breath of fresh air.
Set during world war 2, it tells the story of an evacuee boy and his adoptive family in St Albans. The writing is so vivid and concise that the characters and situations appeared so clearly in my imagination.
A fairly simple story but no less involving for that and I am sure the clearly wrought characters were largely what made the book this compulsive.
It may appear like a very serious story but it is peppered-through with funny comments and situations. My favourite was the letters to Mr Churchill but there were numerous instances where I laughed out loud.
I have already started recommending this book to friends and will continue to do so. I will be looking at the other books by the author. I hadn’t realised she wrote “Their Finest Hour and a half”, but it seems to fit perfectly.
I devoured it in two days. I am quite keen on shorter books as I consider many doorstop bestsellers to be badly edited, self indulgent and baggy; this is especially the case for some book series and bestselling authors. This book was, by contrast, a breath of fresh air.
Set during world war 2, it tells the story of an evacuee boy and his adoptive family in St Albans. The writing is so vivid and concise that the characters and situations appeared so clearly in my imagination.
A fairly simple story but no less involving for that and I am sure the clearly wrought characters were largely what made the book this compulsive.
It may appear like a very serious story but it is peppered-through with funny comments and situations. My favourite was the letters to Mr Churchill but there were numerous instances where I laughed out loud.
I have already started recommending this book to friends and will continue to do so. I will be looking at the other books by the author. I hadn’t realised she wrote “Their Finest Hour and a half”, but it seems to fit perfectly.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(3.5) Listened to this one and enjoyed the narration and the time spent with misfits Noel and Vera. Her mother and Donald the son had me shaking my head more than once, that's for sure.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
Definitely need to get back to this series. A different view of WWII life in Britain by the underclass and those who don’t want to die for their country. Touching story of what really makes a family when no one is biologically related.