I’m a big fan of this author (here are my reviews of Burning Island and My Name is Eva). I love her writing style, and she relates a story in a way that makes it real. Her writing is well-researched and heartfelt…this book is no exception.
I will say that I expected something completely different than what I thought the book was going to be focused on, so that was a nice surprise. Actually, there were two surprises, because after the introduction, I still thought the story would be different. It went way beyond my initial perceptions.
The set-up of a current-day tragedy spurring the flashbacks and recollections that make up the bulk of the story was very effective. I like how Billie (the daughter) took it upon herself to try to solve the mystery of what was aggravating her father.
The story is told mainly in flashbacks, from 1939 all the way up to 1952. There are chapters set in 2004 (the current time) as well as some letters interspersed as well. But everything moves seamlessly through the shifting times and perspectives.
The story of the children who were evacuated from London to the countryside during WWII has been a common theme lately, but this time it only took up the first part of the book. It was important to understand the connections that were made at this time, as they had direct bearing on later events.
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I thought the author did an admirable job with both Stevie and Ruby’s characters. It was easy to see their personalities and character arcs that led from childhood to adulthood. I also liked how Joan was included to help propel the plot and give foreshadowing to past events.
I know that sounds weird, but her recollections in the present gave the reader an idea as to what happened back during the war (and after the war was over). That made reading the events of the past even more exciting to me.
Once I realized (by the dates at the headings of chapters) that the climax of the story was approaching, the feeling of dread I had grew. I had an idea of what had happened, but it didn’t lessen the impact of the actual event.
The author also is very clever in how she refers to the characters. I won’t say more than that, because I don’t want to ruin what I thought was an excellent (albeit small) twist, but it turns out that Stevie and Ruby had more in common than meets the eye.
Okay, I’ll give you a hint. Pay attention to how Billie refers to her father. And make the connections. It was a great attention to detail that actually spoke volumes about her father’s state of mind and attitude toward the pivotal event.
I’m not saying more. But once again, Suzanne Goldring has produced a story that will stay with me for quite a while. Another excellent addition to the Historical Fiction genre.
Author Bio:
Following an eventful career as a public relations consultant, specialising in business and travel, Suzanne Goldring turned to writing the kind of novels she likes to read, about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Whether she is working in her thatched cottage in Hampshire or her seaside home in North Cornwall, Suzanne finds inspiration in the secrets hidden by everyday life.
