Amazon UK £3.08 £6.99
Amazon US $3.79 $8.63
Amazon CA $5.18
Family Drama / WWII
1918 - 1950s
London
Most stories about the horrors of war deal
with the participants – soldiers, nurses, sailors, airmen etc. But Walking
Wounded looks at the women who are left behind to wait, worry and hope.
After a brief background introducing us the
family concerned, we follow the lives of Lydia, May and Millie, the latter
married to the sisters' brother. Lydia is the eldest and finds herself
unexpectedly in the matriarchal role, one which she accepts, however reluctantly,
as her lot. May is married to Jimmy, an exciting yet violent man and their
sister-in-law Millie to May's slightly older twin, Charlie.
At the outbreak of World War II, Reggie, Bert
(the other two brothers) Charlie and Jimmy all volunteer and are sent to various
theatres of war, leaving the women to fend for themselves: Lydia to run the
family shop, May to pursue her career as a seamstress while Millie is a
barmaid. Their adventures – if adventures they be - take us through the terror
of nightly air raids and, in May's case, temporary evacuation as she is
pregnant.
I was born in Muswell Hill – the main setting
for the book – and I have a couple of very minor quibbles about one or two of
the facts about the area, but in comparison to the overall effect and feel of
the book, these are negligible. It is well written, very atmospheric and emotional
and my only disappointment was that it was too short – so much more could have been
of the characters, good as they were.
A powerful tribute to those who had no choice
but to stay, often with no news good or bad. And I guarantee you one thing:
tears will flow.
© Richard Tearle
No comments:
Post a Comment
We do not accept comments. If you need to contact Discovering Diamonds go to the CONTACT facility
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.