The Lost Children by Shirley Dickson

Heart Wrenching

The Lost Children by Shirley Dickson is a heart wrenching historical novel set in the North East of England mainly during World War II.

The novel shows the bond of twins – a boy and a girl born in 1935. Theirs is a story of searching to belong as they are evacuated in 1943.

Shirley Dickson has created some marvellous and realistic characters. The twins will lodge in your heart as their self-sacrificing love and unbreakable bond shines through.

There is a community spirit in the village where everyone knows everyone’s business, and pulls together when there is a need. There is much warmth and some tough love when needed.

The reader witnesses how attitudes have changed since the 1930’s when unmarried mothers were frowned upon and encouraged to give up their babies for adoption. It was always the women who suffered and never the men who had taken advantage of them.

There are some truly horrifying attitudes towards disability too. Whilst many adults treat eight year old Mollie (who has cerebral palsy and wears a calliper) with kindness, there are some who just want to hide her away in a home. Bullies at school are unkind too. Mollie’s indomitable spirit and bravery really make the reader just want to pick her up and love her.

I absolutely adored The Lost Children. Shirley Dickson is a new author to me but I want to read more, more, more.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON

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