Archive | May 2022

A Ration Book Victory by Jean Fullerton

May9

The Greatest Love

A Ration Book Victory by Jean Fullerton is a marvellous historical novel. It is the final book in the East End Ration Book series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The action takes place in 1945 as Britain is nearing the end of the war. This is interspersed with a backwards glance to Ireland in the late nineteenth century as the reader hears about the youth of the Brogan family matriarch. We witness life and light in a young life. It is good to hear of Queenie’s background as it helps us to understand her character, exactly what has shaped her life. She was not born an old matriarch, once she was young with hopes and dreams and loves. Outwardly she looks old, but inwardly her youthful heart and spirit remain.

The whole book is about love. The love for our family members – not necessarily blood related but those whom we love and who love us.

We witness the fierce love that protects and sacrifices in contrast to the ‘love’ that uses a person. We may not always agree with the choices made by the young, but love stands beside them.

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Victory Bells For The Harpers Girls by Rosie Clarke

May8

Community Care And Compassion

 Victory Bells For The Harpers Girls by Rosie Clarke is a marvellous historical novel. It is the sixth book in the Harpers Emporium series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The novel covers the year 1918, a year that everyone hoped would bring the end to the world war. As the book closes on 1918 we see the hope of peace has materialised.

War touches everyone. Many suffered losses. Those who did return often left pieces of themselves on the battlefields of Europe. Many suffered physical wounds – disfigurations were common as it was only with the end of World War I that plastic surgery and reconstructions began. The men who returned whole in body had often left their minds behind. Shell shock or PTSD was not understood. The returning men needed love, care and compassion. Their families witnessed huge personality changes in previously mild-mannered men.

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The Garden Of Lost Secrets by A.M. Howell

May7

Searching For Answers

The Garden Of Lost Secrets by A.M. Howell is a wonderful children’s historical novel, just perfect for ages ten years and over.

The action is set in 1916, halfway through the first World War and seen through the eyes of Clara, a young girl. She is already scarred by events as her father was a victim of mustard gas.

Fear seems to be a natural state of affairs after being sent to stay with an aunt and uncle in the countryside. Everything is new, her aunt is not the friendly person she once was, and her brother is still at the Front. Clara has to adapt and rely on her strength of character. Like many, she is also holding onto a secret that is weighing her down.

Everyone responds differently to grief. We have to follow whichever pathway seems right to us in order to get us through.

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Shelf Life: Never Turn The Page Too Soon by Leslie R Henderson

May6

Entertaining And Cleverly Done

Shelf Life: Never Turn The Page Too Soon by Leslie R Henderson is a marvellous new series for children aged eight years and over.

The story is about books in a bookstore who come to life as the shop shuts. They all have their own unique personalities.

I found the whole story engaging, well thought out and well executed. It was extremely witty with a very clever play on words that might go over the heads of children but adults will love it. I kept muttering ‘oh that is good’, ‘oh that is so clever’ in my head!

We see the hurt and pain that isolation brings to a character and also the dangers of being led along blindly. There is much joy and rejoicing when a character finally finds the place in life where he is meant to be.

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