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New Arrivals On West India Dock Road by Renita D’Silva

Feb16

Community Cohesion

New Arrivals On West India Dock Road by Renita D’Silva is a powerful, heartfelt historical novel that I read in just one sitting. I am hoping there will be many more books to follow.

The tale is set just before the outbreak of World War II. We begin the novel in India in 1937, following a young girl who is employed as a nanny to two small boys, whose parents are English. Unrest in India sees the family boarding a ship to England as they make hollow promises to the nanny. Once on the shores of England, she is left to fend for herself.

The vibrancy of India contrasts with the greyness of England. “Everything is coated in a grey mist, a far cry from the ubiquitous orange dust of India.”

England is an inhospitable place for those whose skin colour is not white, and whose accent is not English.

As the streets of London are traversed, we move towards the docklands. Here, the streets are not paved with gold but the hearts are filled with love.

It is a very cosmopolitan area, populated by those whom society has marginalized – the Irish, African, India, Chinese and more. Here, the lost and lonely find a place to call home.

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The Paris Dancer by Nicola Rayner

Feb11

Across The Years

The Paris Dancer by Nicola Rayner is a fabulous dual timeline novel that I really enjoyed.

The action is set in Paris during World War II and in New York City in 2012. We hear the war years through the voice of a young girl and in the first person. In 2012 the action is seen through a great niece clearing out her great aunt’s apartment. It is in the third person. The chapters alternate. We hear the great aunt’s experiences through a notebook.

The novel is about loss. “The grief… feels as if it could drown her.” With loss comes guilt. Both lead characters are consumed. They need to learn to forgive themselves. “What if I don’t deserve to be forgiven?” Everyone deserves forgiveness. “We’re always toughest on ourselves… It’s easier to be nice to other people.” We need to extend grace to ourselves as well as others.

Some friendships bring out the best in each other. “My friendship… made me believe anything was possible.” Some people just spread joy wherever they go. “If you want to change the world… just make it a little more beautiful.”

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The Secret Midwife by Soraya M Lane

Feb3

Mothers, Babies & Bravery

The Secret Midwife by Soraya M Lane is a powerful dual timeline novel that consumed me.

The action is set in Poland during World War II from 1942 onwards; and also, in 1995 in London. The two time periods are linked by the secret midwife. For fifty years since the liberation of Auschwitz she has kept quiet, now is the time to speak up.

To be a midwife was both a calling and a gift. She vowed to do no harm. She was tasked with looking after the pregnant women in Auschwitz after she was sent there for helping Jewish mothers-to-be in hiding. It was an impossible task, with no fresh water, tools or hygiene. And with Dr Mengele always breathing down her neck.

The secret midwife meets another doctor in Auschwitz who is also imprisoned for helping Jewish people. He, too, had vowed to do no harm. Together, they tried to help where they could. They put aside their personal safety in order to do what needed to be done. Sometimes there were hard choices to make. Outside of Auschwitz, different paths would be chosen. Inside Auschwitz there were other factors to consider as moral lines were blurred.

The third lead character was a young girl who worked in Canada in Auschwitz. She, also did what she could to help. The three formed a unit, helping where they could. They gave each other hope to survive – until one dreadful event.

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The Berlin Sisters by Soraya M Lane

Jan31

The Ultimate Sacrifice

The Berlin Sisters by Soraya M Lane is a powerful historical novel that I read in just one sitting. It was an all-consuming read.

The novel is set in Berlin from 1943 towards the end of World War II. At that time, the tide was beginning to turn against the Nazis. Even some within the Party were plotting the downfall of Hitler and the regime. Life was fragile. Trust was in short supply. “Everyone was ready and waiting to catch the other out.”

A resistance movement grew up. We witness extraordinary acts of bravery by ordinary people who stood up for what was right.

Everyone had to choose their actions. Each were responsible for their choices. With choices, came consequences.

What seemed acceptable in 1939 was no longer acceptable in 1943. “I didn’t believe him. I never believed that this madness [the final solution] would ever be allowed to come to fruition.” Men had become monsters.

We follow two sisters who each resist in their own way. Their father who is high up in the Nazi party is disillusioned, and resists, knowing the risks he now takes.

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