5 out of 5 stars
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In a Nutshell: Family/romantic drama set during World War I.
Jessie: sixteen years old, with a revolting stepfather and the boy she loves going off to war ... the stage is set. I was thoroughly engrossed in this book all the way through, looking forward to getting back to it each time. The aforementioned revolting stepfather, Amos Morgan, was so despicable that I was hoping for his comeuppance all the way through the first section of the book, and don't get me started on Bob Clegg....
What struck me most, throughout, was how hard life was for women in those times. I questioned, now and again, why Jessie put up with all that she did, but you can't judge a woman of the second decade of the 20th century by even the standards of a woman, say, in the 1950s. Especially not one who is poor, and not that well educated. Then there's the First World War propaganda that sent all those young men off to almost certain death, and made them feel guilty when they didn't want to go—one of the biggest crimes against humanity in history. Not to mention the fate of deserters. Words fail me.
My favourite characters were Clara, Jessie's educated, progressive friend, and Arthur, Jessie's love who went to war. The chapters written in his point of view were stunningly good; Ms Barrow portrayed his haunted, disturbed mind so well. Although her main characters are usually female, it's her male characters that are often the most memorable—Bob Clegg's dialogue was masterful.
This is definitely my favourite, all round, of all the books by Judith Barrow that I've read. Previously, my favourite was A Hundred Tiny Threads, which tells me I like her historical fiction the most. I think it's because her settings and characters are all northern working class of the, 'aye, love, I'll put the kettle on when you've filled the coal scuttle and boiled the cabbage for our tea, and that Ada Bloggs over t'road is no better than she ought to be' type, which I find slightly depressing in more modern times, but, pre-World War II, it's far enough away not to be so!
As with most books there were odd occasions when I was a little frustrated by a development, but much of this is just personal taste—if domestic wartime dramas are your thing, I guarantee that you will love this book!
By gum, thank you so much, Terry - a lovely generous review that also made me laugh. I'm so glad you liked Arthur as a character, he represents all the young men who were pressured into volunteering and consequently lived with the horrors of what was seen and done in those war years. As always, I greatly appreciate your support for my writing.
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ReplyDeleteMany thanks for this review, Terry.
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