THE LUCK OF THE DRAW by Marie Keates @marie_keates

 4 out of 5 stars

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How I discovered this book: I've read Book #1 in this series.

In a Nutshell: A missing girl, domestic troubles, the lure of gambling and the rumblings of war

I read the first in this series, Plagued, earlier this year, and thought it was time I tried another!  The series is a continuing saga of the people who live in one area of Southampton between the two World Wars; it is their story, with the events of those tumultuous 21 years forming the ever present and always relevant backdrop.  This is Book #5, taking place during the second half of 1937.  I have a terrible memory so couldn't remember any of the characters; I can, thus, confirm that the book is a stand-alone as well as being part of a series.

The story centres around a few plot threads: the missing Sophie Morales, the mysterious activities of unsavoury Norm McCartney, and a discovery that tests tram driver Walter's greatest friendship.  I had in my mind an idea to write about how convincingly this was dealt with, but I've just re-read the blurb and realised that to do so would be a massive spoiler, so I'll just say that I thought Walter's private thoughts were so well written.  Odd sentences absolutely nailed it.

The other main storyline was that of Clara, a 20 year old young woman with an unhappy homelife, already with a broken heart.  She unsure of herself, hoping for happy-ever-afters, and so different from her more confident, outspoken best friend Gladys.

Although World War I finished almost twenty years before this story took place, it is still very much a part of all their lives.  Older character Percy made a couple of memorable statements:

'All the generals keeping nice and safe behind the lines, sending us infantrymen off to die.  They saw it as a game of chess and us as expendable pawns.'

'Anyone who saw the things we did can understand why someone would desert.  Those poor sods, just boys, some of them, were shell-shocked and terrified, but they shot them anyway ... How is that right?  Those generals issued orders without ever setting foot on the bloody battlefield.  If anyone needed shooting at dawn, they did.'

If you like wartime domestic dramas, this will totally hit the spot for you.  A very 'easy read', and it's clear how well the author knows her subject!

THE BOY FROM BLOCK 66 by Limor Regev

 4.5 out of 5 stars

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How I discovered this book: Amazon browse

In a Nutshell: account of Moshe Kessler, a Hungarian Jew, in the Nazi death camps and afterwards ; it is written in the first person, as told to the author.

While reading this I wondered why so many of us choose to read survivor accounts of the Holocaust.  I think I do so because the 'how' fascinates me so much - how ordinary people would turn a blind eye to, or even join in with, the ill treatment of another group.  How a few psychopaths could persuade thousands of soldiers to commit such atrocities.  I've recently read most of a book on this subject, Ordinary Men by Christopher Browning, if you're interested in this aspect.  Do all people have this potential evil within, a fire waiting to be lit?  I don't believe so, but...

Moshe Kessler had an idyllic childhood within his large, extended family.  Many, many have asked, over the years, why the Jews allowed their persecution to take place, seemingly without protest.  Moshe answers this question in detail; here is an excerpt I marked:

'You must understand that our future in those days was completely uncertain, for better or worse.  Our daily routine had gradually changed in the past two years, with each new directive or restriction by the Hungarian regime.  We thought this was just another period of temporary worsening of conditions, and we would soon return to our homes.  Information about what to expect next was concealed in a way that dispelled our suspicions.'

Moshe was only 13 when he and his family were taken to Auschwitz.  He escaped the gas chamber on the advice of a veteran prisoner, who told him to join the 'other queue' and say he was 16.  This nameless prisoner was one of many who saved his life over the terrible fifteen months he survived there; another was Antonin Kalina, a true angel who was active in Buchenwald camp underground (Moshe was driven on a 'death march' from one camp to another), who established Block 66 for the children, and initiated many procedures to keep them alive.

The author (a friend of the family in later years), writing as Moshe, describes much about the emotional repercussions, and the slow easing back into 'normal' life after the Americans liberated Buchenwald; many years passed before he found any sort of contentment.  

My only complaint about the book is the bad editing; there are occasional grammar errors, and duplication of facts, as though the process was a bit on the sketchy side.  This was only mildly irritating; it's definitely worth reading.

I, RICHARD PLANTAGENET : Tante le Desiree by J P Reedman @stonehenge2500

5 out of 5 stars

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On Goodreads

How I discovered this book: I read and loved earlier books about Richard, Duke of Gloucester by J P Reedman, and finally decided this had been on my TBR list for long enough!

In a Nutshell: Richard's life up until the age of 30.

I loved this book, totally engrossed all the way through.  There is so much detail about customs and the way people lived back then, that I found fascinating to read about.

Throughout the years this novel covers, J P Reedman has cleverly developed the main characters as they age.  Richard becomes harsher, more determined, and with an increasing sense of right and wrong, while the negative aspects of George's personality are magnified; his stubbornness, inconstancy and drinking.  Edward the King becomes almost a parody of himself, and I was struck once more by how his grandson Henry VIII was all him, with few traits inherited from his father, Henry VII.

The book is written in Richard's first person, but I was aware of how deftly the author has made clear to the reader the thoughts of other characters, too, even though they may not have expressed them verbally.  How they thought of Richard, too, as he becomes more and more like the historical figure many perceive him as.  Smart writing!

This part of the story ends when Richard is 30, just after the complicated skirmishes with the Scots, and as Edward's health is failing.  I look forward to reading the next episode very much.

DAUGHTER OF THE SUN by Gemma Lawrence @TudorTweep

5 out of 5 stars

On Amazon (universal link)

How I discovered this book: a favourite author whose new releases I usually buy immediately.

In a Nutshell: the early life of Eleanor of Aquitaine

This reminded me of the beginning of Gemma Lawrence's series about Anne Boleyn, in that it gives so much detail about the less well known, early life of an exceptional historical figure, showing how she became a woman centuries ahead of her time.

Ms Lawrence's Eleanor is not always particularly likeable (she seems most pleased with herself, particularly for the first two thirds of the book, though some might say with good reason) but the fascinating beginning of this full and eventful life was a joy to read.  I also enjoyed reading about how different the geographical borders of the world were then; countries, duchies, principalities and kingdoms that no longer exist, which does remind one that countries and borders are man-made constructs.

The part of the book I liked most was the second half, covering the period of the Second Crusade - this was absolutely riveting, throughout.  Couldn't put it down, I was excited to turn each page, and the book is worthy of 5* for this part alone.

As is usual for this author's novels, it is written in the first person.  Lawrence's Eleanor has much to say about the subjugation of women and the folly of men, though given her experiences this is hardly surprising.  The book ends as she becomes close to her third cousin Henry, later to become Henry II, and whom she marries.

I am SO looking forward to reading the next book!

'I would not have let him keep you prisoner,' growled the young idealist.  'By the eyes of God!  I would not!'