Kate Atkinson's Life After Life is another novel inspired by real written experience of the Blitz. I liked it very much, but must admit that I will always prefer to read the contemporary source, for the mundane details as well as the drama.
Thank you for this, Kate. I'm so glad that you're making Ann's writing available once more. I knew within about two paragraphs that I would love this book!
I'm similarly fascinated by these women and their experiences. I'm currently researching a group of slightly younger women who came of age in 1940, their life experiences are so extraordinary.
Thank you for your inspiring post. I'm a middle-aged Italian author and teacher, since ever passionated about English novels set in early (1939-1941) WWII. The titles you wrote about are now in my wishlist! Could you mention me some other volumes, in which children adventures could be described? Like "Good bye, Mr. Tom", for example... Thank you.
That's a challenge! 'Goodnight, Mr Tom' is such a classic, now, and one I've loved ever since it was first published.
For you to read now, my mind went immediately to 'Saplings' by Noel Streatfeild (the author of 'Ballet Shoes'), which is about a family of four children and the effects that the War has upon them, as their family effectively disintegrates. It's excellent.
Another in that class is 'Doreen' by Barbara Noble, which is the tale of a nine-year-old evacuee and the people who try to care for her. It examines very closely the irreconcilable clash between her two worlds and is also excellent.
I would also suggest 'The Oaken Heart' by Margery Allingham (one of our Golden Age mystery writers), which is a memoir rather than a novel, but covers the early part of the War and does talk vividly about the challenge of accommodating large numbers of London children, as well as expectant mothers, in a small English village.
For children to read, 'Carrie's War' by Nina Bawden, about two children evacuated to Wales, is another classic and a great favourite of many, and Paul Gallico's 'The Snow Goose' is subtitled 'A Story of Dunkirk' and has a young female protagonist. The children's book I'm desperate to read, but which is vanishingly rare secondhand, is 'Visitors From London' by Kitty Barne, which won the Carnegie Medal for children's literature in 1940, but has never been republished since. (Hint to Kate at Handheld Press!)
This looks like such a good read. I enjoy a lot of women’s writing from this period and I am about to order a copy thanks to you. I hadn’t heard of it before.
That's great. It's a new reissue (16 January) by Handheld Press, whose list keeps getting more and more interesting — there are some other titles from the period on there, too.
I share your love of World War 2 literature, my favourite being One Fine Day by Mollie Panter- Downes. This sounds a treat and a wonderful review as always.
When hearing about the lives of women in wartime, I often wonder how I might have reacted in similar circumstances. Would I have had the courage to do something useful, even put myself in 'more' danger to do it? Or, would I have taken myself as far away as possible? I guess you wouldn't know unless you're faced with such a situation. The fact that this book exists allows us to get a glimpse inside a world that is far (but not very far) from the one in which we live our relatively comfortable existences. Thank you for sharing this book.
Sarah Waters' gripping NIGHT WATCH, which I loved, must owe something to Ann Stafford. I must order ARMY WITHOUT BORDERS.
Kate Atkinson's Life After Life is another novel inspired by real written experience of the Blitz. I liked it very much, but must admit that I will always prefer to read the contemporary source, for the mundane details as well as the drama.
I don't think it does. I'm the publisher and I asked her and she said she'd never read Ann's books.
Thank you for this, Kate. I'm so glad that you're making Ann's writing available once more. I knew within about two paragraphs that I would love this book!
How interesting.
I'm similarly fascinated by these women and their experiences. I'm currently researching a group of slightly younger women who came of age in 1940, their life experiences are so extraordinary.
That sounds an amazing project. I hope we might hear more about it here.
Thank you for your inspiring post. I'm a middle-aged Italian author and teacher, since ever passionated about English novels set in early (1939-1941) WWII. The titles you wrote about are now in my wishlist! Could you mention me some other volumes, in which children adventures could be described? Like "Good bye, Mr. Tom", for example... Thank you.
Simona
That's a challenge! 'Goodnight, Mr Tom' is such a classic, now, and one I've loved ever since it was first published.
For you to read now, my mind went immediately to 'Saplings' by Noel Streatfeild (the author of 'Ballet Shoes'), which is about a family of four children and the effects that the War has upon them, as their family effectively disintegrates. It's excellent.
Another in that class is 'Doreen' by Barbara Noble, which is the tale of a nine-year-old evacuee and the people who try to care for her. It examines very closely the irreconcilable clash between her two worlds and is also excellent.
I would also suggest 'The Oaken Heart' by Margery Allingham (one of our Golden Age mystery writers), which is a memoir rather than a novel, but covers the early part of the War and does talk vividly about the challenge of accommodating large numbers of London children, as well as expectant mothers, in a small English village.
For children to read, 'Carrie's War' by Nina Bawden, about two children evacuated to Wales, is another classic and a great favourite of many, and Paul Gallico's 'The Snow Goose' is subtitled 'A Story of Dunkirk' and has a young female protagonist. The children's book I'm desperate to read, but which is vanishingly rare secondhand, is 'Visitors From London' by Kitty Barne, which won the Carnegie Medal for children's literature in 1940, but has never been republished since. (Hint to Kate at Handheld Press!)
If you're thinking in terms of books suitable for children you teach, I've found that Book Trust (a really great reading charity) have a list of Second World War titles on their website: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/booklists/w/world-war-ii-childrens/.
Awww... Such a wonderful titles you gave me!! I'll start with them... Thank you!
This looks like such a good read. I enjoy a lot of women’s writing from this period and I am about to order a copy thanks to you. I hadn’t heard of it before.
That's great. It's a new reissue (16 January) by Handheld Press, whose list keeps getting more and more interesting — there are some other titles from the period on there, too.
This sounds amazing. I'm of to track it down....
Brilliant!
A beautifully written review that has inspired me to read this. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment, and do let me know what you think of the book. x
I’m adding this to my reading list. Thank you for such a wonderful review!
You’re very welcome.
I share your love of World War 2 literature, my favourite being One Fine Day by Mollie Panter- Downes. This sounds a treat and a wonderful review as always.
It's so many years since I read One Fine Day. Do you know Panter-Downes's London War Notes? It makes fascinating reading. x
I do, it was one of my first Persephone's! She is a remarkable writer x
When hearing about the lives of women in wartime, I often wonder how I might have reacted in similar circumstances. Would I have had the courage to do something useful, even put myself in 'more' danger to do it? Or, would I have taken myself as far away as possible? I guess you wouldn't know unless you're faced with such a situation. The fact that this book exists allows us to get a glimpse inside a world that is far (but not very far) from the one in which we live our relatively comfortable existences. Thank you for sharing this book.
You're very welcome. And that's the perennial question, isn't it?
This looks like a ‘must read’ - thank you for introducing it to us
You're very welcome indeed!