Tag: Historical Fiction

Historical fiction children’s book (middle grade), from the viewpoint of a French boy during WWII. Gustave has a pleasant life, he loves his hometown of Paris, runs around with his two best friends (one is a cousin) all the time, and is active in the Boy Scouts. He’s looking forward to winning a Scout competition (some kind of scavenger hunt) when news of the war starts to turn his life upside down. First it’s just rumors, but then changes creep into their lives. Gustave’s family is Jewish, which he felt was very ordinary, until the government started imposing restrictions. There were food shortages for everyone, but things were worse for the Jews. When they heard that the Germans had crossed the border and were marching on Paris, his family fled to the countryside. For several years they lived there. Gustave was lonely and upset at leaving his friends behind, starting a new school where he didn’t know any kids, and facing some bullying from classmates who resented refugees moving into town (even though he was still French). Then German soldiers moved into the area, and they were right on the edge of the occupied zone. His father started crossing the line regularly- risky, but he could trade goods for food on the other side. He met a girl at school whose family was involved in the resistance, though she didn’t let on for a long time, but finally Gustave became a part of that too, proud of the part he played even though he was also frightened. Harassment by the soldiers increased, and Gustave witnessed some horrible things- death on a number of occasions- the war felt a bit closer to home in this story than in The War That Saved My Life. This child seemed to suffer more deprivations, see more bad things happen (but then, he hadn’t come from an awful background that made anything seem an improvement). He had to make some personal sacrifices, too. It was very interesting to me how the special radishes came into the story. Finally in the end Gustave’s family decides they must leave France and try to emigrate to America. Gustave is devastated at the thought that he won’t see some of his old friends ever again, or his beloved country, but he is also upset at what it has become under the shadow of war. It seems they simply have no choice but to try and flee.

This novel gave me a good picture of what life was like in occupied France for ordinary citizens, the ways they were involved with the war effort or the resistance, the difficulties and terrors they had to endure. It’s based loosely on some events the author’s grandfather lived through. She explains at the end which parts are fact and which fictional. It all felt a bit at a distance, though- I was interested in reading about what happened, but I didn’t feel very connected to any of the characters as individuals. I’ve already started the sequel however, and I feel more involved as a reader with that one.

Borrowed from the public library.

A great sequel. Warning for SPOILERS if you haven’t read the first book!

The war continues, Ada and Jamie face even more privations and difficulties- yet through it all Ada continues to recognize how much better her life is now than it was before. She’s puzzled by people’s condolences on her losses (which to her seem like gains) and tries to pretend her foot has always been normal, that she doesn’t still limp. Susan looses her house, she moves with Jamie and Ada into a sevant’s cottage on the manor grounds, of the Lord and Lady Thornton. To Ada’s surprise and consternation, the house is requisitioned by the government and they are now living in close quarters with the stern Lady Thornton, who is upset at the smallness of this house which seems plenty grand to Ada. Different perspectives on everything. Ada continues to enjoy riding and improve her skills, and struggle with the emotional aftermath of having been abused and deprived by her own mother during her childhood. She’s often frustrated at not knowing everyday things- she’s never been in an elevator, never visited a zoo, never seen a piano. Things that other people around her take for granted. But she’s surprised to find there are skills she has which Lady Thornton lacks- practical things which are now more important, and she finds herself willing to share her abilities. But sometimes overstepping things, because she simply doesn’t know any better. Through all that tangle, Susan is patient and guides them well. But faces her own darkness with ongoing bouts of depression. Everyone has some kind of loss in this book, I had my dread about which of the introduced characters might die, and sadly I was right about one of them. More difficulties arise when a girl near Ada’s age is brought into the household- a Jewish refugee whose family fled Germany, but her mother is in an internment camp and her father doing secret work for the British government. Everyone is suspicious of the new girl, but when Ada finds out that she likes to ride and is good with horses, her attitude slowly thaws. She finds she has more in common with Ruth than she could have imagined, and even ends up supporting and comforting her in trials to come.

Again, so much going on in this book. Found family. Overcoming trauma and learning trust. Accepting people for how they are, and seeing past your first impressions of them. Living through the horrors of war. Adjusting and making do and moving on. I’m trying to write and give you a sense of what this book is about, without giving away any actual plot points- let’s just say the author takes you through a lot of ups and downs, you’re never sure who is going to make it through safely, and the reader comes to find some of these characters very dear. Ada continues to grow and overcome some of her past, but still struggles to trust others and accept love, though at the end she is getting much better at that. She and Jamie make a particularly kind gesture towards Susan, which brings their guardian some closure too, at last. I did not see that part coming (I thought they were planning something else) and it was really touching.

Wow this book. Such a difficult subject, but hard to put down (except of course, when my brain suddenly got too tired). It’s set during WWII. The main character is Ada, a young girl who lived with her brother in poverty in London, until children were evacuated to the countryside. Ada resented her mother’s treatment of her, and longed to play outside, but she didn’t realize how bad things had actually been, until she faced a much better life with a woman who was was actually reluctant to take them in, but did her duty. How could this woman Susan feed them, clothe them, give them a warm and comfortable place to sleep, even make sure they got educated (Ada didn’t know how to read and write before), when her own mother who was supposed to love her had neglected those things? Ada hadn’t liked getting yelled at, physically punished or shut up in the room- never allowed outside- but she partly thought she deserved it. Her mother was ashamed of her club foot and had always abused her. Life in the country was so different Ada didn’t know what to think. She didn’t know about some of the simplest things- having never gone into shops, never walked through a field, never attended school. She sometimes reacted with anger and resentment at kind things people did for her, or gifts they gave, because she thought it would all get taken away again. Her conflicting feelings and terror at the prospect of being returned to London warred with her growing acceptance of the idea that life could be better, that she could actually learn and do things. She learned to walk on crutches, she taught herself to ride a pony, she made a few friends. She even assisted others when war brought wounded soldiers into their village. She grew up quickly and matured in so many ways, finding herself more capable than she’d ever imagined, and even slowly learning to trust that Susan actually cared for her. But at the end, she had to face her mother once more . . .

This story has so much going on. At heart, it’s about this girl gradually overcoming the trauma from her abusive childhood, learning new skills and learning to trust and receive love. She finds acceptance among the villagers and even admiration for a job well done (helping out with the war effort). The are quiet, parallel stories in here on similar themes- their temporary foster mother seems to be shunned by the locals and (though it is never spoken of clearly) appears to be suffering from depression and grief, after the death of her long-time friend. The two women had lived together and I can only assume they were partners. Ada’s brother is punished in school for being left-handed, and Susan has to march in there and set the teacher straight. So he had his own fear and shame to overcome, for something he couldn’t help- just being himself. Even the pony has been harmed by ignorance, because Susan assumed he was fine out there in the pasture with grass to eat, and never gave him proper care. Ada only learns this from a stable worker at a nearby horse farm who helps her out when she’s learning how to ride. She’s angry at Susan at first, then learns herself how to take care of the pony better, and teach Susan the same. They make things right. There’s also- of course- a lot in here about how civilians experienced the war, the fear of bombing, hiding in shelters, shortages and food rationing. Ada’s little brother loves to watch planes on the airfield near their home, and they have their share of close calls, terrifying moments and seeing others injured, wondering if there are spies among them . . .

I have the sequel here on my shelf ready to pick up, but I might need a lighter read in between! Although I will tell you, this one does have a good ending. You fear for Ada in the final chapters, but things do turn out all right.