Helpful Score: 6
Ive read a number of books set during the onset and duration of World War; many of them focus on The Holocaust or the United States involvement in the war. 22 Britannia Road takes a different approach in the story of Janusz, Silvana and their son Aurek.
The novel opens with the reunion of the little family six years after they were separated in 1940 when the Germans Army invaded their homeland of Poland. This reunion is not a joyous Hollywood style meeting. After so many years apart the two are virtual strangers and each of them keep secrets they are not ready to share. In alternating chapters we learn the husband and wifes very different war stories.
I loved this book. The story grabbed from the very start. I found the writing beautiful and the development of the story of two people who are desperate for a normal life again was nicely done. Complicating their struggles are the secrets they are keeping and their son Aureks difficulty in adapting to civilization after many years hiding with his mother in the forests of Poland. I liked the fact that these people were not perfect; they made choices both good and bad which seemed very realistic considering the horrific circumstances. When all is revealed it isnt a happily ever after moment, decisions have to be made about living in the past or trying to build a future either together or apart.
This is a debut novel from a very promising new talent and a definite Top Ten book for me this year. I am looking forward to Ms. Hodgkinsons future works. I recommend this book very highly.
The novel opens with the reunion of the little family six years after they were separated in 1940 when the Germans Army invaded their homeland of Poland. This reunion is not a joyous Hollywood style meeting. After so many years apart the two are virtual strangers and each of them keep secrets they are not ready to share. In alternating chapters we learn the husband and wifes very different war stories.
I loved this book. The story grabbed from the very start. I found the writing beautiful and the development of the story of two people who are desperate for a normal life again was nicely done. Complicating their struggles are the secrets they are keeping and their son Aureks difficulty in adapting to civilization after many years hiding with his mother in the forests of Poland. I liked the fact that these people were not perfect; they made choices both good and bad which seemed very realistic considering the horrific circumstances. When all is revealed it isnt a happily ever after moment, decisions have to be made about living in the past or trying to build a future either together or apart.
This is a debut novel from a very promising new talent and a definite Top Ten book for me this year. I am looking forward to Ms. Hodgkinsons future works. I recommend this book very highly.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this bk, which is a great historical fiction book. To quote another Amazon reader: "This book is vividly written and has complexity to the plot that continues to draw you in right up until the last chapter. The long lasting effects of war on people are brilliantly portrayed in the story. In post war Britain, the couple has every advantage- an intact family, a house, a car, a good job - but the lingering effects of what happened to them during the war destroy their chances to go forward. The son has been deeply influenced by his time in the forests avoiding both Germans and Russians and living off the land. In one scene his father shows him how to collect and save birds eggs and the boy can only think of how he wants to eat the eggs contents as he did so often in the forests. He has a particularly difficult time socializing and entering into normal relationships. It was heartbreaking and at times almost too sad to bear. In the end though this story is a triumph of the human spirit over adversity
