The Promise: Wartime memories bring back happiness... and pain

by Susan Sallis

There were four of the Thorpe family in the Anderson shelter the night of the raid on Coventry. Mum and Dad, Florrie and little May...Jack was missing. He was one of those who had not come back from Dunkirk. And May had to promise to keep a terrible secret, a promise which affected the lives of all the survivors, until May herself was the only one left. Seventy years later Daisy and Marcus, sixth formers in a Gloucestershire School, are given an A Level project on the bombing of Coventry in 1940. They go to talk to May, now living in sheltered accommodation nearby; a friendship is forged which bridges the gap between them. The two youngsters have their own problems, but as their lives unfold they become involved in the strange history of May's missing brother and of the promise, made all those years ago, which still has its repercussions today.

Genres: Historical Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Susan Sallis was the author of over twenty bestselling novels, many of them set in the West Country. She was born in Gloucestershire and lived in Somerset with her family. She died in 2020.

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read but slow.

[Eirlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Good Read

Two teenagers, who visited an old lady in a home, changed lives , and some secrets from the past. This was an emotional rollercoaster that went from the 1940s, to modern times. There were dramatic moments and humour too. The characters sprang into life and were very believable.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story but easily got confused! I look forward to reading more from Susan Sallis.

[Tina Low · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was a good story however like another reader had said, I got easily confused.

[Faa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Promise is not my daily cup of tea-kind of book. It has few relationships, each related to another in such a weird way, that it span from as early as 1940's up to the present times. If you like teenagers love starting to blossom and love the feeling of uncertainty and confusion in accepting newfound love, then Marcus & Daisy love is the perfect one. But if you long for more classical love (not exactly like Jane Austen's type), but the one that make you search and search through 2 centuries, and still not finding it, and when you feel like you are ready to give it all up and suddenly it's there right before you; then May & Arthur love surely fascinate you. (this is more of my type, though..) And, another second chance love like somebody new in your broken life and you feel like you are brave enough to start it all over again, then try to understand Zoe & Philip sudden love. There are few more love that make you think love is possible when you are reading this book. As strong as my negative opinion on the truthfullness of love, I was still sway to slightly believe that love is actually never too late, for anybody, anywhere, anytime and at any stage of life. Haha..read it and judge for yourself!

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

When fifteen year old May Thorpe lost her whole family during World War Two, she made a promise to her mother never to disclose what happened. Seventy years later, May goes over the events of 1940 with two sixth form students who are writing about wartime experiences.

The story is very easy to read with good dialogue, the narrative ambles along at quite a slow pace, but the true charm of the story lies in the characterisation. The interaction between the old and young is nicely done, and a heart-warming friendship develops between May and the students. As they become involved in each other’s lives, May finds the strength to share her tragic wartime experience.

Overall, I thought the book was nicely written, ultimately, it is a story about choices and consequences, and how our actions can influence the whole of our lives. I am sure the book will be well received by fans of Susan Sallis, who enjoy her heart-warming family sagas.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sad war time story of a 14 year old girl having her father, brother, and sister die in horrible ways.
Then she was raped and told by her mother to promise keep it ..a secret.

Years later she is in an old peoples home where students come from a school to interview her about her wars years.
The story tries it's best to be emotional and you do have a slight bond with the young girl interviewing this strong yet damage old lady.

could be better!

[May · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lost interest almost the end of the book. Hard to keep interested. Writing style not my cup of tea and the whole storyline just to jerky for my liking. Couldn't get into any of the characters as they all seemed so two-dimensional.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had me hooked from start to finish which doesn't happen often!

[Laura JC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intergenerational tale. Historical references.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't Finish just didn't keep me interested enough.