Split by War : A Guernsey family copes, 1940-45

by Lynette Enevoldsen

In June 1940, Hitler’s armies are only 40 miles from the island of Guernsey, and an evacuation order is issued for women and children. In a cottage overlooking Fermain Bay, Frances and Arthur Enevoldsen face a heart-breaking choice. The next day, Frances and her two young daughters board a boat for England, not realising it will be five long years before they can return. Billeted in the north of England, Frances must create a new life for them, and navigate the challenges of freezing weather, night bombings, illness, and loneliness.

Arthur stays behind with his parents and sister. During the Occupation, and under Nazi rule, they face the loss of their homes, starvation, D-Day bombing, and the tragic death of a family member. Only their skill in adapting to difficult circumstances, along with Arthur’s determination to endure and see his wife and children again, offer them the rays of hope needed to survive.

Through the use of personal diaries and family accounts, Lynette Enevoldsen has pieced together an utterly compelling tale of the daily trials experienced by her family during World War Two. Split By War is an account of how one family lived through unimaginable circumstances and hardships. Their displays of resistance, resilience, and survival carry an important message of inspiration and hope to readers of all ages.

404 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2024

Reviews

[Gauri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Split by War is a deeply moving and meticulously researched account of a Guernsey family torn apart by the German occupation during World War II. Author Lynette Enevoldsen uses personal diaries and family records to tell the dual narrative of Frances and her daughters, who were evacuated to the harsh north of England, and Arthur, who remained behind to endure the hardships of life under Nazi rule. The book powerfully captures the daily reality of war—from night bombings and freezing weather to starvation and tragedy in Guernsey. This is more than a historical recount; it is a gripping testament to the resilience of the human spirit, illustrating how love, determination, and hope became the sole tools for survival against unimaginable circumstances.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Split by War offers a sincere and touching portrayal of one family’s endurance during the German occupation of Guernsey. Drawing from personal diaries, Lynnette Enevoldsen captures the heartbreak of separation, loss, and quiet heroism with genuine emotional weight. The historical detail is vivid, giving readers a strong sense of time and place. However, the narrative can feel uneven at times, with some passages reading more like documentary than novel. Despite that, the book’s authenticity and heartfelt tribute to resilience make it a meaningful read for those interested in the human side of World War II history.

[Phin Ejike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Split by War is a powerful tale of a Guernsey family torn by war. It’s heartbreaking, as Lynette Enevoldsen, who herself is a character in the book, recounts how her family was separated by the incoming German occupation. It recounts how children, women, and military-aged men boarded boats to Britain, and the inevitable separation of families that this caused.

Set in World War 2, Split by War is a story that pulls on heartstrings in a way that only wartime stories can. We watch the women and children deal with new cultures and nighttime bombings, but I was most hooked by the parts of the story where the remaining members in Guernsey fought starvation and tyranny from the German Kommandant.

All in all, this book is a gripping and inspiring personal tale of struggle and survival. I loved it.