Above the Bright Blue Sky

by Margaret Thornton

Life for Maisie Jackson has been far from happy for a number of years ever since her mother re-married after her beloved father's death. Suffering abuse at her cruel stepbrother's hand, and mercilessly tormented by her stepfather, Maisie dreams of escaping to a new life far away. And it seems her dreams are about to come true... It is 1939 and war is suddenly looming dark on the horizon. For many, with memories of the war to end all wars still fresh in their minds, this is a horrific and frightening prospect. But for nine-year-old Maisie, it represents her longed-for chance of freedom maybe she'll be evacuated to the countryside, to one of the places her father used to tell her about. As the small market town of Middlebeck in the Yorkshire dales prepares for the arrival of the evacuees, many of the villagers ponder on how they will cope with this sudden influx of visitors. But they are all determined to pull together and welcome the strangers with open arms, eager to do their bit for the war effort. In this time of trouble, when life suddenly seems so precious and vulnerable, true and lasting friendships are formed and love blossoms as the dark cloud of war eventually clears to the bright blue sky of a hopeful future.

Genres: Fiction

458 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2006

About the author

Margaret Thornton was born in Blackpool and has lived there all her life. She was a qualified teacher but retired in order to concentrate on her writing.

Thornton has two children and five grandchildren. Her previous Blackpool sagas are available from Headline and have been highly praised. To date, she has written 24 novels.

Reviews

[Yvonne G · Rating 4 out of 5]

One often hears about the horrors of war from the front-line, but this book concentrates on war from the perspectives of those struggling to maintain some kind of normality and family life, for those left at home. The trauma of evacuation for Maisie and her friends was immense, but for her mother Lily and the other parents to know that their children had been given over to the care of complete strangers, was devastating. Lily had thoughts that Maisie would become so attached to her foster family, that returning to her own family home would be frought with problems, especially given the terrible circumstances of her leaving.
Whilst Maisie did become a little jealous of her special position within the Fairchild family, she was ultimately overjoyed to be reunited with her Mother and siblings. It was also a time when the gentry was forced down from it's self imposed pedestal and literally had to open it's doors, both to the returning servicemen and to the evacuees, the very kind of people they often fought so hard to distance themselves from. The Squire and his family found that they enjoyed being a part of the community, making new and lasting friendships with both locals and newcomers, with whom they would never ordinarily have mixed.
Many of the evacuees were ill-treated by their foster families, as Maisie's new found friend, Audrey, found to her cost. However, when `Gentlewoman', Miss Thomson is found out and is suitably castigated, she finds that a whole new world opens up to her, when she accepts and allows people from outside of her perceived class standing, who genuinely care about her and wish to help her, to be her friends.
Lily becomes part of a whole new tranche of women, who finds that she is quite able to support and make a better life for herself and her children, given the opportunity to flourish, in her new environment.
I came away with the impression that war is a great `leveller' of pre-conceived ideas and social standing; as well as the empowerment of groups of people to rise to a challenge, with long-lasting and permanent consequences. A moving and caring novel,written sympathetically, which captivated me from the first, to the last page.

[Sanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a nice book to read at bedtime. The story follows the lives of several families but mainly a young girl Maisie, a WW2 evacuee from Leeds sent to live in Middlebeck.

Maisie's widowed mother Lily, had married a man who changed from the man he portrayed himself to be, to a beastly brute of a creature after marriage. When he wasn't abusing Lily, he was drunk and having affairs with whoever. Sid was a violent bully and his son Percy, from his previous marriage, was nothing more than a carbon copy of his father.

Sid hated Maisie but only wanted Lily around so she could be his skivvy. Lily had had 2 children to Sid and Maisie didn't much like them as they were also much like their father. However, when Maisie was sent off to Middlebeck, she scored a wonderful home with the rector and his wife, childless though not by choice. They adored Maisie and later her friend Audrey who came to live with them as well, after an unfortunate placing with an elderly spinster did not work out.
While Maisie was in Middlebeck, her mother managed to administer some sort of parental management over the 2 youngsters who had to learn to behave themselves.

Audrey had much older parents and was an only child, so when her father died, she went back to Leeds to live with and look after her mother, but then tragedy happened and Audrey ended up back in Middlebeck.

Many tragic events occured over the ensuing months and years, all of which had devastating effects on those in this little town. Then again, there were also the joyful events too which added a wonderful balance to this story.

So many things happened in this story and I don't like to spoil it for others, but I must admit to enjoying this read.

[Mrs Susan McDermid · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of Margaret Thornton’s best

Very moving and also quite disturbing at times. Really got to know the characters in this book and was happy and sad for them as if I really knew them. The lovely Patience and her Reverend husband Luke, were so kind and caring, deserving every happiness. Maisie and her family and friends too.Loved this book and, to me, has been one of the best from Margaret Thornton

[Terena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story about a little girl who is evacuated from a terrible home life in Leeds, at the start of WW2. There was enough sadness etc to make it realistic, and to keep you wanting to read it at every opportunity. I'm now reading the sequel "Down An English Lane"

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an American expat living in England, I enjoyed this glimpse into the past. I am living the country life all around me, every day, which is what the book explores. It takes the reader to a time period right before WWII, and during the war. The book explores the program to send children from cities to the country. Strangers took them in. This is what their lives might have been like. A beautiful book, only ruined by the lack of editing. There are SO many editing errors: words left out of sentences, and many more. I've never seen a book with so many glaring mistakes.

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure what edition that I read but it may have been the most poorly edited book I have ever read. I forced myself through it. The story was fine but it plodded along and an even pace. Never up or down just flat. The cover is very different then the one here so I wonder if it was a pre-edited addition. I don't know.

[Psammead · Rating 3 out of 5]

All of her books are the same thyme. One is good but don’t waste your time reading the same story written differently.