Summary of Secrets of a Charmed Life: by Susan Meissner | Includes Analysis

by Instaread Summaries

  Secrets of a Charmed Life is the story of how two young sisters survived World War II in London. In 2015, at Stow-on-the-Wold in the English countryside, Kendra Van Zant, a history major, interviews ninety-three year old Isabel MacFarland. Kendra quickly realizes Isabel is not her subject’s real name, nor is she ninety-three. Isabel, a well-known artist, tells Kendra the tale of two young girls living in London just before the beginning, in the spring of 1940, of the strategic bombing campaign by the Germans against London that became known as the Blitz. The story centers on fifteen year old, Emmy, and seven year old, Julia. Emmy and Julia’s mother, Anne, is a single mother working as a maid. She is able to care well for them, but she is often out of the house. Emmy has to be the responsible member of the household when it comes to caring for Julia…       • Summary of book
• Introduction to the Important People in the book
• Analysis of the Themes and Author’s Style   With Instaread, you can get the summary and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, summarize and analyze it for your convenience.  

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2015

About the author

With Instaread, you can get the summary and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, summarize and analyze it for your convenience.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this historical fiction about 2 sisters that were taken to the countryside to live with a "foster" family during WW2. Many wrong decisions later and they became separated. Desiring to be back together the story takes 2 very different directions for each story to unfold. This story is of courage and deceit and selfishness. Incredibly written, a mystery I couldn't put down.

[Shelley Corman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific story from the the WW II era. It takes place in England before during and after the blitz. It tells the story of two sisters who are somehow separated. It is poignant and beautiful and I absolutely loved it.

[Jimmie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed!

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way Ms Meissener crosses stories decades apart. That intrigues me every time.

[Rosemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agreat Read. Really like this author

[Sherri Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great historical fiction read. The story begins when a young American student who is studying in England, is granted an interview with a reclusive artist. Isobel is 93 and lived during WWII England. She has never granted interviews before so Kendra feels fortunate to be allowed.
Isobel is famous for her girl with the polka dot umbrellas portraits. She takes Kendra back in time with a story about two sisters Emmaline and Julia being raised by their single mother in London. It is a very emotional story about love, history, war, and guilt. The author has researched well survivors of the bombings and their feelings. The book goes back and forth between 2015 and the 1940s.

[Judith Teggelaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written with an intriguing plot and little surprises popping up now and then.

[Josh Greeno · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good story about the endurance of the human spirit against incredible odds