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Walking Wounded
Born at the end of the First World War, a young girl struggles to find her own identity in her big family and is pushed into a stormy marriage through a terrible misunderstanding from which her pride refuses to let her back down. As her own personal world begins to crumble, the foundation of the world around her is shaken as Germany once again declares war and her brothers and young husband sign up with the first wave of volunteers.
Walking Wounded tells the story of those left behind in a Blitz-ravaged London, and of the web of loyalty, guilt and duty that shapes the decisions of the women awaiting the return of their men-folk as the war draws to a close.
Spanning the period from the Armistice of the First World War to the exodus of the Ten Pound Poms to Australia in the 1950s, Walking Wounded is a family saga whose internal violence is mirrored by the world stage upon which it is set.
Walking Wounded tells the story of those left behind in a Blitz-ravaged London, and of the web of loyalty, guilt and duty that shapes the decisions of the women awaiting the return of their men-folk as the war draws to a close.
Spanning the period from the Armistice of the First World War to the exodus of the Ten Pound Poms to Australia in the 1950s, Walking Wounded is a family saga whose internal violence is mirrored by the world stage upon which it is set.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2016
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 25 reviews
February 26, 2017
I honestly can't remember the last time a book touched me quite as much as Walking Wounded. This book is beautiful, heartbreaking and real.
Walking Wounded is beautifully written, the story is woven in such a way that keeps you fully immersed in the characters lives and you don't want to put the book down and leave them. You need to know what happened next.
The characters are all extremely realistic and I fell in love with each and everyone of them....well except one of course, one I was horrified by and I found myself wishing that they would leave or would be prevented some way from returning. I think my absolute favourite character was Stanley, he was so strong and gentle and kind, he really brought out the best in poeple. The family setting was so warm and you could feel the love between them all and when one suffered they all suffered and when one was happy, they were all happy, It was a really good representation of what family life was like at the time, with several generations and family members all living together or extremely close by and doing everything together.
Walking Wounded also shows clearly what life was life at home during the wars. It's not something you ever really think of, I think one of the only other books I've read that have covered anything even close is Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian. It was so hard seeing how much people struggled with rationing and sleeping in the bunkers while bombs were dropped above their heads. They also had to deal with "day to day" heartbreak as well as the horror of war. It also showed the strength of people, how they picked up the slack of jobs that needed doing, worked hard and in secret to support the troops and came together to hold each other up.
I sobbed, I laughed, I loved and I hated throughout this book and I cannot wait for more from Anna Franklin Osborne.
Walking Wounded is beautifully written, the story is woven in such a way that keeps you fully immersed in the characters lives and you don't want to put the book down and leave them. You need to know what happened next.
The characters are all extremely realistic and I fell in love with each and everyone of them....well except one of course, one I was horrified by and I found myself wishing that they would leave or would be prevented some way from returning. I think my absolute favourite character was Stanley, he was so strong and gentle and kind, he really brought out the best in poeple. The family setting was so warm and you could feel the love between them all and when one suffered they all suffered and when one was happy, they were all happy, It was a really good representation of what family life was like at the time, with several generations and family members all living together or extremely close by and doing everything together.
Walking Wounded also shows clearly what life was life at home during the wars. It's not something you ever really think of, I think one of the only other books I've read that have covered anything even close is Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian. It was so hard seeing how much people struggled with rationing and sleeping in the bunkers while bombs were dropped above their heads. They also had to deal with "day to day" heartbreak as well as the horror of war. It also showed the strength of people, how they picked up the slack of jobs that needed doing, worked hard and in secret to support the troops and came together to hold each other up.
I sobbed, I laughed, I loved and I hated throughout this book and I cannot wait for more from Anna Franklin Osborne.
February 25, 2017
Sometimes you get a book that is just so powerful it leaves you struggling to find words to describe it’s beauty, integrity and pure eloquence. It’s very rare in fact but this is one of those books.
Written with so much passion and gut-wrenching feeling. I was there and part of this family from the first sentence! I am of an age where my grandparents were alive during the first war and my parents during the second so I have grown up hearing various snippets and stories. Anna tells it from the heart the way it was .. war was bleak.
The book revolves around a ‘normal’ family living in London and spans the generations. Each of the characters are brilliantly described and come to life before your eyes as you read.
May is a twin, brother Stanley is her soulmate. They have other siblings but theirs is a bond that can’t be broken.
We follow the life of May closely, she marries Jimmy and what should be the wedding of the year soon turns sour. I was urging May to be strong but her pride was stronger.
As the years progress there is a genuine feeling of understanding the hardship and struggles all the family face. The men go off to fight, the women stay behind to wage their own battle having to survive on rations, survive air-raids all while worrying about the fate of their menfolk.
It isn’t an overly long book but so much is included, each member of the family has their individual problems to face or demons to deal with.
You will need plenty of tissues, this has some achingly painful moments and it’s very difficult to put the book down. I tuned out completely and didn’t hear anyone talking to me I was so absorbed. While I read a variety of genres this is fast becoming one of my favourites, an era that seems so simple in terms of technology but the community spirit shines through.
I can’t express enough my love for this book .. astonishing to know it is a debut. I sincerely hope there will be more to come from the pen of this talented lady.
Written with so much passion and gut-wrenching feeling. I was there and part of this family from the first sentence! I am of an age where my grandparents were alive during the first war and my parents during the second so I have grown up hearing various snippets and stories. Anna tells it from the heart the way it was .. war was bleak.
The book revolves around a ‘normal’ family living in London and spans the generations. Each of the characters are brilliantly described and come to life before your eyes as you read.
May is a twin, brother Stanley is her soulmate. They have other siblings but theirs is a bond that can’t be broken.
We follow the life of May closely, she marries Jimmy and what should be the wedding of the year soon turns sour. I was urging May to be strong but her pride was stronger.
As the years progress there is a genuine feeling of understanding the hardship and struggles all the family face. The men go off to fight, the women stay behind to wage their own battle having to survive on rations, survive air-raids all while worrying about the fate of their menfolk.
It isn’t an overly long book but so much is included, each member of the family has their individual problems to face or demons to deal with.
You will need plenty of tissues, this has some achingly painful moments and it’s very difficult to put the book down. I tuned out completely and didn’t hear anyone talking to me I was so absorbed. While I read a variety of genres this is fast becoming one of my favourites, an era that seems so simple in terms of technology but the community spirit shines through.
I can’t express enough my love for this book .. astonishing to know it is a debut. I sincerely hope there will be more to come from the pen of this talented lady.
July 20, 2017
A truly fantastic story that takes you on a families journey throughout World War 1 & 2. Written from the perspective of the women in the family who are left behind and how they adapt their lives and how they try to find ways for their family to move on.
I finished this book in a day as found it gripping, the descriptions of the family members allowed you to visualise them. I loved the delivery of the book showing compassion and just how destructive the wars were to families.
The ending of the book left it open for a follow up book and I would love to read another story about the amazing family that is bought to life on these pages.
Thoroughly recommended, a book that captures joy, laughter, loss and sorrow so well within its pages.
I finished this book in a day as found it gripping, the descriptions of the family members allowed you to visualise them. I loved the delivery of the book showing compassion and just how destructive the wars were to families.
The ending of the book left it open for a follow up book and I would love to read another story about the amazing family that is bought to life on these pages.
Thoroughly recommended, a book that captures joy, laughter, loss and sorrow so well within its pages.
January 9, 2017
'He awoke with a shock as an icy rivulet of water finally penetrated the gap between his collar and his neck and trickled down inside his sodden greatcoat’ ~ 1918, Mons, Belgium, 5 a.m.
Walking Wounded is a stunning debut novel from Anna Franklin Osborne. Spanning the period from the Armistice of the First World War to the exodus of the Ten Pound Poms to Australia in the 1950s, this book packs a punch in just 188 pages.
Published in 2016 by GooseWing Publications, Walking Wounded is a novel inspired by the lives of Anna Franklin Osborne’s grandparents and other relatives who were part of that Longest Day on the D-Day beaches of Normandy.
Read on for my full thoughts……
One of my favourite genre in reading is that of Historical fiction. I seem to be quite fascinated with the lives of all involved, the surviviors who had a story to tell and all the lost souls whose memories will live on through the wonderful story telling of those left behind. These stories get passed through the generations and sometimes a brave person picks up the baton and commits to writing about it.
Anna Franklin Osborne has just done this with her wonderful debut, Walking Wounded.
‘Inspired by the lives of her grandmother and her Great Auntie Lil and catalysed by walking on the D-Day beaches telling her children about her great-uncles who were part of that Longest Day’
Walking Wounded tells the story of the Johnson family spanning decades as they dealt with the aftermath of both WW1 and WW2 in London. As the men went to war the women were left behind trying to cope and survive in a world gone mad. These were strong women who, with the support of each other, faced down every day walking out their doors with their backs straight and their heads held high.
As the years sweep by, the story concentrates on one of these women, May. Born at the closing of the First World War, May must now face an even bigger battle in her own personal life. Married to Jimmy, May wakes up every morning not knowing what the day will hold. Jimmy has a very explosive personality and May lives in fear for her safety and that of those closest too her.
As the Second World War breaks out, the family is faced yet again with the horrors of war. The men face down the enemy with strength and courage and the next generation of the Johnson family learn to survive in a ‘Blitz-ravaged’ London.
Walking Wounded, although with fictional characters, takes you on a journey back in time. You will experience the emotions of all these women as though in the room with them.
Lydia, the lynchpin of the family, has a story that will cause a shudder and a tear or two. Her story and her strength will encourage you to look around you and be very grateful for what you have.
May’s story is one of determination. What could be perceived as her weaknesses, in my eyes, were her strengths.
Lets not forget the men in Walking Wounded. These brave souls who walked into battle unaware of whether they would ever make the return journey home. They held on dearly to the memories of loved ones, many arriving home a shadow of the man that left.
Anna Franklin Osborne has written a wonderful debut. Walking Wounded is a very emotional read, a book that has the power to bring you back to a time in our society that should never be forgotten.
Reading Walking Wounded was like picking up a diary of a survivor………
Although a short read, this is a book that will stay with you for awhile. I do so hope you get an opportunity to read Walking Wounded.
Walking Wounded is a stunning debut novel from Anna Franklin Osborne. Spanning the period from the Armistice of the First World War to the exodus of the Ten Pound Poms to Australia in the 1950s, this book packs a punch in just 188 pages.
Published in 2016 by GooseWing Publications, Walking Wounded is a novel inspired by the lives of Anna Franklin Osborne’s grandparents and other relatives who were part of that Longest Day on the D-Day beaches of Normandy.
Read on for my full thoughts……
One of my favourite genre in reading is that of Historical fiction. I seem to be quite fascinated with the lives of all involved, the surviviors who had a story to tell and all the lost souls whose memories will live on through the wonderful story telling of those left behind. These stories get passed through the generations and sometimes a brave person picks up the baton and commits to writing about it.
Anna Franklin Osborne has just done this with her wonderful debut, Walking Wounded.
‘Inspired by the lives of her grandmother and her Great Auntie Lil and catalysed by walking on the D-Day beaches telling her children about her great-uncles who were part of that Longest Day’
Walking Wounded tells the story of the Johnson family spanning decades as they dealt with the aftermath of both WW1 and WW2 in London. As the men went to war the women were left behind trying to cope and survive in a world gone mad. These were strong women who, with the support of each other, faced down every day walking out their doors with their backs straight and their heads held high.
As the years sweep by, the story concentrates on one of these women, May. Born at the closing of the First World War, May must now face an even bigger battle in her own personal life. Married to Jimmy, May wakes up every morning not knowing what the day will hold. Jimmy has a very explosive personality and May lives in fear for her safety and that of those closest too her.
As the Second World War breaks out, the family is faced yet again with the horrors of war. The men face down the enemy with strength and courage and the next generation of the Johnson family learn to survive in a ‘Blitz-ravaged’ London.
Walking Wounded, although with fictional characters, takes you on a journey back in time. You will experience the emotions of all these women as though in the room with them.
Lydia, the lynchpin of the family, has a story that will cause a shudder and a tear or two. Her story and her strength will encourage you to look around you and be very grateful for what you have.
May’s story is one of determination. What could be perceived as her weaknesses, in my eyes, were her strengths.
Lets not forget the men in Walking Wounded. These brave souls who walked into battle unaware of whether they would ever make the return journey home. They held on dearly to the memories of loved ones, many arriving home a shadow of the man that left.
Anna Franklin Osborne has written a wonderful debut. Walking Wounded is a very emotional read, a book that has the power to bring you back to a time in our society that should never be forgotten.
Reading Walking Wounded was like picking up a diary of a survivor………
Although a short read, this is a book that will stay with you for awhile. I do so hope you get an opportunity to read Walking Wounded.
February 27, 2017
Walking Wounded has been honoured with a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com
www.chillwithabook.com
October 15, 2022
🇬🇧📚 Book Tour Review 📚🇬🇧
#️⃣ 2022 Tour Number: 57
#️⃣ 2022 Books Read: 89/30
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗 📚(4/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: Walking Wounded
🖋️ Author: Anna Franklin Osborne #AnnaFranklinOsborne
🎭 Genre: Family Saga - Romance - Historical
📖 Format: 📖
📄 Pages:
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours
📅 Tour dates: 28th September 2022
📅 Review date: 26th September - 7th October 2022
#LBTCrew #lovebooktours
.
#bookstagram #bookblog #bookreview #ukbookblog #ukbookstagram #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booktour #lovebooks #lovereading #2022books #bookstoread #bookstoread #BookTourReview #ad #adpr #blogtour #TDEPReviews
💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
Paperback book, thick cover with matt cover print. Silky white pages inside.
🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
I normally struggle with black text on white paper. The author has split the chapters up in to smaller sections with section breaks which makes it easier to read in blocks. Personally I struggled with the font and size so recommended reading as an e-book rather than print.
🎨 Artwork🎨
Good choice of artwork and colour on the cover and back of the book the pallet choice seems appropriate for the era.
✒️ Style✏️
I enjoy the authors engaging writing style and how you want to see how the story evolves.
📈 Plot 📉
A family with its own troubles, amidst the aftermath of WW1 and set in WW2. Typical challenges that children face set in the midst of London during the Blitz.
📖 Read more 📖
I recently reviewed another book by the same author and interesting I preferred their other book... It's worth checking out my review ...
🎙️ Favourite quote🎙️
"Tell me you saw NOTHING!"
🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
Born at the end of the First World War, a young girl struggles to find her own identity in her big family and is pushed into a stormy marriage through a terrible misunderstanding from which her pride refuses to let her back down. As her own personal world begins to crumble, the foundation of the world around her is shaken as Germany once again declares war and her brothers and young husband sign up with the first wave of volunteers.
Walking Wounded tells the story of those left behind in a Blitz-ravaged London, and of the web of loyalty, guilt and duty that shapes the decisions of the women awaiting the return of their men-folk as the war draws to a close.
Spanning the period from the Armistice of the First World War to the exodus of the Ten Pound Poms to Australia in the 1950s, Walking Wounded is a family saga whose internal violence is mirrored by the world stage upon which it is set.
🛒🛍️ Buy Links 🛒🛍️
https://amzn.to/3cf48LU
#️⃣ 2022 Tour Number: 57
#️⃣ 2022 Books Read: 89/30
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗 📚(4/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: Walking Wounded
🖋️ Author: Anna Franklin Osborne #AnnaFranklinOsborne
🎭 Genre: Family Saga - Romance - Historical
📖 Format: 📖
📄 Pages:
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours
📅 Tour dates: 28th September 2022
📅 Review date: 26th September - 7th October 2022
#LBTCrew #lovebooktours
.
#bookstagram #bookblog #bookreview #ukbookblog #ukbookstagram #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booktour #lovebooks #lovereading #2022books #bookstoread #bookstoread #BookTourReview #ad #adpr #blogtour #TDEPReviews
💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
Paperback book, thick cover with matt cover print. Silky white pages inside.
🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
I normally struggle with black text on white paper. The author has split the chapters up in to smaller sections with section breaks which makes it easier to read in blocks. Personally I struggled with the font and size so recommended reading as an e-book rather than print.
🎨 Artwork🎨
Good choice of artwork and colour on the cover and back of the book the pallet choice seems appropriate for the era.
✒️ Style✏️
I enjoy the authors engaging writing style and how you want to see how the story evolves.
📈 Plot 📉
A family with its own troubles, amidst the aftermath of WW1 and set in WW2. Typical challenges that children face set in the midst of London during the Blitz.
📖 Read more 📖
I recently reviewed another book by the same author and interesting I preferred their other book... It's worth checking out my review ...
🎙️ Favourite quote🎙️
"Tell me you saw NOTHING!"
🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
Born at the end of the First World War, a young girl struggles to find her own identity in her big family and is pushed into a stormy marriage through a terrible misunderstanding from which her pride refuses to let her back down. As her own personal world begins to crumble, the foundation of the world around her is shaken as Germany once again declares war and her brothers and young husband sign up with the first wave of volunteers.
Walking Wounded tells the story of those left behind in a Blitz-ravaged London, and of the web of loyalty, guilt and duty that shapes the decisions of the women awaiting the return of their men-folk as the war draws to a close.
Spanning the period from the Armistice of the First World War to the exodus of the Ten Pound Poms to Australia in the 1950s, Walking Wounded is a family saga whose internal violence is mirrored by the world stage upon which it is set.
🛒🛍️ Buy Links 🛒🛍️
https://amzn.to/3cf48LU
October 15, 2022
🇬🇧📚 Book Tour Review 📚🇬🇧
#️⃣ 2022 Tour Number: 57
#️⃣ 2022 Books Read: 89/30
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗 📚(4/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: Walking Wounded
🖋️ Author: Anna Franklin Osborne #AnnaFranklinOsborne
🎭 Genre: Family Saga - Romance - Historical
📖 Format: 📖
📄 Pages:
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours
📅 Tour dates: 28th September 2022
📅 Review date: 26th September - 7th October 2022
#LBTCrew #lovebooktours
.
#bookstagram #bookblog #bookreview #ukbookblog #ukbookstagram #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booktour #lovebooks #lovereading #2022books #bookstoread #bookstoread #BookTourReview #ad #adpr #blogtour #TDEPReviews
💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
Paperback book, thick cover with matt cover print. Silky white pages inside.
🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
I normally struggle with black text on white paper. The author has split the chapters up in to smaller sections with section breaks which makes it easier to read in blocks. Personally I struggled with the font and size so recommended reading as an e-book rather than print.
🎨 Artwork🎨
Good choice of artwork and colour on the cover and back of the book the pallet choice seems appropriate for the era.
✒️ Style✏️
I enjoy the authors engaging writing style and how you want to see how the story evolves.
📈 Plot 📉
A family with its own troubles, amidst the aftermath of WW1 and set in WW2. Typical challenges that children face set in the midst of London during the Blitz.
📖 Read more 📖
I recently reviewed another book by the same author and interesting I preferred their other book... It's worth checking out my review ...
🎙️ Favourite quote🎙️
"Tell me you saw NOTHING!"
🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
Born at the end of the First World War, a young girl struggles to find her own identity in her big family and is pushed into a stormy marriage through a terrible misunderstanding from which her pride refuses to let her back down. As her own personal world begins to crumble, the foundation of the world around her is shaken as Germany once again declares war and her brothers and young husband sign up with the first wave of volunteers.
Walking Wounded tells the story of those left behind in a Blitz-ravaged London, and of the web of loyalty, guilt and duty that shapes the decisions of the women awaiting the return of their men-folk as the war draws to a close.
Spanning the period from the Armistice of the First World War to the exodus of the Ten Pound Poms to Australia in the 1950s, Walking Wounded is a family saga whose internal violence is mirrored by the world stage upon which it is set.
🛒🛍️ Buy Links 🛒🛍️
https://amzn.to/3cf48LU
#️⃣ 2022 Tour Number: 57
#️⃣ 2022 Books Read: 89/30
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗 📚(4/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: Walking Wounded
🖋️ Author: Anna Franklin Osborne #AnnaFranklinOsborne
🎭 Genre: Family Saga - Romance - Historical
📖 Format: 📖
📄 Pages:
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours
📅 Tour dates: 28th September 2022
📅 Review date: 26th September - 7th October 2022
#LBTCrew #lovebooktours
.
#bookstagram #bookblog #bookreview #ukbookblog #ukbookstagram #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booktour #lovebooks #lovereading #2022books #bookstoread #bookstoread #BookTourReview #ad #adpr #blogtour #TDEPReviews
💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
Paperback book, thick cover with matt cover print. Silky white pages inside.
🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
I normally struggle with black text on white paper. The author has split the chapters up in to smaller sections with section breaks which makes it easier to read in blocks. Personally I struggled with the font and size so recommended reading as an e-book rather than print.
🎨 Artwork🎨
Good choice of artwork and colour on the cover and back of the book the pallet choice seems appropriate for the era.
✒️ Style✏️
I enjoy the authors engaging writing style and how you want to see how the story evolves.
📈 Plot 📉
A family with its own troubles, amidst the aftermath of WW1 and set in WW2. Typical challenges that children face set in the midst of London during the Blitz.
📖 Read more 📖
I recently reviewed another book by the same author and interesting I preferred their other book... It's worth checking out my review ...
🎙️ Favourite quote🎙️
"Tell me you saw NOTHING!"
🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
Born at the end of the First World War, a young girl struggles to find her own identity in her big family and is pushed into a stormy marriage through a terrible misunderstanding from which her pride refuses to let her back down. As her own personal world begins to crumble, the foundation of the world around her is shaken as Germany once again declares war and her brothers and young husband sign up with the first wave of volunteers.
Walking Wounded tells the story of those left behind in a Blitz-ravaged London, and of the web of loyalty, guilt and duty that shapes the decisions of the women awaiting the return of their men-folk as the war draws to a close.
Spanning the period from the Armistice of the First World War to the exodus of the Ten Pound Poms to Australia in the 1950s, Walking Wounded is a family saga whose internal violence is mirrored by the world stage upon which it is set.
🛒🛍️ Buy Links 🛒🛍️
https://amzn.to/3cf48LU
July 13, 2017
This was such a profoundly emotive story that deeply moved me. At one point I had to pause from reading due to the tears blurring my vision. Anna Franklin Osborne has taken me on a very real emotional journey, a journey that millions took that had no choice but to “Keep Calm and Carry On” but behind the smiles lay troubled souls and broken hearts.
This family saga started back in 1918 travelling through to 1952 on the life of one family coping and trying to survive what life through at them. Through pivotal moments in Britain’s history and through life’s own harsh battles. Women waiting patiently for news of their loved ones; be it fathers, brothers, sons, husbands and lovers. Dreading the post for fear of bad news. However, when the men came back they were scarred both physically and mentally and the scenes that they have endured will never leave them. The joy of seeing and being with your family again was tinged with the fear of what the war did to the minds of their men.
Whilst the men did their duty the women were left to hold the fort back at home and at work, struggling to make ends meet and struggling to keep morale high. Anna Franklin Osborne’s female characters were all very strong young women full of vitality and hope at the beginning of the war but life was very cruel and hearts were shattered and minds were tested. The walking wounded were not just the soldiers of war but of those left behind wounded by life and all it threw at them. A smile can hide a multitude of emotions.
This is a very special story, a fictional story based loosely around Anna Franklin Osborne’s three great uncles, her great aunt and her grandmother who all played a part during the war years. I do believe fictional stories bring history to life and Anna Franklin Osborne has taken me on this historical journey. A stunning story spelling out life in it’s raw detail. 5/5*
This family saga started back in 1918 travelling through to 1952 on the life of one family coping and trying to survive what life through at them. Through pivotal moments in Britain’s history and through life’s own harsh battles. Women waiting patiently for news of their loved ones; be it fathers, brothers, sons, husbands and lovers. Dreading the post for fear of bad news. However, when the men came back they were scarred both physically and mentally and the scenes that they have endured will never leave them. The joy of seeing and being with your family again was tinged with the fear of what the war did to the minds of their men.
Whilst the men did their duty the women were left to hold the fort back at home and at work, struggling to make ends meet and struggling to keep morale high. Anna Franklin Osborne’s female characters were all very strong young women full of vitality and hope at the beginning of the war but life was very cruel and hearts were shattered and minds were tested. The walking wounded were not just the soldiers of war but of those left behind wounded by life and all it threw at them. A smile can hide a multitude of emotions.
This is a very special story, a fictional story based loosely around Anna Franklin Osborne’s three great uncles, her great aunt and her grandmother who all played a part during the war years. I do believe fictional stories bring history to life and Anna Franklin Osborne has taken me on this historical journey. A stunning story spelling out life in it’s raw detail. 5/5*
August 4, 2017
I don't think I'll be able to put together a review that does this absolutely stunning book any justice but I say try. Walking Wounded was a very powerful and thought provoking novel which I absolutely adored. I don't read many World War Two novels, the only one I can think of is Goodnight Mister Tom so it was a refreshing change to escape back into the past.
We follow the story of one family from the end of World War One right through to the end of World War Two and to the start of the 1950's. It's mainly focusing on the women who are left behind while brothers and husbands go off to fight in Europe during WWII. I loved the characters of the women, they were so strong and I couldn't imagine what it would have been like not knowing what was happening to my loved ones.
Anna has written this incredibly well, I really started to understand what people must have gone through during this difficult time. At times it was hard to read and it broke my heart just reading some of the scenes.
Throughout the novel there is tragedy, family spirit, communities working together and a gut-wrenching ache that is there due to the fact all this happened to a lot of our families. At times I was pushing back sobs and others I couldn't help but cheer for what Anna has written in this beautiful book.
It's not a long book but it covers enough over the years that you don't feel you've been cheated on some aspects. Sometimes we skip forward a few years but within the first paragraphs of these bits we don't feel as though we missed anything important.
I am really excited to find out what Anna writes next.
We follow the story of one family from the end of World War One right through to the end of World War Two and to the start of the 1950's. It's mainly focusing on the women who are left behind while brothers and husbands go off to fight in Europe during WWII. I loved the characters of the women, they were so strong and I couldn't imagine what it would have been like not knowing what was happening to my loved ones.
Anna has written this incredibly well, I really started to understand what people must have gone through during this difficult time. At times it was hard to read and it broke my heart just reading some of the scenes.
Throughout the novel there is tragedy, family spirit, communities working together and a gut-wrenching ache that is there due to the fact all this happened to a lot of our families. At times I was pushing back sobs and others I couldn't help but cheer for what Anna has written in this beautiful book.
It's not a long book but it covers enough over the years that you don't feel you've been cheated on some aspects. Sometimes we skip forward a few years but within the first paragraphs of these bits we don't feel as though we missed anything important.
I am really excited to find out what Anna writes next.
October 7, 2022
I loved this character driven story. I became especially
attached to May as she deals with domestic abuse and
Stanley, who in contrast to May's husband, Jimmy, is
just an all round lovely man.The story begins in London, in 1918 at the end of World War One, and then swiftly moves onto the beginning of World War Two (for Britain) in 1945, when Hitler invaded Poland.
We follow the lives of one family during the blitz, with a
particular focus on the lives of the women in that
family. The author has said this book is very close to her heart, and I think that really shows in her attention to detail and way she takes us right back to that period in time, with even the authentic use of language from that
period.
The women in my family too, were living in London
during the Blitz, so I have spoken a little to them about
it, but was interested to learn more about what it was
like for them. Which I feel I did while reading this book.
It is a lovely read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found
myself become more and more immersed in that world
and more and more invested in the characters as
read.
attached to May as she deals with domestic abuse and
Stanley, who in contrast to May's husband, Jimmy, is
just an all round lovely man.The story begins in London, in 1918 at the end of World War One, and then swiftly moves onto the beginning of World War Two (for Britain) in 1945, when Hitler invaded Poland.
We follow the lives of one family during the blitz, with a
particular focus on the lives of the women in that
family. The author has said this book is very close to her heart, and I think that really shows in her attention to detail and way she takes us right back to that period in time, with even the authentic use of language from that
period.
The women in my family too, were living in London
during the Blitz, so I have spoken a little to them about
it, but was interested to learn more about what it was
like for them. Which I feel I did while reading this book.
It is a lovely read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found
myself become more and more immersed in that world
and more and more invested in the characters as
read.
September 20, 2022
This is a brilliant portrayal of wartime London during the blitz - but uniquely from the perspective of those left behind from one large family.
This book was great as it showed the feelings and struggles of the wives, mothers, sisters and even the men who weren't able to go to fight. Those left behind as their men travelled to do their duty and how the war changed all their lives.
Having lost their parents (and elder sister) just after the first World War, this family struggled to come to terms with the threat and eventual turmoil of another war starting and their brothers, husbands and boyfriends going off to fight.
Each sister had her own troubles and it was heartbreaking and lovely to see how each character developed throughout the story. The support that they offered to each other, their duty to provide for their community and the changing attitudes and times all written with such sensitivity that although touching on some really difficult subjects, I found this a really enjoyable read.
This book was great as it showed the feelings and struggles of the wives, mothers, sisters and even the men who weren't able to go to fight. Those left behind as their men travelled to do their duty and how the war changed all their lives.
Having lost their parents (and elder sister) just after the first World War, this family struggled to come to terms with the threat and eventual turmoil of another war starting and their brothers, husbands and boyfriends going off to fight.
Each sister had her own troubles and it was heartbreaking and lovely to see how each character developed throughout the story. The support that they offered to each other, their duty to provide for their community and the changing attitudes and times all written with such sensitivity that although touching on some really difficult subjects, I found this a really enjoyable read.
October 5, 2022
This book had me with the cover. Whenever I see anything black and white I feel oddly drawn to it, it screams of the past, wars, emotionally challenging times and the strong people who lived in those times.
I couldn’t wait to start reading! Unwavering hope, fulfilment, love and courage pour from the pages of this book. The Johnson family are sure to work their way into your hearts and minds. The portrayal of wartime London during the blitz is absolutely incredible, the author's attention to detail is of the highest standard, descriptive to the point of making one feel like they are actually there and part of the story.
If you like books that take you on an emotional rollercoaster then this one's for you! Words cannot accurately describe how much I enjoyed this beautifully heartwarming read.
5 stars
I couldn’t wait to start reading! Unwavering hope, fulfilment, love and courage pour from the pages of this book. The Johnson family are sure to work their way into your hearts and minds. The portrayal of wartime London during the blitz is absolutely incredible, the author's attention to detail is of the highest standard, descriptive to the point of making one feel like they are actually there and part of the story.
If you like books that take you on an emotional rollercoaster then this one's for you! Words cannot accurately describe how much I enjoyed this beautifully heartwarming read.
5 stars
September 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, it was engaging and kept me compelled all the way through. The story follows one large family and perfectly depicts the horrors of the war, the blitz and what life was like for the ordinary people, both left behind and when they came back and the adjustments neccessary for everyone. It also showed the turmoil that those went through after living through one World War to then be on the brink of another.
The book is full of bivid descriptions and rich imagery and I found myself heartbroken for every single character at some point. who are all incredibly well developed.
The book does hit on some hard hitting issues but I think they were handled sensitively and this didn't take away from the enjoyment of the book.
The book is full of bivid descriptions and rich imagery and I found myself heartbroken for every single character at some point. who are all incredibly well developed.
The book does hit on some hard hitting issues but I think they were handled sensitively and this didn't take away from the enjoyment of the book.
October 7, 2022
Walking wounded follows the journey of those left behind in “a Blitz-ravaged London”. This was beautifully written and transported me back in time to live through the characters. It shows us how resilient we can be in tough times and how that resilience can be adapted – we could learn so much from these characters. It is heart breaking and emotional – I laughed and cried my way through it, and I could not put it down. If my gran were still with us this would definitely be a buddy read for us as I got my love of this genre from her.
July 19, 2017
An absolutely amazing story of 3 generations as they live, love, toil through two world wars. Their hopes, fears, and tragedies binding them together. A story of deep family love. I'm not going to be able to pick up another book for a bit until I can disengage from these amazing people. A fantastic story, beautifully written. Thank you Anna Osborne! Please hurry and write a sequel.
August 12, 2017
Wow! What a fantastic read! This writer certainly knows how to paint a picture- I almost felt I was there with them.
I found it very moving and certainly now have an idea what families went through! I certainly am glad I didn't have to go through any of it and am grateful for those who did - looking forward immensely to reading another by this author!
I found it very moving and certainly now have an idea what families went through! I certainly am glad I didn't have to go through any of it and am grateful for those who did - looking forward immensely to reading another by this author!
March 21, 2020
Walking Wounded is a beautiful book. I’ve come to know and love the characters, the family, in this little book. I treasure them. ( except 😡)
I normally hold onto my books but this one isn’t really known in the States. It should be. It’s a real intro into the lives of normal people during WWII and I’ll be passing it around to friends so that we can discuss it.
I normally hold onto my books but this one isn’t really known in the States. It should be. It’s a real intro into the lives of normal people during WWII and I’ll be passing it around to friends so that we can discuss it.
December 15, 2018
Very emotional. Book i found, even though set in England during WWII, was more of a story of a close family and what can happen to persons within that family when emotions are pushed back and horrors not shared with loved ones.
September 25, 2022
Really enjoyed this book but was very sad at times. It was nice to see a book from both sides of what they went through while away at war and what they were going through at home.
February 21, 2017
It is such a tragedy for any family to have gone through the horrors of a world war but for families to have gone through two in their life time is just devastating. Well this story follows the Johnson family and takes you into a time period from the Armistice of the First World War to the early 1950's.
What a very touching story this is, that follows the lives of a family 0ver a 30 year period. Although we were victorious in war the men that returned from fighting just didn't resemble winners. They were physically spent and mentally traumatised but there were only the families at home to deal with the aftermath, no medical help. It is more or less here that the story real got hold of me. The families back home had no idea of the terrible things their fathers, brothers and sons had not only witnessed but had to do themselves. One of Johnson women was to be kept in the dark, while the other became a listening board. Each man dealing with war in the only way they could.
The characters feel very really to the point that I can't imagine that they never really existed. Anna Osborne tells of a time when a man beating his wife was his business and the hardship of bringing up motherless children simply fell on one of the older children to take on the role. What does come out in this story is the closeness of the family unit all pulling together and being there for each other. Although it is often thought of as the man of the house that ruled most houses, it was often the women that were the cement that kept them all together.
A fabulous account of a moment in history, highly recommended
What a very touching story this is, that follows the lives of a family 0ver a 30 year period. Although we were victorious in war the men that returned from fighting just didn't resemble winners. They were physically spent and mentally traumatised but there were only the families at home to deal with the aftermath, no medical help. It is more or less here that the story real got hold of me. The families back home had no idea of the terrible things their fathers, brothers and sons had not only witnessed but had to do themselves. One of Johnson women was to be kept in the dark, while the other became a listening board. Each man dealing with war in the only way they could.
The characters feel very really to the point that I can't imagine that they never really existed. Anna Osborne tells of a time when a man beating his wife was his business and the hardship of bringing up motherless children simply fell on one of the older children to take on the role. What does come out in this story is the closeness of the family unit all pulling together and being there for each other. Although it is often thought of as the man of the house that ruled most houses, it was often the women that were the cement that kept them all together.
A fabulous account of a moment in history, highly recommended
November 7, 2016
WALKING WOUNDED by Anna Franklin Osborne is a deeply moving, emotional tale about family, love, and loss during war-time England. From World War I to World War II we follow the lives of one family of siblings as they endeavour to live their lives while carnage rages around them. While some of the men suffer the horrors of war as soldiers, we also get to feel the sacrifices and horrors that face those that are left behind to carry on and pick up the pieces, waiting for their men to return home. The characters of May and Lydia stood out to me as they both struggle with what is happening in their personal lives as they fight to find a way through the darkness that engulfs them both in different ways. Stanley is another character who gripped me from the beginning. A sensitive artist, who will not give up until the enemy is destroyed in its entirety, Stanley portrays the anguish and despair that soldiers have to live with, and while he finds solace in his wife's arms and his art, we understand that many soldiers were unable to handle the after-effects of war. The violence and destruction of the war are echoed throughout the novel in the viciousness of everyday life that some of the characters are trapped in because this book isn't just about the war. It is about everyday life, making mistakes, and trying to live with your decisions. But at the heart of it all is a family that loves each other whole-heartedly, no matter what happens, no matter where they are, a secure place to fall when everything else is crumbling around you. WALKING WOUNDED by Anna Franklin Osborne is a novel that will make you cry, and make you appreciate life, and I highly recommend it to all fiction and historical readers.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book for the author
*I voluntarily reviewed this book for the author
February 21, 2017
I've really loved reading this book. It hooked me in right from the start and the characters are really believable. It's a story of family, wrong decisions and misguided loyalty dealing with life in war torn England whilst the men are away at war. It's beautifully written and I found myself willing the main character, May, to walk away from the choices she made, start again and by happy. Will she? You'll need to read the book for yourself.
May 2, 2017
What can I say, what a great read. I sat down to read this book and did not put it down until I had finished reading....all in one sitting. It was like I was part of this family, sharing the joys and sadness. Bravo to Anna for such an enthralling read. Thank you. More to come I hope.
May 3, 2017
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
"A powerful tribute to those who had no choice but to stay, often with no news good or bad."
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"A powerful tribute to those who had no choice but to stay, often with no news good or bad."
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
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