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The Gingerbread Girl
ALL SHE WANTED WAS A HOMELondon, 1936Ill and stuck in hospital at Christmas, seven year old Cora Kelly is excited to receive a visit from her mother, who brings her the gift of a gingerbread man. But little does Cora know that this will be the last time she sees her . . .As Cora continues her recovery on a farm in the beautiful Norfolk countryside, tragedy strikes her family and she moves back to London with her new guardian, Eliza.Here they live a happy, if simple, life. But, as the Second World War approaches, and the past comes knocking, everything changes. Will Cora be able to escape the inevitable, or is she destined to repeat her parents' mistakes?For fans of Katie Flynn and Sheila Jeffries, The Gingerbread Girl is a heart-warming, festive novel from the Queen of family saga, Sheila Newberry. 'So gloriously nostalgic . . . a perfect example of her talent.' Maureen Lee, bestselling author of The Seven Streets of Liverpool'Like having dinner with your mother in her warm and cosy kitchen.' Diane Allen, bestselling author of For the Sake of Her Family
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 8, 2016
Seven year old Cora Kelly has been in the hospital for months. Her mother came to visit and gave her a gingerbread man. This was the last time Cora will see her mother.
When Cora is discharged from hospital she goes to a farm in Norfolk to help with her recovery. But then tragedy strikes her family, they have to move back to London with the person who is now her guardian, Eliza. With the threat of war approaching, everything is about to change for Cora once again.
A lovely story that starts in 1936 is a heart warming Christmas tale.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bonnier Publishing and the author Sheila Newberry for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When Cora is discharged from hospital she goes to a farm in Norfolk to help with her recovery. But then tragedy strikes her family, they have to move back to London with the person who is now her guardian, Eliza. With the threat of war approaching, everything is about to change for Cora once again.
A lovely story that starts in 1936 is a heart warming Christmas tale.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bonnier Publishing and the author Sheila Newberry for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2016
My thanks to Bonnier Publishing
Zaffre via Net Galley for my copy.
Its London, its 1936.
Cora is 7 years old and has been in hospital for 8 months whilst suffering and recovering from diphtheria which was quite an epidemic.
The last time she saw her Mother was when she visited her in hospital bringing her some gingerbread men on a secret visit.
Cora didn't eat them, she kept them as a reminder of her Mother.
After being in hospital Eliza her Mothers best friend takes charge of Cora and takes her to a farm where she can enjoy the fresh air and recover fully. The farm belongs to Eliza's aunt so she knows she will be safe and secure there.
Cora is now ready to return to her life, so Eliza goes to fetch her. Cora has to discover that many things has changed which will make a certain impact and dent on her life from now on, even a 'blast from the past'.
I was attracted to the story because its proclaimed to be in the style of Katie Flynn who is one of my fav long time authors.
I enjoyed the story, not much of a Christmas one though as portrayed so be aware of that if you are looking for a Christmassy type read.
Its a pleasant read relaxing read that took me on a journey, discovering Cora is a sweet giving child that grew enormously within the confines of these chapters.
July 28, 2017
100+ pages in and still no Christmas. I want Christmas reads at the moment. Might come back to later on as historical side is interesting enough but not what I wanted to read this month.
February 6, 2017
he Gingerbread Girl is the latest book by Sheila Newberry. I am sorry for the delay but the loss of my dad that I recently experienced altered my reading and my reviews.
When I read today the notes of the author I understood: Sheila Newberry has had nine children and maybe that's why the story is seriously crowded, the plot frenetic, you will find many dialogues and an action that will pass also through the dialogues of the various protagonists, but also many historical facts regarding the moment pre-Second World War and most of the facts touched UK during the latest world war conflict.
You won't find a moment of relaxation while you will read this book because you will learn a lot while at the same time you will follow the adventures of many many characters.
Everything starts in 1936 when Cora Kelly to the hospital because sick receives the visit of her mother. Her mother brought her a gingerbread man as gift disappearing forever from her existence. She died in fact some months after this meeting. Pregnant of another child she died because of it. Dede and Cora will be grown up so by Eliza, one of her mom's best friends.
And trust me when I tell you that these stories in the past and I would want to hope also in the present, pretty common, in our area as well.
What is Christmas for a child? Surely the best holiday of all the year. And gingerbread cookies? The perfume, smell and taste of the festive season.
For this reason once the feasts over and Cora understood her mother was dead because Eliza would have told her that, like also of the arrival of her new sister and well the fact that in the future they would have lived all together, Cora kept that gingerbread man as a relic. Obvious.
For recovering Cora will spend some time in a farm becoming friends with the boys, children of the owner of the farm, but other events will constrict her to return to London, stopping by at the house of her dad in various occasions but mainly at Eliza's house.
We will see during the various years the evolution of this kid of 7 years in a young woman, a telephonist at first once she started to work, and then a girl in search of that love that at least will arrive, always remembering the sacrality of Christmas.
Christmases not very happy, of course the ones celebrated during the war, where the word sacrifice the first one in the mouth of people including for ingredients of common recipes that couldn't be found.
Christmas sad also for other reasons like some member of the family sick.
Nothing was perfect during the years of the war.
Refuges, fear, terror, the war, and then the end of a nightmare and the reconstruction of a place and identity of people.
It is a beauty book, intense, it will let you think and it is moving, because it speaks to the heart of people telling of good values, help, generosity, good heart, difficulties, hard times and the force of people always able to going on, re-inventing their own destiny with the reality they were living in. In optimistic view.
I want to thank NetGalley and also Bonnier Publishing House.
When I read today the notes of the author I understood: Sheila Newberry has had nine children and maybe that's why the story is seriously crowded, the plot frenetic, you will find many dialogues and an action that will pass also through the dialogues of the various protagonists, but also many historical facts regarding the moment pre-Second World War and most of the facts touched UK during the latest world war conflict.
You won't find a moment of relaxation while you will read this book because you will learn a lot while at the same time you will follow the adventures of many many characters.
Everything starts in 1936 when Cora Kelly to the hospital because sick receives the visit of her mother. Her mother brought her a gingerbread man as gift disappearing forever from her existence. She died in fact some months after this meeting. Pregnant of another child she died because of it. Dede and Cora will be grown up so by Eliza, one of her mom's best friends.
And trust me when I tell you that these stories in the past and I would want to hope also in the present, pretty common, in our area as well.
What is Christmas for a child? Surely the best holiday of all the year. And gingerbread cookies? The perfume, smell and taste of the festive season.
For this reason once the feasts over and Cora understood her mother was dead because Eliza would have told her that, like also of the arrival of her new sister and well the fact that in the future they would have lived all together, Cora kept that gingerbread man as a relic. Obvious.
For recovering Cora will spend some time in a farm becoming friends with the boys, children of the owner of the farm, but other events will constrict her to return to London, stopping by at the house of her dad in various occasions but mainly at Eliza's house.
We will see during the various years the evolution of this kid of 7 years in a young woman, a telephonist at first once she started to work, and then a girl in search of that love that at least will arrive, always remembering the sacrality of Christmas.
Christmases not very happy, of course the ones celebrated during the war, where the word sacrifice the first one in the mouth of people including for ingredients of common recipes that couldn't be found.
Christmas sad also for other reasons like some member of the family sick.
Nothing was perfect during the years of the war.
Refuges, fear, terror, the war, and then the end of a nightmare and the reconstruction of a place and identity of people.
It is a beauty book, intense, it will let you think and it is moving, because it speaks to the heart of people telling of good values, help, generosity, good heart, difficulties, hard times and the force of people always able to going on, re-inventing their own destiny with the reality they were living in. In optimistic view.
I want to thank NetGalley and also Bonnier Publishing House.
November 27, 2016
The Gingerbread Girl by Sheila Newberry is a family drama following 2 female characters through several years of their lives including WWII. It is the story of is the story of Eliza and Cora. We follow Cora and Eliza as Cora grows up, they experience the war, love, and loss. When I started reading this book I thought it was a middle grades novel, but that is not the case. This book has many situations that are more suited for Young Adults or Adults.
AS the story begins, Cora Kelly is seven years old and is getting released from the hospital after an eight month stay for diphtheria. While in the hospital, her mother was able to sneak her a gift, a gingerbread cookie, which she never ate, it was kept as a reminder of her mother. On the day of her release, her mother's best friend, Eliza Quinn, picks her up and takes her to her aunt's farm to finish recuperating. She finds out that her mother has been hospitalized. Cora enjoys her stay on the farm and Ginny Brookes and her two sons Mal and Jimmy become like a second family to Cora. When Cora is ready to return home, Eliza comes to get her. Cora is devastated to learn that her mother, Biddy, has died shortly after giving birth to her second daughter, Deidre (Dede). At her father, Bertie, left the family while she was young with only ocassional visits, Eliza becomes their foster mother. Eliza is a housekeeper for Mr. Norton and his son, Neville, who own a bakery. Mr. Norton is a retired baker and the son has taken over the business. Several years later, when things are going well and they are just like a real family, Bertie shows up. He wants to get to know his daughter, Cora. Eliza does not tell him that Dede is his daughter, but allows him to spend time with Cora. Will Cora give him an opportunity to be a father? What happens when war breaks out in Europe? Will Eliza and Cora find love? Join Eliza and Cora in see what life has in store for them.
This was an interesting story that I enjoyed. This was a simple, easy read, but one that I was able to put down. It was very different to read about the impact in England of the Second World War, as that is not a perspective that is often written about. The various evacuations for cities to the country, the closing of schools, the bomb shelters etc. were very real and the emotions of the characters were genuine. I would recommend this book to both adults and highschool students looking for a historical fiction story taking place in England during this time. I give this book 3.5 stars. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
AS the story begins, Cora Kelly is seven years old and is getting released from the hospital after an eight month stay for diphtheria. While in the hospital, her mother was able to sneak her a gift, a gingerbread cookie, which she never ate, it was kept as a reminder of her mother. On the day of her release, her mother's best friend, Eliza Quinn, picks her up and takes her to her aunt's farm to finish recuperating. She finds out that her mother has been hospitalized. Cora enjoys her stay on the farm and Ginny Brookes and her two sons Mal and Jimmy become like a second family to Cora. When Cora is ready to return home, Eliza comes to get her. Cora is devastated to learn that her mother, Biddy, has died shortly after giving birth to her second daughter, Deidre (Dede). At her father, Bertie, left the family while she was young with only ocassional visits, Eliza becomes their foster mother. Eliza is a housekeeper for Mr. Norton and his son, Neville, who own a bakery. Mr. Norton is a retired baker and the son has taken over the business. Several years later, when things are going well and they are just like a real family, Bertie shows up. He wants to get to know his daughter, Cora. Eliza does not tell him that Dede is his daughter, but allows him to spend time with Cora. Will Cora give him an opportunity to be a father? What happens when war breaks out in Europe? Will Eliza and Cora find love? Join Eliza and Cora in see what life has in store for them.
This was an interesting story that I enjoyed. This was a simple, easy read, but one that I was able to put down. It was very different to read about the impact in England of the Second World War, as that is not a perspective that is often written about. The various evacuations for cities to the country, the closing of schools, the bomb shelters etc. were very real and the emotions of the characters were genuine. I would recommend this book to both adults and highschool students looking for a historical fiction story taking place in England during this time. I give this book 3.5 stars. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
November 13, 2016
The gingerbread girl
I love this author's books and this one was lovely beautifully written and told and wrote from the heart during war times. It lives up to its most heartwarming read well done again to the author
I love this author's books and this one was lovely beautifully written and told and wrote from the heart during war times. It lives up to its most heartwarming read well done again to the author
November 19, 2016
A well rounded, full of life story which will take you back to the early 20th century when war was at Europe's doorstep and how people did their best.
July 1, 2017
Family saga set across world war 2 and then post-war.
Easy reading but no wow factor, I've read much better war time sagas.
Easy reading but no wow factor, I've read much better war time sagas.
January 6, 2020
Took me a while to read this one, I found it a little slow in places and at times I lost interest, saying that it may just have been my mood and the fact that I was trying to read this over the Christmas holiday!
Not a bad story set between 1936 and 1950, at the start Cora, is a young girl of seven. The story sees her though family upheavals, illness, war years and testing times as a young adult. The title is the Gingerbread Girl, so I found it strange that the gingerbread man that her mother gave her at the start of the tale wasn't really mentioned again.
Not a bad story set between 1936 and 1950, at the start Cora, is a young girl of seven. The story sees her though family upheavals, illness, war years and testing times as a young adult. The title is the Gingerbread Girl, so I found it strange that the gingerbread man that her mother gave her at the start of the tale wasn't really mentioned again.
November 18, 2016
The Gingerbread Girl by Sheila Newberry starts in November of 1936. Cora Kelly is seven years old and is getting released from the hospital after an eight month stay for diphtheria. The disease hit their East London tenement where the children had not been vaccinated against diphtheria. The one thing that Cora has treasured is a gingerbread man Cora received from her mother (during a secret visit). Cora did not eat the gingerbread man. She has kept it as a reminder of her mother. Upon her release, Eliza Quinn (her mother’s best friend) takes her to Westley Farm (belong to Eliza’s aunt) for the fresh air and relaxation. Ginny Brookes runs the farm with the help of her two sons’ Mal and Jimmy. Cora enjoys spending time with Jimmy (this is just the beginning of their story). When Cora is ready to return home, Eliza comes to get her. Cora is in for a shock when she finds out that her mother, Biddy passed away after giving birth to her sister, Deidre (Dede). Cora’s birth father, Bertie took off long before and Eliza has no way of locating him. Eliza is going to raise Cora and Dede. Eliza is a housekeeper for Mr. Norton and his son, Neville (a real pill). Mr. Norton is a retired baker and the son has taken over the business. Things are going well for this little family when Bertie returns. He wishes to get to know his daughter (he is unaware of Dede). Will Cora give him an opportunity? Join Eliza and Cora in see what life was like for them during World War II.
The Gingerbread Girl is the story of Eliza and Cora. We follow Cora and Eliza as Cora grows up, they experience the war, love, and loss. The Gingerbread Girl reminds me of a children’s novel (chapter book similar to those by Laura Ingalls Wilder), but there are adult situations that would not be appropriate for someone under the age of 13 (would depend on the child’s maturity level too). It is an interesting story that I did enjoy reading, but there are some slow sections. The novel is simple and easy to read. I give The Gingerbread Girl 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is a sweet story that is nicely written. Americans can see a different take on the war (it started much earlier in England than it did in the United States).
The Gingerbread Girl is the story of Eliza and Cora. We follow Cora and Eliza as Cora grows up, they experience the war, love, and loss. The Gingerbread Girl reminds me of a children’s novel (chapter book similar to those by Laura Ingalls Wilder), but there are adult situations that would not be appropriate for someone under the age of 13 (would depend on the child’s maturity level too). It is an interesting story that I did enjoy reading, but there are some slow sections. The novel is simple and easy to read. I give The Gingerbread Girl 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is a sweet story that is nicely written. Americans can see a different take on the war (it started much earlier in England than it did in the United States).
November 11, 2016
Thank you to Netgalley, Bonnier Publishing and Sheila Newberry for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review
A sweet lovely Christmas read. One that is sure to warm your cockles on a cold November evening. With some lovely characters that you really feel for and route for. With a heartwarming tale and Christmas spirit. Set against the backdrop of war. Where sadness happens everywhere including in this story.
Little Cora Kelly is the main character of this book. Cora is a seven year old who is really ill and stuck in hospital over the festive period.
Cora is excited and loves seeing her mum every time she comes and calls. Little does Cora know that on the last visit her mother makes where her mother brings her a cuddly gingerbread man will be the last time that Cora ever sees her. Such sadness
Cora had been sent to a farm in Norfolk to continue her recovery as they feel that she will get better quicker there. But as tragedy befalls her family and with no money to keep Cora at the farm she is sent back home to her with her new guardian Eliza.
Here they live a happy but simple life. But as always happens real life and secrets soon have a way of catching up to you.
I always enjoy a book written by Sheila Newbury and this is no different.
Happy reading everyone
A sweet lovely Christmas read. One that is sure to warm your cockles on a cold November evening. With some lovely characters that you really feel for and route for. With a heartwarming tale and Christmas spirit. Set against the backdrop of war. Where sadness happens everywhere including in this story.
Little Cora Kelly is the main character of this book. Cora is a seven year old who is really ill and stuck in hospital over the festive period.
Cora is excited and loves seeing her mum every time she comes and calls. Little does Cora know that on the last visit her mother makes where her mother brings her a cuddly gingerbread man will be the last time that Cora ever sees her. Such sadness
Cora had been sent to a farm in Norfolk to continue her recovery as they feel that she will get better quicker there. But as tragedy befalls her family and with no money to keep Cora at the farm she is sent back home to her with her new guardian Eliza.
Here they live a happy but simple life. But as always happens real life and secrets soon have a way of catching up to you.
I always enjoy a book written by Sheila Newbury and this is no different.
Happy reading everyone
December 12, 2016
I love the setting of this read. 1936 London, doesn’t get much better than that!
Cora is a small child when her mother dies. She and her little sister are taken in by her mother’s best friend Eliza. Cora’s dad enters the picture after years away. He wants to become a good father. Will Cora forgive him for his absence? Will she accept him and allow him in her life?
Cora is such a sweet, kind child. She wants to always do the right thing. She really makes the tale enjoyable. I fell in love with her. Eliza is also a strong character. She takes these children in and gives them all the love and protection she can. This is a story about family, overcoming obstacles life throws your way. Through love, hard work and understanding, life can be good!
This book reads more like a young adult book. It is simple and predictable in places. However, it is a heartfelt story which leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy. A good read for Christmas.
I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.
Cora is a small child when her mother dies. She and her little sister are taken in by her mother’s best friend Eliza. Cora’s dad enters the picture after years away. He wants to become a good father. Will Cora forgive him for his absence? Will she accept him and allow him in her life?
Cora is such a sweet, kind child. She wants to always do the right thing. She really makes the tale enjoyable. I fell in love with her. Eliza is also a strong character. She takes these children in and gives them all the love and protection she can. This is a story about family, overcoming obstacles life throws your way. Through love, hard work and understanding, life can be good!
This book reads more like a young adult book. It is simple and predictable in places. However, it is a heartfelt story which leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy. A good read for Christmas.
I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.
December 19, 2016
THE GINGERBREAD GIRL by Sheila Newberry is a heartfelt tale about love and the true meaning of family and friendship. We get to see Cora evolve from a determined and bright child to a strong, independent woman who goes after what she wants in life. With many ups and down along the way, we become completely involved in the lives of Eliza, Dede, and all of the extended family, and friends, and this novel really gives you an insight into life during the war, and how communities came together to find a way through the destruction surrounding them. THE GINGERBREAD GIRL by Sheila Newberry is a beautiful story and I cannot wait to read more from this author.
November 14, 2016
This is a story about Cora and her family in London in 1936. The detail about this era is fascinating and very well descriptive. Poor little Cora after being in hospital for months what she did not realise is that when her mother came to visit her it would be for the very last time. To help with her recovery she goes to stay at a farm in Norfolk but when tragedy strikes her family she has to move back to London. I have read Sheila's previous novels and enjoyed them and this one was very good too. A heart warming tale.
December 28, 2016
I received a review copy of this book with thanks to Zaffre Publishing.
This is the second novel I have read by Sheila Newberry and I preferred this one.
The story follows the life of 7 year old Cora Kelly covering the period from just before to just after the Second World War and how her life and that of her family and friends is shaped by events and the joys and sadness and surprises in life. It alternates between locations in the Norfolk countryside and London.
This is an easy to read, enjoyable novel, perfect for curling up with on a long winter evening.
May 6, 2017
Liked it. Was a good read. Just one thing and that was that Mahatma Gandhi was misspelled...How could the author not know the correct spelling. Mr Churchill was spelt correctly. Guess there was no research done or just not proof read. All in all liked it. Why was there no mention of the Gingerbread that she saved. What happened to it? Tim's marble was there. Was expecting mention of Gingerbread at end. Even Dede was not told of it.
The title of the book was the Gingerbread Girl after all.
Noami was lost as well. Should have brought her back.
Thank you
The title of the book was the Gingerbread Girl after all.
Noami was lost as well. Should have brought her back.
Thank you
February 27, 2017
eARC: Netgalley
I loved this! Sheila Newberry created wonderful characters and I loved following them through their lives. It was such an enjoyable read that I hated to leave them at the end.
As soon as I finished The Gingerbread Girl I searched for other novels by Sheila Newberry and was delighted to discover many more! I look forward to discovering many more enchanting stories from the talented Ms. Newberry!
I loved this! Sheila Newberry created wonderful characters and I loved following them through their lives. It was such an enjoyable read that I hated to leave them at the end.
As soon as I finished The Gingerbread Girl I searched for other novels by Sheila Newberry and was delighted to discover many more! I look forward to discovering many more enchanting stories from the talented Ms. Newberry!
March 5, 2017
Readable but boring & predictable!
I thought this book would be good as I like stories set in wartime etc, however, once started it felt a chore to finish as the story content is predictable and as such the book reading less enjoyable as there were and are no surprises. That saying if it was a choice between reading this book or playing Tiddly Winks in the dark I'd probably choose the book..
I thought this book would be good as I like stories set in wartime etc, however, once started it felt a chore to finish as the story content is predictable and as such the book reading less enjoyable as there were and are no surprises. That saying if it was a choice between reading this book or playing Tiddly Winks in the dark I'd probably choose the book..
January 15, 2017
Very enjoyable book...will read more from this audience author..
Nice book to read and snuggle down with on a cold day...enjoyed this book very much.
Will read more from this writer
Nice book to read and snuggle down with on a cold day...enjoyed this book very much.
Will read more from this writer
January 28, 2017
This is my first book I've read from this author and was lent to me from my mother who equally enjoyed it as much as me.
The characters were very real and you wanted all the characters to have a happy ending.
Definitely going to read more of her work!!!
The characters were very real and you wanted all the characters to have a happy ending.
Definitely going to read more of her work!!!
December 20, 2016
Good read
Found it quite hard to get into at first but once I did I could not put it down. I would recommend this book
Found it quite hard to get into at first but once I did I could not put it down. I would recommend this book
January 8, 2017
Romantic nonsense
Very romantic, easy read. Most enjoyable gentle but somewhat predictable story for anyone who likes a little love story with happy endings.
Very romantic, easy read. Most enjoyable gentle but somewhat predictable story for anyone who likes a little love story with happy endings.
January 16, 2017
Very enjoyable, the perfect book to escape academic study.
An easy, chilled read that I would recommend if you fancy a bit of feel good reading. Thank you Sheila
An easy, chilled read that I would recommend if you fancy a bit of feel good reading. Thank you Sheila
February 20, 2017
Fabulous read
What a lovely story. I have really enjoyed this book. It certainly had its ups and downs. Definitely worth a read
What a lovely story. I have really enjoyed this book. It certainly had its ups and downs. Definitely worth a read
February 22, 2017
A good read
I gave it 5 because I really loved all the characters, they all had their own story to tell. Excellent.
I gave it 5 because I really loved all the characters, they all had their own story to tell. Excellent.
September 3, 2017
Brilliant
I enjoy Sheila Newberry books I always look forward to starting her books .can't put them down always a great
I enjoy Sheila Newberry books I always look forward to starting her books .can't put them down always a great
August 27, 2017
Loved this book
April 8, 2019
Cora, Dede, Eliza
The three main characters in this story. From before the war, during the war & after the war. While reading this I can see my own families who lived through this WW11, with much the same outcome. If your one who was born in the 1940’s, then I think you will understand what I’m referring to. Sheila Newberry has again caught the essence of this era, even as far as my Googling the Castle at Dover as there is mentioned in this novel of that place and it’s part it held in the war, something I was not aware of. I also find I learn a lot about History within the pages of Novel’s just such as this one. This has a good beginning , and a good continuation throughout, with a lovely finish. I was saddened that one character who was a prisoner of war for six years could not settle down and marry due to his time in the concentration camp. I think many a man must have suffered the same problems, that makes me very sad, we see all those war graves, yet forget the emotionally walking wounded who try to simply survive their demons. May God Bless their tormented souls.
The three main characters in this story. From before the war, during the war & after the war. While reading this I can see my own families who lived through this WW11, with much the same outcome. If your one who was born in the 1940’s, then I think you will understand what I’m referring to. Sheila Newberry has again caught the essence of this era, even as far as my Googling the Castle at Dover as there is mentioned in this novel of that place and it’s part it held in the war, something I was not aware of. I also find I learn a lot about History within the pages of Novel’s just such as this one. This has a good beginning , and a good continuation throughout, with a lovely finish. I was saddened that one character who was a prisoner of war for six years could not settle down and marry due to his time in the concentration camp. I think many a man must have suffered the same problems, that makes me very sad, we see all those war graves, yet forget the emotionally walking wounded who try to simply survive their demons. May God Bless their tormented souls.
December 16, 2020
A lovely, gentle novel, ideal for this year as it reminds us of what families had to endure during the war decade without the benefit of technology and communication tools. Cora loses her Mum and meets the father that left them. She is looked after by people who remind her of joys in life but as she grows and the war period changes many people's view of life their are concerns that she will repeat some of her parents mistakes. It is full of lovely characters and people that you can imagine just wanting to do the right thing in difficult circumstances.
January 28, 2018
This is a lovely easy read and I will certainly be looking out for more from this author.
Both Cora and Eliza are likeable characters and you want everything to turn out well for them. You get an insight into the effects of war on some people, including the aftermath of being a prisoner of war, but I felt there was too much of a light touch at times and a more detailed examination would have added to the reading experience.
Both Cora and Eliza are likeable characters and you want everything to turn out well for them. You get an insight into the effects of war on some people, including the aftermath of being a prisoner of war, but I felt there was too much of a light touch at times and a more detailed examination would have added to the reading experience.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews