Goodbye East End: An Evacuee's Story

by David Merron

As Hitler’s bombs threatened London during World War Two, eight-year-old David Merron was removed from his family and close-knit Jewish community in the East End and evacuated to the safety of the English countryside.





Placed into the car of strangers, life was sometimes unpredictable and lonely. But, with time, the rural world became an exciting adventure playground in which he flourished.





Set against a dramatic wartime backdrop, Goodbye East End is about the conflict between a London boy’s unexpected love of the countryside and his guilt about not missing home as much as he might. It’s the moving story of a childhood experience that changed a young boy’s life forever.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

365 pages, Paperback

First published July 2, 2015

Reviews

[Jeff G · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author tells the story of his own experience as a boy (8-10 years old) of living in the English countryside, after he and his older sister were moved out of London to protect them from bombings in the city during WWII. But this account is more than that. Mr Merron tells of his growing appreciation and love for the countryside, in contrast to the East End of London of his upbringing. He encounters new people, some pleasant and a good number not so pleasant. In these years, he tells of how he processes his Jewish faith, particularly that of his father and grandfather, appearing to jettison faith as an explanation or comfort for life.

A number of fictional works are set with this historical event as background (namely children moved out of London and into the countryside), perhaps most notably the Pevensie siblings of the Narnian tales. This is the first historical and autobiographical account that I have read; I found it fascinating and well-written.

I happened to meet the author at a book signing at the Imperial War Museum in London this past December. I am grateful to have met him, to have purchased his book, and most importantly, that he told his story. Thank you Mr. Merron.

[Eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have made more of it

I had greater expectations because I really like the title and also the blurb read super interesting. I generally like historical novels, especially if they are about the Second World War. The view from the eyes of a 9-year-old boy made me particularly curious.
But somehow I didn't get into the story. I thought the story would be more exciting and adventurous - for me it was more like a diary. That's why I can only give 2 stars. At some points I was thinking about quitting the book because I really didn't got the point and missed a climax. For the most part, the story just rippled along - very sad actually.

What I liked was that the story was from the point of view of a Jewish boy. David, the boy's name, is sent to the countryside (out of London) to be protected from bombing in 1939. In the home of his host family, the Jewish faith is not followed. It's interesting to see how he handled that issue. Quite light-heartedly and simply, he defied the actually strict rules of his father.
In due course, David's grandparents were also sent to the country. I loved reading about the love between David and his grandfather - heartbreaking!

[Darla Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

In spite of the painful memories (not too many are recorded) and the challenges of being Jewish during World War 2, however while living in Great Britain, the author is expert at extracting the nectar of memory and putting into even more palatable form for the reader. What a deeply creative man with a unique slant on life from many sides.

[Krystina Prince · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating story of a boy from London's East End and how he survived the atrocities of WW2. I feel this book gives a different perspective of WW2 and helps shows the magnitude that war has. This book held a personal touch for me as my grandad (still alive at the time of writing this review) came from London and was there as a child during WW2.

[Ariel Orapa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting much about this book pero i actually enjoyed it. Very easy to read and i like how it's not romanticising the war.

I was totally immersed with the book, mura sad kog bata nga mao pay pag explore sa bukid. The emotional parts are also hitting, tagos sa puso kumbaga. I can feel David's joy and struggle and his conflicting feelings about his God.

I'm glad I picked up this book.

[Philip Carman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes you realise how lucky / fortunate we are in the UK these days - but this had a "personal" aspect for me as where David was evacuated to - Aylesbury area, I lived in for 5-6 years -so recognised some places he talked about - even though I was there 60 years after he was.

[Dayna Duchovney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story knowing it was told from the authors realised memories of his life experience as a Jewish child as an evacuee the trials experienced and how his gwneeal views on life changed, in particular his religious beliefs.

[Mary Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 2017 favorite. This is the exact same book as Goodbye East End: An Evacuee's Story, which I bought this June in the Imperial War Museum in London. It's a Goodreads error--there are two editions, both published 2015, and only the Skylark title got the ISBN and cover art.

[Valentina Pietrangeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story with a different, not common perspective. I can honestly say I never really thought of what it was like for a jewish kid growing up in London during the war. I learned a new way of looking at these times.