Charlie's War

by David Fiddimore

When a plane crash leaves Charlie Bassett rested from the RAF, he receives unexpected orders—to locate the elusive, pregnant Grace Baker and bring her home. But Grace, who has been following the armed forces across Europe, clearly does not want to be found, and despite Charlie's personal stake in it, this bizarre and challenging mission is still one he would rather avoid. Nevertheless, Charlie finds himself journeying to France in a car named Kate, with a dubious, eccentric Army Major and his loyal Sergeant—two men who are evidently going about mysterious duties of their own. As Charlie moves slowly towards the frontline on this exhilarating road trip, so too does he draw closer to the woman he once loved and lost.

Genres: Fiction, World War II

400 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

Reviews

[Mark Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and well told. You need to read each book in order. Wish he had wrote more of them

Cracking read. Loved the whole series and wish they had let David write more. Though Charlie is now not of our time he was of his era

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a whole new vision and meaning to the concept “road trip”. Charlie Bassett has survived the majority of the war uninjured and narrowly escapes death on his last mission for the RAF. As a reward for cheating death he is made an officer and given a special mission. The pinnacle of the British government orders him to go to liberated France on a search and rescue mission for Grace Baker. At first glimpse this seems like a relatively straightforward and simple quest but as the reader soon discovers it is everything but uncomplicated. David Fiddimore presents the reader with a cavalcade of characters that experience multiple adventures and misadventures as they travel to the front line of the war in Europe. Charlie Bassett spent his war flying over continental Europe while his traveling companions took the more scenic land route to the east. This gave them a considerable advantage over Charlie and they joyfully educated him at every possible juncture. Heading toward the front line, one would surmise that the danger lay before him but, in truth, the greatest danger lays behind. A reader might want to compare this book with the well known and liked movie Saving Private Ryan but to do so would be unfair to both. It would be like comparing apples with oranges (although they are both fruit, they come from opposite ends of that spectrum). Charlie’s War is a hybrid which makes it a unique mixture of different types of books. This is a war story unlike anything written and is bound to interest, amuse, astound, revolt and move you like no other. This isn’t a book for everyone but if you appreciate dry English humor and value the understated comments of that secluded island giant, you are bound to give this book a high rating. I’ve found it is a book that cozies up to you during the reading and will stay with you long after the last page is read.

[Kayleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice continuation of the story of Charlie from Tuesday's War. Many familiar faces, but waging a completely different war. Charlie's crew did their trips in the first book, so he's not flying anymore. They've found a whole new challenge.

I'm glad he made the choice he did, but the outcome seemed a little thinly supported.
With regards to the workings of the war machine, he makes me wonder how much it actually worked that way.
I will keep reading the series.

[Nicholas Tredwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Charlie's War" is my personal favourite installment in David Fiddimore's excellent series. I find Charlie Bassett's universe to be slightly off kilter, unsettling, even dark and it's all the more intriguing for it. Well plotted with interesting characters it's a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I live in hope that Mr Fiddimore will revisit Charlie's history again.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me interested throughout, and at the end it dawned on me that not much had happened in plot terms, so Mr Fiddimore must be doing something right!

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only managed 8 chapters