My Upside Down World

by Bonnie Meekums

Amidst the devastation and loss of WW2, when Lily's 'rock' Stan is accused of something he didn't do how will she find the strength to stand up to injustice?

Lily has always let others make the decisions, but one day, clearing rubble from the Blitz she meets a woman who will change her life. Amidst unbearable loss, she makes the uncomfortable decision to take her children north. There, she begins a new life, but when further tragedy strikes she is forced to return to London, where she faces her biggest challenge yet.

232 pages, Paperback

Published November 11, 2021

About the author

An escaped academic, Bonnie already had two professionally published books on arts therapies / Dance Movement Therapy before her first novel was published by Between the Lines Publishing in 2020.

She lives in the North-West of England, where she shares a house with her husband, various offspring that she is never entirely confident have finally left, and from time to time grandchildren, whose size is inconsistent with their conviction that they actually rule the roost.

To relax, she grows vegetables that misbehave even more than the grandchildren, walks in the hills, reads of course, and dances.

She also travels alarming distances every now and then, to visit people she loves who have inconveniently chosen to live as far away from her as possible.

Reviews

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

This definitely reads like an authentic diary which draws you in to a very personal and definitely vivid world. It also means that at times a lot of the action seems to take place offstage as it were which left me as a reader wanting to explore other scenes and spend time with other characters, this led me to think that there was potential for sequels exploring the same events from other characters perspectives. I particularly liked Hilda and Ruth and would have liked to know more about their stories and experiences.
I like the way that the peace message was explored from the perspective of someone who was not completely convinced by it, at least to start with. This meant that the discussion of the peace message and the ideas surrounding it never felt like it was being forced on the reader. With the timing of the release of this book the effects of war and the opportunities for peace will be something that is on many people’s minds and this book definitely provides ideas for discussion.
I enjoyed how different issues were explored through different character’s experience. I think that the format of this book is especially accessible and it’s a uniquely personal story.

[Tina Probets · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read and enjoyed by the author.  It's written in Diary format, which is great to read and, I feel, makes the story more personal and intimate, as if I'm reading Lily's actual diary.

Recognising places mentioned in the book added to the enjoyment of reading it. Especially the Brown School (nickname of my predecessor school) having to study in Maidstone, my hometown of the last 30 years.
 
Throughout, Lily's strength and confidence grew, for herself, her family and her writing. It was palpable. You can see where the title of My Upside Down World came from.

Struggling with loss and gains close to her heart, Lily took it all in her stride, and yet everyone around her flourished in her presence.

I was proud of Lily for all she gave up but also achieved.

[Jackie Hales · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-warming story of an evacuee and her children, against a detailed historical background of the work of women in England during the Second World War, infused with big issues such as ethnic origin, the Quaker view of war, the enduring power of love and social injustice. The diary format adds a personal perspective and develops a unique character, while providing a vehicle for the unfolding of one woman's life experience through direct communication with the reader.