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Casualties
Experiences as young children in Europe during World War II later affects a couple's marriage and has impact on their friends.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
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About the author
Lynne Reid Banks
98 books403 followersLynne Reid Banks is a British author of books for children and adults. She has written forty books, including the best-selling children's novel The Indian in the Cupboard, which has sold over 10 million copies and been made into a film.
Banks was born in London, the only child of James and Muriel Reid Banks. She was evacuated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada during World War II but returned after the war was over. She attended St Teresa's School in Surrey. Prior to becoming a writer Banks was an actress, and also worked as a television journalist in Britain, one of the first women to do so. Her first novel, The L-Shaped Room, was published in 1960.
In 1962 Banks emigrated to Israel, where she taught for eight years on an Israeli kibbutz Yasur. In 1965 she married Chaim Stephenson, with whom she had three sons. Although the family returned to England in 1971 and Banks now lives in Dorset, the influence of her time in Israel can be seen in some of her books which are set partially or mainly on kibbutzim.
Banks was born in London, the only child of James and Muriel Reid Banks. She was evacuated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada during World War II but returned after the war was over. She attended St Teresa's School in Surrey. Prior to becoming a writer Banks was an actress, and also worked as a television journalist in Britain, one of the first women to do so. Her first novel, The L-Shaped Room, was published in 1960.
In 1962 Banks emigrated to Israel, where she taught for eight years on an Israeli kibbutz Yasur. In 1965 she married Chaim Stephenson, with whom she had three sons. Although the family returned to England in 1971 and Banks now lives in Dorset, the influence of her time in Israel can be seen in some of her books which are set partially or mainly on kibbutzim.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 19, 2019
“…the worst thing about wars is not the casualties that happen on the battlefield, but the ripples going out from them, on and on toward some shore so impossibly remote in terms of time that effectively it doesn’t exist.”
Casualties is a novel by British author, Lynne Reid Banks. In 1975, author Sue McClusky’s marriage is full of dissatisfaction and tension that she and Cal try to conceal from their young sons. When a Dutch friend from her distant past invites Sue’s family to spend the Easter vacation with her own, it seems like a gift: they can surely postpone their quarrels in company. And Mariolain seems to need Sue to come…
When they arrive, the welcome from Mariolain and her children is warm and genuine, but Sue can tell something is not quite right. Their house in Hilversum is a real wonder, filled with art and craft and clearly the product of “two talented, artistic, unconventional people who loved it and each other and saw eye to eye in all matters of taste”. But later, when they are alone, Mariolain reminds Sue of the last time they met, almost twenty years earlier, and eventually, of the promise she made to tell Sue of her family’s experience of the war.
This, she does, in intimate detail, and Sue is shocked by what her friend had to endure, and amazed at her resilience. Niels, Mariolain’s charming husband, seems to have captivated Cal, but Sue is less impressed with his behaviour, as reported by her friend. At least, until Cal relates the events of Niels’s early childhood in Java during the Japanese occupation. By this time, Sue is seeing the triviality of the problems plaguing her own marriage, in comparison to the challenges that the Dutch couple’s marriage has survived.
This reissue by Sapere Books sports a beautiful, evocative cover. Even though it was originally published in 1986, it is a testament to Reid Banks’s literary skill that it does not feel dated. She firmly anchors Sue’s story in that era, while the flashbacks to wartime Holland and Java have an authentic feel. And while the subject matter is often sober, there are plenty of humorous moments as well.
Readers who feel they know all about the war in Holland: rationing, the activities of the Dutch Resistance, the hiding of Jewish families and young men avoiding German labour camps, may well be in for a surprise, in particular with regards the insidious recruitment and post-war treatment of collaborators. The mindset of the ordinary Dutch, the patriots and the German sympathisers is well conveyed.
Reid Banks gives her characters depth and insight: they often articulate words of wisdom. Of their own war experience, Sue says “It’s only luck we weren’t invaded. All the same things would have happened to us, all the same monsters would have crawled out of holes… Evil is so often a matter of occasion.”
Of the place where her worst horror happened, Mariolain says “It’s a beautiful place. We often go. One should not blame places for the things that happen in them. One has to go to them and be happy in them, to sort of clean them of the awful thing.” A truly moving and thought-provoking read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Sapere Books.
Casualties is a novel by British author, Lynne Reid Banks. In 1975, author Sue McClusky’s marriage is full of dissatisfaction and tension that she and Cal try to conceal from their young sons. When a Dutch friend from her distant past invites Sue’s family to spend the Easter vacation with her own, it seems like a gift: they can surely postpone their quarrels in company. And Mariolain seems to need Sue to come…
When they arrive, the welcome from Mariolain and her children is warm and genuine, but Sue can tell something is not quite right. Their house in Hilversum is a real wonder, filled with art and craft and clearly the product of “two talented, artistic, unconventional people who loved it and each other and saw eye to eye in all matters of taste”. But later, when they are alone, Mariolain reminds Sue of the last time they met, almost twenty years earlier, and eventually, of the promise she made to tell Sue of her family’s experience of the war.
This, she does, in intimate detail, and Sue is shocked by what her friend had to endure, and amazed at her resilience. Niels, Mariolain’s charming husband, seems to have captivated Cal, but Sue is less impressed with his behaviour, as reported by her friend. At least, until Cal relates the events of Niels’s early childhood in Java during the Japanese occupation. By this time, Sue is seeing the triviality of the problems plaguing her own marriage, in comparison to the challenges that the Dutch couple’s marriage has survived.
This reissue by Sapere Books sports a beautiful, evocative cover. Even though it was originally published in 1986, it is a testament to Reid Banks’s literary skill that it does not feel dated. She firmly anchors Sue’s story in that era, while the flashbacks to wartime Holland and Java have an authentic feel. And while the subject matter is often sober, there are plenty of humorous moments as well.
Readers who feel they know all about the war in Holland: rationing, the activities of the Dutch Resistance, the hiding of Jewish families and young men avoiding German labour camps, may well be in for a surprise, in particular with regards the insidious recruitment and post-war treatment of collaborators. The mindset of the ordinary Dutch, the patriots and the German sympathisers is well conveyed.
Reid Banks gives her characters depth and insight: they often articulate words of wisdom. Of their own war experience, Sue says “It’s only luck we weren’t invaded. All the same things would have happened to us, all the same monsters would have crawled out of holes… Evil is so often a matter of occasion.”
Of the place where her worst horror happened, Mariolain says “It’s a beautiful place. We often go. One should not blame places for the things that happen in them. One has to go to them and be happy in them, to sort of clean them of the awful thing.” A truly moving and thought-provoking read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Sapere Books.
July 17, 2019
Two couple, two marriages, four troubled pasts. When English Sue gets an unexpected phone call from an old Dutch friend, Mariolain, it leads to a holiday offer which Sue and Cal, whose marriage is going through a rough patch, accept with alacrity. But it turns out that Mariolain and Niels’ marriage is in trouble too, and the holiday turns into an opportunity to explore the past. The Dutch couple win this contest hands down, as their parents were caught up in Holland’s terrible experiences in WWII and it’s no surprise that the legacy of that past still has a stranglehold on the present. What starts out as a fairly humdrum account of married life soon turns into something much darker. This is not literary fiction of the highest order, but it is a compelling story deftly told, and if the characterisation (especially of the children) sometimes lacks depth, the narrative rattles along at a good pace and it’s an enjoyable and entertaining read, with a good bit of history thrown in.
August 12, 2019
Lynne Reid Banks has fond memories for me, a dear friend passing on her books back in my teens and insisting I read The L Shaped Room trilogy, books which have stayed with me over the intervening 25+ years. When I was offered a reissued copy of Casualties by Sapere Books I was intrigued to discover a Banks book that I haven't come across before.
In this novel Suky, a writer, is living in an unhappy marriage with her two sons when an unexpected friend from her past gets back in touch asking for a favour, which she accedes to. This leads to the two families joining together in an Easter holiday at the other couple, Mariolaine and Niels' home in the Netherlands.
The holiday affords Suky a journey into the past of the couple and their life as children during the Second World War which is, ultimately, shocking and real. Mariolaine's life in a Netherlands torn apart by Nazi annexation where friends and neighbours become collaborators and no-one can be trusted, and Niel's babyhood in Japan-occupied Indonesia are stark reminders of the impact of war on families, and especially children.
Casualties feels a little dated, it felt strange to be reading on Kindle rather than a yellowing paperback, but Lynne Reid Banks is an excellent author and this is a story that is compelling and powerful.
In this novel Suky, a writer, is living in an unhappy marriage with her two sons when an unexpected friend from her past gets back in touch asking for a favour, which she accedes to. This leads to the two families joining together in an Easter holiday at the other couple, Mariolaine and Niels' home in the Netherlands.
The holiday affords Suky a journey into the past of the couple and their life as children during the Second World War which is, ultimately, shocking and real. Mariolaine's life in a Netherlands torn apart by Nazi annexation where friends and neighbours become collaborators and no-one can be trusted, and Niel's babyhood in Japan-occupied Indonesia are stark reminders of the impact of war on families, and especially children.
Casualties feels a little dated, it felt strange to be reading on Kindle rather than a yellowing paperback, but Lynne Reid Banks is an excellent author and this is a story that is compelling and powerful.
August 7, 2019
Took me a while to get started with with the novel. Opens in 1975 and seemed to involve a suburban marriage on the rocks, lined up for the proverbial family skeletons to appear to make everything even worse: The main couple are shown as having a Dutch counterpart. However I am glad that I persevered .....my cynicism was soon put to one side as this complex tale of life under German occupations is recounted in a series of flashbacks....even bringing in a connection to the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies ( pre Indonesian independence). The novel tries hard to get beyond the 'who was 'true' and who was false' polarity that emerged after World War 2. Only one character is completely depraved and beyond redemption.....myths are challenged. Resistance fighters are by no means heroes, shown as capable of corruption and cruelty . Collaborators are sometimes shown as pitiful figures . The final Hungerwinter of 1944-45 is a severe test for all who live through it. And the impact of war lingers long enough to ensure that the following generation are never truly left in peace. A much recommended novel indeed .
August 5, 2019
Casualties is a thought provoking novel about the life-long effects that the terrors and deprivations of war can have on someone. The novel is a touching testament to the fact that we are all the sum total of our experiences, and those that occur during our formative years have the greatest impact. The misguided loyalties, devastating betrayals and other heart-wrenching traumas play themselves out time and again, affecting friendships and relationships. This is a wonderful story which illustrates that only learning about the past can explain the present. Highly recommended. Thanks to Sapere Books for the ARC.
April 26, 2020
A serendipitous find. I read the L-Shaped Room trilogy in my early 20s but probably hadn’t read anything more by LRB since. It popped up as a cheap kindle deal and so I thought was worth a look as I was failing to find engaging reads in these lockdown times.
The book started out as a portrait of a failing marriage and morphed into a fascinating look at the impact of war and occupation. If you ever wondered why Europe needs the EU read this book for how the destructive effect of war is more than physical destruction. My best book so far in 2020 though that might be because it was an oasis in a desert
The book started out as a portrait of a failing marriage and morphed into a fascinating look at the impact of war and occupation. If you ever wondered why Europe needs the EU read this book for how the destructive effect of war is more than physical destruction. My best book so far in 2020 though that might be because it was an oasis in a desert
September 20, 2019
As a school girl many years ago I read the l shaped room my lynne Reid banks and even now I can remember it well and it has stayed with me for over 30 years so I had very high expectations of casualties! Unfortunately this book just didn’t grip me in the same way, two couples both suffering different problems within their marriages and the repercussions that ww2 had exerted on the Dutch couples side, although interesting and sobering at times this book really felt like a slog to get through rather than an enjoyable read.
May 15, 2021
An engrossing read.
Fiction that reads like truth!! A well written book that tells a credible tale of deep secrets and childhood trauma. Much of the story is set against the Dutch part in WW11 which many of us are ignorant about, due to so much writing being about the French.
Her key characters are well developed; indeed they become our familiar friends and lapses from past to present are easily absorbed.
I look forward to reading more of Lynne Reid Banks!
Fiction that reads like truth!! A well written book that tells a credible tale of deep secrets and childhood trauma. Much of the story is set against the Dutch part in WW11 which many of us are ignorant about, due to so much writing being about the French.
Her key characters are well developed; indeed they become our familiar friends and lapses from past to present are easily absorbed.
I look forward to reading more of Lynne Reid Banks!
September 15, 2019
Susie and Cal visit Susie's friends in Holland. Mariolan tells the story of her war. Her mother is in league with the Germans in a bid to save her family. However her daughters hold dark secrets. Meanwhile Niels grew up in Java and holds his own secrets. Well written and weaving history with the contemporary.
September 26, 2019
A story of two friends rekindling a friendship and how Mariolain tells her story of hers and her family’s experience of the war. Also how two couples drifted apart can get together again eventually. A very insightful and interesting read
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through voracious readers
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through voracious readers
August 1, 2017
More like 3.5 than 4! Quite gripping but Dutch characters somehow not fully formed.
Some really horrifying evocations of WWII atrocities. The most convincing aspect, though, was the strained marriage of the main character - depicted in painfully convincing detail.
Some really horrifying evocations of WWII atrocities. The most convincing aspect, though, was the strained marriage of the main character - depicted in painfully convincing detail.
April 12, 2018
Really enjoyed the juxtaposed stories of two modern marriages and the flashbacks to the hardships of a Dutch family during the German occupation of World War II. Only the rather limp ending prevented me giving this 5 stars.
September 24, 2019
Sweet friendships and family troubles being unravelled in this interesting novel, enjoyable but confusing at points
July 6, 2020
A thought provoking book with a story of two families and the stresses in their relationships, set against their respective backgrounds, including a Dutch couple bearing scars from WWII.
October 5, 2021
Interesting , entertaining book about two married, Dutch people and their families.
December 17, 2021
Two heart breaking stories about the effect of war on chidren and how it reverberates into adulthood.
January 15, 2020
I remember this author from childhood so was excited to be offered a digital copy of Casualties by Netgalley in exchange for my review. I wasn’t disappointed, I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it kept me engaged throughout. I would recommend it to others.
July 22, 2019
A number of things about this novel puzzle me, the chief one being what motivated the author to interpose an Anglo-American couple between the Dutch couple and us — in effect telling their stories at one remove. I understand that Sue serves to draw out Mariolain's confidences, but was it necessary to insert unsufferable Cal and their two barely civilised sons into the narrative? I wonder whether the story of Niels' parents would have been more affecting if he'd revealed it directly to Sue, instead of divulging it "offstage" to Cal, who then fills Sue in on it.
Over the course of much of the novel, we keep switching between the horrors of WWII and Sue whining about her family, which to my mind only cheapens the suffering being described and its repercussions. Although there are some heart-wrenching moments, I found myself increasingly irritated with the adult characters' puerile behaviour and wondering where all this was leading — which, as it turns out, is an ending that offers no resolution at all.
[I received an electronic copy of this novel from the publisher, Sapere Books, in exchange for my honest opinion.]
Over the course of much of the novel, we keep switching between the horrors of WWII and Sue whining about her family, which to my mind only cheapens the suffering being described and its repercussions. Although there are some heart-wrenching moments, I found myself increasingly irritated with the adult characters' puerile behaviour and wondering where all this was leading — which, as it turns out, is an ending that offers no resolution at all.
[I received an electronic copy of this novel from the publisher, Sapere Books, in exchange for my honest opinion.]
February 11, 2013
There is always a sense of security when I start a book by this writer, she is so very good in an honest and efficient and truthful manner. What detracted for me was the story line - not of any especial interest to me and the characters of the Dutch family just teetered sufficiently into disagreeableness for me not to care too much for them.
A second deterrent was the use/mention. a couple times, of dreams in a novel, which never strikes as an honest thing to do.
A second deterrent was the use/mention. a couple times, of dreams in a novel, which never strikes as an honest thing to do.
May 25, 2009
World War II in Holland
July 11, 2025
Appropriate reading for this period in my life!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews