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A World Between Us
Spain, 1936. Felix, a spirited young nurse, has travelled to Spain to help the cause of the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War. But she is also following Nat, a passionate young man who has joined the International Brigades fighting Franco. And George - familiar George from home - is not far behind, in pursuit of Felix ...
As Spain fights for its freedom against tyranny, Felix battles a conflict of the heart. With the civil war raging around her, Felix must make choices that will change her life forever. An epic and moving historical adventure from debut author Lydia Syson.
As Spain fights for its freedom against tyranny, Felix battles a conflict of the heart. With the civil war raging around her, Felix must make choices that will change her life forever. An epic and moving historical adventure from debut author Lydia Syson.
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First published October 4, 2012
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About the author
Lydia Syson
8 books56 followersAfter an early career as a BBC World Service Radio producer, Lydia Syson turned from the spoken to the written word, and developed an enduring obsession with history. Her PhD about poets, explorers and Timbuktu was followed by a biography of Britain’s first fertility guru, DOCTOR OF LOVE: JAMES GRAHAM AND HIS CELESTIAL BED, and then two YA novels for Hot Key Books set in the Spanish Civil War (A WORLD BETWEEN US) and World War Two (THAT BURNING SUMMER). LIBERTY’S FIRE, a passionate tale of the Paris Commune of 1871, is the third of her novels to be inspired, very loosely, by family history. Her much praised adult fiction debut, MR PEACOCK'S POSSESSIONS, a sophisticated 'Robinsonade' for the twenty-first century set on a remote Pacific island, is now out in paperback.
Lydia Syson is a fifth-generation North Londoner who now lives south of the river with her partner and four children.
Lydia Syson is a fifth-generation North Londoner who now lives south of the river with her partner and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 10, 2013
Here are two things about me you should probably know about me before I jump into this review:
(1) I’m a huge history nerd. (And proud). A by-product of this is a long and enduring love of historical fiction since I was old enough to check my own books out of the library.
(2) As a teenager I went through a period of being obsessed with all things war related. I read, watched, listened to just about anything I could on the subject, hoarding facts with an unprecedented gluttony for detail.
So, picking up A War Between Us felt familiar and comfortable; I had a strong suspicion I was going to love it.*
First, a note on the cover: on one hand it’s cute and vintage-esque and most importantly relevant, on the other hand it reminds me to those Sunfire historical romances, with the heroine always flanked by her two obligatory love interests:
(Also, the cover artist has really gone to town with Nat’s eyebrows - they’re kind of distracting).
While it would seem that the cover of A World Between Us is screaming “HISTORICAL LOVE TRIANGLE”, that’s both true and not true, and does the novel a disservice in seemingly reducing the plot down to merely its romantic elements. Because sure, romance plays a part in this story, but primarily this is a novel about how three young people become involved in the Spanish Civil War in various capacities and the subsequent impacts of the conflict on their lives.
And Lydia Syson has done her homework. This book is rich with historical detail, not only of the political situation in Spain at the time, but the role of the International Brigades and volunteers who aided the Republicans, working class movements and youth activism of the time, religion in Francoist Spain, the influence of censorship and propaganda. By writing from the perspective of a volunteer nurse, a soldier, and a journalist, Syson conveys the conflict and its impacts from various viewpoints. Further, by imbuing these characters with different incentives for becoming involved in the conflict, Syson is able to examine it through various lenses:
“What prompted thousands of men and women, some only teenagers (like Nat and Felix in A World Between Us), to leave everything they knew to go and help the Republican cause in Spain – often without a word to their families? Many had never left Britain before, most didn’t speak a word of Spanish, and a fifth of them were killed there.” – Lydia Syson, “Come and See The Blood in the Streets” April 22, 2013
Arguably, Nat – the young, working class, Jewish socialist - Felix initially meets at an anti-Facist march has the most incentive to join the Republican’s cause in Spain. From the outset, his motivations are fairly straightforward. Slightly more complex are Felix and George’s reasons for eventually volunteering, though it’s through their eyes that Syson is able to communicate a gradual loss of innocence and complacency through exposure to the violence and devastation wrought throughout Spain. Syson traces the nationalist advance across the country, depicting the battles (including Bilbao, Ebro, the siege of Madrid, the bombing of Guernica etc) with vivid clarity and keen insight, not just from the perspective of those on the front lines, but the communities left desolated in their wake.
There’s a genuine poignancy to Syson’s depiction of three young people facing the horror of war, and her writing is expressive without being cloying or dramatic. Yes, there’s kissing, but there’s also much conveyed in the scenes of sheltering from air raids, in the simple generosity of touch and human contact. Here Syson depicts the urgency and desperate yearning of love born in times of uncertainty, the bittersweetness of moments stolen from the realities of war. In the characters, there is a true sense of camaraderie and courage, without the novel waxing poetic or sentimental about circumstances are clearly are neither romantic nor nostalgic . Rather, Syson develops fully-realised characters that undergo physically and mentally trying circumstances; her characters are sympathetic because they are realistic and flawed.
A World Between Us is an impeccably researched work of historical fiction, and also a compelling, human story. If it’s any indicating of what’s to come, I eagerly anticipate Lydia Syson’s next novel, That Burning Summer.
*Not that I’m saying you need to be a history nerd to enjoy this book, I’m just revealing my biases.
(1) I’m a huge history nerd. (And proud). A by-product of this is a long and enduring love of historical fiction since I was old enough to check my own books out of the library.
(2) As a teenager I went through a period of being obsessed with all things war related. I read, watched, listened to just about anything I could on the subject, hoarding facts with an unprecedented gluttony for detail.
So, picking up A War Between Us felt familiar and comfortable; I had a strong suspicion I was going to love it.*
First, a note on the cover: on one hand it’s cute and vintage-esque and most importantly relevant, on the other hand it reminds me to those Sunfire historical romances, with the heroine always flanked by her two obligatory love interests:
(Also, the cover artist has really gone to town with Nat’s eyebrows - they’re kind of distracting).
While it would seem that the cover of A World Between Us is screaming “HISTORICAL LOVE TRIANGLE”, that’s both true and not true, and does the novel a disservice in seemingly reducing the plot down to merely its romantic elements. Because sure, romance plays a part in this story, but primarily this is a novel about how three young people become involved in the Spanish Civil War in various capacities and the subsequent impacts of the conflict on their lives.
And Lydia Syson has done her homework. This book is rich with historical detail, not only of the political situation in Spain at the time, but the role of the International Brigades and volunteers who aided the Republicans, working class movements and youth activism of the time, religion in Francoist Spain, the influence of censorship and propaganda. By writing from the perspective of a volunteer nurse, a soldier, and a journalist, Syson conveys the conflict and its impacts from various viewpoints. Further, by imbuing these characters with different incentives for becoming involved in the conflict, Syson is able to examine it through various lenses:
“What prompted thousands of men and women, some only teenagers (like Nat and Felix in A World Between Us), to leave everything they knew to go and help the Republican cause in Spain – often without a word to their families? Many had never left Britain before, most didn’t speak a word of Spanish, and a fifth of them were killed there.” – Lydia Syson, “Come and See The Blood in the Streets” April 22, 2013
Arguably, Nat – the young, working class, Jewish socialist - Felix initially meets at an anti-Facist march has the most incentive to join the Republican’s cause in Spain. From the outset, his motivations are fairly straightforward. Slightly more complex are Felix and George’s reasons for eventually volunteering, though it’s through their eyes that Syson is able to communicate a gradual loss of innocence and complacency through exposure to the violence and devastation wrought throughout Spain. Syson traces the nationalist advance across the country, depicting the battles (including Bilbao, Ebro, the siege of Madrid, the bombing of Guernica etc) with vivid clarity and keen insight, not just from the perspective of those on the front lines, but the communities left desolated in their wake.
There’s a genuine poignancy to Syson’s depiction of three young people facing the horror of war, and her writing is expressive without being cloying or dramatic. Yes, there’s kissing, but there’s also much conveyed in the scenes of sheltering from air raids, in the simple generosity of touch and human contact. Here Syson depicts the urgency and desperate yearning of love born in times of uncertainty, the bittersweetness of moments stolen from the realities of war. In the characters, there is a true sense of camaraderie and courage, without the novel waxing poetic or sentimental about circumstances are clearly are neither romantic nor nostalgic . Rather, Syson develops fully-realised characters that undergo physically and mentally trying circumstances; her characters are sympathetic because they are realistic and flawed.
A World Between Us is an impeccably researched work of historical fiction, and also a compelling, human story. If it’s any indicating of what’s to come, I eagerly anticipate Lydia Syson’s next novel, That Burning Summer.
*Not that I’m saying you need to be a history nerd to enjoy this book, I’m just revealing my biases.
February 3, 2013
There are certain things that I don't, as a general rule, approve of in young adult fiction. One of those things is love triangles. I won't go into the old love triangle argument here, but I just tend not to find this situation realistic in the slightest and a lot of the time, it just doesn't create the tension the author may have intended. Another thing is insta-love. I wouldn't say that I'm negative about this as the love triangle, but it needs to be done very well indeed to convince my cynical and jaded self.
So went I read the blurb of this book, one of the things that sprung to mind was 'that sounds like a certain three-sided shape in romance form with a touch of love of the instant variety'. But it's all good. It didn't matter in the slightest. Because a few other things had caught my attention....
Back in the day, I somehow managed to come out of university with a politics degree (not that I have used it in my professional life whatsoever), and politics has always been something that has caught my attention, especially political history. When I started on this whole YA reading/writing business, I never expected to find the two interests crossed over in such a fascinating way. I mean, the Spanish Civil War isn't something that most folk, even a lot of politically, historically minded ones, know a great deal about. I remember writing an essay on it many moons ago, but ask me to recall any of the facts and I will stare at you blankly, pretend I didn't quite catch the question and offer you a brew and a biscuit to distract you.
So I was definitely intrigued by the premise. And the cover. Did I mention the cover?
THE COVER
Seriously, I can't take my eyes off it. It's magnificent.
Anyway, back to the contents...
When a story is split three ways, so much relies on making each character engaging in so fewer words. And Ms. Syson more than nails Felix, Nat and George. Sometimes in this situation, I find myself wishing a particular character would hurry up and move the story along so I can get back to my favourite, but this never happened here. Although, I have to say I found George the most compelling, in the sense that this sort of nice-guy character is usually so one-dimensional in most stories, but here he was given another side to his character, one that didn't involve moping after the girl he is never destined to be with (or is he?)
And Nat and Felix - I can completely forgive the insta-love thing when the chemistry is this good. The tension between them and within the story is just fantastic. Wobbly knees a-plenty.
Like a few historical YA books I've read recently, the quality of the prose is first class. On key political events like war, it doesn't pull any punches, with every smell, sound, every horror right their on the page, unflinching. And like, in war, we're are reminded that not everything is cut and dried as reality begins to dawn on these characters.
If this was a book aimed at adults, I imagine it might be a sweeping epic romance, the size of which might act as an effective doorstop. And when I was about two-thirds of the way through, I was getting a bit annoyed because I wanted it to be longer - I wasn't ready to say goodbye yet. But on finishing, I was converted - this is the perfect length, and all the more skilled because so much emotion and action is within fewer pages.
I know historical YA fiction isn't for everyone, and if you're after a more light-hearted read, then maybe give this one a miss. But if you want and intense, beautiful book that will make you physically melt whilst reading it, then look no further. This might have actually inspired me to pick up my Southern-European history book that's been languishing on the bottom shelf for far too long...
So went I read the blurb of this book, one of the things that sprung to mind was 'that sounds like a certain three-sided shape in romance form with a touch of love of the instant variety'. But it's all good. It didn't matter in the slightest. Because a few other things had caught my attention....
Back in the day, I somehow managed to come out of university with a politics degree (not that I have used it in my professional life whatsoever), and politics has always been something that has caught my attention, especially political history. When I started on this whole YA reading/writing business, I never expected to find the two interests crossed over in such a fascinating way. I mean, the Spanish Civil War isn't something that most folk, even a lot of politically, historically minded ones, know a great deal about. I remember writing an essay on it many moons ago, but ask me to recall any of the facts and I will stare at you blankly, pretend I didn't quite catch the question and offer you a brew and a biscuit to distract you.
So I was definitely intrigued by the premise. And the cover. Did I mention the cover?
THE COVER
Seriously, I can't take my eyes off it. It's magnificent.
Anyway, back to the contents...
When a story is split three ways, so much relies on making each character engaging in so fewer words. And Ms. Syson more than nails Felix, Nat and George. Sometimes in this situation, I find myself wishing a particular character would hurry up and move the story along so I can get back to my favourite, but this never happened here. Although, I have to say I found George the most compelling, in the sense that this sort of nice-guy character is usually so one-dimensional in most stories, but here he was given another side to his character, one that didn't involve moping after the girl he is never destined to be with (or is he?)
And Nat and Felix - I can completely forgive the insta-love thing when the chemistry is this good. The tension between them and within the story is just fantastic. Wobbly knees a-plenty.
Like a few historical YA books I've read recently, the quality of the prose is first class. On key political events like war, it doesn't pull any punches, with every smell, sound, every horror right their on the page, unflinching. And like, in war, we're are reminded that not everything is cut and dried as reality begins to dawn on these characters.
If this was a book aimed at adults, I imagine it might be a sweeping epic romance, the size of which might act as an effective doorstop. And when I was about two-thirds of the way through, I was getting a bit annoyed because I wanted it to be longer - I wasn't ready to say goodbye yet. But on finishing, I was converted - this is the perfect length, and all the more skilled because so much emotion and action is within fewer pages.
I know historical YA fiction isn't for everyone, and if you're after a more light-hearted read, then maybe give this one a miss. But if you want and intense, beautiful book that will make you physically melt whilst reading it, then look no further. This might have actually inspired me to pick up my Southern-European history book that's been languishing on the bottom shelf for far too long...
May 20, 2022
had promise... was CLEARLY written by a liberal (like the politics of the characters are so underdeveloped it feels like they are fighting franco for like hardly any reason which is... false obvs), the heterosexuality was pretty terrible, boring & insta-love-y but i still cried at this because spanish antifascists, international solidarity, im gay 4 nurses etc etc <3
January 4, 2015
2,5/5
Meeehhh... No está mal. Cuenta una especie de triangulo amoroso entre tres británicos que van a España como parte de las brigadas internacionales en la Guerra Civil. Es un poco culebronesco y la verdad es que me ha sabido a poco. Se supone que es un libro juvenil/infantil pero no me ha parecido una historia atractiva para este público y como historia adulta es demsiado simplona y descafeinada. La ambientación está bien y la historia es más o menos entretenida, no es que me haya enganchado mucho pero tampoco me he aburrido.
Meeehhh... No está mal. Cuenta una especie de triangulo amoroso entre tres británicos que van a España como parte de las brigadas internacionales en la Guerra Civil. Es un poco culebronesco y la verdad es que me ha sabido a poco. Se supone que es un libro juvenil/infantil pero no me ha parecido una historia atractiva para este público y como historia adulta es demsiado simplona y descafeinada. La ambientación está bien y la historia es más o menos entretenida, no es que me haya enganchado mucho pero tampoco me he aburrido.
December 24, 2022
I would rather have had the book be from Dolores’ perspective 😐
July 21, 2016
A World Between Us is an epic romance and historical adventure set during the Spanish Civil War, a period of history I am ashamed to say I knew almost nothing about. It was something I certainly hadn't come across before in young adult fiction. I am all for fiction that provide us with an educational experience as well as tell us a compelling story. I think it's essential in books if 'the whole world's inside them' (Cornelia Funke, Inkheart); not talking about history does not mean that it didn't happen.
A World Between Us takes place between October 1936 and April 1939. Felicity, or Felix, as she likes to be known, is training as a nurse, unaware of what impact Fascism will have upon the world, until she meets a young rebel called Nat in the East End of London. Felix is captivated by Nat's relentless passion for justice. During a trip to France with her brother Neville and admirer George, in a fit of unusual spontaneity, she follows Nat to Spain, where she begins her new life surrounded by chaos and war.
Felix is a complicated character. I was frequently frustrated by her inability to make decisions - her inability to choose between the familiar long-time family friend and the mysterious boy who changed her world view. Even at the end (don't worry, I won't ruin it for you!), I'm not entirely sure she fully knows what she wants. Yet I couldn't help but find her to be a convictive character. Felix did something that most of us wouldn't have done - leave her relatively safe, sheltered existence to work in a battlefield, constantly at risk and saving lives. But she's often naive and lacks curiosity, struggling to see the bigger picture, even though her defiance against the Fascists and determination to save complete strangers is unwaning. Throughout the novel, we feel Felix's inner turmoil as she switches between both stances, and it certainly is an eventful journey.
A World Between Us is full of passion and fight - shattering, heartbreaking, and immensely enjoyable. A compelling love story, but one that never takes priority over showing the realities of civil war - the tragic violence and what it's like living in the unknown, showing how life can change in an instant. It's a wonderful addition to the historical fiction genre, a brave tale of triumph over adversity, but never making it look easy, that I hope more writers will tackle.
You can read the first chapter here.
Thank you Hot Key Books for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
A World Between Us takes place between October 1936 and April 1939. Felicity, or Felix, as she likes to be known, is training as a nurse, unaware of what impact Fascism will have upon the world, until she meets a young rebel called Nat in the East End of London. Felix is captivated by Nat's relentless passion for justice. During a trip to France with her brother Neville and admirer George, in a fit of unusual spontaneity, she follows Nat to Spain, where she begins her new life surrounded by chaos and war.
Felix is a complicated character. I was frequently frustrated by her inability to make decisions - her inability to choose between the familiar long-time family friend and the mysterious boy who changed her world view. Even at the end (don't worry, I won't ruin it for you!), I'm not entirely sure she fully knows what she wants. Yet I couldn't help but find her to be a convictive character. Felix did something that most of us wouldn't have done - leave her relatively safe, sheltered existence to work in a battlefield, constantly at risk and saving lives. But she's often naive and lacks curiosity, struggling to see the bigger picture, even though her defiance against the Fascists and determination to save complete strangers is unwaning. Throughout the novel, we feel Felix's inner turmoil as she switches between both stances, and it certainly is an eventful journey.
A World Between Us is full of passion and fight - shattering, heartbreaking, and immensely enjoyable. A compelling love story, but one that never takes priority over showing the realities of civil war - the tragic violence and what it's like living in the unknown, showing how life can change in an instant. It's a wonderful addition to the historical fiction genre, a brave tale of triumph over adversity, but never making it look easy, that I hope more writers will tackle.
You can read the first chapter here.
Thank you Hot Key Books for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
November 11, 2012
I am not a great lover of historical books but I was intrigued by this one from the beginning. I was lucky enough to attend the Hot Key Books launch party and I got to hear the author Lydia Syson talking passionately about this book and the research she amassed while writing it. The author's passion for the Spanish Civil War made me want to read it.
The book is told in third person from three points of view, each character interlinked within the story. Felix is the main character - she is a passionate young girl who is easily led by her feelings. She falls quickly for Nat, who has powerful views on the unrest in Spain, resulting in her following in his footsteps and rushing off to join the medical team there. Felix is followed to Spain by George, who was on the verge of asking Felix to marry him before she ran off. His rash decision to chase her changes his life forever as he comes in contact with such devastation.
The book follows these three characters over a period of three years, gently weaving their stories together as their paths cross on numerous occasions. One chance meeting changed the lives of these three characters for ever.
I did find this book a little slow to get into but I'm pretty sure that is because this isn't the style of book I would normally read. However as the story progresses, I found myself completely swept away with the romance and relationships between the three characters as they struggled through adversity . It was like watching one of those epic war movies from my child hood. Simply beautiful.
I loved the contrast between life in England and life in Spain during the Civil War, it made you appreciate how very different the countries were.
I warn you now the ending of the book will require hankies. It was extremely poignant and not the ideal book to read in company if you get embarrassed by blubbering.
On reflection, I feel this book would appeal to any age. It is definitely a cross over novel which adults would enjoy just as much as teenagers. I am not sure younger teens would enjoy it as much as the older teens.
The book feels as though it is historically accurate because the information provided is very detailed, although not too much that it distracts you from the story.
Summing up, I felt that this book was beautifully written, carefully crafting fact with fiction to create a memorable story. It brings history alive, making it real for future generations.
The book is told in third person from three points of view, each character interlinked within the story. Felix is the main character - she is a passionate young girl who is easily led by her feelings. She falls quickly for Nat, who has powerful views on the unrest in Spain, resulting in her following in his footsteps and rushing off to join the medical team there. Felix is followed to Spain by George, who was on the verge of asking Felix to marry him before she ran off. His rash decision to chase her changes his life forever as he comes in contact with such devastation.
The book follows these three characters over a period of three years, gently weaving their stories together as their paths cross on numerous occasions. One chance meeting changed the lives of these three characters for ever.
I did find this book a little slow to get into but I'm pretty sure that is because this isn't the style of book I would normally read. However as the story progresses, I found myself completely swept away with the romance and relationships between the three characters as they struggled through adversity . It was like watching one of those epic war movies from my child hood. Simply beautiful.
I loved the contrast between life in England and life in Spain during the Civil War, it made you appreciate how very different the countries were.
I warn you now the ending of the book will require hankies. It was extremely poignant and not the ideal book to read in company if you get embarrassed by blubbering.
On reflection, I feel this book would appeal to any age. It is definitely a cross over novel which adults would enjoy just as much as teenagers. I am not sure younger teens would enjoy it as much as the older teens.
The book feels as though it is historically accurate because the information provided is very detailed, although not too much that it distracts you from the story.
Summing up, I felt that this book was beautifully written, carefully crafting fact with fiction to create a memorable story. It brings history alive, making it real for future generations.
January 9, 2013
A well-researched, beautifully-written book about an interesting, but often overlooked, period of history. Some wonderful evocations of the East End and Civil War Spain with some really engaging protagonists. I am disappointed that this novel has not been included in the 2013 Carnegie longlist.
March 10, 2021
Somehow it seems right that I started this on International Women's Day!
February 13, 2020
If you want to read a book about the volunteers in the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War without reading a non-fiction text you could do worse than this book. It is very well researched (to the point I recognised events and people described in first-person accounts I've read). It is also easy to read at a rip-roaring pace. As a fictionalised account of the war it's fine.
Unfortunately, as a romance novel it failed for three reasons:
1) There were a few too many gaps and things left hanging. I would have liked to seen some resolution or emotional impact from a couple of fairly major events.
2) Throughout the book there are italicised passages that I thought were flashforwards to give us an idea of what was coming but they didn't seem to go anywhere. I wonder if I missed something or if my Kindle edition did?
3) The ending was incredibly abrupt and poorly executed.
All in all I'm glad I read it but wouldn't read it again.
Unfortunately, as a romance novel it failed for three reasons:
1) There were a few too many gaps and things left hanging. I would have liked to seen some resolution or emotional impact from a couple of fairly major events.
2) Throughout the book there are italicised passages that I thought were flashforwards to give us an idea of what was coming but they didn't seem to go anywhere. I wonder if I missed something or if my Kindle edition did?
3) The ending was incredibly abrupt and poorly executed.
All in all I'm glad I read it but wouldn't read it again.
August 6, 2014
Inhalt:
Im Jahre 1936 herrscht eine dunkle und ungewisse Zeit, der Bürgerkrieg in Spanien gerät nach und nach außer Kontrolle und andere Länder kämpfen im Landesinnere erbittert für-oder gegen die Front. Die junge Lernkrankenschwester Felix wächst Zuhause in London behütet auf, der Krieg ein ´Tabu-Thema in ihrer Familie, diese möchte nämlich nur eines: Felix in einer sicheren Zukunft wissen, an der Seite vom jungen Berichterstatter George, einem guter Freund der Familie. Eines Tages gerät Felix in einen Protestmarsch des Krieges und lernt dabei ganz unverhofft Nat, kennen. Beide spüren eine besondere Anziehung-und Verbindugn zueiander, doch ihnen bleibt keine Zeit.
Nat hat sich als Freiwilliger für die Front gemeldet um der spanischen Regierung zur Seite zu stehen.
Der Abschied fällt beiden schwer und als ob das Schicksal es so wollte, offenbart sich Felix eine Möglichkeit um Nat nach Spanien zu folgen. Kurzentschlossen flüchtet sie in eine ungewisse Zukunft, geleitet von Hoffnung und Liebe. Und auch George wählt den Weg nach Spanien, um seine geliebte Felix aus den Fängen des Krieges zu retten und sie an seiner Seite zu wissen.... 3.Menschen, 3.Sichtweisen eines furchtbaren Krieges, die nur eines gemeinsam haben die Kraft der Liebe!
Aus dem Buch:
Felix blinzelt in die Sonne, und das gleißende Licht sticht ihr in den Augen. Im Tiefflug stürzen die Flugzeuge auf sie herab, auf den Spitzen der Trageflächen kein republikanisches Rot. Der Lastwagen hält mit einem Krieschenden Bremsen, und die Menschen strömen panisch von der Ladefläche herunter. Ohne nachzudenken, erreicht Felix einen Graben. Zusammengerollt wie ein Fötus, wartet sie auf das, was kommt, und ist auf alles gefasst. (S.7)
Meine Meinung:
Lydia Syson befasst sich in diesem Buch mit einem Thema, dass derzeit wieder immer mehr Präsens in unseren Medien erhält, -Krieg! Man muss heutzutage nur mal den Fernseher anschalten und erhält schmerzliche Einblicke in das Leben vieler Menschen, die Tag für Tag darum kämpfen am Leben zu bleiben.
"Im dunklen Licht der Tage" wird genau dieses Thema zu einer realistischen Geschichte ausgebaut, sodass meine Neugierde geweckt war...Endlich mal Einblicke in ein Leben zu erhalten, dessen Zukunf ungewiss ist.
Und diesen Einblick wurde uns in Form von 3.jungen Menschen im Buch gewährt: Felix, George und Nat.
Natürlich sind die Menschen die in diesem Buch drinne vorkommen nicht echt, aber die Geschichte ist so nah an der Realität aufgebaut, dass man das Gefühl hat, die Charaktere wären wirklich echt!
Der Anfang des Buches baut auf einem finsteren und spannenden Prolog auf, der einem förmlich zum weiterlesen verführt...Nachdem die ersten Seiten dahingeflogen sind, kam das ganz erstmal zu stocken.
Ich hatte Mühe mit dem Schreibstil und dem voranschreitenden Geschehen des Krieges.
Zwar sind immer wieder kleine Karten, mit der derzeitgen Lage&Besetzung Spaniens im Buch abgebildet, trotzdessen war ich oftmals wirklich überfragt , ob der Krieg "gut" oder "schecht" für Spanien läuft und wer mit wem zusammenarbeitet etc. Generell habe ich wohl wirklich eine sanftere Sichtweise auf den Krieg erwartet und mit einer größeren Liebesgeschichte gerechnet. Dies ist mir im Laufe der Zeit klar geworden, denn in diesem Buch wird einem ein schonungsloser Einblick ins wirkliche Leben zu Zeiten des Krieges gegeben. Die Gefühle der Protagonisten sind sehr gedämpft, was mir wiederum das Gefühl geben hat, nicht wirklich warm mit den Menschen dort zu werden. Andererseits muss man bedenken, dass im Krieg kaum Zeit bleibt um sich innerlich mit etwas auseinanderzusetzen, du muss klar und fokussiert bleiben, den Überblick über das Geschen und deine Aufgaben wahren und dabei versuchen ruhig zu bleiben...
Das die Gefühle, in außnahme weniger Situationen im Buch, eher kühl bleiben, findet somit eine Erklärung.
Spannend fand ich die Umsetzung der Geschichte, aus 3. verschiedenen Blickwinkeln und Sichtweisen!!!
So begleiten wir Nat an der kalten und egfährlichen Kriegsfront, Felix gibt uns Einblicke in den Alltag einer Krankenschwester-die mit wenig Material&unter schlechten Bedingungen, viele Menschen retten muss und mit George sind wir auf den Spuren des Kriegsgeplagten Landes (Spanien) und suchen nach neuem Infomaterial für die Zeitungen&Presse...Diese Einblicke könnten unterschiedlicher wirklcih nicht sein und es hat mich begeistert und mit ehrfurcht zurüclgelassen, wie diese 3.junge Menschen sich mit dem Krieg, dem leidern der Bevölkerung/Zivilisten und ihren Positionen im gegenwärtigen geschehen und der ungwissen zukunft auseinadergsetzt haben und es akzeptiert haben. Jeder hat seinen Weg gefunden, sein bestes gegeben und den Glauben und die Hoffnung nie aufgegeben! Die Geschichte verschlägt uns und die Protagonisten an säntliche Orte Spaniens und die Wendungen sind unvorhergesehen, manchmal erschütternd und wieder ein anderes Mal voller Freude und Hoffnung
und dem Gefühl: Wir können den Krieg gewinnen, wir halten stand! gefüllt.
Am Ende des Buches ist noch ein Historisches Nachwort, sowie eine chronoologische Übersicht des Spanischen Bürgerkriegs eingefügt, was ich wirklich fande und einem nochmal im Verstehen unterstützt hat.
Ein Buch das ehrlicher nicht hätte geschrieben werden können.
Ein Buch das sich mit einem schwierigen Thema ausaiendersetz, ungewohnte Einblicke freigibt und am Ende auf seltsame Weise nachhallt..Für mich etwas schwer zu lesen und am Ende hat mir das nötige Verstehen etwas gefehlt. Dennoch ein lohnenswertes Buch, dass uns vor Augen führt, wie schwer es für diejenigen ist, die mit grausamer Gegenwärtigkeit ihre Tage so erleben!
Im Jahre 1936 herrscht eine dunkle und ungewisse Zeit, der Bürgerkrieg in Spanien gerät nach und nach außer Kontrolle und andere Länder kämpfen im Landesinnere erbittert für-oder gegen die Front. Die junge Lernkrankenschwester Felix wächst Zuhause in London behütet auf, der Krieg ein ´Tabu-Thema in ihrer Familie, diese möchte nämlich nur eines: Felix in einer sicheren Zukunft wissen, an der Seite vom jungen Berichterstatter George, einem guter Freund der Familie. Eines Tages gerät Felix in einen Protestmarsch des Krieges und lernt dabei ganz unverhofft Nat, kennen. Beide spüren eine besondere Anziehung-und Verbindugn zueiander, doch ihnen bleibt keine Zeit.
Nat hat sich als Freiwilliger für die Front gemeldet um der spanischen Regierung zur Seite zu stehen.
Der Abschied fällt beiden schwer und als ob das Schicksal es so wollte, offenbart sich Felix eine Möglichkeit um Nat nach Spanien zu folgen. Kurzentschlossen flüchtet sie in eine ungewisse Zukunft, geleitet von Hoffnung und Liebe. Und auch George wählt den Weg nach Spanien, um seine geliebte Felix aus den Fängen des Krieges zu retten und sie an seiner Seite zu wissen.... 3.Menschen, 3.Sichtweisen eines furchtbaren Krieges, die nur eines gemeinsam haben die Kraft der Liebe!
Aus dem Buch:
Felix blinzelt in die Sonne, und das gleißende Licht sticht ihr in den Augen. Im Tiefflug stürzen die Flugzeuge auf sie herab, auf den Spitzen der Trageflächen kein republikanisches Rot. Der Lastwagen hält mit einem Krieschenden Bremsen, und die Menschen strömen panisch von der Ladefläche herunter. Ohne nachzudenken, erreicht Felix einen Graben. Zusammengerollt wie ein Fötus, wartet sie auf das, was kommt, und ist auf alles gefasst. (S.7)
Meine Meinung:
Lydia Syson befasst sich in diesem Buch mit einem Thema, dass derzeit wieder immer mehr Präsens in unseren Medien erhält, -Krieg! Man muss heutzutage nur mal den Fernseher anschalten und erhält schmerzliche Einblicke in das Leben vieler Menschen, die Tag für Tag darum kämpfen am Leben zu bleiben.
"Im dunklen Licht der Tage" wird genau dieses Thema zu einer realistischen Geschichte ausgebaut, sodass meine Neugierde geweckt war...Endlich mal Einblicke in ein Leben zu erhalten, dessen Zukunf ungewiss ist.
Und diesen Einblick wurde uns in Form von 3.jungen Menschen im Buch gewährt: Felix, George und Nat.
Natürlich sind die Menschen die in diesem Buch drinne vorkommen nicht echt, aber die Geschichte ist so nah an der Realität aufgebaut, dass man das Gefühl hat, die Charaktere wären wirklich echt!
Der Anfang des Buches baut auf einem finsteren und spannenden Prolog auf, der einem förmlich zum weiterlesen verführt...Nachdem die ersten Seiten dahingeflogen sind, kam das ganz erstmal zu stocken.
Ich hatte Mühe mit dem Schreibstil und dem voranschreitenden Geschehen des Krieges.
Zwar sind immer wieder kleine Karten, mit der derzeitgen Lage&Besetzung Spaniens im Buch abgebildet, trotzdessen war ich oftmals wirklich überfragt , ob der Krieg "gut" oder "schecht" für Spanien läuft und wer mit wem zusammenarbeitet etc. Generell habe ich wohl wirklich eine sanftere Sichtweise auf den Krieg erwartet und mit einer größeren Liebesgeschichte gerechnet. Dies ist mir im Laufe der Zeit klar geworden, denn in diesem Buch wird einem ein schonungsloser Einblick ins wirkliche Leben zu Zeiten des Krieges gegeben. Die Gefühle der Protagonisten sind sehr gedämpft, was mir wiederum das Gefühl geben hat, nicht wirklich warm mit den Menschen dort zu werden. Andererseits muss man bedenken, dass im Krieg kaum Zeit bleibt um sich innerlich mit etwas auseinanderzusetzen, du muss klar und fokussiert bleiben, den Überblick über das Geschen und deine Aufgaben wahren und dabei versuchen ruhig zu bleiben...
Das die Gefühle, in außnahme weniger Situationen im Buch, eher kühl bleiben, findet somit eine Erklärung.
Spannend fand ich die Umsetzung der Geschichte, aus 3. verschiedenen Blickwinkeln und Sichtweisen!!!
So begleiten wir Nat an der kalten und egfährlichen Kriegsfront, Felix gibt uns Einblicke in den Alltag einer Krankenschwester-die mit wenig Material&unter schlechten Bedingungen, viele Menschen retten muss und mit George sind wir auf den Spuren des Kriegsgeplagten Landes (Spanien) und suchen nach neuem Infomaterial für die Zeitungen&Presse...Diese Einblicke könnten unterschiedlicher wirklcih nicht sein und es hat mich begeistert und mit ehrfurcht zurüclgelassen, wie diese 3.junge Menschen sich mit dem Krieg, dem leidern der Bevölkerung/Zivilisten und ihren Positionen im gegenwärtigen geschehen und der ungwissen zukunft auseinadergsetzt haben und es akzeptiert haben. Jeder hat seinen Weg gefunden, sein bestes gegeben und den Glauben und die Hoffnung nie aufgegeben! Die Geschichte verschlägt uns und die Protagonisten an säntliche Orte Spaniens und die Wendungen sind unvorhergesehen, manchmal erschütternd und wieder ein anderes Mal voller Freude und Hoffnung
und dem Gefühl: Wir können den Krieg gewinnen, wir halten stand! gefüllt.
Am Ende des Buches ist noch ein Historisches Nachwort, sowie eine chronoologische Übersicht des Spanischen Bürgerkriegs eingefügt, was ich wirklich fande und einem nochmal im Verstehen unterstützt hat.
Ein Buch das ehrlicher nicht hätte geschrieben werden können.
Ein Buch das sich mit einem schwierigen Thema ausaiendersetz, ungewohnte Einblicke freigibt und am Ende auf seltsame Weise nachhallt..Für mich etwas schwer zu lesen und am Ende hat mir das nötige Verstehen etwas gefehlt. Dennoch ein lohnenswertes Buch, dass uns vor Augen führt, wie schwer es für diejenigen ist, die mit grausamer Gegenwärtigkeit ihre Tage so erleben!
June 19, 2017
DNF'd at page 69.
I am so disappointed that I didn't enjoy this book :( I was so confused on what was happening. It may be because I don't know much about the Spanish civil war, but even if it was about something I had a better background knowledge in, I still would have DNF'd it because I was so confused. There were characters being introduced left, right and centre and had no defining features so I got to a point where I was asking myself who is this? Then there insta-love in it, and I really mean insta-love, which for me was just a let down.
Maybe i'll decide to give this book another try because I really hate DNFing books, but this really wasn't for me :(
I am so disappointed that I didn't enjoy this book :( I was so confused on what was happening. It may be because I don't know much about the Spanish civil war, but even if it was about something I had a better background knowledge in, I still would have DNF'd it because I was so confused. There were characters being introduced left, right and centre and had no defining features so I got to a point where I was asking myself who is this? Then there insta-love in it, and I really mean insta-love, which for me was just a let down.
Maybe i'll decide to give this book another try because I really hate DNFing books, but this really wasn't for me :(
May 5, 2020
Honestly I don't have any complaints about this book. It's taught, well written and deftly plotted, so despite having a low word count for the scope of the story, every scene and every line had a purpose, making it highly readable- I finished it in less than a day.
It didn't leave a massive emotional impact on me, hence the three stars, which may be because of the length, but this is not a criticism of the novel and more a side effect of the style of book. It's not an epic tale of love and war, but it is a well researched, engaging book about an event that is not very well known, and deserves to be read more widely than it is.
It didn't leave a massive emotional impact on me, hence the three stars, which may be because of the length, but this is not a criticism of the novel and more a side effect of the style of book. It's not an epic tale of love and war, but it is a well researched, engaging book about an event that is not very well known, and deserves to be read more widely than it is.
September 11, 2023
The Spanish Civil War is the historical event I most have an interest in, so I thought I'd give this YA book a go. The tale of the three protagonists really brought home the brutality of war. Lydia Syson's gives such great descriptions, especially when it came to descriptions of colours which really helped paint a picture in your mind, especially of a conflict that is mostly portrayed though black & white media. Did she name various shades of paint in a previous job? LOL. Always good to find a new author you like, so will try some of her other books.
March 4, 2024
A love triangle in the middle of a war. The plot line was enjoyable with a few twists of fate here and there. If you’re a history lover and love a bit of romance, this book is for you. Somewhat predictable and some parts felt unfinished and rush but overall I would recommend to read.
July 21, 2017
Any book that starts with the heroine picking up a hot dude at the Battle of Cable Street is ✔️✔️✔️ by me.
August 2, 2025
this was very good!! easy read but upsetting ofc
January 13, 2013
This review was originally published at Fluttering Butterflies
I'm absolutely surprised and blown away by A World Between Us by Lydia Syson! I'd only been vaguely aware of this book previous to a tweet by one of the lovely ladies at Hot Key Books, but when I was offered it for review, I said 'yes' straightaway. And even though I'm not always the biggest fan of historical fiction, something about this book appealed to me.
And when A World Between Us arrived, I decided not to delay any more and just to dive right into it. And right from the very beginning, I was absolutely fascinated by this book. I think Lydia Syson does an incredible job balancing the story of this book told from the perspectives of its three main characters and also giving the reader a good sense of historical detail and what it would have been like during the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s. This is a time period that I know absolutely *nothing* about, but I was gripped by it all. I found each detail about the horrors of war, the response from the media, and the many ways in which this war changed the lives of many people to be hugely interesting. I didn't want to stop reading this book and I read most of it in one sitting.
I truly loved each of the three main characters within this book. First, there's Felix, a young nurse who on her way home one day stumbles into an anti-fascist protest in London. There, she meets Nat, this passionate guy who believes he can help the Republicans in Spain fight against the fascist regime of Franco. When Felix has the chance to follow Nat to Spain and volunteer as a nurse to help in this civil war, she does so not quite knowing the full extent of the horrors she will face there. And as Felix has followed Nat to Spain, so George follows Felix. George is an old family friend, someone who Felix has known for awhile but she has seemed to miss all the signs of his growing feelings for her until just before Felix flees to Spain. George manages to change his work assignment and ends up in Spain as a foreign correspondent covering the war.
I can hardly describe how much I loved this book or why. I really fell for each of the characters and I was fascinated by the experiences that they each have. I loved seeing this war from three very different points of view. I thought the relationships between George and Felix and Felix and Nat were done very sweetly and these three really made my heart ache. This book began with some excitement and adventure and romance and it was very interesting to see how much the war takes out of all three of these characters and to see how each of their feelings begin to change. Right to the very last page, I found myself very emotionally invested in George and Felix and Nat and also about their shared cause of anti-fascism in Spain. Because I knew nothing about this Civil War previous to this book, I really didn't know how it would all end up!
I finished A World Between Us by Lydia Syson with a happy smile on my face despite the tears. I'm really glad to have read it, to have gained a bit more historical knowledge than I had before and I finished the book absolutely inspired to read more about the Spanish Civil War and also to read more about history in general. I love being inspired in this way. A huge thank you to Hot Key Books and to Lydia Syson for this. This book is out now, I highly recommend that you read it!
I'm absolutely surprised and blown away by A World Between Us by Lydia Syson! I'd only been vaguely aware of this book previous to a tweet by one of the lovely ladies at Hot Key Books, but when I was offered it for review, I said 'yes' straightaway. And even though I'm not always the biggest fan of historical fiction, something about this book appealed to me.
And when A World Between Us arrived, I decided not to delay any more and just to dive right into it. And right from the very beginning, I was absolutely fascinated by this book. I think Lydia Syson does an incredible job balancing the story of this book told from the perspectives of its three main characters and also giving the reader a good sense of historical detail and what it would have been like during the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s. This is a time period that I know absolutely *nothing* about, but I was gripped by it all. I found each detail about the horrors of war, the response from the media, and the many ways in which this war changed the lives of many people to be hugely interesting. I didn't want to stop reading this book and I read most of it in one sitting.
I truly loved each of the three main characters within this book. First, there's Felix, a young nurse who on her way home one day stumbles into an anti-fascist protest in London. There, she meets Nat, this passionate guy who believes he can help the Republicans in Spain fight against the fascist regime of Franco. When Felix has the chance to follow Nat to Spain and volunteer as a nurse to help in this civil war, she does so not quite knowing the full extent of the horrors she will face there. And as Felix has followed Nat to Spain, so George follows Felix. George is an old family friend, someone who Felix has known for awhile but she has seemed to miss all the signs of his growing feelings for her until just before Felix flees to Spain. George manages to change his work assignment and ends up in Spain as a foreign correspondent covering the war.
I can hardly describe how much I loved this book or why. I really fell for each of the characters and I was fascinated by the experiences that they each have. I loved seeing this war from three very different points of view. I thought the relationships between George and Felix and Felix and Nat were done very sweetly and these three really made my heart ache. This book began with some excitement and adventure and romance and it was very interesting to see how much the war takes out of all three of these characters and to see how each of their feelings begin to change. Right to the very last page, I found myself very emotionally invested in George and Felix and Nat and also about their shared cause of anti-fascism in Spain. Because I knew nothing about this Civil War previous to this book, I really didn't know how it would all end up!
I finished A World Between Us by Lydia Syson with a happy smile on my face despite the tears. I'm really glad to have read it, to have gained a bit more historical knowledge than I had before and I finished the book absolutely inspired to read more about the Spanish Civil War and also to read more about history in general. I love being inspired in this way. A huge thank you to Hot Key Books and to Lydia Syson for this. This book is out now, I highly recommend that you read it!
August 4, 2014
Klappentext
Die Liebe in Zeiten des Krieges: ein wunderbarer Sehnsuchtsroman. Die 17-jährige Felix meldet sich freiwillig als Krankenschwester im spanischen Bürgerkrieg und hofft, dort Nat wieder zu treffen, der für die Internationalen Brigaden kämpft und in den sie sich zu Hause in London Hals über Kopf verliebt hat. Doch da ist auch noch George, den sie schon seit Ewigkeiten kennt und der schon fast genauso lang in sie verliebt ist. George macht sich aus Sorge um Felix ebenfalls auf den Weg nach Spanien. Ein hinreißender Liebesroman vor großartiger Kulisse, voller Leidenschaft, Hingabe und überwältigender Gefühle. Ein Konflikt zwischen Idealismus und Realität, berührend wie "Der englische Patient".
Meine Meinung
Die Story
Das Buch bietet dem Leser einen erschreckenden Einblick in das Leben während eines Krieges, direkt an der Front. Drei Junge Menschen stehen hier im Mittelpunkt Felix (Felicity), Nat und George. Sie alle drei landen aus unterschiedlichen Gründen mitten im spanischen Bürgerkrieg. Sei es als Krankenschwester, Kämpfer für die Brigaden oder aber im Geoges Fall, um Felix zu suchen. Jeder von ihnen erlebt die Schrecken und das Leid des Krieges am eigenen Leib. Dieses hat die Autorin wirklich gut rüber gebracht. Stellenweise war das Buch wirklich heftig und hat mich sehr betroffen gemacht. Besonders weil es ja gerade wieder aktuell zu solchen Schreckensszenarien kommt, siehe Gaza und Ukraine. Ich finde das Buch hätte aber etwas länger sein können. Die Geschichte ist einfach zu Komplex um sie in ein 300 Seiten Roman zu packen. Ich hätte mir gerade die Zwischenmenschlichen Szenen der Protagonisten, etwas ausführlicher gewünscht. Aber die Liebesgeschichte steht hier nun mal nicht im Vordergrund.
Der Schreibstil
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist zwar recht flüssig zu lesen, doch er wirkt auf mich stellenweise eher wie ein Bericht, gerade wenn es um die Beschreibung der Kriegsszenen kam. Auch wenn die drei Hauptpersonen miteinander agieren, kam bei mir keine Wärme rüber. Das soll nicht heißen, dass ich sie nicht mochte und nicht mit ihnen gelitten habe, aber es war teilweise irgendwie so kalt. Ich denke mal das es auch so gewollt war, es sollte wahrscheinlich die Kälte des Krieges vermitteln. Mir persönlich hat das aber nicht ganz so gut gefallen.
Die Charaktere
Das Buch wird aus der Sicht der drei Hauptprotagonisten, immer im Wechsel erzählt., was mir gut gefallen hat. Alle drei waren sehr starke Charaktere, aber sie blieben mir dennoch zu blass. Ich konnte das ganze Buch über keine wirklichen Gefühle zu ihnen aufbauen, was wohl eher daran lag, weil einfach die erschreckende Geschichte des Krieges so präsent war und alles andere überschattet hat.
Mein Fazit
Ein bewegendes Buch. Ein Stück Zeitgeschichte mit erschreckenden Szenarien. Ein Buch welches zum nachdenken anregt. Ich kann das Buch jedem der vor dieser Thematik nicht abgeneigt ist empfehlen.
Von mir gibt es vier von fünf Sternen, weil ich fand, die Charaktere kamen zu kurz. Dennoch ein wirklich gutes Buch.
Die Liebe in Zeiten des Krieges: ein wunderbarer Sehnsuchtsroman. Die 17-jährige Felix meldet sich freiwillig als Krankenschwester im spanischen Bürgerkrieg und hofft, dort Nat wieder zu treffen, der für die Internationalen Brigaden kämpft und in den sie sich zu Hause in London Hals über Kopf verliebt hat. Doch da ist auch noch George, den sie schon seit Ewigkeiten kennt und der schon fast genauso lang in sie verliebt ist. George macht sich aus Sorge um Felix ebenfalls auf den Weg nach Spanien. Ein hinreißender Liebesroman vor großartiger Kulisse, voller Leidenschaft, Hingabe und überwältigender Gefühle. Ein Konflikt zwischen Idealismus und Realität, berührend wie "Der englische Patient".
Meine Meinung
Die Story
Das Buch bietet dem Leser einen erschreckenden Einblick in das Leben während eines Krieges, direkt an der Front. Drei Junge Menschen stehen hier im Mittelpunkt Felix (Felicity), Nat und George. Sie alle drei landen aus unterschiedlichen Gründen mitten im spanischen Bürgerkrieg. Sei es als Krankenschwester, Kämpfer für die Brigaden oder aber im Geoges Fall, um Felix zu suchen. Jeder von ihnen erlebt die Schrecken und das Leid des Krieges am eigenen Leib. Dieses hat die Autorin wirklich gut rüber gebracht. Stellenweise war das Buch wirklich heftig und hat mich sehr betroffen gemacht. Besonders weil es ja gerade wieder aktuell zu solchen Schreckensszenarien kommt, siehe Gaza und Ukraine. Ich finde das Buch hätte aber etwas länger sein können. Die Geschichte ist einfach zu Komplex um sie in ein 300 Seiten Roman zu packen. Ich hätte mir gerade die Zwischenmenschlichen Szenen der Protagonisten, etwas ausführlicher gewünscht. Aber die Liebesgeschichte steht hier nun mal nicht im Vordergrund.
Der Schreibstil
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist zwar recht flüssig zu lesen, doch er wirkt auf mich stellenweise eher wie ein Bericht, gerade wenn es um die Beschreibung der Kriegsszenen kam. Auch wenn die drei Hauptpersonen miteinander agieren, kam bei mir keine Wärme rüber. Das soll nicht heißen, dass ich sie nicht mochte und nicht mit ihnen gelitten habe, aber es war teilweise irgendwie so kalt. Ich denke mal das es auch so gewollt war, es sollte wahrscheinlich die Kälte des Krieges vermitteln. Mir persönlich hat das aber nicht ganz so gut gefallen.
Die Charaktere
Das Buch wird aus der Sicht der drei Hauptprotagonisten, immer im Wechsel erzählt., was mir gut gefallen hat. Alle drei waren sehr starke Charaktere, aber sie blieben mir dennoch zu blass. Ich konnte das ganze Buch über keine wirklichen Gefühle zu ihnen aufbauen, was wohl eher daran lag, weil einfach die erschreckende Geschichte des Krieges so präsent war und alles andere überschattet hat.
Mein Fazit
Ein bewegendes Buch. Ein Stück Zeitgeschichte mit erschreckenden Szenarien. Ein Buch welches zum nachdenken anregt. Ich kann das Buch jedem der vor dieser Thematik nicht abgeneigt ist empfehlen.
Von mir gibt es vier von fünf Sternen, weil ich fand, die Charaktere kamen zu kurz. Dennoch ein wirklich gutes Buch.
August 6, 2014
Author Lydia Syson wrote an impressive book with "A World Between Us". It tells about love during the Spanish civil war and refers honest about the expieriences at the frontline.
Story:
London 1936: Felix is prospective nurse and doesn't care two figs about politics. But then she learns to know Nat and falls in love with him. Nat is on his way to fight in the Spanish civil war. Felix follows him and helps in sickbays, always hoping not to see Nat lying there. At least not dead.
Furthermore, George has followed her to Spain. He's her brothers best friends and has an engagement ring in his pockets.
Characters:
First, I was very confused about the name Felix for a young woman. I didn't think it was suitable for a female, because it is and always will be a male name for me. But over the course of the story I have accustomed it.
I am really impressed by Felix' behaviour in this difficult situation. I must have taken a lot of strength to keep one's nerves in the sickbay.
Although Felix is very young, she had to grow up fast in Spain and take over responsibility.
I have always seen Nat as "the one" for Felix. He has seen bad things in the war, too, but he has never given up.
Especially the will with whom he has accepted his task to help has enthraled me.
I see George as the nice guy from next door who follows his love to Spain, because this is what is expected from him and because he doesn't trust her to take care on her own.
Therefore I was positively surprised about his change.
I have gained much respect for people who fight or help in a war. It's not self-evident and I think the book made that quite clear.
Writing:
I really like Syson's writing style. The story is written very fluently and despite the difficult topic it never appeals melodramatic or gaudy, concerning the love story. In the beginning, I was afraid that the story would turn out to be one of the typical cliché love triangles and I'm happy that this isn't the case here.
The book not only tells honest and realistic about the (Spanish civil) war and his ferocity, but also about motives and impressions behind the front.
And all in front of a unaffected love story.
I give 5 of 5 stars for this book and only can recommend it to you, if you like a good love story and an appealing background story.
Story:
London 1936: Felix is prospective nurse and doesn't care two figs about politics. But then she learns to know Nat and falls in love with him. Nat is on his way to fight in the Spanish civil war. Felix follows him and helps in sickbays, always hoping not to see Nat lying there. At least not dead.
Furthermore, George has followed her to Spain. He's her brothers best friends and has an engagement ring in his pockets.
Characters:
First, I was very confused about the name Felix for a young woman. I didn't think it was suitable for a female, because it is and always will be a male name for me. But over the course of the story I have accustomed it.
I am really impressed by Felix' behaviour in this difficult situation. I must have taken a lot of strength to keep one's nerves in the sickbay.
Although Felix is very young, she had to grow up fast in Spain and take over responsibility.
I have always seen Nat as "the one" for Felix. He has seen bad things in the war, too, but he has never given up.
Especially the will with whom he has accepted his task to help has enthraled me.
I see George as the nice guy from next door who follows his love to Spain, because this is what is expected from him and because he doesn't trust her to take care on her own.
Therefore I was positively surprised about his change.
I have gained much respect for people who fight or help in a war. It's not self-evident and I think the book made that quite clear.
Writing:
I really like Syson's writing style. The story is written very fluently and despite the difficult topic it never appeals melodramatic or gaudy, concerning the love story. In the beginning, I was afraid that the story would turn out to be one of the typical cliché love triangles and I'm happy that this isn't the case here.
The book not only tells honest and realistic about the (Spanish civil) war and his ferocity, but also about motives and impressions behind the front.
And all in front of a unaffected love story.
I give 5 of 5 stars for this book and only can recommend it to you, if you like a good love story and an appealing background story.
April 8, 2013
According to the key on the back, A World Between Us is 50% Epic Romance, 25% History, 25% Drama. That, plus the fact that this book has been favourably compared to Code Name Verity and the Montmaray series, meant that I was really really excited to read this. In the end though I loved the concept more than the end product. It's by no means bad but for a book that had all the elements to be something that I loved (C20 war! Communists! Nurses! Romance!) it ended up falling a bit flat.
I quite liked the first half - the characters were engaging enough (make any of your characters an idealist Communist and I'm in!), using the Spanish Civil War as a backdrop was really original and interesting and the plot really zipped along. I really enjoyed the scenes describing the characters' first impressions of Spain - Felix's confusion regarding the relationship between church and state and Nat's descriptions of the Spanish countryside in particular. It was an excellent example of really efficient storytelling - there were no extraneous details and the story often jumped forwards by weeks or months and that tone/form worked not only in terms of pacing but in creating an atmosphere of the confusion and monotony of war. The problem in the second half however was that that kind of sparse storytelling doesn't really work if your climax/pay-off is intended to be emotional. It wasn't that the conclusion was unearned or inappropriate, it just didn't have the emotional weight I think it wanted. With romance as the key plot the payoff only works if the sense of yearning/conflict/indecision has been building throughout; as it was, nothing but the war seemed problematic or unforeseen.
It's quite possible that my expectations were too high. The book is relatively short (about 280 pages) and is being marketed as YA (though really there's nothing in it beyond the age of the characters that makes it uniquely suited to teen audiences) so that might be used as justification for its brevity/lack of more graphic war/love scenes but it had so much potential! If you're desperate for C20 war fiction in the same vein as CNV or the Montmaray series I'd give A World Between Us a shot but I definitely found the former more satisfying.
I quite liked the first half - the characters were engaging enough (make any of your characters an idealist Communist and I'm in!), using the Spanish Civil War as a backdrop was really original and interesting and the plot really zipped along. I really enjoyed the scenes describing the characters' first impressions of Spain - Felix's confusion regarding the relationship between church and state and Nat's descriptions of the Spanish countryside in particular. It was an excellent example of really efficient storytelling - there were no extraneous details and the story often jumped forwards by weeks or months and that tone/form worked not only in terms of pacing but in creating an atmosphere of the confusion and monotony of war. The problem in the second half however was that that kind of sparse storytelling doesn't really work if your climax/pay-off is intended to be emotional. It wasn't that the conclusion was unearned or inappropriate, it just didn't have the emotional weight I think it wanted. With romance as the key plot the payoff only works if the sense of yearning/conflict/indecision has been building throughout; as it was, nothing but the war seemed problematic or unforeseen.
It's quite possible that my expectations were too high. The book is relatively short (about 280 pages) and is being marketed as YA (though really there's nothing in it beyond the age of the characters that makes it uniquely suited to teen audiences) so that might be used as justification for its brevity/lack of more graphic war/love scenes but it had so much potential! If you're desperate for C20 war fiction in the same vein as CNV or the Montmaray series I'd give A World Between Us a shot but I definitely found the former more satisfying.
April 8, 2017
I really enjoyed A world between us and was completely drawn in and fascinated by the story from the first page unit the last. It is a real example of the way in which I think historical fiction should be written and is certainly a book I shall be recommending regularly to others.
What I first,y loved about this book was the subject it covers. Even having studied for a modern European history degree I am ashamed to admit that I knew relatively little about the Spanish civil war and actually now I feel like I should know more because I found this book and the history behind it such a fascinating read. For me it does exactly what a historical novel for young adults should do. It gives you a flavour of the historical period, setting and events and gives you enough information without over burdening you and therefore never becoming dry and dull whilst giving you a main character who you really become invested in from the first page so that you need to know more about them and the story they have to tell.
I loved the main character Felix. She is such a strong character in a quiet and unassuming way. She volunteers to go and work as a nurse in Spain on a whim following a boy she meets and suddenly finds herself in the thick of a foreign war with the lives of hundreds of men in her hands and she rises to the challenge brilliantly. The history geek in me was completely fascinated with the medical side especially when you see the ways in which Felix and the doctors around her are treating patients with brand new techniques which are literally only being used in some cases for the first time ,asking them pioneers in the field.
I really loved the love triangle that emerged as the book progresses between Felix, the boy she followed the Spain called Nat and the boy who followed her to Spain called George. I actually loved how it turned out completely.
There's so much more I could say but I don't want to spoil the twists and turns that made his book such a good read for me. It is a brilliant read and a book I will continue to recommend highly both with my book blogger and history teacher hats on.
February 9, 2017
It's nice to see a historical novel covering a different time period, as YA historical novels tend to cover the same old ground. However, aside from liking the time period, and feeling it was reasonably well brought to life, I struggled to engage with the story or connect to the main characters, which is a shame. I was never really able to get much of a feeling for Felix, perhaps because I felt I didn't have a good-enough understanding of her life before Spain (for example, was it ever mentioned what happened to her father? why does Neville treat her the way he does?). The love triangle also didn't do much for me. It felt rather cliched and was wholly predictable, even down it its resolution, which was rather sudden, not to mention convenient.
I've given this 3 stars rather than 2 as I don't believe this is a poor book as such, just not one that clicked with me, and even if the story isn't too original, the time period chosen is refreshing.
I've given this 3 stars rather than 2 as I don't believe this is a poor book as such, just not one that clicked with me, and even if the story isn't too original, the time period chosen is refreshing.
May 19, 2013
When I came across this title I found it to be unusual: a book for teenagers set during the Spanish Civil War, one of my favourite subjects in fiction and history. There is Winter in Madrid, there is Homage to Catalonia, and other books in English I tend to recommend to my students, but I had never seen something that, in just a few years time, my daughter could read to learn indirectly about her mother's country.
It is a well-researched novel. Training and battles happen in the correct places. Real life characters are placed in the right offices, like Arturo Barea. There is a note from the author at the end, giving more details. Syson even records the discomfort caused by mysterious disappearances in the Republican front.
If you are very familiar with the way the Spanish Civil War progressed, there is little surprise, you know how it is all going to end. In the middle of this we have three British characters who have come to help the Republican cause: a nurse, a brigadeer and a journalist. Their roles and the inner goodness can feel a bit stereotypical, but there were some interesting twists in the plot.
I think a novel like this can inspire teenagers into learning more about the reality behind the fiction they have just read.
Now in the near future I will just have to persuade my daughter to switch her Manga or vampires for a taste of this. Mind you, I am into vampires too.
It is a well-researched novel. Training and battles happen in the correct places. Real life characters are placed in the right offices, like Arturo Barea. There is a note from the author at the end, giving more details. Syson even records the discomfort caused by mysterious disappearances in the Republican front.
If you are very familiar with the way the Spanish Civil War progressed, there is little surprise, you know how it is all going to end. In the middle of this we have three British characters who have come to help the Republican cause: a nurse, a brigadeer and a journalist. Their roles and the inner goodness can feel a bit stereotypical, but there were some interesting twists in the plot.
I think a novel like this can inspire teenagers into learning more about the reality behind the fiction they have just read.
Now in the near future I will just have to persuade my daughter to switch her Manga or vampires for a taste of this. Mind you, I am into vampires too.
June 16, 2013
At a first glance, the plot seems incredibly clichéd and naff; a sweet young British nurse running after a dashing and passionate communist into war torn Spain in the 1930s, only to find she is being followed by her sweetly charming journalist suitor. It smacks of the old Twilight-esque love triangle.
HOWEVER I think the romantic side is definitely exaggerated in the blurb. Once I got into the book, the experience of the Civil War from Felix's, Nat's and George's perspectives were all incredibly fascinating (I shamefully knew nothing of this period) and I am happy to say the plot did go beyond purely a relationship level in places. Lydia Syson clearly knows her historical stuff; I was very impressed with the detail.
That being said, I am very angry with the ending (hence I have docked 1 star from my initial 4 stars) - mostly because I rooted for the wrong guy, and because it was horribly anti-climatic and rushed. I also found some things to be a smidge unrealistic - Felix running off in Paris with total strangers to find a guy she met TWICE, and her and Nat managing to COINCIDENTALLY meet each other (I know, I know, it's a fictional book and without coincidence there would be no plot but I mentally rolled my eyes in these parts).
So overall the majority of the book was great, aside from the beginning and the end.
HOWEVER I think the romantic side is definitely exaggerated in the blurb. Once I got into the book, the experience of the Civil War from Felix's, Nat's and George's perspectives were all incredibly fascinating (I shamefully knew nothing of this period) and I am happy to say the plot did go beyond purely a relationship level in places. Lydia Syson clearly knows her historical stuff; I was very impressed with the detail.
That being said, I am very angry with the ending (hence I have docked 1 star from my initial 4 stars) - mostly because I rooted for the wrong guy, and because it was horribly anti-climatic and rushed. I also found some things to be a smidge unrealistic - Felix running off in Paris with total strangers to find a guy she met TWICE, and her and Nat managing to COINCIDENTALLY meet each other (I know, I know, it's a fictional book and without coincidence there would be no plot but I mentally rolled my eyes in these parts).
So overall the majority of the book was great, aside from the beginning and the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2016
3.5 half stars-
I really enjoyed this one, before reading this I really didn't know anything about the Spanish Civil War so I feel like this is a really great introduction to it, and I am now a bit obsessed about finding out as much as possible about this harrowing war of families upon families, religion vs state, and freedom versus fascism. I love the idea of all these different nationalities coming together to help Spain defeat the fascist military coup, and I feel like this book did a great way of getting this across.
At times though I did feel like the writing was not that great, I can't really explain except to say the writing just wasn't really that emotional, which due to the content it was exploring I feel like it was very needed. I think this would have been okay if it had the punchyness and sharp focus of Ruta Septys historical fiction, so that was a shame.
But I really did get so much out of this novel so ultimately I would DEFINITELY recommend if you want find out something about the Spanish Civil War.
I really enjoyed this one, before reading this I really didn't know anything about the Spanish Civil War so I feel like this is a really great introduction to it, and I am now a bit obsessed about finding out as much as possible about this harrowing war of families upon families, religion vs state, and freedom versus fascism. I love the idea of all these different nationalities coming together to help Spain defeat the fascist military coup, and I feel like this book did a great way of getting this across.
At times though I did feel like the writing was not that great, I can't really explain except to say the writing just wasn't really that emotional, which due to the content it was exploring I feel like it was very needed. I think this would have been okay if it had the punchyness and sharp focus of Ruta Septys historical fiction, so that was a shame.
But I really did get so much out of this novel so ultimately I would DEFINITELY recommend if you want find out something about the Spanish Civil War.
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July 28, 2014The Spanish Civil War setting is the only explanation I can think of for this book's inclusion on the 2013 Guardian Children's Fiction award longlist. Offhand, I don't know of any other YA books focusing on the International Brigade and the fight against Fascism in Spain, 1936-39. This one is well-researched, showing protests against Blackshirts in London as well as the experiences of soldiers, ambulance drivers, and nurses in Spain. The young characters are less convincing, though. Felicity, known as Felix, is training to be a nurse but wants to be a surgeon; Nat works for a printer and is an artist but decides to join the fight in Spain. They are both 17, and Felix's brother's friend George, who is older, completes the triangle. Syson brings out the difficulties of distinguishing truth from propaganda and even right from wrong in such a confusing conflict, but not through character development.
April 10, 2013
Not my usual read but it was set in the context of the Spanish Civil War so I started with interest. The setting of the scene and the enabling of the three characters to get to Spain was laboured, artificial and slow. It was difficult to believe that Felix, a trainee nurse, from suburbia would jump in a taxi on a whim. I am not a fan of instant love, nor love triangles, however, once in Spain the novel picked up and at last I wanted to know what happened to the three characters.
The problem with the novel was that it was far too short. I wanted to know more about the war, and the characters' experiences of the war. I wanted them to change and develop. War changes people and Syson's characters hardly move. A pity as the book had things to say.
Then we come to the ending and it felt as if Lydia Syson had decided she had written enough.
The problem with the novel was that it was far too short. I wanted to know more about the war, and the characters' experiences of the war. I wanted them to change and develop. War changes people and Syson's characters hardly move. A pity as the book had things to say.
Then we come to the ending and it felt as if Lydia Syson had decided she had written enough.
September 7, 2015
i expected to find a story with an overly described and rather lengthy, overwhelming historical facts which will overshadow the love story. that's not the case with this book. what i found was a moving love story that is set during a wartime. however, i do believe that the beginnning was not well developed that makes me feel bit difficult to connect with the 2 main characters, Nat and Felix. instead i was more connected to george and rooted for him. the ending was kinda rushing as if a few chapters had went missing during the editing..i wished the author could have delve more on dolores character and wrote a different ending that is not too cliche..but all in all..i love this book and it deserved to be put in my re-read list. ciao!
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