Persephone Books discussion

Has anyone finished yet? I'm still trying to decide how I feel about it!
I had a hard time feeling sympathy for Deborah--she seemed very selfish, impulsive, and self-centered. Did anyone else find anything redeeming about her? Is it possible to dislike the main character but still like the book?

That's what I've been thinking about, too, Gina. Generally I have to have some sympathy with the main character in order to like the book, but not here. I heartily disliked Deborah, but I was fascinated by her and wanted to see what would happen.

I also really liked the contrast with the more usual "stiff upper lip" kind of World War II book: frex, Jocelyn Playfair's A House in the Country (also republished by Persephone), in which the heroine is too noble and perfect to be real (most unlike Deborah!).

I didn't dislike Deborah at all. It was surely different from what I expected but I enjoyed a very diferent perspective of the social impacts of war. I'm sure things like this happened then and continue to happen today and I appreciate deviations from the prim proper and wholesome female character. Deborah's actions were condoned by her social situation and she was such a great rationalizer and cajoler that we never really learn how her actions impact her. We know nothing of her life before but it seems something makes her want to escape and lead this drastically different life (not one I would want for myself but her own decisions no less). I think Laski does a wonderful job working the reader into her character's psyche. And often I wondered how much of it was control for Deborah.

I've read many books where I didn't care for the main character but still loved the book.