Chris Cleave

Just when one thinks that there cannot possibly be a new angle with which to explore World War II, an author pens a book that has readers discovering all over again why this time period is the inspiration for so many meaningful books.

Chris Cleave, author of the eye-opening [b:Little Bee|6948436|Little Bee|Chris Cleave|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344401905s/6948436.jpg|4126074] (if you haven't read this one, do yourself a favor and add it to your TBR list today), gives us a view of the Second World War in London and Malta through the eyes of Mary and her friend Hilda (socialites who want to make a difference on the home front), Tom (a teacher and Mary's romantic interest), and Alastair (Tom's roommate who is sent to fight in Malta).

This novel's uniqueness lies not in the descriptions of the London Blitz, or the horrors of war -- though Cleave deftly handles these. The novel's beauty, for me at least, is the way Cleave used the character Mary to tell the story of the children of London who weren't sent away from the city to the country for safety -- and the uncomfortable truth of a Britain fighting against Hitler's idea of a "master race" while being unable to come to grips with their own society's views on class and race.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (plus d'informations)

The reviewers are right for once! This would be an excellent book club choice for its wonderful depiction of a young woman, Little Bee, who illegally immigrates and the questions raised about how she is treated (in England, in this case) as well as the confused responses of the British couple to the horrors they encounter on holiday and later at home as they try to help. Although simply written, the main characters are well drawn and believable and the settings in England & Nigeria seem accurate.… (plus d'informations)