⋙ Libro After the Bombing Clare Morrall 9781444736427 Books

After the Bombing Clare Morrall 9781444736427 Books

Download As PDF : After the Bombing Clare Morrall 9781444736427 Books

After the Bombing Clare Morrall 9781444736427 Books

I love books about England in WWII so was thrilled to see this book - especially as it is set in Exeter - where I am from ! It started well, but I soon felt that it didn't really know where it was going or why - stuff happening with no rhyme nor reason. I think the author has a lot of potential but I was disappointed with the ending - it left so much unresolved. I think it probably could have had another 50 pages tying up the loose ends .... it was an unsatisfying read for me ...... it was as if the author had lots of good ideas for different story lines but didn't really follow any of them through.


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After the Bombing Clare Morrall 9781444736427 Books Reviews

Not an enjoyable book for me. I started it with high hopes but found the plot slow and plodding. There were too many loose ends at the end and I never really connected to any of the characters - overall disappointing.
We first meet Alma Briathwaite as a boarder at Goldwyn’s School in Exeter, 1942. Hitler has referred to a Baedeker Guide to Great Britain, in order to choose locations for retaliation bombings, and Exeter is one of the places chosen. On the night of 4th May, 1942, Alma is woken by sirens and, later, her boarding house takes a direct hit. Meanwhile, Exeter is under attack and she finds her entire life changed overnight – the familiar and the loved taken from her. Alma and three of her school friends are taken in by a local University, where they stay while their boarding house is being rebuilt. Robert Gunner, senior lecturer in mathematics, finds himself entrusted with their care. A quiet, reserved man, he finds the four teenage girls high-spirited and is concerned about the reactions they create amongst the male students at the hall of residence – and, indeed, the feelings that he comes to have for them.

The story then moves to 1963, where Alma is still at Goldwyn’s, now as a music teacher. Her beloved headmistress died suddenly and a new head has been appointed – Miss Wilhemina Yates. The changes Miss Yates implements disrupts Alma’s view of how Goldwyn’s should remain unchanged and it soon becomes clear that she has not yet fully come to terms with what happened during the war. Causing Alma further concern is the fact that one of her new pupils is the daughter of Robert Gunner and events, and memories, begin to clash.

This is a quiet moving and thoughtful novel, which weaves between events in 1942 and 1963. Alma is resistant to change, while Miss Yates attempts to make a success of her new appointment. Our opinions of both women change over the course of book. Miss Yates initially comes across as a harsh and demanding women; but as we understand her, we feel more sympathetic towards her. Meanwhile, we become more aware of the aftermath of war and what it has meant to the three central characters of the book – Alma, Miss Yates and Robert Gunner. For Alma, Goldwyn’s has represented the only unchanging, safe place in her life, and she clings to it with desperation. Yet, as her deep longing for things to remain the same bring her into conflict with her new headmistress, it is soon clear that secrets will be unearthed and all three will have to confront their feelings about what happened in the past if they are to move on with their futures. I found this a very enjoyable novel, with good characters and an interesting storyline. As well as being an extremely good personal read it would be ideal for book groups, with much to discuss.
A delightful read. You came to know the characters intimately. Great historical fiction.
Excellent book. The only violence is the bombing raids that took place in England during World War II. It tells how the war affected the main character as a young girl and as a grown woman. Beautifully written.
Enjoyable but not a must to read
I love books about England in WWII so was thrilled to see this book - especially as it is set in Exeter - where I am from ! It started well, but I soon felt that it didn't really know where it was going or why - stuff happening with no rhyme nor reason. I think the author has a lot of potential but I was disappointed with the ending - it left so much unresolved. I think it probably could have had another 50 pages tying up the loose ends .... it was an unsatisfying read for me ...... it was as if the author had lots of good ideas for different story lines but didn't really follow any of them through.