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There are currently 38 member reviews
for The Lost English Girl
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Judy K. (Montgomery, TX)
Not what I expected
When I read the title and summary of this book, "The Lost English Girl", I had a very good idea of what the book was about and where it was headed. Well, I was wrong. I thought the book would tell the story of a mother who evacuated her child during WWII and the child was lost and she and her husband would have to find her. Some of that was true, but the story was so much more. It involves the reader in many moral issues: how wrong is it, at age 19, to choose your own dreams over unwanted, unexpected responsibilities, what should a person have to endure to atone for a youthful lapse, how much forgiveness is possible from parents whose moral code has been transgressed, when does meddling with someone's life, for their perceived own good become acceptable? All of these and more are addressed in Julia Kelly's book. I liked that the book spoke about the evacuated children, how their lives were turned inside out and how coming home wasn't always a fairy tale ending. Don't be fooled by the title. This book may not be what you expect.
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Susan B. (Memphis, MO)
interesting story
I quite enjoyed this story and learned a few things about wartime Britain and the child evacuations I hadn't known before (always a plus in my opinion). For the most part I found the characters interesting, and several of them quite relatable and/or likeable. My only quibbles were with the sheer nastiness of some of the characters, and a few plot points that were too unbelievably coincidental for my taste. There's definitely a fair bit of heartstring-tugging, so be prepared for that possibility if you read it. If you're interested in and prepared for the themes (WWII Britain, child separation, religion causing distress) I recommend it.
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Sue P. (Albuquerque, NM)
The Lost English Girl
I have read many books in the past few years about WWII, especially the women who were so instrumental in the war effort. This heroine, Viv, was not a spy or a Bletchley Park worker, but rather a young, confused mother who dearly loved her daughter and wanted to keep her safe, while still suffering from being abandoned by her husband. What a wrench it must have been for the families who evacuated their children in the hopes of keeping them from harm. And then to find that wasn't the case.
This was a very well-written book, and the characters were multi-dimensional and wonderfully portrayed. I recommend it highly and feel it would be a good one for Book Clubs.
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Barbara C. (Fountain Hills, AZ)
The Lost English Girl
This is an easy-reading novel about subjects many times discussed: World War II and its effect on civilians and enlisted, Jews vs Non Jews, English children evacuated, family conflicts, unmarried pregnancies, etc. The characters are well drawn, but rather obvious and predictable: strict and cold Christian mother, loving and accepting Jewish grandparents, strong, resilient, unflappable female heroine, easily bribed and cowardly male protagonist (until he changes dramatically because of war experiences), charming and obedient child. I thought the writing and dialogue rather simplistic and cliched, and the most developed style was Joshua's wartime. I did appreciate the growth in each character, but felt their changes came about too easily and quickly. The evacuation of children has been subject of many books, but this one highlighted the effects on the children, which was a departure from focusing on the parents' separation. It seems as if 9 out of 10 books now have multiple time lines and several voices. I found this one rather distracting and found myself concentrating on who, when and where the story was going. I did enjoy reading The Lost English Girl and felt the title was most appropriate. The ending was somewhat rushed and predictable, but satisfying.
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Jackie G. (Marshall, MO)
Family Strife in the Midst of War
The plot is the strongest element in this book about a young woman raising her daughter in the rigid and disapproving household of her parents in Liverpool, England, prior to WWII. Although the title gives away the major focus of the novel, I was captivated by the idea that Vivian's Catholic parents demanded that she marry a Jewish man she hardly knew and then sent him away to never be part of Viv or the baby's lives. Ironically, it is the war that wrenches Vivian's daughter from her as she sends her child to the safety of the country as part of the Child Relocation program and yet this trauma also gives Viv the courage to wrest herself away from the cruel dominance of her parents and find work as a female "postie".
Joshua, Viv's absent and unseen husband, is in America when the war begins, and he enters the picture after the child Maggie is relocated and then lost. I found Joshua's family, the Levinson's, most compelling as they dealt with loss of their son and only grandchild along with the stigma of Judaism in the 1940's. Nevertheless, I found most of the characters flat and two-dimensional. For instance, Joshua dreams of being a sax player, but the author demonstrates only a cursory understanding of music. He is also a RAF navigator, but I know much more about WWII flying from other novels.
I enjoyed the novel; I was caught up in the stories of prejudice and hate and redeeming love in the backdrop of nightly bombings and families torn apart, and while the ending was somewhat predictable, it had a modern feminist touch to it as well. The novel is fast-paced, and I may have wished for more realistic details blended into the story, yet I would recommend it---especially for those who are put off by long descriptions.
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Lynne B. (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
World War II Historical Fiction at its Best
This story covers so many themes; family, friendship, motherhood, religious differences, all within the scope of World War II England. Viv is an enduring character that you will grow to care for immediately. She has to make so many difficult decisions as a young mother as the war begins with bombing in Liverpool. As a story centering on the history of child evacuation from the cities it gives you the historical perspective as well as the searing emotions involved with these decisions. You can't but help cheer on Viv and Joshua as they face the turmoil of the war and making decisions about their own survival and that of their families and their future. If you enjoy historical fiction set during World War II this is not to be missed.
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Linda S. (Milford, CT)
The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly
How desperate would a situation have to be for you to send your four year old daughter away? Anticipated bombing in London in 1939 would probably be reason enough. Viv Byrne Levinson, as did many parents of the time, sent her daughter Maggie to the countryside to live with a childless couple. She was told it would be safer there. As fate would have it, that wouldn't be the case. Viv had gotten pregnant at 18, after only two dates with Joshua Levinson. Her Catholic parents were not happy about his religion. After much discussion, they decided to marry at the registry office. Her parents paid Joshua off soon after the ceremony. He took off for New York with his saxophone to follow his dream.
Joshua's conscience wouldn't let him rest, being safe in New York. He returned to London and enlisted in the Royal Air Force, where he was very successful. Viv returned to her old place of employment and became a 'postie', delivering mail twice a day. On her route, she discovered her estranged in-law's neighborhood. After a few less than pleasant exchanges and conversations, they eventually became the family she so desired. Viv was only able to visit Maggie once a month, due to constrained finances and being dependent on her parents. Then tragedy struck; the house in which Maggie was living was bombed. When Viv went to see it, there was nothing left but rubble. Several years passed and the war finally ended. Viv's relationship with Joshua improved over time due to their mutual love for Maggie. After five years, Viv's sister thinks she sees Maggie in a nearby town. Is it her? Read the book and find out!
I very much enjoyed this new book by Julia Kelly. It would be ideal for discussion.
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