Saturday, July 30, 2011

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy

Vivienne found herself feeling unsure while at the dock waiting for the boat to evacuate the island.  It was so small and she wanted to keep her children safe.  When she decides to stay on the island of Guernsey, her decision will change her life...


Voice, an imprint of Hyperion, sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It has now been published and you can get a copy at your local bookstore.


Vivienne's husband is in the war, but their marriage was over before he left.  His unfaithfulness had broken it in two.  Vivienne is on her own, with two daughters and a mother-in-law.  She's hoping she made the right decision.  But when the Germans move in to the abandoned house next door, she's fearful.


Occupied Guernsey now has new rules and the people who stayed behind begin to change.  War touches whole families, even those who stay behind.  Soldiers feel conflicted about what they must do and how it offends their conscience.  Good people find themselves in bad situations.


For a while, Vivienne takes comfort in the arms of a German, but then the reality of the situation hits her and she must make a difficult decision.


This has the flavor and taste of how war impacts people and how it influences their lives.  The author does a nice job of showing how merciless people must be to survive and how innocent people can trigger events that become cataclysmic.  There are no easy answers during war and sometimes grabbing a slice of comfort is the best you will get.


If you would like my ARC of this book, please leave a comment here on my blog and email at info at bookfaerie.com with your name AND address and tell me why you'd like to read it.  I'll pick a winner in about a week.


Happy reading. 

1 comment:

UK said...

I loved The Soldier's Wife! The descriptions are eloquent and atmospheric and you cannot help but become immersed in the surroundings: lazy bumblebees float through the thick, heady scented air and the bright flowers often seem in huge contrast to the dark goings on. Only the harsh winters and tossing sea seems to mirror the general life on the island. The streams have voices and the wind whispers to Vivienne, and you are lost in the story. Vivienne's biggest fear is for her children to be left motherless as she had been, and this showcases how strong her feelings are, for Gunther and for those suffering around her. As she fights to discover what is right, you will do the same. This book isn't for history or historical fiction lovers alone. This is for anyone who likes a brilliant story that just won't let go.

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