Oh, this book.
I rarely read historical fiction - I struggle with the blurred boundaries between what is real and what is fictionalized. But here I am, having read this on a bit of a whim, with five stars, a full heart, and more than just a few tears.
Young Beatrix is sent across the sea from London to an American family she has never met, just to keep her safe during WWII. Her family left behind is paralyzed, having sacrificed more than they realized and grieving for a childhood they did not see. But in Boston, there is something gained, not something lost, as Beatrix finds herself a part of another family who sees her in ways her parents at home don’t. These relationships are the foundation of this book - between children and parents, between siblings, between partners.
The war ends and Beatrix eventually returns to London and we watch over the years how that critical time during WWII affects not only her sense of identity but all of the other members of her families. It’s a beautiful novel about how we become who we are and the many people along the way who shape us.
The best moments of the book are the small interactions between characters and the details that are so everyday that they feel real to the reader. These characters felt real to me.
This is a love story, yes. But it’s not romantic love. It’s a story about found family, about connection, about loss. A very, very good read.
Thank you to Celadon books for the advance copy of this book.
I rarely read historical fiction - I struggle with the blurred boundaries between what is real and what is fictionalized. But here I am, having read this on a bit of a whim, with five stars, a full heart, and more than just a few tears.
Young Beatrix is sent across the sea from London to an American family she has never met, just to keep her safe during WWII. Her family left behind is paralyzed, having sacrificed more than they realized and grieving for a childhood they did not see. But in Boston, there is something gained, not something lost, as Beatrix finds herself a part of another family who sees her in ways her parents at home don’t. These relationships are the foundation of this book - between children and parents, between siblings, between partners.
The war ends and Beatrix eventually returns to London and we watch over the years how that critical time during WWII affects not only her sense of identity but all of the other members of her families. It’s a beautiful novel about how we become who we are and the many people along the way who shape us.
The best moments of the book are the small interactions between characters and the details that are so everyday that they feel real to the reader. These characters felt real to me.
This is a love story, yes. But it’s not romantic love. It’s a story about found family, about connection, about loss. A very, very good read.
Thank you to Celadon books for the advance copy of this book.