When war seems as though it is about to reach their front doorstep in London, Millie and Reginald Thompson make the difficult decision to send their daughter Beatrix to America to live in the care of another family. Nancy and Ethan, along with their two sons, William and Gerald, love and accept Beatrix almost immediately, and Bea, as she comes to be known, grows into a fine young woman. When the war comes to an end and Bea returns to London, she finds it difficult to stay in touch with the Gregorys, and the ocean that divides them seems almost as large as their separation, although not impossible to traverse.
This was a book filled with a lot of emotion. It really puts a human face on some of the consequences of war on the innocent victims, while also shining a light on inherent goodness in people, giving help when needed and doing what must be done. The characters are very well developed and have an emotional rawness; they are realistic and honest, faults and all. I think Millie was the most tragic and intense character, and I haven’t felt for a character the way I did for her in a long time. I like how the story is told over such a long timeline, as well as the fact that all the main characters act as narrators at various times. It makes for a very complete story.
This was a book filled with a lot of emotion. It really puts a human face on some of the consequences of war on the innocent victims, while also shining a light on inherent goodness in people, giving help when needed and doing what must be done. The characters are very well developed and have an emotional rawness; they are realistic and honest, faults and all. I think Millie was the most tragic and intense character, and I haven’t felt for a character the way I did for her in a long time. I like how the story is told over such a long timeline, as well as the fact that all the main characters act as narrators at various times. It makes for a very complete story.