The House In Norham Gardens by Penelope Lively

Mar22

Highly Entertaining

The House In Norham Gardens by Penelope Lively is an entertaining novel for children aged ten years and over. It was penned in 1974 but is still reaching audiences today.

The action is set in Oxford as we follow a young girl, living with her aunts. She has the most amazing experiences as she sleeps – could this be real? Or imagined?

Having found artefacts from New Guinea, the young girl has vivid dreams about the tribes. Penelope Lively brings the exotic landscapes to life, with her magnificent descriptions. The book springs to life in glorious technicolour.

The leading lady is very kind, having empathy for those around her. Her elderly aunts are taken care of as the teen anticipates their needs.

Continue reading →

Hope On Hope by Susan Gray

Mar22

Love Wins

Hope On Hope by Susan Gray is the most charming historical novel that I absolutely adored.

The novel is mainly set in the north west of England in 1946. War is over but families are still feeling the effects. There are empty spaces around tables.

We also cross the channel to France to re-connect with family as the war years kept families apart.

War brings secrets. Even after it has ended, a character keeps quiet about her role in the resistance, for fear of reprisals. “She played her part – a small but vital part.”

For so long, fear ruled in even the bravest of hearts, so it isn’t surprising that a character is still cautious. “How long would it take for the memories to fade and the fear to subside?” One never knows just how brave one is until called upon to act without thought to personal safety. “War makes people inventive. It causes them to step outside their comfortable places.”

We see the importance of having hope. “Hope is my lifeline.” Clinging to hope, even in the bleakest of circumstances means a character declares “hope helps me to move forward.” Without hope, the people perish. She “trained herself to never lose hope. Hope was her anchor.”

Continue reading →

Auschwitz: A Mother’s Story by Rosa de Winter-Levy

Mar21

Heartbreaking & Harrowing

Auschwitz: A Mother’s Story by Rosa de Winter-Levy is a powerful and heartbreaking account of a mother’s time in Auschwitz, and how she held on to the hope of being re-united with her daughter.

Rosa de Winter-Levy, her husband and daughter (born 1928) were not devout Jews but still had to go into hiding in April 1943 in Gelderland (Holland) where they lived. For 464 days they remained hidden until the 17th August 1944. They were transported, along with Anne Frank’s family to Westerbork, before being transported to Auschwitz.

Rosa de Winter-Levy wrote her account shortly after liberation and also in 1946, meaning that the details were still fresh in her mind.

Auschwitz: A Mother’s Story has harrowing details as the author recalls daily life in Auschwitz. Despite illness and mistreatment Rosa de Winter-Levy is extremely brave. She has the hope of being re-united with her daughter, and that keeps her going.

At the end of the book is an interview with the author’s two grandchildren.

Continue reading →

A Hundred Magical Reasons by Laura DeNooyer

Mar17

Amazing Grace

A Hundred Magical Reasons by Laura DeNooyer is a powerful dual timeline Christian historical novel that I read in just one sitting.

The action is set in the early twentieth century and in 1980 as we hear an older woman telling a young woman, her life story.

Running throughout both time periods are the stories of Oz by L Frank Baum. Pilgrims Progress also features highly as well as many other literary works. Songs, old and new, are referenced too. This all helps to give a familiar feel to the book.

The book is also a journey of discovery – how characters move from distrusting God to resting in His arms, knowing that He can be trusted. “The Lord cares for us, even when we ignore Him.” God waits patiently for us to return home.

In the early twentieth century, women were expected to marry and obey men. In 1980 the young woman also has the weight of other people’s expectations on her shoulders. “I can’t live in their box anymore.” Self-awakening sees characters bud and blossom.

A friendship with the author, L Frank Baum, brings a young woman out of her shell. “He encouraged me no differently than his sons to pursue my dreams.”

Laura DeNooyer realizes the importance of dreams. “With him [L Frank Baum] you blossom.” His raisin d’etre is “making children happy and stirring their imaginations.”

Continue reading →