In the aftermath of WWII, when many soldiers were returning home to England from wherever they’d been serving during the war, there were also many women being brought to England as well – namely, the brides these soldiers had acquired while in service to their country. This story hones in on four women from Australia from quite disparate backgrounds: Jean, a poor but very outgoing and lively bride; Avice, a privileged society girl breaking away from her family for the first time; Margaret, a farmer’s daughter who’s been caring for her brothers and father since the painful loss of her mother; and Frances, a very reserved and quiet nurse with a mysterious past. As these four women share very cramped quarters on a ship to London, they also share their past, their anxieties about their futures, and many unsettling experiences on their adventure across the oceans to their new destinations.
This is a fascinating piece of historical fiction that is beautifully narrated by Moyes. From the very first paragraph we are transported back in time, into the lives of each of these very different but equally engaging characters. While we might connect with some over others, they each display their own quirks and vulnerabilities, each having their darker side, their frustrations – their humanity. Each of these women is also subject to the norms of her time: the assumptions, the judgements, and the limitations thrust upon her in that era. This is depicted in many ways, both subtle and overt.
I loved this book and am reluctant to say more about it because I don’t want to give any of it away. I highly recommend it and, yes, I believe it is a MUST READ! Read and enjoy!
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