Everyone Brave Is Forgiven
The instant New York Times bestseller from Chris Cleave--the unforgettable novel about three lives entangled during World War II, told "with dazzling prose, sharp English wit, and compassion...a powerful portrait of war's effects on those who fight and those left behind" (People, Book of the Week). London, 1939. The day war is declared, Mary North leaves finishing school unfinished, goes straight to the War Office, and signs up. Tom Shaw decides to ignore the war--until he learns his roommate Alistair Heath has unexpectedly enlisted. Then the conflict can no longer be avoided. Young, bright, and brave, Mary is certain she'd be a marvelous spy. When she is--bewilderingly--made a teacher, she finds herself defying prejudice to protect the children her country would rather forget. Tom, meanwhile, finds that he will do anything for Mary. And when Mary and Alistair meet, it is love, as well as war, that will test them in ways they could not have imagined, entangling three lives in violence and passion, friendship, and deception, inexorably shaping their hopes and dreams. The three are drawn into a tragic love triangle and--as war escalates and bombs begin falling--further into a grim world of survival and desperation. Set in London during the years of 1939-1942, when citizens had slim hope of survival, much less victory; and on the strategic island of Malta, which was daily devastated by the Axis barrage, Everyone Brave is Forgiven features little-known history and a perfect wartime love story inspired by the real-life love letters between Chris Cleave's grandparents. This dazzling novel dares us to understand that, against the great theater of world events, it is the intimate losses, the small battles, the daily human triumphs that change us most.
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Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
418 pages
What’s it about?
It is London, 1939 and Mary North wants to do her part when war is declared. She goes straight to the War Office and signs up. Meanwhile, Tom Shaw is classified as too important to the education department to be sent into battle, and simultaneously his best friend Alistair volunteers and is shipped off to war. Mary, Tom, and Alistair’s lives become intertwined as the blitz of London begins and the war drags on.
What did it make me think about?
It always amazes me the how much I learn from historical fiction. Although the blitz of London is very well known, this account certainly put a face to the suffering. I was not aware that some children were left behind to face the blitz. The blockading of Malta was also new to me.
Should you read it?
Well this is the second book in a row that others liked more than I did. Chris Cleave is a beautiful writer- but to me this novel was glib, meandering, and somehow missed the mark. If you love anything World War II then pick it up- otherwise there are better books to be read!
Quote-
“Mary took her arm. ‘And we need to find you a nice soldier, do we?’
‘An airman would do in a pinch. I draw the line at navy blue.’
‘Nice girls do. I shall keep a lookout for you. Of course it is quite ridiculous in any case. There is no actual fighting is there?’
‘God no’, said Hilda. ‘They’re nice in uniform, not battle dress.’”
If you like this try-
Among the Living by Jonathan Rabb
The Nightingale by Kristan Hannah
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
Love & Treasure by Ayelet Waldman
Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
418 pages
What’s it about?
It is London, 1939 and Mary North wants to do her part when war is declared. She goes straight to the War Office and signs up. Meanwhile, Tom Shaw is classified as too important to the education department to be sent into battle, and simultaneously his best friend Alistair volunteers and is shipped off to war. Mary, Tom, and Alistair’s lives become intertwined as the blitz of London begins and the war drags on.
What did it make me think about?
It always amazes me the how much I learn from historical fiction. Although the blitz of London is very well known, this account certainly put a face to the suffering. I was not aware that some children were left behind to face the blitz. The blockading of Malta was also new to me.
Should you read it?
Well this is the second book in a row that others liked more than I did. Chris Cleave is a beautiful writer- but to me this novel was glib, meandering, and somehow missed the mark. If you love anything World War II then pick it up- otherwise there are better books to be read!
Quote-
“Mary took her arm. ‘And we need to find you a nice soldier, do we?’
‘An airman would do in a pinch. I draw the line at navy blue.’
‘Nice girls do. I shall keep a lookout for you. Of course it is quite ridiculous in any case. There is no actual fighting is there?’
‘God no’, said Hilda. ‘They’re nice in uniform, not battle dress.’”
If you like this try-
Among the Living by Jonathan Rabb
The Nightingale by Kristan Hannah
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
Love & Treasure by Ayelet Waldman
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