Read the 1940s: December 2019 - Wildcard!

The holiday season is upon us. What better gift to yourself than reading whatever strikes your fancy? That's why December is a Wildcard month for our 1940s theme read.

By now, you probably know the drill. Books can be fiction or nonfiction, Viragos, Persephones, books by Virago/Persephone authors, or books that otherwise embody the "Virago spirit." They can be set in the 1940s, or published in the 1940s. In short, there are no rules here -- participants can set rules to suit themselves. For questions, comments, and general chat about the theme read go to our General Discussion thread.

Perhaps, like me, you're using this theme read to whittle down your TBR pile. Visit the Book Recommendations thread for help choosing books to read this month. Or have a look at the very helpful Google spreadsheet created by Heather/souloftherose, which compiles and classifies all the book recommendations mentioned on the thread. The spreadsheet includes a "categories" column that shows which topic(s) each book would be suitable for, but for December, you can choose whatever you like!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-b4Y2YrG4VseFT5qn546IjWy0JYst7cOVIrmeBHB...

What's everyone planning to read in December? Be sure to visit here often to join the discussion.

Thanks Laura! All being well, I would like to try to read Mollie Panter-Downes London War Notes - fingers crossed! :D

I am also considering reading London War Notes. I also have a couple of Dean Street press books that fit the 1940s.

>2 kaggsy:, >3 Heaven-Ali: sounds like a great choice. I love Mollie Panter-Downes.

I'm planning to read That's How it Was by Maureen Duffy, an autobiographical novel in which "the working class life of wartime England is wonderfully evoked." (from the book description) I haven't read any of Duffy's other work but she's an interesting figure.

I've been saying I will read Little boy lost for several months now - this time I will try and actually do so!

>5 Sakerfalcon: I read it earlier this year. I could not put it down and finished it in 2 days. It will probably be one of the top reads for me this year.

>6 kac522: I've just started and it has hooked me right away!

>6 kac522:, >7 Sakerfalcon: Wow, that's a strong endorsement.

I'm reading Mrs Tim Gets a Job from Dean Street Press. First published in 1947.

I also LOVED Little Boy Lost!

I've not read Little Boy Lost but I have read The Village by Marghanita Laski. it's not a Virago but it is postwar and I would recommend it.

Now I've finished I can say that I too loved Little boy lost - what an ending! I actually read it in two days as well, it's both quick to read and very absorbing. Hilary is a complex character who is far from likeable at times, and little Jean tugs at the heartstrings without being too cute or cloying. Post-war France is shown as ruined both physically and morally, struggling with the legacy of compromise with the Nazis during the Occupation. Highly recommended.

I've also read Maman what are we called now?, another Persephone book which I found by chance in the local library. This is the diary of a woman during the last days of the Occupation, and the Liberation, of Paris. It is interesting and thoughtful but for me not as moving as the journal articles she wrote after the war, which are also included in the book. In them she confronts her feelings about the experiences of French Jews during the war - how many of them felt safe due to generations as French citizens only to be betrayed by friends and neighbours; how those Jews themselves had failed to help or heed the plight of more recent Jewish immigrants; the atrocities committed by the Nazis; how so many ordinary French citizens were happy to collaborate with the Nazis, or were at best passive as restrictions were introduced. Her passion and anger are palpable in these fascinating pieces.

>12 Sakerfalcon: Claire, have you seen the French television drama series, Un Village Francais? It portrays the lives of French citizens during the war, including the topics you mention in your post. It's in French, with English subtitles. We were caught up in the dramatic tension and became especially attached to certain characters. There are several seasons and even though it sometimes got a bit soap opera-ish we watched all but the last few episodes. It's really well done.

The worst part about Maman what are we called now? was the way everyone extorted them for money. They had to pay and pay for the help they needed.

>12 Sakerfalcon: I found Maman what are we called now, quite a moving book. The second part though with the essays was especially powerful. Her anger was palpable.

I read Mrs Tim Gets a Job by D E Stevenson from Dean Street Press which was delightful comfort reading. My review here.

https://heavenali.wordpress.com/2019/12/10/mrs-tim-gets-a-job-d-e-stevenson-1947...

Then I read The Street by Ann Petry Virago kindly sent me a copy of their new edition. It is such a brilliant, powerful novel, the ending quite devastating.

Now reading another Dean Street press book. Peace, Perfect Peace by Josephine Kamm

>Heaven-Ali I also have read The Street and agree with you about it. I also alternate my reading between light and heavy books. Books similar to the Street need time to be emotionally

processed as their impact is powerful.

I finished The Four Graces, by D. E. Stevenson. Published in 1946 but set during the war, this last book loosely tied to the Miss Buncle books was not quite as funny as the others, but felt more warm and loving, yet down to earth. Charming and comforting.

>16 Heaven-Ali:, >17 kayclifton: I had the same reaction as you both to The street. That and, Why was this book not on my American Studies syllabus at university?

>13 lauralkeet: I haven't heard of that series but it sounds excellent. One for me to track down.

For anyone interested my review of The Street is on my blog.

https://heavenali.wordpress.com/2019/12/16/the-street-ann-petry-1946/

>20 Heaven-Ali: Heaven Ali:, thanks for the information. I have visited your blog in the past and have used it as a reference>

A bit belatedly I was searching my memory to remember a book that I read a few months ago and it had a war theme.
The book is by May Sinclair. She had been of my favorite writers but I have been disappointed with the last few books by her that I have read. The title of the book is The Romantic. She served as an ambulance driver in WWI so she had first hand experience with the war's horrors. She also wrote other war related novels and A Journal of Impressions in Belgium.
I live in the US and there is a library system that can access books from anywhere. I think that the copy of The Romantic that I read was from a University library and it was the original edition.

Belatedly reporting that I finished Chatterton Square at the end of last month and once again enjoyed Young's thoughtful character studies.

Hi everyone - I haven't contributed for ages and it seems as though, luckily, I was on theme. I just finished The Overlanders by Dora Birtles. My review is here on my blog

Well done everyone! I have failed miserably despite my best intentions - and I aim to focus in 2020 a little more on the books I own and hopefully will therefore get on to reading more of the Viragos and Persephones on my shelves!