I've been reading this fascinating book to my husband recently. He has always been interested in modern history, and this book encompasses the years of the Second World War, although written in the form of a young woman's Diary.
Mary was the youngest daughter of Winston Churchill, and was at home during the war years, whilst her older siblings had moved away to their own homes.
The Diary is a real mixture of social happenings, together with more serious events concerning Churchill's efforts to get Britain through the war. Living at Downing Street there were many meetings with men who helped the war efforts. Mary was often there and writes about 'lunch with General de Gaulle' and other well known personalities.
We do have a little laugh at her shopping forays. There's a war going on but Mary is.....
''visiting Fortnums to buy scrummy food with Mummie, dashing to Liberty's for a super new hat, buying a lovely new dress for the Officers dance', dancing till 2.30 am'......
She enrols in the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service), a voluntary service for women as an arm of the British Army. Heading a Battalion, she sees gunfire, planes dropping on London and faces the death of friends.
Of it all she says...
''I shall remember in the years to come something that had form and light amid so much that lacked shape and was dark--but I dont know whether to call it the human spirit or the soul--or the dignity of life--but there it is''.
We are coming up to our Day of Remembrance soon, and this book, although light hearted in many ways, has also served as a reminder of the life during the War years.
13 comments:
I'm currently reading The Kitchen Front, a novel by Jennifer Ryan. It's about 4 women during WWII and how they tried to make nutritious meals with all the rationing that they had to deal with. There are even recipes given in the book
( none of which sounded particularly appealing.
Your words make the book sound interesting. On the reading list it goes.
This sounds like an interesting read. Lighthearted, but carrying enough truth for the time to make it lovely reading.
God bless.
The best books don't sugarcoat the difficulties, but also don't dwell on the horrors. This sounds like a good balance. Another one to add to my list.
I've been concerned about you; so glad to see your post this morning. These stories must not be forgotten. One of our DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) chapter members dad is celebrating his 100th birthday this month, and I created a birthday card for him that the ladies signed. I write the chapter's newsletter and asked his daughter to write something about her dad. As a young American service man, he was a bomber pilot. His plane was shot and he parachuted into a German farm, was captured, and spent time as a German POW. What fascinating story he has to tell. I'll see if can find Mary Churchill's War on Amazon in the states.
I enjoy books like this. I'll have to see if I can find it. Thank you for sharing.
Sounds like a good book!
I hope you are recovering well, dear friend!
Hugs and love, Carolien
Oh that sounds like a great book! I just found Henrietta's War by Joyce Dennys, covering the first part of the war. It's funny so far, reminds me a bit of the first Mrs Tim books by DE Stevenson... we are still praying for you and your Husband ❤
What a lovely post, you made it sound so interesting I think I will want to read it soon - and I am so glad you are home with your husband and can enjoy the reading together. Betty :)
Sounds like a good read. How nice to be able to read it aloud to your husband. Hope all is going well with your recovery.
I'm really interested in this book Barbara and wondering if Mary mentioned much about her 'flamboyant movie star' sister Sarah who was in the Royal Air Force during WWII with my mother! I have a lovely ring depicting the head of the young Queen Victoria that she gifted to mum, and I treasure it. I've put the book on my wish list.
Glad M is enjoying the book along with you - and so happy you are home again together and pray things are going better now.
Hugs from both Bob and me xx
That sounds like a fascinating read, hearing about this time from a unique perspective. I love that you and your husband read aloud. I miss sharing the read-alouds of our homeschool years.
I may buy that book; I read Mary Soames' book "A Daughter's Tale" about her father, her own war experiences, her mother Clementine, etc. You two might like The Splendid and the Vile by Eric Larson, about Churchill and the British people, it is a real page turner. That was the best book I read in 2020.
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