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Oct 23, 2015jazpur rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Pat Barker's descriptions of The Blitz are masterly. The reader can feel the heat and smell the smells of London in the Autumn of 1940. This book is the third of the trilogy, which began with Life Class and Toby's Room. It would have been more difficult to read as a stand alone novel. The established scenarios and interactions between the main characters are important background. In consequence there can be no assurances of a happy outcome in this story. They are now middle-aged , dealing with the changes and losses of middle age and plunged into another War. This time it is at home rather than at a distance in the trenches and on the battlefields in Flanders and France in WWI. There is an immediacy about the results of the bombing in London.. I particularly liked the sub plot about Kenny, the little evacuee sent to the country. He would literally say and do anything to get back with his family who don't particularly want him with them. This year marks the 75th anniversary of those events.Noonday's publication is timely.