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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Hazel’s 6 year old sister is presumed to have drowned, another child lost to the tragedies of the war. But what really happened on that fateful day?
This novel was a perfect blend of reminiscence and forward movement. I didn’t want to put it down as I always wanted to know what came next. The weaving of character storylines together worked so well and was quite realistic. I stayed guessing until the end and even audibly gasped at certain parts.
The prose is also stunning which to some may feel more cumbersome to read but I felt it really allowed both the real world and that of Whisperwood to come to life.
This novel was a perfect blend of reminiscence and forward movement. I didn’t want to put it down as I always wanted to know what came next. The weaving of character storylines together worked so well and was quite realistic. I stayed guessing until the end and even audibly gasped at certain parts.
The prose is also stunning which to some may feel more cumbersome to read but I felt it really allowed both the real world and that of Whisperwood to come to life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Kidnapping
Minor: Religious bigotry
Wonderful book! Was waiting for Berry to be reunited...
This is a beautifully written book about the Pied Piper Project during WWII which sent the children of London to the country or Canada in order to be safe during the Blitz. This particular story is about Hazel Linden and her younger sister, Flora who take the train from London to Binsy with Hazel’s schoolmates. The girls are fortunately chosen by Bridie Aberdeen and her son, Harry who is just about the same age as Hazel. Hazel makes up stories about a magical land called Whisperwood to comfort Flora, it is kept a secret between the two girls. The story is told in dual time lines by Hazel. In the 1940s timeline, the girls, while missing their mother, enjoy a somewhat idyllic life in Bridie and Harry’s cottage until one day when Flora disappears. In the 1960s timeline, Hazel is employed by a bookshop that specializes in rare books. One day a book by a young, new American author comes in and perfectly tells the story of Whisperwood. Did someone overhear their story? Is Flora still alive? The build up and twists and turns of the story kept the pages turning. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this beautiful book.
Heart tugging take based on true events. This book makes me want to read more HF.
Almost stopped reading this but decided to keep going - wasn’t my fav at all
This book started out interesting but quickly became wayyyyy too long. The timeline in the past drug out the events of what happened, while the present drug out about two weeks worth of “investigation” of what happened to Flora that long ago afternoon. I’m a bit surprised at Hazel in the 60s having had several boyfriends/ lovers by the time she is with Barnaby (who, by the way, is snobby and selfish). The beginning pretty much tells you “who” the author is, but you have to wait a long time for the “how”. This book could have been told in a 150 pages, instead of the 350 we’re given.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was a cute book and I’m glad I listened to it. I had no idea about the Pied Piper movement in England as part of World War II and it’s both delightful how community came together and heartbreaking when the placements didn’t work out well or families were never reunited. There’s so much to address in this book by beginning with how sweetly Harry stepped up for Flora and Hazel right along w his mom then how their mom was welcomed to give them a great support system. I love how stories are powerful in this novel
Without giving anything away, I thought the twist in the book seemed a little unlikely and seemed a little too convenient so that’s why it’s not a five stars
Without giving anything away, I thought the twist in the book seemed a little unlikely and seemed a little too convenient so that’s why it’s not a five stars