Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
I received this book as a digital ARC from the publisher through Net Galley in return for an honest review.
Title: Wake
Author: Anna Hope
Hardcover: 304 pages
Pub Date: February 11th, 2014
Publisher: Random House
NetGalley kindly sent this uncorrected proof of this book. Thank you so much.
"Wake" is a multilayered story of three women, Hettie - a dance instructress at the Palais, Evelyn, who works at the Pensions Exchange and Ada who is trying to find her son alive after the end of the Great War.
In the meantime, the preparations for the burial of the Unknown Soldier to be held in London are described as a background to the main plot.
The stories of these three women are in some way intertwined since the author describes how their families have endured four years of war and the two years of its aftermath.
Even if the story is full of sad episodes suffered by the men in the front and their relatives at home, the final part is enriched with the hope of the beginning of a new era.
A very touching and unforgettable book written by Anna Hope.
Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
This book has 3 main characters; Hettie, a dancer, Evelyn, an office worker, and Ava, a housewife. I liked Ava and Evelyn but found the character of Hettie a bit annoying and i don't think the story would have missed much if she wasn't in it.
Despite this though it is still a gripping book.
wake/weIk/
1 Emerge or cause to emerge from sleep
2 Ritual for the dead
3 Consequence or aftermath
Wake tells the story of three different women after World War One. Hettie, who dances at the Hammersmith Palais; Evelyn, who works at the pensions office, and Ada - a housewife - who has visions of her dead son. All these women have lost someone during the war, be it a son, a brother or a lover. One day a young man knocks on Ada's door and says the name which has haunted her. He has a story which will bind these women's lives unknowingly and which will mend their hearts.
This is a lovely novel which shows how many people suffered during the war, even those who were not at the front line. I found all three women likeable and interesting characters. However it was Evelyn who really captured my attention. She was very secretive and bitter, yet I wasn't sure why. The other two character were open about their loss. Ada had lost her son, and Hettie had lost her brother, not by death but he came back different. Perhaps shell shock? We didn't find out who Evelyn had lost until later. Evelyn was such a complex and compelling character and was by far my favourite. Hettie was my second favourite character. I liked her passion for dancing and her desire for something more. Ada was a character which I felt the most sorrow for. She didn't know how or even where her son had died and she held a large amount of guilt. I really did admire all three women and their courage and strength. I loved the character development in the novel and I was glad that everyone managed to move on and search for the happy life which they deserved and which their loved ones would have wanted. I also found Ed and Rowan compelling characters, and the stories which they had.
It wasn't an action filled novel, and it wasn't very suspenseful but it kept me entertained and captivated. One aspect which I didn't really understand why it was there and didn't really catch my attention was the unknown soldier. I didn't seem to have much to do with the main characters. Towards the end though I guess it did help with the story.
Overall, it is a pretty good read, and if you are fan of historical fiction, and WWI fiction then I do suggest you give Wake a read.