A review by ilsevanoosten
Good Evening, Mrs Craven: The Wartime Stories of Mollie Panter-Downes by Mollie Panter-Downes

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 I don’t particularly like war stories that deal with the fighting, but I do like war stories that deal with the (emotional) aftermath or impact of a war, which is what this collection does. Panter-Downes’ experience as a journalist gives her the perfect toolset to write about the effects of WWII on the women, and sometimes the men, from different social classes left at home while the war was going on. Her observant nature allows for a great insight into the different effects of the war; how it places everyday occurrences such as pregnancy in a different light, how it puts a strain on people’s relationships when they have to share a house after the bombings and consequent evacuations, or, on the other hand, how it brought people closer together in the air raid shelters. Most of the stories have an understated, quiet sense of humour, where what is left unsaid becomes apparent and gradually intrusive as you read the short stories. Sometimes not spelling something out makes it all the more important, or glaringly obvious. I really love this type of writing and think the stories together provide a great overview.