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crystalisreading 's review for:
The War I Finally Won
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
oh, the feels! This sequel to The War that Saved My Life is just as good as the first book--just with more tears. It's lovely to see how Ada and Jamie progress in their emotional growth and healing (and Ada's physical healing), and how they build relationships not only with Susan, but others around them who care about them too.
This is a book set in war time, and, especially considering that this is a children's book, is unflinching in looking at the realities of British life in WWII England. The gradually tightening rations and restrictions and shortages. Blackouts. Night watches for bombing. Dead pilots and downed planes. Injuries and serious illnesses. Grief over lost loved ones. Suspicion of potential spies. Anti-German sentiment. The reality of life for German Jews, both those who escaped before the war, and those left behind. All of this feel more real, more immediate, now that Ada's family life is more secure, and she can pay closer attention to the world and people around her and then relate it to us.
The Thorntons as a whole really grew on me, as well as on Ada. Fred, as kind as ever, plays less of a role in this story, as does Stephen White, but new characters, such as Ruth, are introduced as great additions to the dynamics of the story.
The tension of war-time life, and of Ada's constant vigilance, both personal and war-time, are maintained skillfully throughout the story, and leave you guessing until the very end. At one point near the very end of the story, I found myself shouting at the audio book, "You'd better not do [that]! Haven't you put us through enough!?". However, have no fear; the end is sufficiently heartwarming and satisfying to reward the reader for all the tears and fears before.
Also, the audio is read again by Jayne Entwhistle, who once again does an lovely job bringing all the characters to life. Highly recommended in audio format as well as paper.
This is a book set in war time, and, especially considering that this is a children's book, is unflinching in looking at the realities of British life in WWII England. The gradually tightening rations and restrictions and shortages. Blackouts. Night watches for bombing. Dead pilots and downed planes. Injuries and serious illnesses. Grief over lost loved ones. Suspicion of potential spies. Anti-German sentiment. The reality of life for German Jews, both those who escaped before the war, and those left behind. All of this feel more real, more immediate, now that Ada's family life is more secure, and she can pay closer attention to the world and people around her and then relate it to us.
The Thorntons as a whole really grew on me, as well as on Ada. Fred, as kind as ever, plays less of a role in this story, as does Stephen White, but new characters, such as Ruth, are introduced as great additions to the dynamics of the story.
The tension of war-time life, and of Ada's constant vigilance, both personal and war-time, are maintained skillfully throughout the story, and leave you guessing until the very end. At one point near the very end of the story, I found myself shouting at the audio book, "You'd better not do [that]! Haven't you put us through enough!?". However, have no fear; the end is sufficiently heartwarming and satisfying to reward the reader for all the tears and fears before.
Also, the audio is read again by Jayne Entwhistle, who once again does an lovely job bringing all the characters to life. Highly recommended in audio format as well as paper.