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life_full_ofbooks 's review for:
Beyond That, the Sea
by Laura Spence-Ash
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book drew me in from the start and kept me mesmerized for the entirety of it. This is about Operation Pied Piper, the evacuation of millions of children from London to places all over the world in an attempt to save them from the German bombs.
In 1940 Millie and Reginald Thompson made the difficult decision to send their only child, 11 year old Beatrix, to America to keep her safe from the war. Beatrix was taken in by the Gregory family- Mom Nancy, Dad Ethan, and their two boys, 12 year old William and 10 year old Gerald. The five years Bea was with them passed differently for her than it did for her parents back in London. When she finally went back she realized neither she nor they were the same people as before the war and Bea had to change to fit back in with her London identity.
Told third person via multiple viewpoints and over 30ish years, this is such a beautiful story of family and the ties that bind. Because of how it’s written we are given a comprehensive view of not just Bea’s life, but the lives of all of the characters. While none of them are perfect, all of them are likable.
This isn’t a typical WW2 story. Most WW2 books take place in the heart of the holocaust. I loved how this takes place in London and Boston during the war. I also loved how close to each character the multiple viewpoints brings us. We get to see how the war and the separation of family affects everyone from more than just a birds eye view.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book taking place during WW2 because with everything happening in Israel right now, my heart really can’t take more heartbreak. I took a gamble reading this one, and it really paid off.
I hope Ms. Spence-Ash has another book for us down the road because her writing is both beautiful and grabbing and finishing this one has left me wanting to read more of her work.