Jenny’s War by Margaret Dickinson – A Book Review
Book Review – Jenny’s War by Margaret Dickinson
Published by Panmacmillan
ISBN 978-0-330-54430-6
This is a very good easy-read novel, the sort of book you like to curl up on the sofa with, coffee in hand, to escape from your own world for a little while.
The plot is well-crafted, following the life of Jenny Mercer with all its ups and downs. It takes you from when Jenny is just 10 years old right through until she is a full-grown, beautiful young woman with the future at her finger-tips. Jenny’s life does not get off to a good start, living in the East End of London with her mother, who never wanted her, and her mother’s succession of boyfriends, all occurring during the thick of world war II.
Jenny is evacuated to Lincolnshire and life improves but is this the end of the tale? I will leave it to you to find out.
The characters are beautifully drawn picture images in your mind and I challenge you not to fall in love with the young Jenny.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anybody who fancies a little escapism, there are no deep controversial issues to face and no hard-work to do as you read.
It is a heart-warming story which brings the realities of living Britain during World War II to life. It will give insight to any younger readers who never experienced this time and nostalgic moments for those who are old enough to remember living through it themselves.
Personal read 4/5
Group read 2/5 as there wouldn’t be an awful lot to discuss unless your reading group is made up of older members who remember the war.
