Clouds of Love and War

by Rachel Billington

Occasionally panoramic, more often intimate, in Clouds of Love and War author Rachel Billington balances a detailed and highly researched picture of the life of a Second World War Spitfire pilot with the travails and ambitions of a young woman too often on her own. The result is both a gripping story of war and a sensitive story of love, a love that struggles to survive.Eddie and Eva meet on the eve of the Second World War. Eddie only wants to be a flyer, to find escape in the clouds from his own complicated family. However, the Battle of Britain makes a pilot's life a dangerous way to flee reality. Eva has her own passionate to become a painter. When Eva's Jewish mother disappears to Germany, she is left alone with her elderly father. Both Eddie and Eva come of age at a time that teaches them that happiness is always fleeting, but there are things worth living – or dying – for.Through the connecting stories of these young people and their wider families, and against a background of southern county airfields, London, Oxford, Dorset and France, Rachel Billington brings the world of war time England, now eighty years in the past, back to life.

469 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2020

About the author

Rachel Billington has written twenty one novels and eleven books for children. She is also a journalist, feature writer and reviewer. She is a regular contributor and Associate Editor of Inside Time, the national newspaper for prisoners and a Vice-President of English PEN. In 2012 she was awarded an OBE for Services to Literature.

Reviews

[Linda Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eddie and Eva’s relationship starts as WW2 begins.

Clouds of Love and War is a sweeping narrative set against the backdrop of the Second World War that takes the reader on a journey thorough time and place.

Rachel Billington’s research is meticulous so that the reader has a clear insight into the era, the world of a fighter pilot and the upper middle classes as well as into the lives of those leading more prosaic lives, particularly some of the women in the story. This makes for an interesting blend of writing.

I have to confess that it rook me a very long time to warm to Eddie’s frenetic character and yet by the end of Clouds of Love and War I felt I had been on his journey of self-discovery with him very effectively and I understood and appreciated him much more. Indeed, I found the women far more empathetic. Eva’s desperate desire to become a painter and the events that happen to her felt quite moving at times and I liked her more than Eddie. It’s not possible to say too much more without plot spoilers because who they are and who they become is so very much part of the story.

The themes are clear and well developed. I enjoyed the frequent literary references although occasionally the more spiritual elements sat slightly uncomfortably for me, but that says more about me than Clouds of Love and War. The exploration of relationships, valour, endeavour, war and self awareness is very thorough so that there is something for all readers to take away from Rachel Billington’s writing.

Clouds of Love and War will very much appeal to those who like to be transported back to another era and especially to readers looking for a tale founded in well researched factual assiduousness.

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book full of hope, heartbreak and heroes. And I adored every single page! I didn't really know what to expect when I started it, as I was just seduced by the beautiful cover! But once I started reading, I fell for the simplicity and compassion of the characters as their stories are played out amidst the back drop of the Second World War.

It really focuses well on the family dynamics - the differing of opinions and outlooks on life across the generations as War breaks out. Young Eddie is desperate to be a pilot, his Dad is set against the idea and I'm sure these clashes were mirrored across many households at the time.

And in Eva, is a character who is desperate to paint and to find herself whilst her father still wants to decide what is best for her. She is such a spirited young woman that I loved seeing her attitude towards grabbing opportunites when they arose, despite the difficult circumstances they all found themselves living in.

The pace of the story allows you to understand the characters more - their motivations, their despair and their dreams. And the love story in extraordinary times was pitched perfectly - so touching and emotional but not gushy or too over the top!

An enthralling and engrossing read that I highly recommend!

[Litzsiereads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Travel eighty years in the past with this novel, Clouds of Love and War, a historical fiction where two young people meet on the eve of world war two.

Although starting slow, this novel told a story of a young Spitfire pilot who's escape was the sky and not too long later, matured to the realities and outcome of fighting in a war. Then, there was a naive Eva who dreams of being a painter while conflicted with a complicated relationship with her parents. Upon meeting each other it, Eddie found a pretty friend that turned into his confidant and eventually his lover. For Eva, it seemed more infatuation until she came to value and cherished the male figure and companion she was lacking in her life.

I enjoyed the detail and clearly well research imagery of a Spitfire pilot. Rachel really made reading Eddie's perspective seem very real. For that I favored Eddie's perspective over Eva's but it was pleasing to see their love grow. It was a slower pace read for me, the romance being subtle. Overall, I would describe this as a calm, steady read.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written book. Well researched from the author. WW2 love story emerges. To read my full review go to my blog http://www.confessionsofabookworm.com