The Safest Place in London in Aussie Readers

Jul 19, 2016 Brenda rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-read, 2016-release, historical-fiction, reviewing-by-request, aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher

January 1944 in London – freezing outside but the dinner of hot fried chips Nancy Levin was cooking her three year old daughter Emily would warm them. That all changed in an instant when the air raid siren sounded and Nancy and Emily immediately deserted their dinner and rushed to the Bethnal Green underground tube station to join hundreds of others doing the same.

Joining them, but unknown to each other was Diana Meadows and her three year old daughter Abigail – Diana had the misfortune of bein January 1944 in London – freezing outside but the dinner of hot fried chips Nancy Levin was cooking her three year old daughter Emily would warm them. That all changed in an instant when the air raid siren sounded and Nancy and Emily immediately deserted their dinner and rushed to the Bethnal Green underground tube station to join hundreds of others doing the same.

Joining them, but unknown to each other was Diana Meadows and her three year old daughter Abigail – Diana had the misfortune of being in the wrong area that evening; far from her own home she had taken the wrong bus with Abigail and ended up at Bethnal Green. The confusion and jostling crowd terrified Diana as she sat on the floor with Abigail in her lap. Nancy and Emily were nearby and though they didn’t speak Nancy and Diana acknowledged each other with a brief, tremulous smile.

As the bombers screamed overhead and the loud whump noises as the bombs hit made everyone jump and scream in fear, Gerard, husband of Diana was in North Africa in the tank regiment and Joe, husband of Nancy was about to join his ship after surviving a torpedo attack. They both believed their wives and daughters were in the safest place in London; that was one thing less for them to worry about.

But the horrors of that January raid would alter the lives of many on that fateful night – in wartime survival was paramount, sometimes to the detriment of others.

The Safest Place in London by Aussie author Maggie Joel was a heart wrenching, uplifting read; the comparison of the two classes in wartime London – the poor and starving residents of East London and the wealthy from the outer suburbs – is highlighted. But it also shows that one is no different to the other in the big scheme of things. The two women, Nancy and Diana are both strong characters, but in different ways – and both would do anything to keep their daughters safe. I thoroughly enjoyed this rendition of London during the Blitz, while knowing how lucky I am not to have lived during that terrible time. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Aug 22, 2016 Joanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads, historical, war

I loved this beautifully written book.
The Safest Place in London was obviously well researched and Maggie Joel managed to make you feel as though you were experiencing the horrors of the 1944 London air raids.
You get to know the four main characters and how they deal with their individual harrowing experiences.
There is so much to admire about this book, it has originality and raises an interesting moral dilemma that is solved beautifully.
Although at times the story is heart wrenchingly sad yo ...more

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