[Trim] Unexploded - Alison MacLeod - 2*

[Elise]

Evelyn, Geoffrey and their son Philip live on Brighton during the Second World War, where it is rumoured that the Germans will soon attack. The tension in the city is palpable as everybody waits and prepares as they can. Philip imagines what ife will be under German rule, Geoffrey is Superintendent in the labour camp outside of town, and there is a rift growing between him and his wife, especially when Otto, one of the prisoners, falls in love with Evelyn.

Well, I never thought I’d be bored by a WWII novel, but here we are. It was advertised as a story different from the usual London Blitz tales, and different it was, but not in a good way. The story could have been interesting, but every character, even the kids, ranked somewhere on a scale that went from “completely drab” to “downright unpleasant.”

I do not recommend this. There are too many good WWII books out there to waste time on this one.