This is the eighth book in the Ration Book series by Jean Fullerton and the first of hers I have read. At first, I found it quite confusing to work out who was who, as there are a lot of characters, but this probably would have been easier if I’d started with book one! I would have liked a list of characters at the start of the book, so I could refer to it when I got a bit lost.
The book has a dual timeline. It starts in Ireland in 1877, where the young Philomena meets Patrick Mahon. The book follows them growing up and see what happens to their friendship over the years.
In the other sections of the novel, it’s 1945 in London and coming towards the end of World War II. Philomena Brogan, known as Queenie, lives with her son Jeremiah, daughter-in-law Ida, grandsons Billy (15) and Michael (14) and granddaughter Victoria (3). Queenie has seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. By this time, Patrick is Father Mahon and still part of her life.
I loved the whole family feel to the book and there are so many great characters, each with their own issues to solve. I liked the relationships between the Brogan sisters and I enjoyed the 1940s setting, especially celebrating VE Day and the end of World War II. I was also interested by Tommy and Jo’s infertility story.
Queenie is a brilliant character, I loved her strength and feistiness. She’s a real matriarch and such a strong woman. I loved reading her story and how her love for Patrick had endured throughout the decades. (And I couldn’t stand Patrick’s sister Nora!)
An enjoyable read.
The book has a dual timeline. It starts in Ireland in 1877, where the young Philomena meets Patrick Mahon. The book follows them growing up and see what happens to their friendship over the years.
In the other sections of the novel, it’s 1945 in London and coming towards the end of World War II. Philomena Brogan, known as Queenie, lives with her son Jeremiah, daughter-in-law Ida, grandsons Billy (15) and Michael (14) and granddaughter Victoria (3). Queenie has seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. By this time, Patrick is Father Mahon and still part of her life.
I loved the whole family feel to the book and there are so many great characters, each with their own issues to solve. I liked the relationships between the Brogan sisters and I enjoyed the 1940s setting, especially celebrating VE Day and the end of World War II. I was also interested by Tommy and Jo’s infertility story.
Queenie is a brilliant character, I loved her strength and feistiness. She’s a real matriarch and such a strong woman. I loved reading her story and how her love for Patrick had endured throughout the decades. (And I couldn’t stand Patrick’s sister Nora!)
An enjoyable read.