A Ration Book Victory marks the end of an era in more ways that one. Firstly, as the title suggests, it sees the end of the Second World War. Secondly, it’s the sixth and final book featuring the Brogan family. It’s a series I’ve loved since I picked it up at book two, A Ration Book Christmas. That was followed by A Ration Book Childhood, A Ration Book Wedding and A Ration Book Daughter. (There was also a novella, A Ration Book Christmas Kiss.)
A Ration Book Victory not only allows readers to catch up with the Brogan family as the end of WW2 approaches but also explores the early life in Ireland of the formidable matriarch of the clan, Queenie – or Philomena Dooley as she was known then. It’s a tender story of early love that might not have stood up on its own but works well alongside the goings-on in the Brogan household in the final months of the war. However, although the war in Europe may soon be over there’s still fighting continuing elsewhere and not everyone is yet out of danger.
What an extensive clan the Brogan family have become! The book gives us an endearing picture of a multi-generational household, where everyone pitches in and there aren’t many problems that can’t be solved over a cuppa. It’s a family that includes a surprising amount of diversity including adopted and illegitimate children, and interracial relationships.
The book has a beautifully judged balance of humour – a case of mistaken identity during the VE Day celebrations springs to mind – and moments of sadness. I doubt many will have a dry eye as Queenie faces up to the impending death of the man she has known – and loved – for fifty years, Father Mahon. And I’m quite sure readers like me will be praying that characters such as Nora Mahon and Aunt Pearl get a suitable come-uppance.
I thought A Ration Book Victory was the perfect ending to the series with all of Ida’s and Jeremiah’s children branching out and moving on, as are they themselves. ‘The world had changed, and the Brogans had changed with it.’
A Ration Book Victory not only allows readers to catch up with the Brogan family as the end of WW2 approaches but also explores the early life in Ireland of the formidable matriarch of the clan, Queenie – or Philomena Dooley as she was known then. It’s a tender story of early love that might not have stood up on its own but works well alongside the goings-on in the Brogan household in the final months of the war. However, although the war in Europe may soon be over there’s still fighting continuing elsewhere and not everyone is yet out of danger.
What an extensive clan the Brogan family have become! The book gives us an endearing picture of a multi-generational household, where everyone pitches in and there aren’t many problems that can’t be solved over a cuppa. It’s a family that includes a surprising amount of diversity including adopted and illegitimate children, and interracial relationships.
The book has a beautifully judged balance of humour – a case of mistaken identity during the VE Day celebrations springs to mind – and moments of sadness. I doubt many will have a dry eye as Queenie faces up to the impending death of the man she has known – and loved – for fifty years, Father Mahon. And I’m quite sure readers like me will be praying that characters such as Nora Mahon and Aunt Pearl get a suitable come-uppance.
I thought A Ration Book Victory was the perfect ending to the series with all of Ida’s and Jeremiah’s children branching out and moving on, as are they themselves. ‘The world had changed, and the Brogans had changed with it.’