From the very first pages we learn about some hard facts of war, in regard to civilians, who through no fault of their own loose loved ones or limbs, or even their own lives. I think the front cover is a very poignant design. At the start of each chapter there is a description, often a harrowing one, giving a description of what is happening in the timescale of the war.
It's 1939 in Belgium and two young women, both eighteen years old, Hava and Simone. Simone is the daughter of a war hero from WW1 (this book is written in Simone 's words) and her best friend, Hava is the daughter of a devout Jewish family. Although they have very different backgrounds they remain the best of friends, often visiting each others houses. Soon the war is getting too close for comfort and Simone's father is called away. When the Germans start bombing and taking tanks through their home town, Simone describes how terrifying things are for her, a young woman on her own, with all the explosions going off around her home. Eventually they have no choice but to leave the city, as they do so travelling on foot and by train, they come across other unfortunate travellers who under Hitler would be exterminated, gypsies, handicapped and Jewish people. Simone and Hava's friendship has grown over the years, especially now as they both travel through Belgium and France onto Dunkirk, but unfortunately they get separated on a bus, and Hava is taken away by the SS and when the war is over Simone tries to find her friend. A harrowing story at times, makes you feel as if you are there with Simone and Hava in their quest for dancing with a thousand daffodils as Wordsworth wrote in his poem that they were so fond of. Well recommended and worthy of a 5☆ read.
It's 1939 in Belgium and two young women, both eighteen years old, Hava and Simone. Simone is the daughter of a war hero from WW1 (this book is written in Simone 's words) and her best friend, Hava is the daughter of a devout Jewish family. Although they have very different backgrounds they remain the best of friends, often visiting each others houses. Soon the war is getting too close for comfort and Simone's father is called away. When the Germans start bombing and taking tanks through their home town, Simone describes how terrifying things are for her, a young woman on her own, with all the explosions going off around her home. Eventually they have no choice but to leave the city, as they do so travelling on foot and by train, they come across other unfortunate travellers who under Hitler would be exterminated, gypsies, handicapped and Jewish people. Simone and Hava's friendship has grown over the years, especially now as they both travel through Belgium and France onto Dunkirk, but unfortunately they get separated on a bus, and Hava is taken away by the SS and when the war is over Simone tries to find her friend. A harrowing story at times, makes you feel as if you are there with Simone and Hava in their quest for dancing with a thousand daffodils as Wordsworth wrote in his poem that they were so fond of. Well recommended and worthy of a 5☆ read.