The Girl Who Disappeared by James Lingard
Publisher & Release: Clink Street Publishing, January 14, 2020
Time and setting: WWII, England
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length: 200 Pages
Rating: 3.5 Gold Crowns
Book Description:
Emily falls passionately in love with working class Walter, despite fierce opposition from her class conscious father. She sees marriage as a partnership of equals and resolves to elope to escape such a male dominated society. Emily’s actions will see her struggle to survive the subsequent devastation brought about by the war, as she and her four year old son are thrown into the midst of danger and death. The family experience rationing and the terror of bombing. Their air raid shelter is destroyed by a direct hit. When Walter volunteers for the army, Emily and her son are evacuated to a rat infested cottage in a farming community near Hebden Bridge. The war changes Walter into an efficient army officer who demands to be obeyed. Emily worries that she might have a rival for his affections. How can she restore their loving relationship? The Girl Who Disappeared is a moving love story about one woman’s enduring resilience, a story full of quiet humour and surprising twists and turns.
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Vikki’s Musings
Thanks go to the publisher and author for the chance to read and review The Girl Who Disappeared by James Lingard, an historical novel set in the WWII era. My opinions are my own and are not influenced by the gift of an e-copy of this book.
The Girl Who Disappeared is an interesting novel that shows life prior to, during, and the aftermath of WWII. I thoroughly enjoyed that aspect of the book. As a reading experience, it’s unusual. It reads more like a documentary than a novel. There is a great deal of telling instead of showing. The dialogue is indirect and different than what I normally see in works of fiction. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book, and I’m glad I agreed to read it.
Emily is the main character. She is an interesting individual. I would have enjoyed more depth to her character. Her role is the vehicle for the information regarding the life and times of the WWII period.
Walter’s character marries Emily, but since the POV is in Emily’s, I didn’t get much insight into his character. He seemed to care for Emily and their son, Richard. However, he is rarely with them. Initially, because he’s advancing his career, and later a soldier in the Royal Army.
James Lingard certainly knows this period of history and England’s involvement, then how it affected the daily lives of its citizens. I found this fascinating. England experienced dreadful damage and loss of life during this horrific war, and not just on the battlefield. Most historical fiction novels focus on the war itself and the battles. Ms. Lingard’s shows a different aspect of the war.
If you would enjoy a fantastic view of what life was like for British citizens, then you will like this novel. In 2016, I visited England. On my tour, we drove by the shell of a church in Devon. The guide explained that it was left in ruins so British citizen would never forget the horrors of WWII. For me, that gave me a new understanding of what England suffered during that awful period of history. The Girl Who Disappeared had added to that a great deal. Happy reading!
Author Bio:
James Lingard - educated at Dulwich College and University College London - became a leading City of London solicitor specialising in banking law and insolvency.
A former Council Member of the Association of Business Recovery Professionals and of the European Association of Insolvency Practitioners, he became a Judicial Chairman of the Insolvency Practitioners Tribunal.
He was the founding President of the Insolvency Lawyers Association and also became Chairman of the Joint Insolvency Examination Board and of the Banking Law and the Insolvency Law Sub Committees of the City of London Law Society.
A former Council Member of the Association of Business Recovery Professionals and of the European Association of Insolvency Practitioners, he became a Judicial Chairman of the Insolvency Practitioners Tribunal.
He was the founding President of the Insolvency Lawyers Association and also became Chairman of the Joint Insolvency Examination Board and of the Banking Law and the Insolvency Law Sub Committees of the City of London Law Society.
