Hello friends,
hope you are all OK! Recently I have been obsessed with World War stories, whether it's TV programs, books or films, I can't get enough of them! So this is a post about a book I've read based on events from WW2. There is a lot packed into this book so I'm going to skim over the details and just point out some key points of interest.
The story essentially follows Pixie Saunders, who works in the local armaments factory, near Portsmouth and looks at what life looks like for the people at home. Pixie's mother could be described as 'flighty' at best, she's run off with a man leaving her 19 year old daughter to fend for herself.
Pixie is now faced with paying rent, bills and essentially looking after herself. In the beginning she copes quite well, until she realises the extent of the debt her mother has left her in. Now facing eviction, Pixie along with her friend Rita decide they need a night out. Heading to their local pub, they meet American servicemen. Pixie's love interest is called Cal, and is the perfect gentleman.
On one of their dates, Pixie goes back to a hotel Cal has booked and she loses her virginity to him. He tells her that he loves her and proposes to her. Unbeknownst to Pixie, soon after this night, Cal is shipped overseas and is killed after his ship is bombed.
Pixie discovers that she is pregnant, she can no longer work in the armaments factory due to poisoning and has no where to live. The chemicals in the explosives can turn hair yellow and tinge the skin as well as other affects. This is why the women who work in this factory were sometimes referred to as 'canary girls'.
Her neighbour Bob steps in and offers to let Pixie move into his spare room. It's here that the prospect of love blooms until Pixie overhears two old women talking in the street about how they were boycotting Bob's stall on the market because he was helping an unmarried woman. Seriously- why people, would rather see a woman and child on the streets is beyond me but it was the way people thought then. Some still do now, but that's another discussion.
She then moves in with Cal's sister and helps her run her B&B until she realises her feelings for Bob and goes home to try and fix things.
There is more to this story, however the above is the core of the story. Rita has an interesting and empowering side story, as has Em- the line manager in the factory, as has Pixie's mother and Bob. Essentially it's a fascinating book and it gives a good insight into what the war was like for those, like me who want to know more about it from a human perspective.
I think you'll love this book if you're interested in history or even love or even drama. Basically you'll love this book... ;)
Enjoy!
Annie xx
hope you are all OK! Recently I have been obsessed with World War stories, whether it's TV programs, books or films, I can't get enough of them! So this is a post about a book I've read based on events from WW2. There is a lot packed into this book so I'm going to skim over the details and just point out some key points of interest.
The story essentially follows Pixie Saunders, who works in the local armaments factory, near Portsmouth and looks at what life looks like for the people at home. Pixie's mother could be described as 'flighty' at best, she's run off with a man leaving her 19 year old daughter to fend for herself.
Pixie is now faced with paying rent, bills and essentially looking after herself. In the beginning she copes quite well, until she realises the extent of the debt her mother has left her in. Now facing eviction, Pixie along with her friend Rita decide they need a night out. Heading to their local pub, they meet American servicemen. Pixie's love interest is called Cal, and is the perfect gentleman.
On one of their dates, Pixie goes back to a hotel Cal has booked and she loses her virginity to him. He tells her that he loves her and proposes to her. Unbeknownst to Pixie, soon after this night, Cal is shipped overseas and is killed after his ship is bombed.
Pixie discovers that she is pregnant, she can no longer work in the armaments factory due to poisoning and has no where to live. The chemicals in the explosives can turn hair yellow and tinge the skin as well as other affects. This is why the women who work in this factory were sometimes referred to as 'canary girls'.
Her neighbour Bob steps in and offers to let Pixie move into his spare room. It's here that the prospect of love blooms until Pixie overhears two old women talking in the street about how they were boycotting Bob's stall on the market because he was helping an unmarried woman. Seriously- why people, would rather see a woman and child on the streets is beyond me but it was the way people thought then. Some still do now, but that's another discussion.
She then moves in with Cal's sister and helps her run her B&B until she realises her feelings for Bob and goes home to try and fix things.
There is more to this story, however the above is the core of the story. Rita has an interesting and empowering side story, as has Em- the line manager in the factory, as has Pixie's mother and Bob. Essentially it's a fascinating book and it gives a good insight into what the war was like for those, like me who want to know more about it from a human perspective.
I think you'll love this book if you're interested in history or even love or even drama. Basically you'll love this book... ;)
Enjoy!
Annie xx
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