Edith's War
By: Andrew Smith
Published: March 26, 2010
Format: Paperback, 375 pages
ISBN-10: 0986496200
ISBN-13: 978-0986496202
Publisher: Axiom Publishing Inc.
Edith McGuire, newly married to a WWII British soldier she barely knows, and awaiting the birth of her child, learns first hand the tragedy and horrors of war. When Mussolini declared war on Great Britain, the British government ordered the roundup and internment of all adult males of Italian ancestry, including her family friends and neighbours. In a world gone mad, Edith discovers truth about herself, her family, and about survival and love, in the outstanding debut novel Edith's War by award winning non-fiction writer Andrew Smith.
Andrew Smith weaves a spellbinding story of love and war, and of remembering and of secrets, that transcends time to explore the triumph of the human spirit over heartbreaking events. The story is told in two distinct time periods. One part is described from the perspective of Edith and her life in Second World War Britain. The other section of the novel is viewed from the conversations of her two sons, William and Shamus, as they holiday in 2002 Venice, Italy. From these very different angles, the author explores the themes of love, loss, war, family relationships, secrets and lies, and of forgiveness. Andrew Smith presents a world where sometimes lies might be considered necessary to protect others, but where truth is the ultimate source of healing of old wounds, and of forgiveness.
Andrew Smith (photo left) writes in lyrical prose, that evokes two very different times and places, effectively and with realism. The characters act within their personal lives, as would be expected from their personalities. The character of Edith, with her inner turmoil of divided love, loss, and pain is very well written and defined. Her actions are very believable within the context of her life and tragic events over which she has no control.
At the same time, the author explores the concepts of freedom and captivity, and how the restrictions of wartime England paradoxically loosened society's bonds, offering more freedom of action for Edith. Only when the war ends, and her almost forgotten husband returns home from overseas, does she begin to recognize that freedom and restriction are relative terms, that change meaning with time and circumstance.
The author understands as well, that actions taken in one time period, have impact on the lives of people living long after the events have taken place. The choices made by Edith and her husband Joe had long lasting effects on the lives of their two sons. As Will and Shamus discuss the unanswered questions about their past, and share the pain of their lives and relationships, long hidden secrets push to the surface. Edith and her sons find reconciliation and share forgiveness, as old wounds are healed and the pain set aside. In the end, life goes on and people survive, and love and forgiveness triumph in this bittersweet novel.
I highly recommend the enthralling and realistic novel Edith's War by Andrew Smith, to anyone seeking a well written, character driven novel that explores deep themes in an insightful and sensitive way. The beautifully drawn characters, with their shadings and nuances, live on long after the book is completed, as they are real people who lived, loved and shared the joys and heartbreaks of life common to all people.
Read the spellbinding novel Edith's War by award winning non-fiction writer Andrew Smith, and relive the terrifying events of Blitz torn England, and the tragedy injustice of the Italian internment. Share the passion of love, the sorrow of death, the consequences of choices, and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit. This beautiful and touching novel deserves a special place on any bookshelf.
