Description
Book SynopsisRosebay willowherb grew rapidly on bombsites in WWII. Often called Bombweed, its image conjured up the terror of the blitz and its aftermath; a reminder of the lifelong consequences of wartime loss and the choice to cling to, discard, or lock away the memories of those who have disappeared from view in the fog of war. // Vivienne, a naive teenager in 1938, has to grow up in a world at war. Her family is shattered, like the buildings in her town, by the Luftwaffe. Vivienne and her sisters each seek ways to deal with devastating loss. Memories are destroyed, blotted out with drink and sex, or clung to obsessively. Houses can be repaired when peace comes, but the heart is a trickier matter. Vivienne knows that to recover, she must reach into the dark past.
Trade ReviewGillian grew up in post-war Portsmouth in a family steeped in amateur dramatics. She lacked confidence, and would often be watching rehearsals and performances from the back of a darkened hall. The good thing, she says, is that by 12 years old she had seen almost all of Shakespeare's plays. She is no longer shy. // After completing a social science degree, Gillian stepped sideways into education where her curiosity about children who were failing in school drew her to therapeutic training. She has published and contributed to conferences nationally and internationally. // 'Bombweed' is Gillian's first novel. It is based on an unpublished story written in 1947 by her mother in the aftermath of WWII. Assisted by her sister Maureen, she has turned their mother's extensive, rambling, narrative into an engrossing story of love and loss, and sibling rivalry, in wartime Britain. // I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were well crafted and real and it was a difficult book to put down. I was sad when I reached the end. I wish there was more to come. Tina, Amazon Reviewer // This book far surpasses my expectations; it is a story of life during the 2nd world war for a family in the Portsmouth area, badly affected by bombing and loss of life. Vivienne and her sisters go out into the world, dealing with war time conditions in their different ways. It is told in a clear and true voice and is a great read. Judica, Amazon Reviewer;
Table of ContentsTea for Two Peace in Our Time Dancing Cheek to Cheek Blackout Buttons and Bows My Heart and I Home Fires Stirring Silent Night In the Bleak Midwinter On the Beach The End of the Pier Out of the Blue We'll Meet Again On a Bicycle Made for Two Blues in the Night Let It Snow, Let It Snow We Will Never Surrender Out of Sight, Out of Mind I'll Get By As Long As I Have You Bye Bye Blackbird I'm Through with Love Run Rabbit Run There is a Tavern in the Town Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye Baby It's Cold Outside In the Mood Goodnight Sweetheart Run Rabbit Run Again Lend A Hand On The Land Making Hay Sisters, Sisters V for Vengeance Shine On Harvest Moon The Homecoming Waltz V for Victory It's Been a Long, Long Time On the Outside Looking In When the Lights Come On Again All Over the World Stormy Weather Home Fires Burning Still Tea for Two I'm Beginning to See the Light Tea for Two Again On the Sunny Side of the Street
