Author: Ella Carey
Publisher: 12th July 2021 by Bookouture
Pages: 294 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: historical fiction
My Rating: 5 cups
Synopsis:
The truck stopped for a moment in the freezing, bombed-out street and Kate caught sight of a little girl in a ragged dress on the steps of a once-beautiful mansion. The child’s eyes were startling blue, a pair of endless pools, drawing Kate towards her…
1946, Berlin. War correspondent Kate Mancini is in Germany, reporting on the aftermath of the devastating war. For her readers back home in New York, she tells the stories of innocent families, trying to rebuild the wreckage of their lives now the soldiers have left at last. But in the Russian-held sector of Berlin on an icy winter’s day, Kate breaks all the rules, rescuing Mia Stein, a silent orphan who she fears will otherwise perish.
Together with her fellow journalist, handsome Rick Shearer, Kate manages to find a safe house for Mia before she returns to America and vows to keep in touch. Back home, the reality of post-war life for women is stark. Whilst Rick walks into his dream job, no newspaper will hire a woman. The editors laugh her out of their offices, telling her to get married and raise a family. Rick does all he can to support her, as she takes her first steps towards the new medium of television news, and their friendship deepens into something more.
Then tragedy strikes: Rick is falsely named as a communist sympathizer. He is arrested, blacklisted and faces prison.
Kate knows she must do all she can to free the man she loves. But that means returning to Germany, to seek out the little orphan girl who is her only chance at salvation. Kate and Rick saved Mia—will she help them both now? And even if Kate succeeds, freedom might never be hers when she returns home…
My Thoughts
I find myself drawn to yet another post WWII story as I find them so intriguing. Mind you, this story really is rich in detail especially given its shorter length. Ella Carey is yet again packing a punch and writing another fabulous tale.
‘Editors say the war is done. That folks don’t want anything negative. They have moved on.” She studied the floor. “But how can that possibly be? If people saw this…”
Starting from the war’s conclusion and stretching to 1951, the story takes place in both Berlin and New York. Kate is a wonderful female lead, so strong and determined. You first see her as a news correspondent in Berlin desiring to save a war orphan. I was then pleasantly surprised with the unexpected route the story took. This was not just about the catastrophic devastation from the war but rather the place of women in this newly emerging world order. Kate is determined to pursue her journalistic passions despite so many doors being closed to her, deftly refusing to be shunted to housewife duties of any form.
‘… a dark reality unfurled deep down inside. The woman who married Rick … would be expected to be a full-time wife, a society host ... A journalist from the Village would never do, especially one, who had political leanings. Keeping her career and her relationship with Rick would be all nigh impossible..’
Ella Carey’s novels just hit the mark for me time and again. From the contrasts of the clean up of Berlin and the Russian demarcation, to the role of women in a man’s world, to the impending communism culture and fears that burgeoned in America at this time. It is all written so well and convincingly. To switch from the appalling conditions of Berlin to the vibrant wealth of New York is confronting.
The two leads are excellent and the obstacles they face tie in well together with all the themes of wealth and status, family cultures, unequal pay and opportunities, new immigrant prejudice, to even the new role of the television in news reporting. There is just so much to learn and read about all woven flawlessly into the story of Kate and Rick. Add in Mia’s war orphan experience towards the end and wow … just amazing storytelling.
‘Mia’s silence felt like the silence of so many German people. Too afraid to speak, too afraid to draw any attention to themselves.’
Ella Carey has certainly cemented herself as a firm favourite author of mine. This is a rich tale where I fully appreciated all that Kate went through and how she persevered in dedicating her life to so many areas. A truly inspiring tale that is not to be missed.
“I’ve worked honestly to get where I’ve got, and I think women deserve exactly the same opportunities as men. I don’t believe in anything different. And I only hope that things change, one day, in America.”
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
No comments:
Post a Comment