Book Beginnings on Friday

Published on by Margaret

This is the opening sentence of the book I’m going to read next:

The night the war ended, both Mrs Trevor and Mrs Wilson went on duty at the Red Cross post as usual.

from The Village by Marghanita Laski. As this sentence indicates the setting is at the end of World War Two – in fact, the very day it ended. It seems to me as though Mrs Trevor and Mrs Wilson don’t want to give up the routine they had during the war and I’m keen to see what effect the end of the war will have on them.

This opening reminds me a bit of One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downes, also set in 1946 and chronicles the changes the Marshall family encountered, a book which I loved.

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Gilion at Rose City Reader.

4 thoughts on “Book Beginnings on Friday”

  1. Hi Margaret,

    I haven’t come across either of these books before, but the similarity between them is instantly recogizable.

    Your review of ‘One Fine Day’ was very detailed and insightful and like yourself, I often wonder how my parents, in-laws and grandparents adjusted to life after the war, as well as their individual circumstances during the war. I am constantly amazed by their reticence in talking about their experiences, although every so often a reminiscence will crop up during a conversation.

    The first lines of ‘The Village’ really puts the whole story into context from the outset and I just love the cover shown in your link.

    Have a good weekend and enjoy this glorious weather whilst it lasts.
    Yvonne

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  2. That is just the kind of beginning I love — you get an idea of the setting and the characters right from the get go.

    Thanks for joining me on Book Beginnings!

    Rose City Reader

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