It was an average historical fiction novel. It wasn’t horrible but I have others I would recommend over it to other readers.

Beautifully written, honest, and sincere.
This is one of those stories that stay with you for a very long time. Loved reading it.

This novel is set in London and Malta in the World War II years of 1939-1942. It covers the life of several characters and describes their wartime lives. Mary North is the daughter of wealthy, society parents and has never wanted for anything. When war is declared she leaves her finishing school and volunteers at the War Office where she is assigned to be a teacher. Tom and Alistair are best friends. Tom works for the Education Office while Alastair is an art restorer and works at the Tate. Alastair volunteers for the service and is quickly sent abroad while Tom stays behind to handle the educational needs of the children of London.

Mary has no background in teaching but quickly falls in love with the job and especially one student, Zachary, who is a black child. He and the others are sent to the country but the prejudice there returns him to London. Mary teaches him and other children not sent away such as those with disabilities and seems to be making progress. She and Tom have fallen in love and are talking about marriage. London is under the reality of daily bombings from the Germans and more and more people are affected.

When Tom and Mary meet with Alastair on leave from France before he is sent to Malta, Mary brings her best friend, Hilda, hoping she and Alastair will hit it off. That is before she meets Alastair who when they meet, she falls in love with and he with her although each knows it is impossible because of their love for Tom. Alastair goes away to Malta which was one of the worst postings in the war. It was strafed and bombed daily for months and the soldiers were soon living in a fort on starvation rations.

I generally stay away from World War II novels as I think the genre is overdone but I took a chance on this one as Chris Cleave is such a good author. It was a marvelous book with sympathetic characters and scenes that brought home the reality of war better than most novels of its kind. Mary starts as a spoiled child who quickly grows up and realizes that the world is changing around her. Tom and Alastair are examples of the brave English men who just got on with it without complaint even when outnumbered and outsupplied. The descriptions bring home the reality of war more than any book I've read of this time period and the sacrifices made by every characters makes one realize how lucky the United States has been not to have war fought on its land with the exception of the Civil War. Being in the midst of war is much different from sending soldiers away and the gritty reality of bombings, loss of houses and relatives and friends and the daily sacrifices of everyone involved is breathtaking. This book is recommended for readers of historical and literary fiction.

While this book did not meet the standard of excellence set by the author's earlier work, Little Bee, the novel provided an interesting look into a largely unknown aspect of World War II - what happened in Malta. I found the characters and the setting unique (it actually made me want to visit Malta). It was an interesting and somewhat engaging read, but not among the top ten that I would recommend.

This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it. thanks for letting me have an advance copy. I'm new to this author.

A fantastic story about World War II, perfect for students to help provide the human touch that is often left out of history books. The relationships between the characters of this story are compelling, pushing the readers to move forward in their reading of a difficult time period. While the events and historical background of this book are steeped in tragedy, there are moments of wit and humor. This book provides students and teachers the opportunity to discuss heavy issues including social class, friendship, betrayal, love, honesty, courage and ultimately forgiveness. I highly recommend it for high school and college modern fiction or American history reading lists.

There was much to enjoy here, but I found I couldn't connect with it. I'd read more from this author in the future though.

I am inclined to reach for historical fiction now more than ever before and this is a book not easily forgotten. The characters inspire one to hope through taking action. This will help them navigate the harsh conditions of WWll. Add a love story which runs deep and you have a perfect read. If you are one of the few who hasn’t read this sure to be considered a classic, I highly recommend it.

This book was just ok for me, however I thought that the narration by Luke Thompson of the audiobook was excellent and it really enhanced the book. The story had moments of depth, primarily involving Alastair an art restorer who enlists at the start of WWII, but a lot of it seemed banal. There were several instances of instalove, and finding a man really does solve everything. I felt that the character of Zachary, a 10 year old African American boy, was introduced just to show that Mary was slightly less shallow than her friend Hilda. And the author could have cut down on the use of the N-word, even if it was appropriate to the time and place (I have no idea whether that is true). 3.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

This historical novel is set during World War II, in London before and during the Blitz and on the war front in France and Malta. Told from multiple perspectives, primarily Mary, a privileged young woman in London who volunteers to help with the war effort; Tom, a school administrator who doesn’t join the army; Alistair, Tom’s roommate who volunteers for the army on the first day of the war; and Zachary, a young black boy whose path crosses with Mary. There are many excellent World War II novels out there and this is another addition to that list, with an engrossing story, characters you care for, and beautiful writing, though also a sad book that made me cry multiple times. 4.5 stars.

How can anyone write so beautifully about war? I loved the concept of taking her grandparents history and weaving it into a novel. It starts slowly, but it builds up into remarkable story about courage and protecting those easily forgotten.

Such a sad, evocative war novel, a brilliant and realistic love story that sees a relationship tested by distance and circumstance. Loved the characters, and really felt the isolation, frustration and fear of death felt by those abroad and home during WW2.

I am sorry for not reviewing fully but I don’t have the time to read this anymore. I believe that it wouldn't benefit you as a publisher or your book if I only skimmed it and wrote a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for not fully reviewing!

Disclaimer: WWII historical fiction is one of my favorite literary genres, and Chris Cleave’s Little Bee was on my fave list for a long time. I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley (in exchange for an honest review), but this is a book I would have grabbed on the day it hit the bookstores. I was not disappointed. If you’re a fan of Kate Atkinson or Kristin Hannah, “Everyone Brave...” should be on your must-read list. Cleave sets up the story beautifully and weaves together themes of war, feminism and racial inequality with the complications of love and fate to create an unforgettable story of loss and resilience. Highly recommend.

Chris Cleave is a skillful writer who can craft a large scale book very well and this is no different. Set in the early days of World War II, this character-driven novel centers on four young Brits living in London when war breaks out. Privileged Mary North, 18, signs up to do something for the war effort and finds herself teaching children who were not evacuated to the countryside. As head of the Education Authority,Tim Shaw, 23, hires Mary for her teaching position, and yup, you guessed it, he becomes her lover. Tim’s flatmate Alastair Heath, a 24-year-old an art conservator at the Tate museum, immediately enlists and is deployed to France until the British and French troops are evacuated from Dunkirk. Not terribly attractive but equally privileged Hilda, Mary’s friend, is somewhat shallow and boy-crazy and who is very attracted to Alistair Ultimately, in my opinion, Hilda is the most interesting of the group simply because there’s real character development by the end of the book. The story is told mainly from Mary and Alistair’s point of view, whose experiences during the war are very different, though their paths cross and the two find they are attracted to each other.

A lot happens in this book, mirroring all the horrors of war. I thought it would be a great adult novel for teens to read, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a little graphic for me to recommend it for them. However, if you are an adult who enjoys reading historical fiction about WWII, this might be a good choice, if you haven’t already read it.

I really liked how Cleave approached this WWII historical fiction. Told in 3rd person omniscient, Everyone Brave is Forgiven follows follows Mary & Tom in London during the German Blitz (bombing raids in London), and also follows Alistair as he serves in the war. I’ve got to admit, I don’t always enjoy a story told in 3rd person omniscient, but Cleave pulls it off here. Generally, I don’t feel connected to the characters as much when the story is told in 3rd person, but Cleave did such an excellent job fleshing out these characters.

The real stars of the show here are the characters within Everyone Brave is Forgiven. Mary was my favorite kind of spitfire. She was assertive, independent, compassionate, outspoken, and unafraid to stand up for what she believe is right. Don’t get me wrong, Mary is not without her faults as you will see if you read this book, but this just made her feel all the more realistic. Alistair was also another favorite. I really appreciated his will to just keep pushing on, despite the awful events he was subjected to.

Another wonderful aspect about this book is the friendship between Mary & Hilda. You know those pairings that just seem meant to be? Mary & Hilda were meant to be friends. While their friendship has its ups and downs, at the end of the day they will always be there for each other. Positive female friendship is definitely lacking in literature, so I was thrilled to see such a wonderful friendship depicted here.

You know what a lot of other WWII historical fiction books do not cover? Racism, ableism, classism, and sexism. I was delighted that Cleave chose to explore the fact that when children in London were evacuated into the countryside, many children of color, poor children, & disabled children were left behind in the city. It was really heartbreaking to learn that certain children were excluded from evacuation. For those children left behind, Mary took a few of them under her wing & formed a nontraditional class. I particularly enjoyed Mary & Zachary’s relationship throughout the book. I loved that Mary refused to give up on him. I also found the insight into the black community in London during WWII very interesting.

Here’s something you don’t hear often: this WWII historical fiction book was funny. I do not think I’ve ever laughed as much in a WWII historical fiction book as I did in Everyone Brave is Forgiven. This is my first time experiencing Cleave’s writing, so I am not sure if he writes all his books with this much whit & dry humor, but I really enjoyed it. This book included some of the most amusing dialogue I’ve read in a long time. Some may say that this much humor in a book dealing with war is inappropriate, however I disagree. Many people cope with hardships in different ways. Personally, I am one of those people that likes to see humor in every situation, even grim ones.

Like most WWII historical fiction books, there are some heavier themes, but also some beautiful themes that play out. Heavier themes include loss, grief, drug addiction, PTSD, etc. Lighter themes include friendship, hope, and love. I feel like there was enough of a balance here that prevented the book to feel bogged down by the heavier themes. This book would make for an excellent book club selection, as there are many different things you’d be able to discuss.

I really liked how Cleave left things a little open ended and did not tie everything up with a neat little bow. I always appreciate when a few things are left up to the reader’s imagination, and are up for interpretation. I find that these types of books often make for great book club discussions.

***Trigger/content warnings: drug addiction, PTSD, & graphic violence/gore***

*Big thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cleave's ironic tone coupled with elegant passages make this WWII novel one that will haunt the reader. The devastating conditions in war torn London and the battle for Malta are hard to read about but once again, Chris Cleave's marvelous storytelling and colorful characters are compelling.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1629036963?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Opening line:
"Was was declared at eleven-fifteen and Mary North signed up at noon."

A story of love, prejudice, bravery all set during World War Two.
Mary is an independent young woman who wants to make a difference in the world. She starts out by being a teacher, later takes a job as an ambulance driver and finally helps black children survive. She starts to date Tom, who helps her get a job, falls in love with Tom's best friend, Alistair and lives through an air raid on London.
War is hard on everyone, soldiers, civilians, families and friends. Mary does somethings she isn't proud of and I think that shows her humanity. She also does somethings that she should be proud of but is looked down on for.
I didn't enjoy the writing only because it isn't my style but I know many readers will enjoy it!

This story is based on the author's own family. He went to the places his grandfather fought. He talked with the people who were still alive, he read letters and heard stories. It's nice that he gets to learn so much about his family and their history.

For the sensitive reader: about 50 swear words (no F words); kissing; a non-descriptive sex scene.

Thank you to netgalley for the early read.

What a wonderful book! It pulled me in and never let me go. The bombing of London during WWII was relentless and so random in whom it victimized nightly, and this book captures that beautifully. (If a time of war can be described as 'beautiful'.) I grew to love the characters, especially little Zachary.

Chris Cleave has done it again. This is a book that educates, entertains -- and touches your heart.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book for an honest review.

Goodreads review below (published April 14, 2016)

I received a copy of this ARC from net galley in exchange for an honest review for a historical fiction regarding WWII so here it goes:

"But perhaps that is the work of a novelist after all—to dig one small hole that must host a great number of men."

Chris Cleave (of "Little Bee" fame) begins the novel with a letter to the readers explaining his own family's involvement in WWII, how bravery came in a number of forms for both the men and the women and how he actually traveled to Malta where his grandfather was stationed and learnt the effort it had taken for the men to have broken through the dirt and make a hole to encompass as many body parts as possible for the men that were dying from the relentless bombings and all other kinds of casualties from the war.

While the actual novel is not biographical, he used Malta and a variety of experiences to incorporate into the novel which gives the novel its authenticity, in my humble opinion.

So the actual novel:

Mary North is from a wealthy, prominent family in England with her dad in politics and her mum catering to the social functions one needs to hold as a politician's wife.

On the day England becomes involved in the war, Mary signs up to the War Office, excited for the adventure it promises.

Tom and Alistair live in an attic and are the best of friends. Alistair conserves art masterpieces and Tom is an educator, a teacher. Tom believes the war will be over before it even starts and has no interest in signing up, Alistair does.

Hilda is Mary's best friend, concerned with looks and finding a gentleman that won't be interested in Mary first. She is brave and is there for her friend though at the start of the novel she comes across as very vapid, only through her actions do you get to see the real Hilda lying underneath.

"The eye may be an obligate scout but the heart is not an incurable follower."

The four of them get tangled up in each other's lives, war is complicated as it is, without throwing love and its entanglements over the top but sometimes love is all one can hold to when the adventure wears off and all you can do is survive.

I love the interwoven lives of the four and I absolutely admired Mary's character so much, the way she continued to find a way to teach, how she stood by Zachary when no one else from 'white society' would. The fact that she got slapped walking down the street with him enforced the craziness of the time, while the city is being damned to hell with bombings every night and countless dead or dying, to have a white woman seen with a black boy and for it to evoke such a reaction really highlights the undercurrent/darker side of society that even a war could not dislodge.

"I was brought up to believe that everyone brave is forgiven, but in wartime courage is cheap and clemency out of season."

Alistair also undergoes so many transformations and his character develops through the events that unfold while he is in France and then Malta. His undying spirit and the easy way he would joke about the situation he was in to make his men smile when smiles would have been few and far between really touched me.

"He missed the way they had made rain hilarious, and passersby mysterious, and bridges cross more than the river."

The love, gloriously messy and unapologetic, enduring through the war and surviving while other more fragile things such as human lives did not was another theme of the book besides bravery or even another aspect of bravery if you really want to think about it. Mary loves wholeheartedly and not just the men but her mother, her best friend and her students, showing al the different types of relationships. Sometimes you just can't help who you fall head over heels with and I think the two relationships she formed each were important and helped shape her character and will continue to shape her.

The ending is left open ended and there is still three years of war to be fought so it's left up in the air as to what will happen but there a glimmer of hope, that love, as flimsy and as strong at the same time will survive and be enough and that those forgiven will be brave and do the right thing, when it matters, either in the war or on the other side of it. If the forgiven survive.

4 stars.