Bombweed

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Pub Date 03 Jul 2018 | Archive Date 16 Aug 2018

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Description

Rosebay 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 appalling 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 her own dark past.

Rosebay 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...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781781328101
PRICE $5.24 (USD)

Average rating from 11 members


Featured Reviews

This is a story about the war and how it affected family's and people they knew and didn't know. It is also about the love and hate between sisters. You read about the loss of family members. How your life is lived around the sound of the siren going off. Having to gather the neccessary things you may need and stay in a shelter till the all clear siren is heard. The storyline is so well written that you are almost there with the characters. Standing in line trying to get food that is available. Looking forward to getting your ration booklet so you could maybe get the necessary items you needed. Unless they ran out. I enjoyed this book immensely. I know that if you read it you will get as much enjoyment as I did.

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I absolutely loved this! 3 sisters struggle with war and loss. Well written and easy to feel for the characters.

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I research a lot and was researching what "bombweed" was, when I found an article about this book that made it more interesting!
In 2005, after the author was deceased her children
(see https://www.silverwoodbooks.co.uk/learning-zone/the-authors-journey-a-tale-of-two-generations-with-gillian-morton)
found her pages and the book was born. (Of course that's long story short)
A personal account of life of her and her sisters and how they were affect by WWII. The stress of living through everyday life of air raid sirens, food lines and shortages, death among other horrors of war. Not for everyone but I enjoyed it. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I could not put this book down! Bombweed (or fireweed) grows where fire has been-life beginning after loss. Three young sisters face war and loss. The war changes them and begin life again. Each deals with loss differently bringing about rivalry and strain between the sisters

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I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion. Living through WWII in England, two sisters cope differently. I found this to be very interesting and enjoyable to see the way the sisters related.

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I gave this book a 5 out of 5 star review. It was an enjoyable and I would recommend. to others. Generously provided to me through NetGalley

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The title and cover image instantly attracted me to this book.
Bombweed- Rosebay Willowherb which grew on bomb sites in WWII.
How ironic that such a colourful plant would flower on a places of atrocity and devastation.
And here where the book is set in Portsmouth it did just that as we follow three sisters in the Second World War and the impacts in has on their lives and their family and friends.
I thought the characterisation was really good and the history detailed well as issues such as rationing, shortages and the blackmarket etc are all contained.
It was a very though provoking and fascinating read that I enjoyed very much and anyone that has an interest in this genre must read!.
My thanks go to the publisher, author and Netgalley in providing this arc in return for a honest review.

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