My ReviewThe English Wife is the story of two women. In 1940's England, Ellie Burgess falls in love with Thomas, a soldier who hails from Newfoundland. In 2001, Sophie Parry finds her plane diverted from a trip to New York on 9/11. She lands in Newfoundland, where her Aunt Ellie lives.
I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction set in the 1940's. I also was intrigued by the Newfoundland setting, since that is an area I was not familiar with. I love traveling new places in a book!
This is an ambitious dual storyline novel that tells the story of two women, in World War II and in the aftermath of 9/11. The author does an amazing job at skillfully interweaving the stories of these women's lives.
The historical details are rich. I especially found the details of England during World War II to be fascinating, like the little cellar where Ellie and her little sister Dottie hide out (with their cat!) during a bombing raid.
I also love the current day descriptions of Newfoundland, which seems like a quirky, vibrant place. For instance:
"Sophie follows Sam and Becca through the screen door. Inside, long white-painted wooden counters stacked with boxes of art cards, homemade jams, rolls of colourful ribbon, plates of fat muffins, tempting cookies and red paper bags of something labelled hard tack flank the narrow walls in front of the sage green shelves displaying handmade glazed pottery and framed art prints. Four lively dachshunds clatter through the doorway from a back room, followed by a sturdily built woman of about fifty, in paint-spattered jeans and a Joni Mitchell T-shirt" (eBook location 851).
Although I initially was more interested in the 1940's story, as the book went on I became invested also in Sophie's storyline (2001 - 2011) and especially life in Newfoundland.
I enthusiastically recommend The English Wife for fans of historical fiction, especially anyone interested in the 1940's, Newfoundland, and dual storyline novels. It is a lovely and engrossing read!
Book Synopsis
Two women, a world apart.
A secret waiting to be discovered…
VE Day 1945: As victory bells ring out across the
country, war bride Ellie Burgess’ happiness is overshadowed by grief.
Her charismatic Newfoundlander husband Thomas is still missing in
action.
Until a letter arrives explaining Thomas is back at home on the other side of the Atlantic recovering from his injuries.
Travelling to a distant country to live with a man she barely knows
is the bravest thing Ellie has ever had to do. But nothing can prepare
her for the harsh realities of her new home…
September 11th 2001: Sophie Parry is on a plane to
New York on the most tragic day in the city’s history. While the world
watches the news in horror, Sophie’s flight is rerouted to a tiny town
in Newfoundland and she is forced to seek refuge with her estranged aunt
Ellie.
Determined to discover what it was that forced her family apart all
those years ago, newfound secrets may change her life forever…
This is a timeless story of love, sacrifice and resilience perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Lorna Cook and Gill Paul.
Purchase Links
Author BioAdrienne Chinn was born in an old paper-making town in Newfoundland,
and grew up in rural Quebec and Montreal. She retraced her English
father’s footsteps back to England, where she now lives and works as an
interior designer.
She travels all over the world to speak at international events, and
leads design retreats in her beloved Morocco, which she has been
visiting regularly for over ten years.
When not writing or designing, Adrienne can be found puttering in her
Sussex garden; trawling flea markets; swimming anywhere she can find a
lake, sea or pool; or in the queue at Gatwick heading off somewhere new.
Find out more about Adrienne at her website, and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
