3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
“For all man’s stupidity, the light within us all survives and shines even in the most horrific circumstances.”
A Week in Time by Bett Rose is a story of hope. Taking place within one week, it is a snapshot into the lives, relationships, and daily happenings of a group of working-class friends living in a small London neighborhood during World War II. A character-driven story, it introduces a menagerie of interesting neighbors.
Frances and Eliza work long hours in an engineering factory while waiting for their men to come home from the war. Frances faces the fear that her husband may be missing in action, while Eliza embraces the freedom of not being bound by societal expectations for the first time in her life. Norma is also waiting for her husband to return. She spends her days waiting in line for food rations and taking care of her four daughters. Ruby is an independent woman who ponders her budding relationship with James, a handsome American soldier. Violet and Harold worry that their sons, both fighter pilots, won’t return. These characters are connected by the war. They rely on each other for comfort, support, advice, and encouragement throughout the story.
I like that, though the story is about serious topics, the author manages to add a bit of levity to the plot. Instead of focusing on the horrors of war, Rose highlights the hope and friendships that the characters manage to eke out even though fear and death surround them. At one point in the story, for example, several characters have an impromptu party. They sing and dance and laugh, enjoying themselves just one day after their area suffered heavy bombing. They embrace the relief and the joy of surviving instead of focusing on the broken and shattered remains of their neighborhood.
I also like how effectively the author integrates bits of historically accurate information into the story. Early in the piece, for example, Norma talks about recent speeches by Winston Churchill. The powerful and encouraging words give her hope and make her feel brave. The story also includes air raids, black-outs and evacuation failures from the London Blitz. Using references like this throughout the story adds to the realism of the piece.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. This is an optimistic story that focuses on themes of love and perseverance and of staying strong in the face of fear. It also emphasizes the powerful bonds of friendship. There are some grammatical errors, especially run-on sentences, which is why I deducted a point. However, these errors could easily be remedied by a proofreader or editor.
I would recommend A Week in Time to readers who like historical fiction. It is a relatively short piece, so readers who are looking for a lengthy, descriptive book might not enjoy it. However, people who like reading about World War II, friendships, and perseverance will love this heart-warming story.
******
A Week in Time.
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
