The Runaway Sisters by Ann Bennett
Genre: Historical fiction, WW2, Dual timeline
Read: 15th September 2020
Published: 15th September 2020
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
DESCRIPTION:
The story of two sisters fighting to survive in the darkest days of World War Two. A heartbreaking tale of resilience and bravery, about having the courage to sacrifice yourself in order to save the ones you love…
Devon, 1940: When fifteen-year-old Daisy is evacuated from her home in London, she knows she must look after her younger sister Peggy. She is the only one who can reassure Peggy that life will go back to normal, holding her close and reading to her from their one battered children’s book.
But when the sisters are taken into the countryside, Daisy quickly realises that not everyone at home is on the right side of the war. Forced to work in fields alongside orphan children, she finds herself drawn to a young boy called John, who has tried and failed to escape many times before. He protects the other children, and his bravery inspires Daisy.
Then Peggy gets sick and Daisy knows that, to save her life, they must run away. But now Peggy is not the only one Daisy is desperate to protect. As the sounds of German engines grow louder above her, Daisy is faced with an impossible choice: escape with just her sister, or risk her life to save others?
Perfect for fans of Lisa Wingate, Diney Costeloe and Shirley Dickson, The Runaway Sisters is a tale of heartwrenching loss and uplifting courage. It’s a story about family, and the light that can be found in the dark clouds of war.
MY REVIEW:
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Ann Bennett's heartbreaking historical novel THE RUNAWAY SISTERS.
I love dual timeline stories and having read and enjoyed "The Orphan House" by Ann Bennett earlier this year I was excited to devour THE RUNAWAY SISTERS. I was not disappointed.
A warning:
There is a lot of violence and abuse throughout Daisy's narrative and it does make for uncomfortable reading at times.
The story begins in the present day with Helen and Laura clearing out their former home at Black Moor Hall after their mother Daisy had a stroke and is now residing in a care home. The two sisters have been somewhat estranged throughout their lives, what with ten years between them and the pressures they felt they endured by their mother's hand. But now they have reunited to clear out the house and get it ready for sale, reigniting many memories of their years growing up there. When the day comes to begin clearing their mother's room, the sisters come across a hidden door behind the wardrobe and are intrigued by what they find there that will change their lives forever.
Two letters addressed to a Daisy Banks in Plymouth dated 1940 have the women pondering as to who the mystery addressee was. After all, their mother's maiden name was not Banks...plus the letters also spoke of a younger sister Peggy and to their knowledge their mother was an only child. So who was Daisy Banks and why did their mother have letters addressed to her? Along with the letters were a couple of photos - one of a young man in a Navy uniform and the other of what looked to be the same young man with a young woman who bore the striking resemblance to their mother. It couldn't be...could it? What did this all mean? Was their mother Daisy Banks? If so, then why did she change her name before marrying their father?
Devon 1940: Fifteen year old Daisy Banks and her ten year old sister Peggy have been evacuated from their home in London to Plymouth, where they were billeted to a Mr and Mrs Brown. They were thought to be safe there but one night the German bombers raided the town leaving much of it damaged. Daisy sat huddled with Peggy on the bed till the explosions ceased before opening the door to their room. When she did she was astonished to discover that while their room and the landing remained in tact, Mr and Mrs Brown's room other the other side was decimated. The girls hastily packed a few things and ran into the street searching for a way back home to London.
They were soon stopped by a man bearing the insignia of a billeting officer who told them that as they were evacuees they were under the responsibility of the government to take care of them. He told them of a lovely place out on the moors on the edge of Dartmoor with animals and other children who were also being taken care of. Peggy's eyes lit up at the mention of animals but Daisy remained wary. However, she knew that London was far away and they had no money to get there so resigned herself to this stranger taking them under his wing.
Believing he was taking them somewhere safe, the sisters climb into his car and the man drives them out onto the moors to a derelict farm where the conditions were nothing like he had described. As soon as they arrived, they were introduced to Farmer Reeves then shoved into a barn and informed that this is where they would sleep before being forced to work with the other four other children - two boys and two girls - who also lived there. Daisy dreamt of escaping but anyone that tries to is dealt with severely. If they spoke out to either Farmer Reeves or Red, the man who brought them there, they were beaten or whipped. As the government had sanctioned the use of children for farm work, it was therefore legal despite the harsh conditions. There was nowhere else to go.
But Daisy had a plan. With John, one of the orphan boys, they endeavoured to make their escape and report Farmer Reeves and Red for the conditions to which they subjected them to. But they had to make their move soon. Peggy was growing weaker in the almost arctic conditions of the barn, her cough getting worse by the day. If they didn't make their escape soon, who knew what future held for them at their cruel hands.
Back in the present day, Helen and Laura search the Land Registry for information on the derelict farm that backs onto Black Moor Hall, the sisters are shocked to discover that it belongs to their mother. They were always forbidden to venture onto the farm grounds and intrigued by the mystery before them, Helen decides to follow the path she remembers seeing her mother taking at times. Through old derelict buildings that had been left to rot for near on a century, Helen follows the path which leads her to something she never expected to find. What brought her mother here so often in secret? Guilt? Or something else?
Then when Helen finds a key that doesn't seem to fit any door in the house, the sisters are taken back to London to unlock the secrets their mother has kept hidden for over 70 years. And nothing will prepare them for the journey that it will take them on and the secrets that they will uncover...
The two stories merge together seamlessly as Daisy's narrative from the past is woven with Helen's in the present and is beautifully told. Daisy and Peggy's story is heartbreaking as is so often the tale of orphans during the war with the physical and emotional abuse they received at the hands of Farmer Reeves and his henchman Red. It was at times difficult to read. And then the romance between John and Daisy was simply heartwarming. I cannot say much more without giving anything away.
An incredibly emotional tale, THE RUNAWAY SISTERS captured my attention from the start and held it until the end, as I finished with tears in my eyes. It is truly a great read that I certainly won't forget in a hurry.
Filled with love, loss, heartbreak, secrets, lies and hope, THE RUNAWAY SISTERS is a heartwrenching historical novel that will stay with long after you have finished reading.
My only critique I have was the rather abrupt ending. All the hope and promise that had been building up, and then I turned the page and...the end. I felt a little cheated in that respect. I felt it needed to end with Daisy, since it was ultimately her story and her secrets that was being uncovered.
But aside from that, THE RUNAWAY SISTERS is a thoroughly enjoyable read that I have no hesitation in recommending to fans of historical fiction, dual timelines and stories about the plights of orphaned children.
I would like to thank #AnnBennett, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheRunawaySisters in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Ann Bennett was born in a small village in Northamptonshire and now lives in Surrey. Her first book, A Daughter's Quest, originally published as Bamboo Heart, was inspired by her father's experience as a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway. The Planter's Wife (originally published as Bamboo Island) a Daughter's Promise and The Homecoming, (formerly Bamboo Road) are also about the war in South East Asia.
Ann is married with three grown up sons and works as a lawyer.
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