The Woman with the Map by Jan Casey
Genre: Historical fiction, Wartime fiction, WW2, Dual timeline, Did not finish
Read: 11th March 2022
Published: 17th March 2022
★ 1 star
DESCRIPTION:
February 1941
The world is at war and Joyce Cooper is doing her bit for the war effort. A proud member of the Civil Defence, it is her job to assist the people of Notting Hill when the bombs begin to fall. But as the Blitz takes hold of London, Joyce is called upon to plot the devastation that follows in its wake. Night after night she must stand before her map and mark the trail of loss and suffering inflicted upon the homes, families and businesses she knows so well.
February 1974
Decades later from her basement flat Joyce watches the world go by above her head. This is her haven; the home she has created for herself having had so much taken from her in the war. But now the council is tearing down her block of flats and she's being forced to move. Could this chance to start over allow Joyce to let go of the past and step back into her life?
An emotional and compelling historical fiction novel perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Mandy Robotham and Catherine Hokin.
MY REVIEW:
I must be in the minority because this is the second Jan Casey book I've read (or started to) and didn't enjoy. I don't know why because the genre is one that I love, especially dual timelines, but I honestly found myself drowning in endless paragraphs and pages of wordy descriptions and monologuing. I'm a dialogue girl and there wasn't enough of this to make this remotely interesting. Coupled with the fact that there are some author's styles that a reader just doesn't gel with. I knew I recognised the author's name but didn't know from where until I opened the book and recognised her previous book "The Women of Waterloo Bridge"...and as much as I tried to like that one, I didn't enjoy it either.
It's a shame because the premise for this sounded intriguing but I honestly didn't care to wade through pages of monologuing and descriptions to discover the outcome.
However, don't take my word for it. Plenty of others have enjoyed THE WOMAN WITH THE MAP. For me, I think it's just a case of personal taste...and this just wasn't mine.
I would like to thank #JanCasey, #AriaFiction and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheWomanWithTheMap in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Jan Casey first heard the little known account of Waterloo Bridge, The Ladies' Bridge, being built by women during the Second World War on a Thames riverboat tour. The story fascinated her and 'The Women of Waterloo Bridge', Jan's first novel, is the outcome of her exploration into that event that had, until now, been erased from history. Before becoming a published novelist, Jan has had short stories and flash fiction published.
Jan was born in London but spent her childhood in Southern California. She was a teacher of English and Drama for many years and is now a Learning Supervisor at a college of further education.
When she is not writing or working, Jan enjoys cooking, reading, swimming, walking and spending time with her grandchildren.
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