Mum's Monday: The Constant Star by Jessica Stirling

 

Part one, when I read the back of this book it says ‘Susan Cahill’ and ‘Job at the BBC’. I Thought Television, but as this story is set in the second world war in the 1940s, I very very quickly realise that it is in Radio where Susan works. I really should have known, I still want to read this book as the BBC is still the BBC which I like. It just goes to show that you should read the backs of books carefully.

I know there is a war on, but the first chapter is slow yet busy. It is setting the scene well for the rest of the book and I hope, if there is a bomb, it doesn’t go off. Yes, we know from the paragraph from the back of the book that the BBC building is damaged but it doesn’t say by how much.

So Susan has a new boss, a new location and a very vivid imagination. luckily/thankfully the part about when Susan arrived home to where she is staying was not so gory, but I had to read it twice to make sure, as this part was or could be, to some, a little confusing. However, a telephone call confirmed and cleared up any confusion I had.

Such a realisation, but I never noticed before, now that it is mentioned in this book I can picture the ‘Barrage balloons’ and yes, they do look like ‘Fish’. Also to read it, it is just, to me, a muddle as it must have been inside the shelter. The scuffle broke out so quickly it is not described and unclear, apart from them calling Billy a ‘Coward’ as to what happened and started it exactly.

Part two, this part highlights that some things, however, secret you try to keep them there is or could be something that can be or is overlooked. In this case an expenses form.

I have mixed feelings about a part in the story about fundraising for the ‘Spitfire’ fund, as when describing the types of stalls it says that there was ‘Jam of course’. This felt like this book was breaking what is known in films as the ‘Fourth wall’. Also the ‘Of course’ bit, I feel is a bit blunt and doesn’t need to be there and makes it an unnecessary assumption . it would have been fine to just list the stalls and that would have been sufficient enough to set the scene of the fund raiser. Also who’d have thought that a pair of shoes could cause such a long term stir.

The part about the bombs coming down on the city where the wedding is taking place is both sadly, tragic and also well written/described. I hope the wedding party is ok.

Part three, at first it was unclear of the tragedy as to why the person had visited the Pells home. It is sad to read that there has been a mix up and during war time this can be extremely upsetting . In amongst all the tragedy it is therefore good to read that there is only a ‘Transport’ problem, which after reading about bad news it is good news and a relief to hear/read.

This is an interesting book delving into the secrets behind the second world war. I am glad that a life has now been saved by a name having been mentioned . this is intriguing and I want to read on to find out more clearly how and why.

It is nice to read of a lighthearted stage show, fundraiser for the ‘Spitfire’ fund. What is amusing is the mention at the start indicating a drunk Tinkerbell from Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie. What is sadly, not nice to read and the one place you don’t want to be in an air raid, is in the middle of a magic trick, especially if you are the one in the magic trick box not liking enclosed spaces. However, what happened to her next, she, I would say, should have stayed hidden. I want to read on to see what happens next to her.

Whilst reading about the questions they were asking Mrs Littlejohn it got me thinking, what if she or any other person didn’t have or know the answers, what would happen to them? In this case it is amusing and an unexpected answer for the people asking as to what she did know and could tell them.

Part four, with the tragedy of who is no longer alive, i can see, and it is sad that it is not known as to how they lost their life, as there is a war on, information is not forthcoming.

Although it is nice to hear of ‘Love’ during war time it is sadly right and I agree in some part, with Vivian that it is basically unwise to make future plans. However, having some hope for a future is all some people have.

This book is not and is far from a lighthearted read. It delves deep into the espionage side of world war two and I thought this book was more about the workings at the BBC during the war although this is a good book to read it just goes to show that as well known you really shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover.

Thank you for reading

Sandra