Dear readers- I don't know about you, but I'm tired. Exhausted, even. I'm just so tired of all of the things going on- and it just seems like a never-ending deluge of muck and mire and darkness. Welp, gotta keep raising saints to shine brightly. Speaking of which (one of the 4yo’s favorite phrases), I only just reached the age with my boys where I don't have to keep my eyes glued on them whilst they play outside. I can actually sit out with them and read while they play. It's been awesome. Apparently, I'm on a WWII kick this month, because the other title I'm scarfing down is the Boys in the Boat. That one's great, but it's kind of dry and a bit too full of terminology for me.
I just needed a little nook to hide in this week, and I found the perfect one. I know I haven't done a review in a while, so apologies if this may seem a little rusty and unfinished, but I enjoyed this particular title so much that I wanted to write about it. I knew nothing about it going in, other than it had a pretty little cover. That's what draws me most to a book initially- the cover. This one came highly recommended by one of my book groups, and I'm so glad I took the chance.
303 pages, Reading time: 4 days
Back cover reads: William, Edmund, and Anna aren't terribly upset by the death of their not-so-grandmotherly grandmother who has taken care of them since their parents died. But the children do need a guardian, and in the dark days of World War II London, those are in short supply, especially if they hope to stay together. Could the mass wartime evacuation of children from London to the countryside be the answer? It's a preposterous plan, but off they go--keeping their predicament a secret and hoping to be placed in a temporary home that ends up lasting forever. Moving from one billet to another, the children suffer the cruel trickery of foster brothers, the cold realities of outdoor toilets, and the hollowness of empty stomachs. they find comfort in the village lending library, whose kind librarian, Nora Müller, seems an excellent choice of billet--except that her German husband's whereabouts are currently unknown, and some of the villagers consider her unsuitable. Set against the backdrop of World War II England, A Place to Hang the Moon is a story about the dire importance of family: the one you're given, and the one you choose.
Initial Reaction: What a cozy little gem of a book. I was charmed by the wonderful selection of difficult words (well, difficult for the intended audience) and how they were casually defined in context. I enjoyed the nods to Narnia and even what appeared to be a slight reference to The Sound of Music. It's all about fellow bibliophiles, libraries, crackling fires, and books. it was a swift and lovely read that didn't make me think too much, which is exactly what I need right now. I could also foresee a few plot points- the reason one of the characters was the town pariah and where the children would end up, but it didn't detract from the reading experience. I appreciated the reading list provided in the back of the book that catalogued each title the characters mentioned.
Promote Virtue? Yes. Fortitude, especially.
Transcendentals? Somewhat. Goodness and Beauty, definitely. The Truth isn't as much of a priority. But Edmund is a staunch defender of truth when he is wronged. There's a bit of secret-keeping. Nothing malicious, though.
Overcome human condition? Yes
Attitude toward Catholicism? NA
Paganry? None
Swearing? None
Violence? Minimal. A brief description of rat-killing that's a bit sickening, a schoolyard fight, and a foster parent slaps one of the main characters. Mentions Nazis and internment camps, but not in detail.
Appropriate age? I would say a well-read 10 year old could handle this as long as a dictionary was available.
Writing Style: Easy, dreamy, delicious, cozy. Realistic. Gloriously bookish. I did appreciate how she broke the 4th wall every now and then. A few funny jabs peppered throughout.
Notable Quotables:
"The evacuees were glad of the familiarity of a classroom, where well-worn textbooks released a comforting perfume of ink and must" (68).
"William pushed his shoulder into the heavy door of the lending library. It gave way with a satisfying creak. inside, the children were greeted by the sort of cool and reverent silence known only to places that house books-well, and perhaps artwork and religious artifacts. Mismatched bookcases stood back to back and side to side, making raucously wobbly passageways of words. A fireplace in the corner was unlit on this warm afternoon, but the collection of over stuffed chairs gathered around it was no doubt delightful in winter. The children followed a sign pointing them to LITERATURE AND FICTION, then another to CHILDREN'S BOOKS. And they were home" (70)
Great words: Several, but I really started paying attention when I found the word bibliophile.
Final Summation: Can't wait to read it to my boys.
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