#Blogtober Day Twelve
Happy publication day to The Poppy Field! I was lucky enough to be sent an advanced copy of this one so I can let you know what I think!
The Poppy Field by Deborah Carr
The Blurb
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
Young nurse, Gemma, is struggling with the traumas she has witnessed through her job in the NHS. Needing to escape from it all, Gemma agrees to help renovate a rundown farmhouse in Doullens, France, a town near the Somme. There, in a boarded-up cupboard, wrapped in old newspapers, is a tin that reveals the secret letters and heartache of Alice Le Breton, a young volunteer nurse who worked in a casualty clearing station near the front line.
Set in the present day and during the horrifying years of the war, both woman discover deep down the strength and courage to carry on in even the most difficult of times. Through Alice’s words and her unfailing love for her sweetheart at the front, Gemma learns to truly live again.
This is a beautifully written epic historical novel that will take your breath away.
What I Thought
This was a magical book which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Poppy Field was beautifully written and I loved the way it switched between both the two lead characters. Both women were likeable which really helped.
I loved the detail in the historical sections of the book. As a person with an interest in psychology, the references to shell shock and mental health problems with the wounded soldiers were interesting. I was particularly moved by the mentions of ‘will people remember what we have done in the future’. The people fighting for our country back then would have no idea of the impact of their actions, and I am pleased, 100 years on, to still be reading about their sacrifices.
Gemma in the present day was a great character – broken and looking for a fresh start. I liked the mirroring of the two women’s lives, over 100 years apart. It was good to spot the similarities and also the huge differences between the two of them and what they were doing.
A touching, story which is well worth a read!
Where To Buy
Purchase Link – http://mybook.to/ThePoppyField
The Author – Deborah Carr
Deborah Carr lives on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands with her husband, two children and three rescue dogs. She became interested in books set in WW1 when researching her great-grandfather’s time as a cavalryman in the 17th 21st Lancers.
She is part of ‘The Blonde Plotters’ writing group and was Deputy Editor on the online review site, Novelicious.com for seven years. Her debut historical romance, Broken Faces, is set in WW1 and was runner-up in the 2012 Good Housekeeping Novel Writing Competition and given a ‘special commendation’ in the Harry Bowling Prize that year. The Poppy Field is her second historical novel.
Social Media Links
Thankyou to Rachel’s Random Resources for including me on this blog tour. I received the book in return for my honest review
Check out the rest of the reviews at the blogs below!
The Spoonie Mummy 
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