The Liverpool Connection
The Liverpool Connection by Elisabeth Marrion is part two of the author’s trilogy that fictionalises her family history. This time the focus is on a young woman from Ireland who settles in Liverpool in 1926. The book spans twenty years of British and European history, with the emphasis on the home front. Having read the first part, My Dance with Rommel, I am pleased to say that this book can be read on its own and only makes minor but welcome connections to the first book.
The author’s talent lies in the details, the description and portrayal of the times and ‘regular’ life before and during WW2. I have read my share of novels about this period of history but was amazed at how much I could take away from the book regarding everyday life and personal perception of the conflict; e.g. the mixed emotions of the Irish volunteers in the British Army. The group of characters are well drawn and thankfully do not resort to the stereotypes that writing about the era so often falls prey to.
The main events of the war are, of course, well known but this book gives several good examples of the multitude of individual journeys throughout these turbulent times.
The narrative structure surprised me at first, as it gave away some dramatic details from 1946 and then jumps backwards in time to Annie’s journey to England; however, this decision pays off since it frees the reader and allows closer and more focused attention on the day-to-day lives. A well-written, competent and fascinating novel.
Historical Novels Society
Purchase Ms. Marrion's book at:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
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