What a brilliant and fascinating character portrayal of Clementine Churchill: the strong and vibrant woman behind Winston Churchill â a man of power and a key figure in the successful counter attack against Hitler. But she was more than just the voice of encouragement for the British Prime Minister. She accomplished much good in her own right. I wonât list all her projects and participations as author Anna Stuart gives us a great sample in her story. But these arenât dry lists of historical facts. Rather, she puts flesh and blood on the bones and offers us scenes that pull us in. We are there with Clemmie side by side while she works, shares and aids those in need.
The Churchillâs are friends of the American President Roosevelt and his wife. It was interesting to read of their connections and friendships. As we know from history, once Pearl Harbour was bombed, US declared war on Japan. Then Germany and Italy declared war on the US a few days later. That in turn resulted in the US fully entering the Second World War. Churchill, as noted in his discussions with Clemmie, knew they could not win the war without the US. So as history books tell us, once they joined, âpresident Franklin Roosevelt, Soviet premier Joseph Stalin and British prime minister Winston Churchill led the Allied armies to victory over Adolf Hitler and the Axis powers.â
But before those victories came doubts. When Churchill was told that Hitler was too strong, could not be beaten and they would need to make a deal with him, he wrestles with a decision. It was Clemmie who stepped in and reminded her husband of his own past words. âYou always said Hitler doesnât negotiate.â Once he hears this, his strength returns and he is able to stand up and insist the cabinet not give in. She was brilliant at this sort of thing: always a great support for her husband as a leader. But sometimes her wise perspectives helped him over the line. He just needed a little encouragement and to be reminded of what he stood for and what gifts he had.
There is a lot of on the edge of your seat drama in this novel as you would expect being set in World War II. There are particularly vivid descriptions of the attacks on London. Although I have read many novels that have shown this, The English Wife offers a fresh, innovative and engrossing perspective on these events and the war's effects on those involved. We are drawn into the homes of the leaders and get a peek and hear conversations behind closed doors: particularly of Winston and Clementine.
Besides Clemmie sharing her viewpoint, the story is also told by her American friend Jenny. The authorâs notes reveal that this woman is modelled after the real Janet Murrow: a well-educated and successful BBC and CBS correspondent who assisted her husband with his broadcasts during WWII. She also worked for charity organizations and various U.S. and UK government agencies from 1938-1945. As with Clementine, her accomplishments have been overshadowed by her husbandâs. I love that Anna includes her. Shows us what she might have been like. Jenny (Janet) provides an intriguing angle on events but we also learn about her life struggles, marital betrayal and difficulty in becoming pregnant and carrying children. I wonât give anything away but just say, there is a happy ending for Jenny on two counts. But while she is in the grips of disaster, caused by a bomb drop on London and personal upheaval, her friend Clementine provides golden insight. âLife goes on, my dear. Sometimes we cannot see how it will, sometimes we donât even want it to. But while we have breath in our bodies, it goes on and perhaps what this war has taught us is to honour that â to seize it and make the very most of it, however hard that may be.â
It was easy to see that together Winston and his wife were a powerful force. But it was lovely to focus on Clementine (and other women of history that surround them who have often been forgotten). As Winston says of Clemmie, she is a real shining star. It is obvious from the novel and from the authorâs historical notes, there is so much more to this woman than many of us knew about. To see her life presented in a fictional form (yet based on facts) brings her out into the light for the current generation to appreciate. She contributed so much to society, freedom and Winstonâs success. And she was a strong female support for Jenny (Janet Murrow) and Eleanor Roosevelt. These three women made a difference, not only in their husbandâs lives but also in the lives of those around them.
I could not put this novel down. It was deeply stirring, heart wrenching and uplifting. The English Wife is a brilliant and engrossing story l will never forget. History truly comes alive on these pages. Get your hands on this daring, powerful and perfect visit to the past. 5 Stars âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.
