This book was riveting when showing the meetings between the Jewish activists, and some of the anti-semitic activity of the 1960s. I liked the love story less at first, thinking that Vivien was too child-like in her thoughts and much too naive in her take on life. But, I did go back and re-read and found it much less so. Women (most) were much less assertive back then and deferred more to adults - as when Vivien (against her real wishes) goes to stay with Jack's parents. I was 9 in 1962 and had not heard of these activities, although I had heard of Mosley, I 'just' thought that their marches were a sort of statement (albeit repulsive) and not attached to action. Just shows how ill-informed I am. Our household was very interested in current affairs and, for example, I did know all about the UDI of Rhodesia just a couple of years later, so this is really a very important chunk of 'history' made during my lifetime that I did not know about. Thanks, Jo, for writing about this in such an accessible way.
Jo Bloom balances the historic facts (time and place of the anti-semitic activity) well with her love story. I would have preferred more showing rather than telling of stuff that happened in the 60s as some of the brands and cultural stuff (eg: reference to Jules et Jim) seemed to be dropped in to provide historic colour rather then occur naturally in the story.
I would like to ask Jo if she will write another book touching on this topic, but set at a different time, perhaps. I am sure that there are many other stories that could be told.
Thanks Jo Bloom,
and Gransnet, for a good read.