If You Go Away
By Adele Parks
‘If You Go Away’ is a rich
slice of life set during the First World War. Starting just before war breaks
out, the story takes us on a journey with Vivian Foster who, faced with disgrace and
social oblivion, ends up marrying Aubrey, a man she doesn’t love. In many ways,
the outbreak of war and Aubrey’s entry into military service comes as a relief
to both of them.
Meanwhile Howard Henderson,
a playwright, has already seen war alongside a journalist friend who is
covering events from the front. Howard decides that war isn’t for him and
becomes a conscientious objector.
Told partly from Vivian’s
point of view and partly from Howard’s we follow the story of how their paths
cross and, as a consequence, life is changed utterly for both of them.
This is a tale of love and
war, but also of honour and guilt. When the beauty and tenderness of love come
up against the brutality and confusion of war can there be any winners? And
what does it even mean to win?
Vivian is a compelling
character. When we first meet her, she is barely more than a child. But, as a
debutante, she knows her duty – to bag a husband. She is wilful, rash and
reckless and as a result of this ruins her chances. This might have been the
end of her story in different circumstances, but it is the coming of war, and
becoming a mother herself, that brings about great change in Vivian and turns her into
the sort of character that readers won’t be able to help rooting for.
Given the nature of war,
some parts of this book are a difficult and painful read, but the love that
shines through makes the read captivating and ultimately uplifting.
Thanks very much to the
publishers for a review copy of this book.
You can find out more here.
