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Loading... Shoes for Anthonyby Emma Kennedy
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. A charming story of a young boy and his family set in WWII. Wonderful characters, humorous situations and touching moments all combine for an excellent addition to the historical fiction genre. ( ) Shoes For Anthony (Emma Kennedy) Having the option of different covers, this was my cover of choice. I felt it best depicted Ant. In 1944, deprivation in this small Welsh mining community was severe. Awaiting the arrival of the Americans, 11 year old Ant (Anthony) must wear large "moldy smelling" Wellingtons, since no hand-me-down shoes are available. Instead of the Americans, a German plane crashes into the mountains and a surviving Polish prisoner-of-war is found and recovers under the watchful gaze of Anthony and the townspeople. The Americans then arrive, as does intrigue when they realize there is a missing German still on the mountain. The colloquial speech is both endearing and required extra attention for me to immerse myself in the novel and appreciate the famillies living at the base of Pen Pych. However, endearing and nostalgic win out. Excellent read...touching, thought provoking and intriguing. This is a gem of a book with wonderful characters and an engaging storyline. Set in a Welsh mining village during World War II, it really brings to life what life was like a small close knit community during the period. The influence of the mine is all pervading and the almost hand to mouth existence for many is compounded by the depravations of war and rationing. The main focus of the book is Anthony and his family,his Mam struggling to keep them all fed and clothed, his sister working for the RAF in a clerical post and his Dad and two brothers who all work down the pit. Anthony is a lovable character, gullible,naive and yet at times also worldly wise seeing the world through his eyes brings a fresh prospective. Ordinarily life for Anthony revolves around school and his friends during the day, and once at home the daily routine of his Dad and brothers dictated by the mine. However life changes with the arrival of the American GI's and the crash of a German bomber carrying Polish POW's. For the village and Anthony, the consequences of both this and other events mean life is totally changed. The book is at times very funny and at others dramatic and tragic. But throughout it is engaging, heartwarming and enjoyable. I received an ARC via NetGalley in return for an honest review. no reviews | add a review
"This 1944 World War Two drama tells the story of Anthony, a boy living in a deprived Welsh village, anticipating the arrival of American troops. Suddenly, a German plane crashes into the village mountain. A Polish prisoner-of-war survives and is brought into the community where he builds a close relationship with Anthony. Later, the villagers discover one of the Germans on the plane has survived and is still on the mountain. Joyous, thrilling, and nostalgic, Emma Kennedy's Shoes For Anthony will have you wiping your eyes one moment and beaming from ear-to-ear the next. This is a small gem of a novel that reviewers (and readers) will cherish"-- No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.92Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern Period 2000-LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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