Wednesday 20 October 2021

War Diaries

 I've just finished this library book - such an interesting read

 Margaret Kennedy was already a well known novelist before she wrote this during the 6 months in 1940 between the evacuation of Dunkirk and the start of the Blitz.
This book was never published in this country although she added a few amendments  in 1941 and sent it off to the US for safe keeping and for publishing there. It has just been reprinted by Handheld Press with additional notes on the text, biographical notes and a good list of further reading.
It's a journal of her thoughts and experiences as she moves her children from Surrey to the relative safety of Cornwall. At the time things were very tense as an invasion was expected at any time so she writes about what the government and the people are saying . Because she writes so well and right in the moment, the fear and uncertainty really come through.
 
In Greek tragedy there is a character called Talthybius whose role it is to break bad news to the Protagonists.................he makes a fine art of it.........................keeping everybody in suspense.............he is deliberately cryptic.............
Our modern Talthybius, the BBC announcer, has something of the same technique.................significant items of news are often artfully concealed. 
This is the BBC Home Service. Here is the news. The butter ration is to be increased. The Prime Minister has spoken on War Savings. Amiens and Arras have been occupied by the enemy. There is good news for pig farmers. Fifteen French Generals have been relieved of their commands. At the end of the news MrX will speak about the prospects of homegrown sugar beet.

...............................Among millions the first reaction to such a bulletin would be "Good! More butter".



I still cannot sleep so I went to Dr Middleton to ask for a bromide ...........
He asked "Are ye worrying about anything?"  .
 I said I was worrying about Hitler coming....................................................
he said "I suppose you've been reading the newspapers?"
 I pleaded guilty. 
"What d'ye want to do that for?"  
"I like to know what's happening"
 "Aw! The newspapers don't know."....................................................................................................
 He asked how often I listened to the wireless. "Four times a day".
"And that's three times too often....................Ye aren't responsible.................Ye can't stop it, Why think about it? Go home and fly kites with your children"
"How many other patients have you said all this to?"
"You're only the twenty-seventh this week"
 
I really enjoyed this book and emailed the publishers to say so - cheekily asking for a copy if they had a spare! - They replied saying "Glad you enjoyed it" but no mention of a freebie. 
 
That's a pity.............I would have added it to my collection of other WWII Diaries! And I have more than I thought............

Back Tomorrow
Sue

25 comments:

  1. Very interesting. Imagine what the doctor would say now in relation to people checking 'social media' for information. Some are permanently attached to it, looking just four times a day would be something they could never manage. His suggestion of checking once a day would be horrifying to them; yet I suspect we would be in a happier world if that's what we all went back to doing.

    I think you would enjoy taking a look at Austerity Britain by David Kynaston which uses a lot of Mass Observation voices.

    I'm up to 1940 with Maisie Dobbs now, thoroughly enjoying them. I would never have found the series without you mentioning it here. Thank you.
    I also read 'Eggs or Anarchy' on your recommendation and that was excellent too.

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    1. I'm glad you've enjoyed the Maisie Dobbs books. I just looked to see when the next is due = March next year.
      I've borrowed Austerity Britain But seem to remember it was a Huge book that I didn't get on with.

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  2. I love that chat with the doctor - very sensible and so applicable to todays situation too. I tend to think I am burying my head in the sand but maybe I'm not. Maybe I'm being mentally healthy!
    It sounds a lovely book.
    xx

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  3. You've already had a freebie by borrowing it from the library instead of buying it. It's a shame that people don't buy books and therefore support bookshops and the people that write the books.

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    1. I'm grateful to libraries for the people who can't afford to buy new books and I know there is something called Public Lending Rights too.
      The peron who wrote this book is long dead!

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  4. It sounds a really good read and I hope it's on your Christmas List!

    The Dr's sage advice sounds very applicable to today. I haven't watched the news for a long time.

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    1. That's what I thought - there are several bits in the books that ring true for the tardiness of the government now too

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  5. The author provides such wonderful life observations. The exchange with the doc was practical and so spot on. Your war time book collection is outstanding.

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    1. I didn't realise how many of my WWII Home Front collection were diaries until I put them all in one pile

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  6. My father fought in WWII. He was with the Army... Cavalry Mechanized. I have a picture of him with General Patton. ~Andrea xoxoxo

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  7. The wartime diaries should be part of the school history curriculum. I'm sure 'real life' stories of interest would be much more educational for children and get them talking to grandparents and great grandparents so much more. 'Real' history is so much more interesting.

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    1. This memoir is particularly interesting as she was already a writer so writes well with feelings coming through.

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  8. Sorry you didn't get a copy Sue sounds really good.

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    1. Its a good read but I wasn't really expecting a copy

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  9. I have heard it said that history never changes, it only repeats. She could have been talking about today's public reaction to the News.

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    1. Thats what I thought - there is often hidden news today I'm sure

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  10. I have listened to some of these on audio. Excellent remembrances.

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  11. This sounds very good. Too bad that they didn't send you a copy.

    God bless.

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    1. I didn't really expect a copy - but ever hopeful

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  12. Your post encouraged me to read "Frances Donaldson: A Woman's War", containing many of the letters she wrote to her husband (in the RE) from 1940 to 1944 and a few of his. Very poorly edited and produced but an enjoyable read since she bought and learnt to run a farm despite, since she was a daughter of Freddie Lonsdale, the playwright, being a drama queen. What a contrast to you and your late, lamented husband. Roderick

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  13. Sounds like a really interesting read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the book.

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