Jennifer Robson

“She and Nico had danced under such a sky. They’d sung of love and stardust and the promise of brightening dreams, and she’d been so stupidly certain their happiness would endure. Yet how could goodness endure, let alone flower, in a world that emboldened and embraced men such as Karl Zwerger? And how was she meant to survive when her Nico was no longer a part of it” (269)?

The heart of Our Darkest Night seeks to answer this hard question: How can goodness thrive in a dark and broken world, a world that at times embraces and empowers hate and evil, like the rancorous power of Nazi ideology? The answer comes in the voices of Nico and Nina and Father Bernardi and so many other characters in this Italian-set WWII historical fiction story. The answer comes through their voices and their stories that carry—sometimes the smallest—seeds of hope. In small mercies that make big impacts, like the bright stars that pierce the deep midnight-darkness, each of these characters shows how goodness thrives. They put one foot in front of the other, they hold a stranger’s hand to offer comfort, they cling to memories of better yesterdays, they boldly believe in promises and miracles and hope—even in the face of despair.

I desperately wanted this book to move the way that it did, but I’ve read too many hopeless historical fiction novels. I was afraid to hope. But I’m so glad it circled around in the end with Nico and Nina sojourning side by side back to their beloved Italian farm just as they did in the beginning when they were merely strangers. He became the hero of her story, and their journey was such a satisfying circle—a true hero’s journey with both Nico and Nina returning with their reward—home and family and the promise of joy.

“‘The soul unto its star returns’” (267).… (lisätietoja)

This is the 3rd book in the Great War Books by Jennifer Robson. It follows Helena Parr, the woman to whom Edward, Lord of Cumberland was engaged for five years during the great war. Following the cancelled engagement, she was looked down upon by her peers. After a severe illness a few years later, she decides to go to France and live with her Aunt Agnes while she attends art school. There she makes several friends while they labor under a very hard instructor. She also meets Sam, an American correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, and falls in love with him. He is from a wealthy family in New York. The story is about her relationships with her friends, Aunt Agnes, and Sam.… (lisätietoja)

The second book in this series is primarily about Charlotte Brown and her life after the war. She went back to working for Miss Rathbone, a ward councilor from Liverpool. Charlotte works in her office as a constituency assistant, speaking with and providing support for people. When Lilly (Lady Elizabeth) marries Robbie (Dr. Robert Fraser), Charlotte is again brought into contact with Edward Ashford, who is now Lord Cumberland. Edward is still experiencing the results of his 4 years in the trenches and a period as a prisoner. He has broken his engagement and wants no help. His mother asks Charlotte if she could try to help him. Lilly and Robby are back from their honeymoon and asks her to stay with them. Shortly, Edward, with Charlotte as his nurse, goes to a quiet cottage on the Cumbermere Estate. Question for the rest of the book, does Lord Cumberland marry Charlotte Brown?… (lisätietoja)