I am so pleased to say that today I am part of the book tour for The Woman With The Map by Jan Casey. A big thank you to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources and Aria Books for my gifted copy of the book to take part.
February 1941
The world is at war and Joyce Cooper is doing her bit for the war effort. A proud member of the Civil Defence, it is her job to assist the people of Notting Hill when the bombs begin to fall. But as the Blitz takes hold of London, Joyce is called upon to plot the devastation that follows in its wake. Night after night she must stand before her map and mark the trail of loss and suffering inflicted upon the homes, families and businesses she knows so well.
February 1974
Decades later from her basement flat Joyce watches the world go by above her head. This is her haven; the home she has created for herself having had so much taken from her in the war. But now the council is tearing down her block of flats and she’s being forced to move. Could this chance to start over allow Joyce to let go of the past and step back into her life?
An emotional and compelling historical fiction novel perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Mandy Robotham and Catherine Hokin.
I am a history geek for one, and the synopsis for this book gave me history, as well as a dual timeline. Two of my favourite things in reading.
The Woman With The Map follows Joyce, a woman who worked in the ARP, where she had to plot bomb damage on a large map of London. This was 1941 when she was a young woman. Then, we travel forward to 1974. Joyce is in her seventies, and we see her facing eviction from the save haven she has created for herself in her flat.
This is a time when buildings were being torn down, and people moved around constantly. The dual timelines interlink so smoothly, and I was soon wrapped up in Joyce’s world. Jan Casey’s research into the Second World War is so clear, she has created a story that weaves fact and fiction together without us being able to tell where the actual facts end and the fiction begins. I felt that her knowledge definitely created an authenticity to the story, which I really enjoyed.
I was so immersed in Joyce’s journey that I felt I was a part of it and could feel all the emotions Joyce went through at all points. Jan Casey very clearly puts her heart and soul into her characters, and I appreciate how much I could empathise and relate to Joyce. She definitely wasn’t perfect, but this made the book even more of a realistic read
This was my first time reading anything written by Jan Casey, but I can tell you, it won’t be my last. A great dual timeline historical fiction book set in World War Two, that and reader who enjoy their war history should read.
Purchase Link
Author Bio
Jan Casey’s novels, like her first – The Women of Waterloo Bridge – explore the themes of how ordinary people are affected by extraordinary events during any period in history, including the present. Jan is fascinated with the courage, adaptability and resilience that people rise to in times of adversity and for which they do not expect pay, praise or commendation. Jan is also interested in writing about the similarities as opposed to the differences amongst people and the ways in which experiences and emotions bind humans together.
Jan was born in London but spent her childhood in Southern California. She was a teacher of English and Drama for many years and is now a Learning Supervisor at a college of further education.
When she is not working or writing, Jan enjoys yoga, swimming, cooking, walking, reading and spending time with her grandchildren.
Before becoming a published author, Jan had short stories and flash fictions published.
Social Media Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jancaseyauthor
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