I am lucky to be able to say I am posting my review for Hungry Ghosts by C J Barker. Thanks to ZooLoo’s Book Tours for asking me to tag along. Also, the author for the gifted ebook to write my honest review.

The lives of Vic Woods and Ruth Wolfe, working-class teenagers from Liverpool and London, are profoundly disrupted by the arrival of World War II.


Ruth’s journey leads her to aerial photographic interpretation, though her aspirations for advancement are denied, while Vic’s wartime experiences with bomber command haunt him long after the war is over. Their post-war marriage and tumultuous relationship with their son, James, make for a gripping narrative of trauma, conflict and, ultimately, love.


Set against the backdrop of World War II and the social upheaval of the late 1960s, Hungry Ghosts transports readers into the drama of two pivotal eras in history, exploring the intergenerational impact of war, particularly on the intricate relationships between fathers and sons.


Hungry Ghosts is not just a war story; it’s a timeless exploration of family bonds and the indelible scars left by war.

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My Review

Historical fiction is a go-to genre for me anyway, so when I read the blurb, I knew I had to read this. Set against the second world war and the 1960s, it’s a story of two lives and the journeys they take throughout the decades as individuals and as a family.

I was enthralled with Vic and Ruth’s time during the war years. Both have different views from different branches of the armed forces. Vic really tugged on my heartstrings so easily. The way the war affected him was heartbreaking for both of them as a couple.

C J Walker brought the war to life for me. Such vivid imagery had me glued in place while I flipped the pages so fast. Alongside the short chapters, this was such an immersive story.

As the years unfold, we see how they grow as a family. This isn’t just about the ravages of war. it’s about family and connections. Its about children really discovering who their parents really are, as individuals, not just their caregivers.

I found Hungry Ghosts a novel that uplifted me, made me feel so warm inside, and at times brought tears to my eyes also. It is a novel that brings family into the forefront alongside identity and the history that binds. It’s a historical fiction novel I won’t forget in a hurry. A highly recommended read.

Buy Link     https://mybook.to/hungryghost-zbt

Author Bio

Born in England, resident in Thirroul, Australia, Chris Barker has been an educator in schools and universities in the UK and Australia. He has published several non-fiction books, and now writes fiction between stints in the garden, where he grows vegetables and looks after chickens. He has published short stories in England, America and Australia.

Social Media Links

Twitter         https://twitter.com/chrisjonbarker

Website              https://creasedattheedges.com/