My Review of Gertie’s War by David Western

 I gave Gertie's War 4* out of 5*

Book Description: 

Housewife Gertie is happily married to railwayman Albert in Germany, during the latter years of WW2. Her son and brothers are away fighting and Albert wants to join up too. Gertie is resiliently enduring the hardships of war, in early 1944. Like millions of others, she believes the Nazi propaganda that’s fed to her. Then one day a knock on the door changes her life forever. An innocent action on Gertie’s part, has started a terrifying chain of circumstances, in which she suffers at the hands of a powerful man determined to use her for his own purposes. She meets other victims of the Nazi legal system and experiences the terror of an air raid. Her beliefs and values are challenged as never before and she begins to question long held and official attitudes and actions. With only the love for her husband and family to keep her going, will it be enough?

My Review:

Set in Germany during the last years of WW2, the background for  Gertie’s War is well researched by the author and gives great authenticity to the story. The protagonist, Gertie, lives in dangerous times. But it is not until after one simple incident that she begins to doubt the veracity of the propaganda that has kept a nation under the control of a corrupt and evil regime and she becomes personally embroiled in a train of events that  jeopardises her safety, that of her family and  and the life she has always known.

 All the characters are well rounded and believable. The layers of their personalities evolve through their actions and through the spoken and internal dialogue, which is good and distinguishable to each, even without dialogue tags.

The contrast of a simple domestic setting against the background of the war is stark and vividly portrayed; the descriptive passages are both evocative and disturbing, giving a good sense of place and era.

The narrative runs smoothly, adding to the plot which weaves its way to a satisfying end, keeping the reader enthralled.. Recommended to readers who enjoy a good historical yarn.

 About the Author: 

David says 

I've lived in Pembrokeshire, Wales, for over thirty years, working for a national bank until my early retirement in 2014.

My father served in the RAF and so I had a rather nomadic childhood, moving every 2-3 years. My banking career also involved many moves until I arrived in Pembrokeshire in 1986. 

Shortly after retiring I revived a lifelong passion for writing by attending local Creative Writing classes. The result has been a book of short stories, plays and "poems" for family and friends, and my debut novel Gertie's War. 
Gertie book two is currently work in progress.

In my short stories, I like to write about a wide range of topics in different styles and genres. Most include some humour and, what I hope is, an unexpected twist at the end.

Other writing projects have included:
- Two books based on my late father's recollections of his life, and my supplementary memories.
- Two travelogues about tours to Vietnam to visit Jon and Vy, including attending their wedding on a windswept tropical beach.
- A book of short stories and plays compiled for distribution to my family and friends. I'm looking to self-publish this compilation for public sale in the near future.

Some examples of my short stories are available on my website: www.davepw.co.uk
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