Had me totally enthralled from start to finish!

I only became aware of this beautiful novel after being asked to do some work on the author's website and social media accounts. Had this not have happened I'd have missed out on the best audio book I've ever listened to. Indeed, until today the only audio book I've listened to that I've immediately gone back to listen to again has been Jeremy Irons' narration of Brideshead Revisited. This is now only the second work I've gone straight back to the beginning on, such is its perfect mix of story, prose and performance.

I can't comment on the story too much without revealing "plot spoilers". Love and war make time-tested (and frequently quite hackneyed) bed-fellows, but this is a fresh, exciting, poignant, brutal, disturbing and - ultimately - uplifting love story. It's been exquisitely crafted by the author through the use of his mother's pre-war and wartime letters and poetry, quite excellent historical research and sympathetic imagination to construct the bits in between. It has, in many ways, parallels with the wartime story of my grandfather and grandmother. We have many of their letters from his time with the B.E.F up until his evacuation at Dunkirk and, whilst listening to The Very White of Love, I wondered just how many families the world over also have bundles of love letters in boxes, suitcases and attics but with no-one to tell their tale. The Worrall family have the author to tell this particular story, and how very lucky they are indeed!

A quick word regarding the narration: Both Thomas Judd and Madeleine Worrall do an excellent job of bringing Martin and Nancy to life, and of giving this work the top-notch performances it so richly deserves. The use of Madeleine - Nancy's granddaughter - was a particular stroke of genius :)

I know this superlative-laden review sounds a little gushy and over-the-top in places, but I'm not a writer by trade. Also, the author has already paid me for all the work I did on his website and social media accounts, so my over-enthusiasm is not me just saying nice things so my invoice will get paid sooner :) The Very White of Love is a beautiful story, beautifully written and beautifully narrated. Give it a listen (or a read). You'll be so glad you did!

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