The Rector's Daughter

Rosemary Turner longs to leave the confines of her small Norfolk Village to engage in war work. But since the death of her mother, she has felt duty bound to stay at home to care for her father and help him with his parish duties. She meets Army Lieutenant Simon Spencer who is on convalescent leave after being wounded in the Dunkirk evacuation. He has come to the village with news of Rosemary's brother who he met at Dunkirk. She is immediately attracted to him but realizes she is unlikely to meet him again. She doesn't even know where he has been posted to. She tries to find contentment in looking after the London evacuee in her care, helping her father with his church duties and packing Red Cross parcels for prisoners of war. Things change for the villagers when the nearby air base is taken over by an American bomber group. Some call it a 'friendly invasion' but others are not so sure. Rosemary's friend Jenny is becoming more than friendly with a US pilot and flirtatious barmaid Maggie seems to be heading for trouble. And when Rosemary meets Master Sergeant Floyd Bowman, he makes it clear he would like to be more than friends. But she cannot forget Simon. Editorial Review by Victoria Chatham The setting is a village in rural Norfolk during World War II, the home of Rosemary Turner, the Rector's daughter, who would have liked to join the WAAFs, the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, and do her part for the war effort, like her friend Anne. Instead, Rosemary stays at home to look after her father, who is still mourning the loss of his wife. From this quiet beginning, we see Rosemary's character grow on every page as she navigates the hardships caused by the rationing of food and fuel supplies, her own hopes and fears, as well as those of her friends and neighbours. The arrival of evacuees from London adds another level of concern, as does the mixed emotions of the villagers when the Americans take over the local airbase. There is also her constant anxiety for her brother, Michael, not knowing if he is dead or alive. Similarly, Michael's friend and fellow officer, Simon Spencer, who has come to ask if there is any news of him. Simon remains in her mind until she is sure she is in love with him. In many small ways, Roberta Grieve has captured the essence of the era and woven it into a grand, inspiring story of resilience and hope for a brighter future.