HAUNTED BY ADOLESCENT GUILTNina Bawden's 1973 YA story is related with the ring of an authentic WWII memory. One of several books to be inspired by the evacuation of hundreds of London children during the Blitz, Carrie's War appears at first glance to be the experiences of Carrie Willow and her younger brother, Nick, during the long separation from their mother (and father in the Navy). Their wartime odyssey takes them, along with many other evacuees, to a remote mining town in Wales, where the land is devastated by mining interests rather than bombs.Albeit safe, their life is far from soft in the home of the rigid andarrogant Councillor, Mr. Evans--their reluctant host. Bullying and mean he seems to relish his role as an ogre; supercilious, stingy with his resources and self-righteous in religious matters, he expects the siblings to toe the line and cower respectfully in his presence. No deviation from duty and gratitude will be tolerated. The only softening influence in the household is provided by his younger sister, Aunty Lou, who meekly submits to her tyrannical brother. Carrie and Nick soon grow to love her, as they secretly pity her suffocated existence.Luckier in his Welsh billeting his fellow travelers, tall and scholarly Albert Sandwich is sent to stay at a home in Druid's Bottom--near a forest of ancient yew trees--which local reputation whispers about magical or mysterious undertones of past centuries, when the Celts practiced "the old religion." He stoutly denies that his hostess, Miss Hepzibah Green, is a witch, though she fascinates the children with her tale of a screaming skull and its curse.Disguised as a modest YA story Carrie's War actually proves a psychological novel, with plenty of dialogue to maintain teenageinterest, plus mystery and complex human emotions to stimulate more mature readers. Most of the book consists of detailed flashback on the siblings' sojourn in Wales. We soon realize that Carrie is now a mother of several children herself, who has undertaken a sentimental journey with them to revisit the sights which made such lasting impressions on her 12-year-old mind some thirty years ago. Alas, Carrie is haunted by what she considers her great, immature crime: "it was all my fault," she confesses in anguish, though there was none to condemn her. She has voluntarily shouldered a heavy burden of guilt, although her adult mind rejects the role of her impetuous, thoughtless action and a legendary "curse." Then too she is torn with doubt re the role of Mr. Evans in the disappearance of his older sister's will. "Miss Heart and Mr. Head," as Hepzibah nicknames her and Albert, were united in their love and compassion for her and her mentally-challenged ward, Mr. Johnny. Carrie comes of age in this excellent and fascinating story set in the war torn British countryside. (April 15, 2009. I welcome dialogue with teachers.) Comm
Carrie and her brother Nick are evacuated to Wales during WWII, like many other children during that time. Carrie has meaningful experiences not with her foster home, but with the family of the sister to her foster dad. The story isn't simply a "war story"--it's much more than that. Much of what Carrie experiences with her new "families" cannot be fully understood or explained until she returns to the town as an adult. Carrie tells her children about her wartime experiences: "You don't change, you know, growing older..." Carrie, as an adult, is constantly plagued by the consequences of her actions as a child. All of this, to me, makes the book as a whole feel very adult. Carrie observes and participates in adult relationships for most of the novel, and there's even a Hamlet-esque skull in the story! Interestingly, Nina Bawden says, "Sometimes I am no sure at the beginning on which side a book will fall. And sometimes, publishing a novel as a children's book is a matter of marketing.... When I started Carrie's War I had not intended it for children; it was only slowly, as I wrote the first chapter that I began to see the direction it was taking." I guess, though, I can see how the book can appeal to both children and adults---and even be one of those books that you re-read and enjoy in a different way as you get older. It also makes sense why this book has been adapted to a play and a movie.
Do You like book Carrie's War (2005)?
I bought the DVD before I read the book. Both were well done.It's the middle of WWII. Carrie and her brother, Nick, are sent by train to Wales along with a load of other schoolchildren. This was a common occurrence during the war, and strangers would open their homes to these displaced children until it was safe for them to return to their families.Carrie and Nick are taken in by a kindly older woman and her domineering older brother. They also meet a mysterious lady who lives in Druid's Bottom. This woman lives with her simple companion and an elderly woman she tends.Carrie is caught up in the middle of an unpleasant family drama. She takes an action that she regrets for decades, one that is finally remedied by her own children.This is realistically written and shows adults as they are seen through the eyes of children.
—Jann Barber
I don't have any recollections of reading the book, or watching the film, when I was younger, but the book is one of those that you are kind of aware of as being in existence. When it fell into my hands, I thought I'd better read it at long last. I wasn't disappointed.Set in a small Welsh town, where two siblings, Carrie and Nick, and their friend, Albert, are sent as London evacuees during the war. Staying with the rather strict Mr Evans and his timid sister, they get involved with a rather gentle family feud when they meet the residents of Druid Bottom. The story is well written and the characters instantly likeable - even Mr Evans, as disagreeable as he is, comes across as a real person with motivations of his own. I like the fact that the story is sandwiched between events in the present day, with Carrie revisiting the area as a woman with children of her own. That her 'great crime' turns out to be anything but is a nice little twist.Overall, a good read that kept me entertained for a couple of days.
—Dark-Draco
Lucy and I both loved this story - I couldn't really remember what happened so it was great reading it with her. More based on the emotional story of evacuees to a Welsh mining village, rather than a factual account of WWII, and the experiences Carrie and her brother had there - Nina was also evacuated to Wales when she was 14 so many of the feelings she had were mirrored in the story. A good finish although Lucy wanted it to carry on. Would thoroughly recommend for young girls from 9 upwards (and ladies from xx something!!)
—Sarah
