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Carrie's War

50th Anniversary Luxury Edition
3.92 goodreads logo

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( 9,116 ratings, 367 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Carrie's War by Nina Bawden is a historical children's novel that follows Carrie and her brother, two siblings evacuated to a Welsh village during World War II. They live with a strict shopkeeper and his gentle sister, navigating childhood amid the challenges of war and discovering local mysteries. The story captures the impact of the war on young lives and the complexities of their temporary home.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're intrigued by historical stories about World War II from a child's perspective. You might enjoy following the journey of two siblings evacuated from London to the Welsh countryside, where they encounter mystery and adventure while grappling with the challenges of war. With its mix of humour, emotion, and historical detail, this book offers a touching insight into the life of evacuees.

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A beautiful hardback edition to mark the 50th anniversary of one of the most beloved and enduring children's classics of the 20th century.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

WITH A NEW FOREWORD BY EMMA CARROLL

'A touching, utterly convincing book' - JACQUELINE WILSON

'What a deep, dark, deceptively simple, brilliant novel it is' - EMMA CARROLL

'Poignant and realistic . . . Carrie's War captures the true reality of war for a child, and it doesn't sentimentalise war' - SHIRLEY HUGHES, GUARDIAN

'I did a dreadful thing, the worst thing of my life, when I was twelve and a half years old, and nothing can change it'

When the bombs rain down on London, Carrie and her little brother Nick are evacuated to a small town in the Welsh hills. Without their mother, and away from anything familiar, they must take refuge among strangers. Reluctantly, Mr Evans, the grocer, takes them in, with his kind, timid sister, Aunt Lou. But the children find little comfort in his austere home.

Their fellow evacuee, Albert, is luckier, living in a rambling old mansion with Hepzibah Green and Mister Johnny. Hepzibah is rumoured to be a witch, but the children feel safe in her warm kitchen and are spellbound by her stories. Just as Carrie and Nick begin to settle into their new life, something happens that tests their loyalties: will they be persuaded to betray their friends?

ILLUSTRATED BY ALAN MARKS

Series: Virago Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Carrie's War is praised for its poignant depiction of wartime experiences from a child's perspective, notably capturing the harsh realities without sentimentality. Critics appreciate its subtle characterisation, especially the complexity of figures like Mr Evans, while the bond between Carrie, her brother Nick, and their friend Albert is particularly endearing. It's regarded as a deeply touching and convincingly written children's story with enduring relevance.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780349017365

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 13 April 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Virago Press Ltd

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Alan Marks
  • Introduction by Michael Morpurgo

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 138.0mm

Height: 218.0mm

Weight: 340g

Pages: 224

About the Author

Nina Bawden (1925-2012), CBE, was one of Britain's most distinguished and best-loved novelists, both for adults and children (Peppermint Pig and Carrie's War being among her most famous books for young people). She has published over forty novels and an autobiography, In My Own Time. She was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize for Circles of Deceit and her novel Family Money was filmed by Channel 4, starring Claire Boom and June Whitfield. In 2004 she received the S. T. Dupont Golden Pen Award for a Lifetime's Contribution to Literature.

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    One of the most loved and enduring wartime novels, Carrie's War is a modern classic. WITH A NEW FOREWORD BY MICHAEL MORPURGO AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALAN MARKS 'A touching, utterly convincing book' JACQUELINE WILSON 'Poignant and realistic... Carrie's War captures the true reality of war for a child, and it doesn't sentimentalise war' SHIRLEY HUGHES, GUARDIAN 'I did a dreadful...
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