Historia Magazine

The magazine of the Historical Writers Association

  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • New Books
    • TV, Film and Theatre
    • One From The Vaults
  • Latest Releases
  • Columns
    • Doctor Darwin’s Writing Tips
    • Watching History
    • Desert Island Books
  • Awards
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Historia in your inbox

Review: A Ration Book Childhood by Jean Fullerton

26 November 2019 By Nicola Cornick

A Ration Book Childhood by Jean Fullerton

When author Nicola Cornick agreed to review Jean Fullerton’s latest novel, A Ration Book Childhood, she had no idea that her first taste of these World War II East End books would end up with her paying it the ultimate compliment… buying the rest of the series.

A Ration Book Childhood is a richly-textured and engrossing novel set during the Second World War Blitz. It is book three in the Ration Book series by Jean Fullerton, which tells the story of the Brogan family of London’s East End as they struggle to survive the challenges posed by rationing, nightly bombing raids and the emotional strain of divided loyalties. Although the book is part of an ongoing series, it works perfectly as a stand-alone novel.

Ida Brogan is the matriarch, holding together an extended family and a household that also features her fierce and eccentric mother-in-law Queenie, her charming and resourceful husband Jeremiah, and their brood of children and grandchildren.

The return to the East End of an old schoolfriend of Ida’s, Ellen Gilbert, throws Ida’s world into further chaos when it is revealed that Ellen is terminally ill and needs Ida’s help. Old secrets are revealed that threaten the foundation of the Brogan family and provide Ida with a desperate dilemma.

Buy A Ration Book Childhood by Jean Fullerton

A Ration Book Childhood is a very enjoyable read. Jean Fullerton’s meticulous research and background knowledge enable her to create a wholly convincing and engaging wartime novel.

The vivid scene-setting takes the reader deep into the experience of London during the Blitz both in terms of the sights, sounds and smells of the era but also into the hearts and minds of the people when confronted with the terrifying realities of war.

The book is unsentimental in its presentation of the harsher side of war – the black market, the crime, the poverty and the rough-and-ready violence sometimes directed against people on the streets.

Yet it isn’t a bleak book; the strength and grit and sense of community that unites people is also vividly shown and acts as a counterbalance to the darker elements.

The characters in particular are wonderful, especially Queenie, who reads the tea leaves, sells horse-racing tips and has some great lines. Ida is a strong and sympathetic heroine and her struggle to deal with the impossible choices she has to make is heartfelt and thought-provoking. The other characters, too, are richly drawn and their interactions weave a marvellous story of family relationships within the broader framework of a wartime world.

There are so many layers to this book that it is completely immersive. With humour to lighten the mood as well it can be laugh-out-loud funny as well as deeply poignant, but it is the emotional richness and heart to the book that draws the story together and makes this such a rewarding read. I went straight out and ordered the other books in the series.

A Ration Book Childhood by Jean Fullerton is published on 3 October, 2019. Read more about this book.

Read Jean’s funny and challenging Historia feature Sagas: they’re not all trouble at t’mill.

Buy The Woman in the Lake by Nicola Cornick

Nicola Cornick is a historian and best-selling author who also works as a National Trust guide at the 17th-century hunting lodge Ashdown House.

She is the current chair of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Her most recent book, The Woman in the Lake, was published in March, 2019.

Nicola’s next novel, The Forgotten Sister, will be out on 30 April, 2020. She’ll be talking to Historia about her books and her writing life in a few weeks.

Share this article:Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Email this to someone
email

Filed Under: Features, Lead article, New Books, Reviews Tagged With: A Ration Book Childhood, book review, Jean Fullerton, London, Nicola Cornick, Second World War, World War II

Search

Latest Releases

The Mystery of the Hawke Sapphires by JC Briggs

26 January 2021

Shake Loose the Border by Robert Low

25 January 2021

The Straits of Treachery by Richard Hopton

21 January 2021

See more new releases

Let’s stay in touch

Sign up for our monthly email newsletter:

Or follow us on social media:

Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook

Editor’s Picks

Concentration camps and the politics of memory

26 May 2020

An appearance of serenity: the French fashion industry in WWII

16 April 2019

Entrance to Auschwitz

Torn from home

27 January 2019

Popular Topics

16th century 17th century 18th century 19th century 20th century 2020 Ancient Rome Anglo-Saxons author interview biography book review Catherine Hokin Competition Debut Crown Elizabeth Fremantle Emma Darwin Giveaway historical fiction Historical Writers Association history HWA HWA Crown Awards HWA Non-Fiction Crown Imogen Robertson interview Katherine Clements Matthew Harffy medieval new release paperback research review Second World War Shortlist short stories the writing life Tudors TV drama TV review Vikings World War II writing writing advice writing tips WWII

The Historical Writers’ Association

Historia Magazine is published by the Historical Writers’ Association. We are authors, publishers and agents of historical writing, both fiction and non-fiction. For information about membership and profiles of our member authors, please visit our website.

Read more about Historia or find out about advertising and promotional opportunities.

ISSN 2515-2254

Recent Additions

  • The Minister for Illusion: Goebbels and the German film industry
  • The Mystery of the Hawke Sapphires by JC Briggs
  • Shake Loose the Border by Robert Low

Search Historia

Contact us

If you would like to contact the editor of Historia, please email editor@historiamag.com.

Copyright © 2014–2021 The Historical Writers Association