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A review by philippakmoore
Saplings by Noel Streatfeild
5.0
Absolutely loved this. Published in 1945, with the events, upheaval and traumas it describes very fresh indeed, Saplings is the story of four children - Laurel, Tony, Kim and Tuesday - and how their affluent family life in Regents Park changes forever with the outbreak of war.
The children are faced with trauma and losses they were entirely unprepared for - and the same can be said of the adults around them who for the most part completely underestimate the psychological effects of the war on them. Some of the adults mean well, others less so. It’s quite devastating.
Reading this book at this point in time - having had life as we know come to an abrupt halt these past few months, with lockdown, shops and places of entertainment closed, being unable to travel and see our families and friends, food shortages, every day fresh worry about what might happen to us and our loved ones - gave me new appreciation for what those who lived through the Second World War must have gone through (and that the whole “blitz spirit” that people are fond of trotting out is an insulting comparison). It made me realise that while we and the children we love may have physically survived the latest health crisis, it has been a disruptive and frightening time for many. I think parents of today are better at considering a child’s perspective on things so we needn’t fear a repeat of Saplings...at least I hope not.
Highly recommended if you’re interested in novels of this period. Disturbing and brutal but it also manages to be beautiful.
The children are faced with trauma and losses they were entirely unprepared for - and the same can be said of the adults around them who for the most part completely underestimate the psychological effects of the war on them. Some of the adults mean well, others less so. It’s quite devastating.
Reading this book at this point in time - having had life as we know come to an abrupt halt these past few months, with lockdown, shops and places of entertainment closed, being unable to travel and see our families and friends, food shortages, every day fresh worry about what might happen to us and our loved ones - gave me new appreciation for what those who lived through the Second World War must have gone through (and that the whole “blitz spirit” that people are fond of trotting out is an insulting comparison). It made me realise that while we and the children we love may have physically survived the latest health crisis, it has been a disruptive and frightening time for many. I think parents of today are better at considering a child’s perspective on things so we needn’t fear a repeat of Saplings...at least I hope not.
Highly recommended if you’re interested in novels of this period. Disturbing and brutal but it also manages to be beautiful.