The Oceans Between Us by Gill Thompson @wordkindling @headlinepg

Book Description:

Inspired by heartrending real events, a mother fights to find her son and a child battles for survival in this riveting debut novel.

For readers of Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly, The Letter by Kathryn Hughes, and Remember Me by Lesley Pearse.

‘A warm-hearted tale of love, loss and indefatigable human spirit’ Kathryn Hughes

A woman is found wandering injured in London after an air raid. She remembers nothing of who she is. Only that she has lost something very precious.

As the little boy waits in the orphanage, he hopes his mother will return. But then he finds himself on board a ship bound for Australia, the promise of a golden life ahead, and wonders: how will she find him in a land across the oceans?

In Perth, a lonely wife takes in the orphaned child. But then she discovers the secret of his past. Should she keep quiet? Or tell the truth and risk losing the boy who has become her life?

This magnificent, moving novel, set in London and Australia, is testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of love.

My Thoughts:

The Oceans Between Us is a story that alternates between mother and son. With the story being set in Australia and England also, you really couldn’t get much further distance between both.

This is a story that is really going to tug at the readers heart strings. What’s worse is that even though a work of fiction, it is based on real events. I just couldn’t imagine anything worse than the emotional journey that Jack and his mum Molly go through.

I had to really admire Jack. Being sent to an orphanage at such a young age and then to be sent off to the other side of the world for a promising new life. For someone so young that is such a big upheaval. One thing he never gives up hope for is his mum. I just wanted to wrap him up in my arms and I felt so much empathy for Kathleen who takes him in and gives him a home.

The story touches on so many issues that are sadly very much still around today like, racism and abuse. The author doesn’t go into any great detail though rather leaving it to the readers imagine of which I was grateful for.

The Oceans Between Us is a story that will touch every readers heart. Jack and Molly’s plight is something that I think will stay with me for a long time to come. The last part of the story I read through tears as I was so caught up in what was happening to the characters. Very much a bitter sweet read and is a brilliant showcase of the authors writing skills. An absolute must read.

My thanks to Anne Cater, NetGalley and Headline Review for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

The Oceans Between Us is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gill Thompson is an English lecturer who recently completed an MA in Creative Writing at Chichester University. The first three chapters of THE OCEANS BETWEEN US were longlisted for the Mslexia novel award. She lives with her family in West Sussex and teaches English to college students.

Website: http://www.wordkindling.co.uk/

Twitter: @wordkindling