*Editorial Book Review*
ISLAND OF SILVER
by Bonnie Henderson
Publisher: Publish Authority
Page Length: 269
Genre: Historical Fiction
A story of two worlds – one of darkness as the First World War rages in Europe – and one of ineffable light, where a little girl named Lorley lives through her jewel bright imagination.
Lorley has a golden life on the island of Guernsey. Blessed with a wondrous imagination, she sees magic all around her. She dreams of mermaids in the waves and angels in the mist, a young girl who sees heaven in the wildflowers.
But beyond this tiny island in the sea, the First World War begins, and soon the killing fields of Europe bleed into Guernsey. Lorley’s Papa must leave his family to fight in the trenches of France.
So begins the great yearning of Lorley’s family. Her Mamma cannot truly believe in the war, and longs for her husband’s safe return. Lorley’s brothers, Reginald and Herbert, too young to fight, yearn for the glory of battle. And her youngest brothers, Lloyd and Randolph, adventurous, lion-hearted boys, yearn for their Papa, their hero, to return to them.
Lorley's world becomes one of great longing also. Believing she must strive to not be afraid, and to not be sad, as her Papa tells her before he leaves, Lorley waits for her Papa to come home.
It is then that the magical Mme. de la Rue enters her life, a radiant witch with shimmering silver hair from the mysterious South Shore of the island. She is a gifted healer and dreamspeaker, and becomes a spiritual beacon for Lorley. The little girl’s imagination spirals to new heights as Mme. de la Rue becomes part of Lorley’s family through the dark days of the war, through the great longing.
Lorley and her family endure heart-wrenching loss that changes their lives irrevocably. Never, though, does Lorley lose sight of the magic and the wonder in the world.
“Listen, dear Lorley. Open your heart to them. You don't have to see them to hear them sing.”
The First World War has been raging for several years when 'Island of Silver' by B. Henderson begins, but for five-year-old Lorley Vidamour, the world is still filled with magic. Growing up on the beautiful island of Guernsey with her parents and four older brothers, Lorley sees possibilities everywhere. Fairies, angels, devils and witches all have their place in her world, and the woods, cliffs and caves surrounding her home are just waiting to be explored.
Lorley's father, Abram, had volunteered for the Guernsey Militia when war broke out in 1914, but when he prepares to leave the island with the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, the war suddenly becomes much more frightening for the Vidamour family. Marie is left with five children to care for and the worry of whether the family can keep the vineyard and farm going without Abram, while the boys find themselves taking on far more responsibility.
I loved Lorley. At five years old, she lives in a wonderful little world where the real and the magical seem to exist quite happily alongside one another. Bluebells can sing, angels watch over Guernsey, and there is nothing particularly strange about believing the mysterious Mme. de la Rue might be a witch, an angel, or perhaps even the Blessed Virgin Mary herself. Lorley's absolute belief in the magical gives her such an endearing innocence, and I loved seeing the world through her eyes. Lorley's belief that angels keep Guernsey safe is very much part of the way she sees her island.
Lorley's relationship with her four brothers was another part of the novel I really enjoyed. Reginald and Herbert are beginning to leave childhood behind, while Lloyd and Randolph are still quite willing to get themselves involved in adventures with their little sister. Lorley adores all four of them and is convinced that her brothers possess mighty 'lion hearts'. There is plenty of teasing and arguing between them, but there is never any doubt how much they love one another. I enjoyed getting to know each of the brothers, and although they are very different from one another, the closeness of this family shines through. Lorley's description of all four as having 'lion hearts' captures beautifully how she sees her older brothers.
I became increasingly invested in Marie's story as well. While Abram is away, she has five children to worry about, the farm to keep going and no way of knowing exactly what her husband is facing. Letters become incredibly precious. There is always that wait for the next one and the reassurance that, at least when Abram wrote it, he was safe. Marie cannot put everything on hold while she worries because there are children to feed, vines to tend and countless everyday things that still need doing. She simply has to keep going, even when what she really wants is her husband safely home.
And then there is Mme. de la Rue. I found her fascinating. Depending upon whom you listen to, she is a healer, a witch, or something perhaps even more mysterious. Lorley, of course, is completely captivated by her. Mme. de la Rue's knowledge of herbs and traditional remedies was particularly interesting, but there are also things about her that are not quite so easily explained. I liked never being entirely sure what to make of her. Lorley certainly has no difficulty accepting that Mme. de la Rue might possess a little magic, and I wasn't always convinced she was wrong! Marie herself comes to recognise Mme. de la Rue as a healer rather than a witch, although the country people have their own name for women such as her.
Abram's experiences with the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry take us into a very different world, and the realities of war are a far cry from the life he has left behind on Guernsey. I became just as invested in Abram as I did in the family he had left behind, particularly because beneath the uniform he remains the same man who loves his wife and children and longs for the life he has left behind. The contrast between Abram's experiences and everyday life continuing back on Guernsey makes this side of the story particularly poignant.
The historical setting is beautifully realised. I found the details surrounding the vineyard and farming fascinating because Abram's absence has very practical consequences for the family. The vines do not care that there is a war on. They still need tending and the grapes still need harvesting. I also loved exploring Guernsey with Lorley and her brothers. The woods, bays, cliffs and caves are part of their everyday lives, while places such as Creux Mahie bring the island's folklore into the story. There is something rather lovely about the beauty and legends of Guernsey existing alongside all the ordinary work of family life.
What I particularly liked about 'Island of Silver' was that the war never completely takes over the Vidamours' story. This is still a family going about their lives. There is work, sibling squabbles, childhood adventures, worry, laughter and the occasional moment when Lorley's imagination takes everyone somewhere entirely unexpected. Seeing so much of the story through her eyes gives some moments a wonderful innocence, but it can also make them incredibly poignant because the reader understands things that Lorley does not.
I thoroughly enjoyed 'Island of Silver'. By the time I reached the final pages, I had become very fond of the Vidamour family and desperately wanted things to turn out well for them. Lorley, with her singing bluebells, angels, lion hearts and absolute belief that there is magic to be found if only you know where to look, is a little girl I will not forget in a hurry. Henderson has left more than enough unanswered questions to make me eager to return to Guernsey and discover what happens next.
The Coffee Pot Book Club
This title will be available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Connect with Bonnie:
Website • Facebook • Instagram
