Alvesdon

A novel that captures the fear and mood of the early days of the war, as Britain declares war on Germany. Three generations of the Castells family must face the prospect of their lives being transformed, and the younger members of the family and farm workers are called up to fight.

Format: Hardback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2024
Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd

The village of Alvesdon has been a home to the Castells for generations. However, the year is 1939, and the peace and tranquility that have prevailed there for centuries are about to be shattered by the storm clouds of war in Europe. As three generations of the family come together, they must all face the prospect of their lives being irrevocably transformed the moment Britain declares war on Germany.

When the inevitable happens and Britain finds itself at war, the younger members of the family, along with the farm workers, are called up to fight, leaving those who remain behind to struggle to keep the home fires burning and the farm afloat. The gentle certainties of rural life are replaced by the urgent clamor of war, which pervades the air, the sea, and the land, where events unfold with dizzying rapidity and unexpected consequences.

Spanning from the glorious summer of 1939 to the Battle of Britain the following year, acclaimed historian James Holland paints a compelling and immersive fictional portrait of how the war changed everything. For one family and for their community, their way of life can never be the same again.

The village of Alvesdon, nestled in the rolling hills of rural England, has been a home to the Castells for generations. The family has a long and proud history, and their farm has been a source of livelihood and stability for many years. However, as the year 1939 dawned, the peaceful and tranquil life that the Castells had known for so long was about to be shattered by the storm clouds of war in Europe.

As three generations of the family gathered together, they could feel the tension in the air. The prospect of war loomed large, and everyone knew that their lives were about to be profoundly affected. Britain had declared war on Germany, and the world was on the brink of chaos.

The younger members of the family, including the farm workers, were called up to fight, leaving those who remained behind to struggle to keep the farm afloat. The women took on the roles of farmers and workers, while the men were away at war. The days were long and hard, and the workload increased exponentially. The women worked tirelessly to tend to the crops and the livestock, while the men worked to repair the machinery and keep the farm running smoothly.

Despite the challenges that they faced, the Castells remained strong and resilient. They relied on each other for support and encouragement, and they never lost hope that they would be reunited once the war was over. However, as the months and years passed, the war continued to take its toll on the village. The air was filled with the sound of planes and bombs, and the streets were filled with refugees fleeing from the conflict. The Castells' farm was not immune to the effects of the war, and they struggled to keep up with the demand for food and supplies.

Despite the hardships that they faced, the Castells remained determined to survive. They worked tirelessly to improve their farming practices and to find new ways to produce food and supplies. They also took in refugees from the war, providing them with shelter and food. The village became a hub of activity, with people coming from all over to help and support the Castells.

However, as the war dragged on, the Castells began to feel the effects of the conflict. They lost loved ones to the war, and they struggled to cope with the loss and the trauma that it had caused. They also faced financial difficulties, as the prices of food and supplies continued to rise. The government provided some assistance, but it was not enough to cover all of their needs.

Despite the challenges that they faced, the Castells remained strong and resilient. They continued to work hard and to support each other, and they never lost hope that they would be reunited once the war was over. However, as the war drew to a close, the Castells realized that their lives would never be the same again. The war had changed them in ways that they could never have imagined, and they would have to adapt to a new world that was emerging.

The village of Alvesdon was never the same again after the war. The scars of the conflict were still visible, and the people who had lived there for generations had been profoundly affected. However, the Castells remained a strong and resilient family, and they continued to work hard to improve their lives and to support their community.

In the years that followed the war, the Castells worked to rebuild their farm and to restore the village to its former glory. They planted new crops and rebuilt the machinery that had been damaged during the conflict. They also took in more refugees, providing them with shelter and food. The village became a symbol of hope and resilience, and people from all over came to visit and to learn from the Castells.

As the years passed, the Castells grew old and passed on their knowledge and experience to the younger generations. They continued to work hard and to support each other, and they never lost hope that they would be reunited once the war was over. However, as the years went by, the war began to fade into memory, and the people of Alvesdon began to move on with their lives.

The village of Alvesdon has changed over the years, but it remains a place of beauty and charm. The Castells' farm is still there, and it is a testament to the resilience and determination of the people who have lived there. The village is also home to a community of people who are committed to preserving the history and culture of the area.

In conclusion, the war had a profound impact on the village of Alvesdon and on the Castells family. The war changed their lives in ways that they could never have imagined, and it left scars that will never heal. However, the Castells remained strong and resilient, and they continued to work hard to improve their lives and to support their community. The village of Alvesdon is a testament to the power of hope and resilience, and it will always be a place of beauty and charm.

Weight: 674g
Dimension: 241 x 162 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787636705