"Goodnight from London" by Jennifer Robson - Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles

About the Author: Jennifer Robson

Jennifer Robson is a Canadian author known for her historical fiction novels, which often explore themes of love, loss, and resilience against the backdrop of significant historical events, particularly during the early 20th century. Her works are celebrated for their meticulous research, rich detail, and compelling storytelling.

Early Life

Jennifer Robson was born in Canada and grew up with a deep appreciation for history, partly influenced by her family, especially her father, renowned historian Stuart Robson. This early exposure to historical subjects inspired her love for the past.

Education

She pursued her academic passion for history by earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in French literature and Modern History.
Robson then completed a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Modern History at the University of Oxford, where she focused on British social history during the World Wars. Her academic background in history heavily influences her approach to writing, providing a solid foundation for the historical details in her novels.

Writing Career

Robson began her career as an editor before transitioning to writing full-time. Her deep historical knowledge and interest in the World War I and World War II eras guided her towards writing historical fiction.
"Somewhere in France" (2014) marked her debut as a novelist. The book, set during World War I, follows a young woman who defies social conventions to serve as an ambulance driver on the Western Front. The novel received praise for its emotional depth and historical accuracy, establishing her as a significant voice in historical fiction.
She continued to build on the success of her first novel with related works, including:
- "After the War is Over" (2015), which follows a former wartime nurse adjusting to life after World War I.
- "Moonlight Over Paris" (2016), set in 1920s Paris, where a woman seeks to rebuild her life after suffering a serious illness.
Robson then shifted to World War II with "Goodnight from London" (2017), a story about an American journalist reporting from London during the Blitz.
"The Gown" (2018) became one of her most acclaimed novels. It tells the story behind the making of Queen Elizabeth II's wedding dress, interweaving the lives of the seamstresses who worked on it with a modern-day narrative.
Her later works include:
- "Our Darkest Night" (2021), which explores the experiences of a young Jewish woman who hides in the Italian countryside to escape the Nazis during World War II.
- "Coronation Year" (2023), a novel set in 1953 London during Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, focusing on the lives of ordinary people connected to the event.

Themes and Style

Robson's novels often focus on women's experiences during significant historical events, emphasizing their courage and strength. She brings history to life through detailed descriptions and well-researched narratives, balancing historical facts with fictional characters' emotional journeys.
Her writing style is characterized by its rich detail, immersive settings, and heartfelt exploration of the human condition in times of adversity.

Personal Life

Jennifer Robson resides in Toronto, Canada, with her family. She continues to write and research, often drawing on her historical background to inform her work.

Robson's novels appeal to readers who appreciate historical fiction that delves into the lives of ordinary people living through extraordinary times, with a particular focus on the World Wars and their aftermath.

1940s London

Synopsis

In the summer of 1940, ambitious young American journalist Ruby Sutton gets her big break: the chance to report on the European war as a staff writer for Picture Weekly newsmagazine in London. She jumps at the chance, for it's an opportunity not only to prove herself, but also to start fresh in a city and country that know nothing of her humble origins. But life in besieged Britain tests Ruby in ways she never imagined. Although most of Ruby's new colleagues welcome her, a few resent her presence, not only as an American but also as a woman. She is just beginning to find her feet, to feel at home in a country that is so familiar yet so foreign, when the bombs begin to fall. As the nightly horror of the Blitz stretches unbroken into weeks and months, Ruby must set aside her determination to remain an objective observer. When she loses everything but her life, and must depend upon the kindness of strangers, she learns for the first time the depth and measure of true friendship--and what it is to love a man who is burdened by secrets that aren't his to share.

Goodnight from London, inspired in part by the wartime experiences of the author's own grandmother, is a captivating, heartfelt, and historically immersive story that readers are sure to embrace.

Historical Timeline

In 1940, London was at the heart of World War II and experienced some of the most intense events of the conflict. The following timeline highlights key events in London throughout that year:

January - April 1940

Phoney War: The early months of 1940 saw a period known as the "Phoney War," where despite Britain and France being at war with Germany, there was little actual combat on the Western Front. London prepared for potential conflict by strengthening defenses and conducting air-raid drills.

May 1940

May 10: Winston Churchill becomes the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, replacing Neville Chamberlain. This change in leadership occurs as Germany begins its military offensive in Western Europe, leading to the fall of France.
Dunkirk Evacuation (May 26 - June 4): The British Expeditionary Force and Allied troops are evacuated from Dunkirk, France, as German forces advance. London braces for the possibility of an invasion, and the government increases air defense efforts.

June 1940

Fall of France (June 22): France signs an armistice with Germany, leading Britain to stand alone against Nazi Germany. London is on high alert, anticipating attacks.
Emergency Precautions: Londoners take measures to prepare for air raids, including the widespread construction of air-raid shelters and blackout practices to reduce visibility for enemy bombers.

July 1940

The Battle of Britain Begins (July 10): The German Luftwaffe launches a campaign to gain air superiority over Britain. London plays a crucial role in the defense, with RAF Fighter Command operating nearby to repel the attacks.
Air-Raid Alerts Increase: London starts to experience more frequent air-raid alerts as German bombers target southern England and infrastructure.

August 1940

Escalation of the Battle of Britain: The Luftwaffe intensifies its bombing campaign, targeting RAF airfields and radar stations. London remains on high alert, with air-raid sirens becoming a daily occurrence.

September 1940

The Blitz Begins (September 7): The Luftwaffe shifts its strategy and begins bombing London directly. The first night of the Blitz sees heavy bombing of the East End, resulting in significant destruction and civilian casualties. The bombing continues almost nightly for 57 consecutive days.
Shelters and Underground Stations: Londoners seek refuge in air-raid shelters and Underground stations, which are converted into makeshift bomb shelters. Life in the city changes dramatically as people adapt to nightly bombings and the constant threat of air raids.

October - December 1940

The Blitz Continues: Although the intensity of the bombing varies, London remains a primary target. The attacks extend to industrial areas and civilian neighborhoods, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
Resilience and Morale: Despite the devastation, London's population shows remarkable resilience. The government and local authorities work to maintain morale, providing support services and encouraging "business as usual" where possible.
Christmas 1940: London celebrates Christmas under the shadow of war, with many traditional festivities curtailed due to the ongoing air raids and rationing.

Throughout 1940, London was transformed by the war, becoming a symbol of British resistance and resilience in the face of Nazi aggression. The city's experiences during the Blitz would shape the collective memory of World War II and its impact on British society.

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
Call Number: FICTION Martin
August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler's forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and drawn curtains that she finds on her arrival are not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she'd wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London. Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed--a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.
The Girl from Guernica by Karen Robards
Call Number: FICTION Robards
On an April day in 1937, the sky opens and fire rains down upon the small Spanish town of Guernica. Seventeen-year-old Sibi and her family are caught up in the horror. Griff, an American military attaché, pulls Sibi from the wreckage, and it's only the first time he saves her life in a span of hours. When Germany claims no involvement in the attack, insisting the Spanish Republic was responsible, Griff guides Sibi to lie to Nazi officials. If she or her sisters reveal that they saw planes bearing swastikas, the gestapo will silence them--by any means necessary. As war begins to rage across Europe, Sibi joins the underground resistance, secretly exchanging information with Griff. But as the scope of Germany's ambitions becomes clear, maintaining the facade of a Nazi sympathizer becomes ever more difficult. And as Sibi is drawn deeper into a web of secrets, she must find a way to outwit an enemy that threatens to decimate her family once and for all. Masterfully rendered and vividly capturing one of the most notorious episodes in history, The Girl from Guernica is an unforgettable testament to the bonds of family and the courage of women in wartime.
The Spies of Shilling Lane by Jennifer Ryan
Call Number: FICTION Ryan
Mrs. Braithwaite, self-appointed queen of her English village, finds herself dethroned, despised, and dismissed following her husband's selfish divorce petition. Never deterred, the threat of a family secret being revealed sets her hot-foot to London to find the only person she has left-her clever daughter Betty, who took work there at the first rumbles of war. But when she arrives, Betty's landlord, the timid Mr. Norris, informs her that Betty hasn't been home in days--with the chaos of the bombs, there's no telling what might have befallen her. Aghast, Mrs. Braithwaite sets her bullish determination to the task of finding her only daughter. Storming into the London Blitz, Mrs. Braithwaite drags the reluctant Mr. Norris along as an unwitting sidekick as they piece together Betty's unexpectedly chaotic life. As she is thrown into the midst of danger and death, Mrs. Braithwaite is forced to rethink her old-fashioned notions of status, class, and reputation, and to reconsider the question that's been puzzling her since her world overturned- How do you measure the success of your life? Readers will be charmed by the unforgettable Mrs. Braithwaite and her plucky, ruthless optimism, and find in The Spies of Shilling Lane a novel with surprising twists and turns, quiet humor, and a poignant examination of mothers and daughters and the secrets we keep.

Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles: "Goodnight from London" by Jennifer Robson