This book is set against the backdrop of World War ii. I was drawn into the lives of a cast of relatable characters who became friends by the time I turned the final page.
The title is intentionally deceptive, as the novel depicts human love of various kinds. WE see loyal friendships that even long-buried secrets cannot destroy. There is also Christian love displayed in word and deed, and a smattering of romance. However, this is believable and not over-emphasized. Love is victorious in all its shapes and colours.
The story is told from the points of view of its various characters, although it focuses on twelve-year-old Eliza Davies and her father’s childhood best friend Ruthie Lewis. They are thrown together, along with Eliza’s younger sister, when the girls’ father takes them to the country to escape the war and his violent alcoholic father. Ruthie has no experience with children, but she is aided by warm-hearted Bill and Ada Turley, and their lessons go far beyond the practical.
Supporting characters such as Seb and stella bring both light-hearted relief and sobering life lessons to a story that is rich in variety. In wartime, people from diverse backgrounds came together in surprising ways, leading to a whole new level of understanding. I enjoyed Lorraine’s use of dialect to breathe life into her characters, because their conversations and antics made me laugh out loud.
Although the author makes no secret of the fact that this is a Christian book, it is far from shallow or trite. She is not afraid to shy away from the harder themes, and she keeps things real by not tying everything up in a tidy bow on the last page. Not everyone turns over a new leaf and finds true happiness.
I thoroughly enjoyed Love Wins and had the privilege of watching it evolve from conception to publication. Lorraine has a God-given gift for storytelling, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
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