The Skylarks’ War by Hilary MacKay

I’m already an admirer of Hilary McKay’s writing so it wasn’t a stretch for the publisher (Macmillan) to get me to read a proof of The Skylarks’ War.  Quite simply, it is the best book I have read by Hilary.  She has excelled herself .

Set in the early part of the twentieth century, it is a wonderful piece of writing about love, loyalty, friendship and war.  Clarry, Peter, Rupert, Simon and Vanessa are superb, well-rounded characters with flaws and failings, feelings and fears who interact in the complex ways of human beings.  The story is engrossing and involving and un-put-downable!  I read it almost without stopping, desperate to know how things would be resolved – or not.  I cannot recommend it highly enough.