Lindsay L's Reviews > Beyond That, the Sea

5 stars!

2023 Favourites List!

A fresh WWII perspective. Though this is not a gritty, violent, war-filled story, it is an important one. This novel shares the unique wartime perspective of children being sent away across the ocean from their families living in war-torn cities. Parents were so desperate during these devastating times in Europe that they felt their only option was to send their children away to live with complete strangers in America who would hopefully keep them safe. As a parent, I cannot even imagine being in that desperate situation. This book sheds light on the journey some of those children took and how living separated from their birth parents during those years affected their whole lives.

Please note, the main character in this story has a wonderful, loving experience with her American family. She is one of the fortunate ones. Many children in her situation did not have the same experience and my heart aches for them and their birth parents.

Beatrix is eleven-years-old when her parents decide to send her on a ship from London to America to live with a family of strangers in Boston. Bea makes this voyage alongside other children in the same situation, without knowing much about the people who are supposed to welcome her on the other side. Bea is lovingly welcomed into the new family’s home which grows to feel like her own over the five years she stays there. This novel follows Bea for decades through her personal relationships and life decisions from that point on.

For me, one of the stand out aspects of this novel was the relationships. The author does an outstanding job portraying a multitude of deeply layered, endearing, emotion-stirring personal relationships in Bea’s life. I will be thinking of them long after I write this review. I was deeply touched by so many of the relationship dynamics throughout these pages.

This is a quietly powerful book. It is beautifully written with endearing characters that will touch your heart. The chapters are short but they pack a powerful punch with the underlying emotions. It is a coming-of-age story that had me invested from page one and never once let go. I truly adored every single word as the writing spoke to me in countless ways. The slower pace may not be for everyone, but this was an absolute perfect book for me.

Thank you to the publisher for my physical review copy! I adore the cover!

Expected date of publication: March 21, 2023