Olivia Spooner, debut Historical Fiction New Zealand Author and owner of The Booklover Bookstore in Milford, released The Girl From London in November 2023, and I have been holding onto this library book since mid-December, waiting for the right time to read it. With the hot, humid weather that hung over the country in December, I wasn’t in the mood to read but now that its turning into a lovely summer with a light breeze in the air I have been able to pluck up this book from my pile and give it some attention.

I hadn’t heard about the contents of this book before, meaning I knew nothing about the Rangitane or the “experiments” to evacuate children to the dominions on the other side of the world. Both of these details intrigued me and I couldn’t help but want to learn more as I flicked through the book. It seemed so far-fetched to me, as it did the characters in the book, that such an idea would be taken seriously – would taking children away from their families and homes for an unknown period of time actually be helpful? Would it be beneficial to the children whose lives are being uprooted and who find themselves being adopted out to strangers in a strange land?

The interactions between the children and the adults felt genuine and believable, akin to that of a schoolteacher nowadays which is great seeing as Ruth and many of the escorts on board were teachers. There’s a strong maternal feel throughout the book, especially surrounding Ruth which is interesting given the childlike aura Hazel gives off even though they’re roughly the same age. It’s a great show of how different upbringings shape how one is, how the priorities of life sift how one must adapt and mature at a faster rate than others. There were times were Ruth felt more childlike, creating a juxtaposition in her being. Her uncertainty in her actions and how she wanted to be compared to what her life shaped her into, or rather how her mother and fiancé wanted her to be. That seems to be a pretty standard notion at the time so this does a journey of self-discovery as much as it does a journey of incredible bravery in times of strife and darkness.

As a history nut and a fan of historical fiction war stories, I was hoping for something with more factual detail and a more ominous presence lingering behind the curtain. While the story is engaging, it almost didn’t feel scary enough, especially the last third or so. I would have thought a little more emotion and a change of tone would come through given the shift but instead it was almost felt like a romanticised take on what happened. As a reader, I didn’t feel concerned for her safety nor bother by what should have been a significant switch of direction for Ruth and everyone still hanging around. I understand the personal and emotion turmoil Ruth was going through would’ve played a big role in the tone used and it’s said in latter third of The Girl From London what’s going on in her mind. I just wish her internal conflict was weaved together with a tenser, more emotive external conflict. I’m also not one for humouring any ideas of adultery so the two storylines were a bit of a mark down for me.

Overall though, I though The Girl From London had a great premise and it was interesting to learn more about the war efforts near the beginning of WWII. It’s opened my eyes to the lengths people were willing to go to protect their children, knowing they may never see them again, and how long such a journey must have been. For those looking for a Historical Fiction read that isn’t so intense or violent, I highly recommend The Girl From London. Hopefully, you learn something new like I have.