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What would have happened if the Nazis had been successful in invading Britain in 1940? It doesn't bear thinking about but Michael Cronin has tried to imagine it and the result is this exciting story.
Against the Day is set in the village of Shevington which is in the Southern Area Command, during the Nazi occupation. The people of the village have to make their own adjustments to the Nazi occupation.
First of all there are the two representatives of the extreme opposing viewpoints. Betty Firth is the Warden. A collaborator. She carries out the commands of the Germans who are now using Shevington Hall as their headquarters. The local headmaster, Mr Underwood, behaves in completely the opposite way. Mr Underwood bravely speaks out against the Nazis regardless of the consequences. The rest of the villagers occupy positions somewhere between these two. During the course of the story we see their positions and views changing and even realise that we were wrong about some them in the first place.
There is Rose who works up at Shevington Hall. She is fascinated by the splendour of the old house but her grandmother thinks she should not be working for the Germans. Is Rose beginning to accept the Germans? There is her brother Colin whose main interest is the Scouts -- Scouts who now have two Nazi roundels stitched on the collars of their shirts. There is Les, the runaway who is just intent on "keeping his head down." Although they do not put it like that many of the other villagers are actually doing the same. Then there is Frank who believes that people should do something to pay the Nazis back. But what? He does not know.
But perhaps people are already trying to do something. Why does Nan, Frank's grandmother, still ride around the countryside on her bicycle? And why is she so upset when she hurts her ankle and has to stay indoors? And why is the gamekeeper Alex Thrale always so concerned about his precious apples? His russets which have such a special flavour. Even so it seems an awful fuss to make about a few apples. And when the school inspector comes why does he allow such an ineffectual, incompetent teacher as Peter Sims to remain in office?
Frank believes his father is dead then he hears some news which makes him believe his father is still alive. He takes the bus into Seabourne to try and trace his father. Les comes with him. While in Seabourne they run into Peter Sims -- and find themselves involved in the incipient resistance movement.
The story races on to the climax and Hitler's birthday. A great celebration has been arranged. The villagers are all to gather on the village green where Hitler's speech will be relayed on loud speakers. Then the scouts are to be responsible for the flag ceremony. Colin is to play a major part in this. After this the school choir will sing a song which has been specially composed for the Day. Only after this is all over will the villagers be able to enjoy the refreshments which have been laid out. Up at Shevington Hall there is a gathering of important German generals and officials.
Despite everything the villagers manage to turn Hitler's birthday into a kind of a celebration -- although not exactly the celebration the Germans meant. Colin, in particular, has a surprise for us. We also find out that there is no danger of Rose turning into a collaborator.
It is during the preparations for the Day that Warden Betty Firth starts to rethink her own position. Before the Day she is given instructions to make sure that all the villagers know that anyone aiding or concealing those concerned with acts of resistance will be punished by death without trial. Death without trial? But that is illegal. Later when she is talking to the local SS officer she remembers that he had been responsible for the Middlebury reprisals. (Earlier a grenade had been thrown at a German lorry and some Germans killed. Reprisals had been swift to follow. Four hostages had been seized at random and later shot). Now Betty Firth realises she is talking to a murderer. There is hope yet even for Betty Firth.
But all the time Frank has been hoping for something more. He is sure the resistance have been planning a bomb attack. Is it going to happen or has the attempt failed?
Frank has to wait until the night to find out.
Against The Day is about the first year of a possible occupation of Britain by the Nazis. Because it is the only the first year the true horror of the Nazi occupation is not brought out. But there are hints in the book of what is to follow in the way of reprisals.
A well told, exciting story which makes us thank our lucky stars for our narrow escape from a Nazi invasion.
A different way of looking at the Second World War.
12+
This is a sequel to Against the Day,
Michael Cronin's story of what things might have been like if
the Nazis had succeeded in invading Britain.
Against the Day ends on a note of hope with the British
partisans beginning to fight back. Through the Night is
set two years later and, because of the German reprisals, the
people are dispirited and demoralised. But the partisans are regrouping.
Frank still wants to fight the Germans but he has other things
to think about. He wants to try and find his father. His friend
Les also has family problems when he finds out that his sister
has been meeting a young German. And the young, academic schoolmaster
who is only interested in the remains of a local Roman villa,
finds himself drawn into the struggle. There is hope for the future.
News filters through to the partisans about the German defeat
at Stalingrad.
This book is very readable but I felt that it lacked some of the
mystery and tension of Against the Day. Even so it is still
an exciting read.
There are some loose ends at the end and there is probably a third
book yet to come. Something to look forward to.
Teenage