Can a lie be forgiven when the truth
seems too much to bear?
1958. Esme, a novelist, finds a potential new literary project. A housemaid named Clara was convicted of murder, perhaps unjustly, amid the ending of World War II and the liberation of Guernsey from Nazi occupation. Esme’s trip to Guernsey is an opportunity not only to research the case, but to learn more about her mother’s family—as well as to heal from the heartbreak inflicted on her by the man she loved . . .
1915. A teenager marries her childhood sweetheart before he heads off to fight in the Great War. But he doesn’t come back, and Jane, presumed a widow, flees Guernsey—devastated by her loss. In London, Jane finds a new life and a new husband—but her past isn’t done with her yet.
This absorbing novel follows the parallel paths of two generations of women, and as each is faced with painful decisions and shocking discoveries, a question emerges: Can a lie be forgiven when the truth seems too much to bear?
The inspiration
The Dilemma was in an early (and fairly unsatisfactory) draft form when I came upon the idea of giving the story a historical, wartime setting. Guernsey offered the perfect location with its residents largely isolated from the mainland of Great Britain.
A visit to Guernsey to undertake my research, and many hours spent trawling through archives of newspapers, spawned ideas for the sub-plot, and a feel for Guernsey during WW1 and WW2. Travelling around the island, rich with history and marvellous locations, added depth and colour to the narrative. Meeting many locals, who generously assisted by sharing their knowledge, provided further inspiration and their input is peppered throughout.
The memories of my mother, who grew up as a teenager in England during WW2, also offered a wonderful repository to draw on.
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