Beyond That, the Sea

by Laura Spence-Ash
Celadon Books
March 21, 2023

It is 1963, and Beatrix Thompson is reminiscing about the past few decades of her life, particularly when she spent time in America. Back in the 1940s, as World War II started to rage in Europe, Beatrix, aka Bea, aka Trixie, is living with her mum and dad in London.

When she is 11, her father Reginald decides to send his only child to America, where she would be safe from the horrors of combat. Millie, her mum, doesn’t want this, yet insists she accompanies her daughter. Reginald will not allow Millie to go, so Beatrix blames her mum, believing she no longer wants her.

Beatrix’s journey via ocean liner is long and tedious, though she finds it bearable being in the presence of other young girls. Amid seasickness and the sounds of other children crying, Beatrix spends most nights on the deck where it’s cold, and the air is clean and fresh. She sits alone with her thoughts, pondering if they’ll ever arrive in America and what it will be like.

Disembarking in Boston two weeks later, Beatrix is wearing her favorite dress, hoping to make a positive impression. At the same time, she waits for the Gregory family to take her to their home. Soon, a tall boy with curly hair approaches her, and she surmises this is William. Millie has shown her a letter describing all of them: William, age 13; Gerald, age nine; and their parents, Nancy and Ethan Gregory.

Nancy is happy to have another female in residence, and while Bea settles in, Nancy is shocked by Beatrix’s pale skin, dirty white socks tucked in heavy boots, with black and soulful eyes. Nancy thinks:

“What on earth had they signed on for? What must that be like for her? To be sent away from home by yourself? Nancy wonders what kind of a parent could make this choice, although she knows she has no idea what it’s like to live through a war. She doesn’t think she could do it though; she can’t imagine putting William or Gerald on a ship by himself. And, Lord, what will happen if the United States enters this war. She prays each night that it won’t happen or, if it does, that her boys will still be too young.”

The children bond almost at once. Gerald likes having Bea around, and she soon feels like a family member. Though Gerald loves his older brother, William somewhat tolerates him, whereas Beatrix—Bea, as they call her now—listens to him and plays games with him.

In school, the popular girls huddle around Bea, loving her accent while asking questions about the war. Bea’s always wanted to be in this kind of circle, but she is quiet and shy, and she soon realizes this is not the group for her.

In London, Reginald joins the Home Guard, deciding he needs to be more involved in the war effort. Never home, either working or on the post with comrades, Millie is left alone and despondent. She is comforted knowing Beatrix is safe, well-protected, and doing well in school. What is most important, her daughter is safe and with people who care for her. She lives for letters she receives from Bea and Nancy.

As an only child, Bea finds it exciting to have siblings, and she enjoys being with the Gregorys. Nancy treats her like a daughter, and she fits in with the family. During the summer, they head to their home in Maine on their own island. Here they spend their time fishing, swimming, rowing the boat back and forth to the mainland, and living a carefree life as children should. Thoughts of war are far away, and Bea is thriving.

Gerald follows Bea like a puppy dog, yet William catches Bea’s fancy. With much in common and thinking alike, their friendship becomes closer as the years pass and they grow toward adulthood. Good things must end, and after six years and the war is over, Bea is sent home. Will she ever see the Gregorys, or William, again?

Reginald dies from a heart attack when Bea is in the States, and she is grieving his loss. She and Millie clash often, yet life goes on, and Bea, now called Trixie in London, gets on with her life. With sorrow, she returns to London and to her mum. She may be back “home,” but her heart is “across the pond,” so she keeps corresponding with Nancy.

Bea accepts life in London and is teaching school when one day, she receives a phone call from Nancy telling her Ethan succumbed to a coronary, and this is like losing her dad all over again. She gets a knock on the door and is surprised to see it is William, who states he’s been in Europe and wanted to visit her. They talk about America, and William imparts some news upsetting Bea, yet their time together is magic. Bea will always consider William her first love. Bea travels between London and America, finding out life never turns out the way one hopes.

This intense coming-of-age novel includes well-told history and deals with the joys and pain in life. Imagine being sent to a foreign country as a child, knowing it’s for your protection, yet feeling abandoned. Emotions play a big part in all the characters, who are so brilliantly portrayed so readers can imagine their happiness and sorrows.

Once Upon a Buggy

Shelley Shepard Gray
Kensington Books
March 28, 2023
10-1496769833

Twenty-two-year-old May Schott wonders what life has in store for her. Six years ago, her best friend, Carl Hilty—the man she hoped would one day be her husband—was in a tragic accident. May had asked him to meet her in her family’s barn when a storm ensued, and lightning hit the structure, causing a fire. May panicked as Carl tried to get her to flee, but instead, she froze, unable to move. Carl managed to pull her out before the barn collapsed, and/or they both got burned, but through his heroism, he suffered fatal burns and needed extensive medical treatment.

Away from their hometown of Apple Creek, Ohio, Carl healed, albeit left with scars all over his body. As he recovered, he was able to get training and found lucrative employment, forgoing his Amish upbringing by becoming “Englisch.”

Things haven’t been the same for the Schott and Hilty families because of this tragedy. Carl’s parents blame May and the Shotts for what happened to their son, and they have shown hostility toward the Schotts ever since. May blames herself for Carl’s disfigurement and pain, and her only wish is to apologize to him.
Now, after all this time, Carl is coming for a visit:

“After years of wishing and hoping and praying, Carl Hilty had come back home. Her next-door neighbor, childhood best friend—the boy who’d saved her life—had finally returned. She was going to be able to see him in person.

“Adrenaline, fueled by a surge of nervousness and excitement, shot through her as she craned her neck. She was anxious to catch even a glimpse of Carl, but it was next to impossible. It looked as if the entire Amish population of Apple Creek was currently trying to do the same thing.

“May supposed she shouldn’t have been surprised. Carl was a hero, and he’d been gone for such a very long time. Six years was practically an eternity.”

May desperately needs to let him know how sorry she is the reason for what he has suffered. She wishes they can pick up their relationship where they left off. Though they were only teens, there was love between them.
When she encounters him, she can only stare at him, not knowing what to say. What is worse is his chilly demeanor toward her. She wonders, does he really hate me? How can she mend fences and get her best friend back, be in his good graces? She believes he wants no part of her, yet he thinks she is appalled by his appearance and will reject him, even considering he still has feelings for her.

After being away from his faith and community, Carl still is the same man he always was, even though he drives a truck, works with a computer, and uses a cell phone. May sees him as the caring, generous, and kind person he was as a kid, and she would do anything to show she still loves him. The Hiltys’ contempt toward her has her fearing she will never be accepted.

Even with the tension between the two families, May’s brother, Walker, is in love with Carl’s sister, Ally. However, the only way they can see each other is on the sly until Carl unearths their secret and announces it to his family. His parents are appalled, and they insist Ally break ties with Walker—either that or she is to leave their home. Upset, Ally loves Walker, so she will leave her home rather than lose him. Carl comes up with the plan for them to marry quickly, though this is not the usual way the Amish plan their nuptials.

Carl and May start to repair their relationship, and their main goal is to get their parents on friendly terms. The Amish are recognized as being peace-loving and forgiving, so why can’t the Hiltys understand this?

As time passes, May and Carl become closer, and everyone notices it. May’s father talks with her about her love for Carl, though she believes there’s no chance for a relationship due to him no longer being Amish. Her dad states:

“‘May, I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Robin and Able [Carl’s parents]. I’ve always figured life is made up of a lot of events, some big and some small.’ . . .

. . . “‘Do you also agree that some of those events—like weddings and funerals and births—well, they’re going to be memorable because they are huge, life-changing events?’

“‘Jah.’

“‘Then I want you to think about how the Lord gives us all myriad other less-significant moments in our lives. Some of them create lasting memories, too, for one reason or another. But I’ve always felt that there are other events that mark a person in unique ways. Whether it’s a fire or a job loss or even an injury, things don’t affect all of us the same way.’

“He exhaled. ‘What I’m trying to tell ya is that every person on this earth has their own ‘fire’ story. Maybe it doesn’t involve getting burned or separated from someone they care for, but it’s a trauma. I think it’s wrong to put so much emphasis on just one event—and selfish to think everyone else hasn’t through something just as difficult for them.’

“‘Dad, I don’t disagree with you. But I don’t understand how that affects my future with Carl.’

“‘What I’m trying to say, daughter is that you can either look at the fire and its aftermath as the biggest event in your life . . . or you can decide it’s just one of many big events you hope to experience. Respect that it happened and come to terms with the reality that it changed you and Carl—and everyone else in the family, too.’ He lowered his voice. ‘But then move on.’”

For their relationship to work, May and Carl must deal with Carl’s parents’ indifference, and they also have to face the reality of the accident. Will the Hiltys be willing to lose a daughter and a son due to their opinions and stubbornness? Can May’s loving father’s wise advice bring closure to the horrific occurrence they both endured? Is deep and abiding affection for each other enough to demonstrate they belong together?
Tragedy can happen to anyone at any time, and it takes the wisdom of May’s father to prove good can come from bad. A tale filled with pain as well as wisdom, “Once Upon a Buggy” is an insightful read into human nature—not just of those of the Amish sect—and how to deal with dire circumstances.

Once We Were Home

Jennifer Rosner

Flatiron Books

March 14, 2023

“Based on actual occurrences during World War II, this is sure to open the eyes of those skeptics who had questions about the pain and tragedy so many suffered, all to protect their progeny, . . .”

This intensely moving tome commences in 1949 when we meet seven-year-old Roger, who lives in the Convent of Sainte Marie de Scion near Marseille. Currently preparing to be baptized as a Christian, he’s been told he “was born to parents whose religion killed Jesus.” He is mainly afraid of Sister Chantal, for she supervises his every move and is ready to punish him for any little misdeed. But he likes Sister Brigitte, with whom he can ask questions and not worry about getting his ears boxed.

Roger lives happily in relative confinement with his best friend, Henri. He spends his spare time writing stories and is happy when Sister Brigitte praises him for his imagination. Yet Roger has a nemesis named Albert, a boy the adults think is angelic; however, he is forever mocking and teasing Roger, always making him nervous. 

As other boys are being picked up by family members, Sister Brigitte tells him he has no one. His parents placed him at the Saint Vincent nursery when he was three for safekeeping, and it appears they have been lost in the war.

Madame Mercier, the nursery’s biggest benefactor, takes charge of Roger, squiring him to church to receive his baptism and then to a monastery, where he is raised by monks in the Catholic faith. When a relative tries to liberate him, the church secrets him so he won’t be found.

Soon he is rescued by his aunt Sarah and whisked off to live with her, his uncle, and two male cousins, where they find the language barrier between French and Spanish somewhat tricky. Though trained as a Catholic, Roger reverts to Judaism and is called Rami, his Hebrew moniker.

In 1942, seven-year-old Mira Kowalski and her brother Daniel, age three, are bathed by their mama, bundled up, and hustled into a car where they’re told to crouch onto the floor. Their mama states she is sending them away to keep them safe, saying they’ll only be away for a short time. She professes her love for her youngsters while begging Mira to take care of Daniel. Mira is consumed with fear, and she and Daniel are hidden under a blanket as they escape the Polish ghetto to head to the home of a Christian friend of their mother’s. With the war blazing, and many of the Jewish faith being transported to camps where they are used for hard, manual labor or executed, Mama realizes this is the only way to save her precious children.

Upon their arrival, their new caregiver states:

 “‘It’s best if you call me ciocia.‘

 “‘But you’re not my aunt.’ [Said by Mira]

“The woman’s cheeks go pink. ‘You will call me Ciocia Agata. And I will call you Anastazja. This will be your name from now on, and your brother will be Oskar. These are the names of my sister’s children, my niece, and my nephew. We’ll say you’re here because my sister, Jadzia, is ill. You mustn’t, under any circumstances, use your other names. You’re here to be kept safe. Do you understand?'”

As time passes, Mira, aka Ana never forgets her mother, though Oskar is too young to share her angst in wanting to find their parents. Not knowing any different, he is content with his new family and being raised as a Christan. He lives a very comfortable existence with his aunt and uncle, who shower both children with love.

More than 20 years pass, and Ana, Oskar, and now Roger now live their lives as adults. Trying to forget their traumatic past and their blood family, Ana cannot stop searching for her beloved mama and re-embracing her Jewish roots. At the same time, Oskar finds it a challenge to embrace his heritage and wants to cling to Christianity.

Ana marries, and before long, Oskar also does, with the siblings living nearby. Though they were raised differently from their birthright, they are siblings, and they share the burdens and trauma they suffered as children while together, they put the pieces of their past behind them.

Meanwhile, Roger meets an archeologist named Renata in Israel, whose passion is unearthing relics from long ago. She and Roger are at one with each other, seemingly soul mates, but worries hamper on his part inhibiting further closeness. Renata is working on a dig and misses her recently deceased mother. As she looks to unearth ruins, she ruminates about her childhood and why her mother spirited them both from Germany long ago.

This powerful tale is complicated in many parts. The reader must discern the relationships between the characters, especially with their names being changed; the time difference is inconsistent; and Mira/Ana and Daniel/Oskar’s relationship to Roger and Renate is confusing. In retrospect, the way these loving parents worked diligently to keep their children free from the atrocities of war proved to come full circle after decades. Based on actual occurrences during World War II, this is sure to open the eyes of those skeptics who had questions about the pain and tragedy so many suffered, all to protect their progeny, and how those who endured this horror were able to survive and return to their authentic roots.