Everyone Brave Is Forgiven

This book was enjoyed by all our members. Some individual reviews below.

I really enjoyed this book from the off. It is well crafted and engaging on many levels. The development of the two leads is particularly well done. Some of my favourite characters are ‘bumped off’ during the story which adds to the believability and poignancy of the plot. The speech and attention to scenic detail transported me powerfully to the Second World War as no other book has done. I was there. This book would make an excellent film as it is cinematic in its unfolding. I saw it all in my head. I think it will not be long before we see it on the big screen.

An extremely well written historical novel with lots of thought provoking strands. It was clearly well researched and I learned a lot about the Siege of Malta and the conditions on the island. The story of Mary throughout the novel as she matured and coped with many difficulties was gripping, and made me read the book over two days.

This book, set during the Second World War was extremely enjoyable, incredibly sad and moving in parts, but informative and with a storyline that makes you want to devour it.

I couldn’t put this book down and would definitely recommend it to others. I have learnt so much from it.

Most of the group enjoyed this book. Some people preferred the section about Malta and would have preferred the book to be more about this rather than what was happening in London.

Chris Cleave creates wonderful fully-formed believable characters in his fiction, and does not disappoint in his latest book even though the protagonists are based on his grandparents so there is less artistic licence. Viewed through the lens of the main characters, the horrors of war, the deaths of so many non-combatants, the casual racism and snobbery, are vividly brought to life. And yet it is an uplifting book, filled with snappy dialogue, hilarious in parts, well written, insightful and with memorable engaging characters

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of vivid description but crisp and fast moving. I particularly enjoyed the conversations between the friends, quick repartee and humour. It was painfully sad towards the end, heightened by the frivolity and high spirits at the beginning.

What a great book. It reminded me of Life is Sweet at first. The understatement of the Horrors of War made them seem even worse. I liked the pace of the book and empathised with the characters. I was interested in how they developed through the story and the description of the siege of Malta. I was shocked when Tom was killed as I expected him to survive the war. I found the treatment of the coloured children appalling and the fact the players didn't want Mary to help as it drew attention to them.

RAM Readers