Why am I passionate about this?
As a teacher, I spent forty years at the chalkface before finally achieving my ambition to be a published writer. My first novel was about a child migrant to Australia; my second about a little girl on the kinder transport. I wanted to write about strong women in world war two. All three of the mothers in my stories are separated from their children and have to make some tough decisions. I hope my readers will remember them for their courage and tenacity and that theyâll enjoy reading about them as much as Iâve enjoyed creating them.
Gill's book list on World War Two featuring strong women
Why did Gill love this book?
Although strictly this was set in the run-up to World War two, rather than the war itself, I thought this was a fascinating insight into how a young German girl, infatuated with Hitler and the Nazis, gradually learns to see things from a different point of view when she falls in love with a Jewish boy. Itâs a novel for our time, showing how easily âordinary peopleâ can be sucked into extreme views.
1 author picked People Like Us as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
Shortlisted for the RSL Christopher Bland Prize and the RNA Historical Romantic Novel Award 2021
'A compelling tale of forbidden love set in 1930's Leipzig' Independent
'Terrifying, yet tender. I loved it' Irish Examiner
'Heart-breaking, thought-provoking story' Adele Parks
'I nearly drowned and Walter rescued me. That changes everything.'Leipzig, 1930s Germany
Hetty Heinrich is a perfect German child. Her father is an SS officer, her brother in the Luftwaffe, herself a member of the BDM. She believes resolutely in her country, and the man who runs it.
Until Walter changes everything. Blond-haired, blue-eyed, perfect in every way Walter. TheâŠ