While at my happy place, the Green Valley Book Fair, I picked up a book entitled, The Welsh Girl, by Peter Ho Davies. Since I am always drawn to a period drama, I was ecstatic to find this novel. Set during the aftermath of D-Day in Northern Wales, this story intertwines the lives of a small town farm girl, a German prisoner of war and an interrogator. I was half way through the novel and wrapped up in the love story between Esther and Karsten, the imprisoned German corporal when I noticed the quote on the back of the novel from USA today. What?! The English Patient?! Were they serious? I was shocked! I saw a few parallels, such as both novel took place during war time, there was a romantic element to the story, and the main characters lives all become intertwined. OK, but don't most novels have a romance in them? And how interesting would a book be if each of the characters lived lives completely separate from the others? I just do not understand."If you loved The English Patient, there's probably a place in your heart for The Welsh Girl..." USA Today
With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, while I HATED The English Patient. Peter Ho Davies describes Northern Wales in such a vivid way that I felt I was in Wales. I was there with Esther looking into the POW camp. I sat in the POW camp with Karsten pining for Esther. I don't want to give away the ending or how Rotherham, the interrogator fits into the story.
Overall, the story keeps you drawn in by making you feel as though you are there. Don't expect any crazy twists or turns. Don't expect to sit in the edge of your seat. Expect a beautifully written story that creates an escape you never expected.
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