As Little As Nothing by Pamela Mulloy is a great WWII-era historical fiction that takes us into the lives of three characters, each experiencing their own pivotal moments amongst the backdrop of the war. Miriam has had her fifth miscarriage and she is trying to recover in bed. She hears a plan flying overhead, and she gets out of bed to find out what is going on. A pilot Peter, has crashed outside a village in England. The book alternates between three main characters all tied together not just by living in the same town and also some by relations, but also by the introduction of a downed pilot within their local fields. It almost seems as if this accident sets off the life-altering changes that were cooking under pressure before the incident, and this just pushed it all over the edge. Told in short chapters from different characters and point of view. At times it feels disconnected and difficult to link and follow.


My thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press for the opportunity.

Thank you to the author for offering her novel for me to read and review.
I was intrigued with the first chapter, plus I was interested since the story took place on the eve of the second World War., since most historical fiction focuses on WW II in Germany.
Frank had an attraction to men, which could be quite dangerous, and he had a major attraction to Pete the rescue.
Audrey was interesting, she did not fit into society and lived into the Gypsy world, which later became frowned upon and could have sent her to the camps.
Miriam has had more miscarriages that any woman could handle and Edmund took care of her. She was a brave character and even after she heard the plane falling to the ground, and she later learns to fly with pilot Frank.
I liked the author's descriptive writing, but I had trouble engaging with the characters. I prefer a well fleshed out characters, which for me, makes a story.

As Little As Nothing is the first novel of Pamela Mulloy's that I've had the pleasure of reading, and it is beautifully written.

It opens with a plane crash in the English countryside, and brings together four strangers whos lives will intertwine with each other for the rest of the novel.

Miriam, Frank, Audrey and Peter.

Miriam is recovering from a personal heartache, another miscarriage and doesn't realise she's looking for an escape until Frank, who helps her rescue the Pilot of the crashed plane offers her flying lessons as a thank you for her assistance.

Peter is a Canadian Pilot who has family in England who he is visiting when his plane come crashing down. Luckily he is not badly injured, but his love of flying sets him on a path that will change the his fate.

Frank is unable to fight in the rumoured war that is just around the corner due to a club foot, but he is determined to fly in some capacity, and takes it upon himself to teach Miriam how to, so that they can take part in a race. He enlists Peters help so that he can remain close to the Canadian.

Audrey, Frank's Aunt, is the final piece of the friendship puzzle. She is an activist for Women's reproductive rights, which given Miriam's troubled history is a shock to her at first. But as she learns more about the subject, she realises that there is more to Miriam than meets the eye, and beings to help her friend in her crusade.

This novel is very cleverly written, in that it feels that it is subtly building towards something all the way through - and of course it is, it is building towards war.

If you're looking for a novel set during WWII, this is not it. This is a novel that explores the complexities of politics and people's behaviours leading up to the event.

Really good book. The plot was well-written and engrossing. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Many thanx to Met Galley, the author and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book
I have never read any other books by this author but found this book slow, confusing and the characters lacked depth in some cases. The story didn't "grab" me and felt there was far too much descriptive text which took away from what the author was trying to tell.
Took me longer than normal to read as I really had to make myself complete the book.

I find the book choppy. The back and forth between different characters does not seem to add to the story. I really stopped reading because the abortion angle of the story was more than I felt was represented in the summary and I just wanted a good book, not preaching about abortion as I most likely do not share the same view that the author does.

Set on the run up to WW2, this historical fiction book follows 4 main characters. Written in alternating chapters from each of the main characters was a style I particularly enjoyed however I would have liked to spend a little more time with each of them. A very enjoyable read.

Miriam has had her fifth miscarriage and she is trying to recover in bed. She hears a plan flying overhead, and she gets out of bed to find out what is going on. A pilot Peter, has crashed outside a village in England.

Frank, is building his own plane and he also rushes to the pilot’s aid. His aunt Audrey lives in a caravan and Frank trust her. Frank is trying to suppress his homosexuality and he stays to himself.

As the pilot is recovering he offers to take Miriam for a ride. Frank ends up giving her flying lessons in his new plane the Gypsy Moth. Miriam’s husband is concerned about her flying, but Edmund wants to see her happy again and give her something to look forward too. This gives Miriam lots of joy and she is convinced to train to participate in an air race, Kings Cup.

The book is broken down into each characters points of view.
Thank you @NetGalley, @ECW Press and author Pamela Mulloy for this novel. Out now 10/11/22

Miriam had been languishing in bed for a week after her fifth miscarriage, with Edmund caring for her. The day she heard the aircraft, engine stuttering, she knew it was in trouble. Dressing quickly, she cycled toward where the craft was sure to come down. When she arrived there was another man already there. Frank helped Miriam but they were unable to get the pilot from the plane, so when emergency services arrived, it was quickly accomplished.

As the pilot, Peter, recovered from the crash, Miriam and Frank, as well as Frank's aunt Audrey, decided Miriam should learn to fly and it was Frank who taught her...

As Little As Nothing by Pamela Mulloy is nothing like what I expected. Jumping from character to character with more description and telling than was necessary, the dialogue was choppy and disjointed. I felt nothing for the characters, finding them bland and uninteresting. Others might enjoy this novel, but unfortunately, it wasn't for me.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

As Little as Nothing takes place in England in 1938-39.

We meet Miriam and Frank who rush to assist a downed pilot and thus their friendship begins.

Both have their own life struggles and as Miriam learns how to fly (taught by the downed pilot) she finds Audrey (Frank's aunt) someone to admire.

The story is character driven and it was told from 4 different perspectives and I wanted to find out what happens to all of them as the war approaches.

My only complaint is I would have liked more of Miriam and the flying but overall it is a good story that is worth the read.

Thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press for the opportunity to read and review As Little as Nothing.

A quiet tale of four people in England in the period between the Wars, The crash of an airplane in their village changes the lives of Miriam, her husband Edmund, Audrey, and her nephew Frank, Frank teaches Miriam to fly but struggles with himself. All of these characters juggle their inner dilemmas- and the novel is told from all of their perspectives. There's both a lot and a little going on but it's still intriguing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of historical fiction.

Miriam is recovering from another miscarriage when she hears a plane in trouble flying overhead. Without thinking, she rushes to help, and finds herself enmeshed with the other main characters, Frank, Audrey, and Peter. Set in the years preceding World War II, the characters navigate their lives and decisions while knowing nothing of what is to come. This historical fiction, rich is character development of Miriam and her desire to fly planes, is set among the backdrop of England in 1939-1941. Told in short chapters from different characters and point of view. At times it feels disconnected and difficult to link and follow. I felt that this was okay, but not your typical WWII historical fiction read. Thanks to the author, publisher, & NetGalley for allowing me to review this.

As Little as Nothing was a unique World War 2 story. It is actually more of a pre-war story. The central characters all live near Hackley Aerodome and Flying School. The area is preparing for a war that Chamberlain says won't happen.

The author takes the reader back in time to experience the struggles of villagers trying to survive, thrive in preparation for war. Through her characters, the reader is given an idea of live in the late 30's.

Edmund, shop and post office owner, is in denial but becomes a warden. His wife, Miriam wants to fly. Frank wants to be important. Audrey wants the women of England to have choice. Peter brings them altogether when he crashes his plane.

I learned so much by following their lives. Unfortunately, at times, their lives were hard to follow. There was just so much going on. That being said, I am glad I read it. Until now I only had the perspective of a little girl.

‘They knew so little of what was to come, as little as nothing.’

On 1 September 1938, a plane crashes on a country lane outside a village in England. Miriam, recovering from her fifth miscarriage, and Frank who is building his own plane, rush to the assistance of the pilot, Peter. Frank, who is disabled by his club foot and who is trying to suppress his homosexuality, is only at ease with his aunt Audrey who lives in a nearby gypsy caravan. When Miriam decides that she needs to fly as a way of moving on from her inability to have children. After he recovers, Peter takes her on a joy flight. Frank, attracted to Peter, teaches Miriam to fly and convinces her to co-pilot an air race from London to Manchester.

Miriam’s husband Edmund isn’t sure about Miriam’s flying, but he wants her to be happy. And Miriam becomes caught up in Audrey’s world as Audrey travels around the UK lecturing on reproductive rights.

Miriam takes control of her future while Audrey grapples with her own past. And in the meantime, tensions build as war becomes imminent. The story is told in differing third person perspectives over short chapters interspersed with diary entries, the occasional list and newspaper excerpts.

I really struggled to get into the story and stay there as the story jumped between characters. I also found the story often moved too slowly to hold my attention. I felt that there was too much description at times, and not enough action, despite the tension around the possibility of war. Yes, the novel raises some important issues including the role of women, their reproductive rights and access to contraception as well as the treatment of disability and homosexuality. If you enjoy slow, contemplative novels where the issues seem more important than the characters, then you may enjoy this novel more than I did.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

A plane crashes in the quiet English countryside, prior to the Second World War. The lives of Miriam, Frank, Peter and Audrey are changed that day, and the book folws their stories as they intertwine.

A beautiful cover attracted me to the book, along with an interesting blurb. However, I soon discovered that the writing style was very difficult to follow, I struggled to concentrate on it, and basically the blurb easily sums up the entire book leaving little to discover within the pages. I didn't relate to any of the characters unfortunately, I found I didn't understand much about them as I was too consumed with trying to follow the style. I did get through to the end, but sadly not a book for me.

A nice novel about how people's lives can change within seconds when a plane crashes during WW11 and it affects those who find it and deal with the consequences.

A solid historical fiction, this was interesting and had good characters keeping the story progressing throughout. Although it wasn't necessarily the most memorable/brilliant historical fiction I've read, it was still an entertaining read and one I'm glad to have read.

As Little as Nothing by Pamela Mulloy, set in 1939 to 1941, centers on the lives of Miriam, Frank and Audrey. There are peripheral characters that pop in and out, my favorite being Miriam's husband, Edmund. In fact, he turned out to be my favorite person in this multi-layered novel.

This was a challenging book to read as there are multiple several lines and moving from one to another and back again felt choppy. I found the characters bland and lacking in depth. In addition, Miriam’s development, while interesting, never felt authentic. I started the book several times, put it down, came back hoping it would get better. It didn't but I did finish the book.

Historical fiction is my genre of choice. I appreciate the hard work an author puts into research and writing a novel, so struggling with reading the book and then writing a review was difficult. I am sure others will enjoy this book but it was not for me.

My thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press for an advance digital copy of As Little As Nothing in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

As Little As Nothing is historical fiction set during the build up to the Second World War. The story alternates between four main characters: Miriam, who dreams of flying aeroplanes, and Edmund, the village shopkeeper and Miriam’s garden-loving husband. Then there is Audrey, a women who lives in a caravan and is campaigning to legalise abortion, and her nephew Frank, an engineer.

The book opens with a plane crash; Frank and Miriam rush to the scene and help rescue Peter the pilot. Once he has recovered, Peter offers to take Miriam flying. Later Frank teaches her to fly a plane herself in the Gypsy Moth he has been rebuilding, and together they plan to take part in a race.

With chapters from four characters, there was a lot going on in this book and I found myself wishing that we could spend more time with fewer storylines. The drifting back and forth slowed the book down and I never had enough time to connect to any of the characters. I was really interested in the early aviator aspect, but that side of the story was overwhelmed with the abortion angle. This is a slow-paced story with plenty of lyrical lines, but I’m afraid that it didn’t capture my attention as much as I had hoped.

As Little As Nothing is a character-driven story of Miriam, recovering from a recent miscarriage, Frank, a wordsmith building his own plane and Audrey, Frank’s aunt, fighting for reproductive rights. Their lives become entangled after a plane crashes in their village and Frank and Miriam are there to help the pilot.

The book is written with short chapters from differing points-of-view in third person, interspersed with diary entries, lists and newspaper headlines. I found this too choppy to really enjoy, but I could see how this might be a positive if you have trouble concentrating through long chapters. The prose itself isn’t to my taste - I can’t quite put a finger on exactly what I didn’t like, I just couldn’t get into it.

It’s a slow, quiet book, focused on the character’s inferiority, which I didn’t expect from the synopsis, but you might enjoy if that’s what you’re looking for - but it doesn’t fit into the usual category of “WWII fiction” since the build-up to the invasion of Poland creates the background atmosphere rather than playing any important role in the plot.

Overall it was… fine. I didn’t particularly like it, I didn’t particularly dislike it either.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.