The Secret Book Of Flora Lea

This novel is simply superb. I didn't want it to end. It is exquisite in revealing the wonder of the imagination, the realm within our souls where all manner of story can be created and sometimes lived. But it's also a story of sisterly love, of loss, first love and the desperate need to believe in the seemingly impossible.

Two sisters, Hazel and Flora Lea Linden are relocated to Binsey, a small town just outside Oxford, as part of Operation Pied Piper which was Britain's oddly-named program for moving children away from the threat of the German bombing in WWII. The sisters find home with Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry. Bridie is a whimsical type of person and cares for the girls encouraging their imaginations and helping minimise their fears for their mother left in London.

Hazel, fourteen, helps Flora, only six, to put aside the trauma by telling her a wonderful fairytale, with the fabulous title, Whisperwood. It's a secret tale only known by the sisters. So Hazel believes.

Fast forward twenty years to 1960, we meet 34 year old Hazel who continues to grapple with the loss of her sister, presumedly swallowed up by the fast moving torrent of the River Thames that flows through the township. Hazel is unable to forgive herself, believing she is at fault for leaving a napping Flora alone while she has cuddles with Harry.

Hazel works at a rare bookshop and happens upon a first edition Whisperwood with original illustrations. As we all would do, Hazel turns her life upside down to discover all she can about the author of this book. Is her sister alive?

It's riveting page turning reading. It's brilliant and I was especially surprised by what Hazel eventually discovers.

I really enjoyed how the author portrayed Hazel. She's living with a shadow hanging over her that has limited her life choices. Not forgiving ourselves can do this. Watching the author develop Hazel through the story was brilliant and how she re-discovered herself was marvellous to read.

With a fine cast of supporting characters, Callahan Henry brings us a story that will linger long in my heart and oh, wouldn't it be fabulous to see on the big screen.

I was very fortunate to receive an early ebook copy via HarperCollins Australia via NetGalley with no expectation of a positive review. I'm sure I'll be buying myself a copy so I read it again.

I loved this book. I loved the idea, the story, the dual timeline and the characters. This is the type of book I love reading.

Two sisters sent away from London as children to keep them safe, one dies and the other lives on with her stories and her memories. But the story she (Hazel) used to tell her sister (Flora) has been published as a book but not by Hazel.

So who wrote this book, is Flora still alive. How will Hazel deal with this new information and how will it affect her life. These are all the things this book covers and it does so in such a way that you just can't put it down.

I don't want to give anything away but I do want to say, 'Read it", you will love it. It is so well written and the characters and the story of 'Whisperwood' will draw you in. A book I highly recommend.