Homeland
Homeland by Clare Francis, published by Macmillan on July 16, 2015, is a 490-page novel set in post-World War II Britain during a particularly harsh winter. The story unfolds as servicemen return home to a nation grappling with severe shortages and a housing crisis, compounded by the arrival of the Second Polish Corps. The narrative follows demobbed Billy Greer, who reluctantly hires Polish veteran Wladyslaw Malinowski on his uncle’s withy farm, amidst rising tensions fueled by anti-Polish sentiment.
Readers will encounter a richly woven tale of mistrust and human connection as characters navigate the complexities of post-war life. The local schoolteacher, Stella, finds herself torn between her feelings for returning hero Lyndon Hanley and her growing attraction to Wladyslaw. As blizzards and hardships envelop the country, the story delves into themes of suspense and crime, exploring how societal pressures can lead to tragic outcomes. This edition presents a detailed exploration of the emotional and social landscape of the time, inviting readers to reflect on the impact of war and the struggle for acceptance.
Official synopsis Publisher
It is 1946, and the eve of the harshest winter for a hundred years. Servicemen are pouring home from the war to a Britain beset by stringent shortages and a desperate housing crisis. Anxieties are heightened by the unexpected arrival of the soldiers of the Second Polish Corps, whose refusal to go back to Poland is regarded with impatience and suspicion.
As anti-Polish propaganda reaches its height, newly demobbed Billy Greer reluctantly agrees to take on a young Polish veteran named Wladyslaw Malinowski as a labourer on his uncle’s withy farm in the heart of the Somerset wetlands.
Stella, the local schoolteacher, has been waiting for the return of Lyndon Hanley, a hero of the Burma Campaign, but increasingly finds herself drawn to the beguiling Wladyslaw.
As the country is brought to its knees by blizzards and hardships, the tensions of post-war life lead to mistrust, accusation and ultimately death.
‘A very fine novel indeed’ Independent
‘A deeply atmospheric novel’ Daily Mail
‘The characters’ world envelops the reader completely’ Sunday Times
‘An atmospheric, powerful, moving and dramatic tale . . . It’s terrific’ Bookseller
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