Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
In 1941 during England's "finest hour", things looked awfully bleak. With the men off fighting Hitler, women began to join the military performing support jobs. These British lasses come from different parts of the country with different backgrounds, but many have given up their social lives to do historically male jobs.
Kay marries, makes love, and sends her spouse off to war before joining the BOP (balloon operatives) line. At work, she meets and befriends Emily (a shy Welsh farmer's daughter leaving home for the first time), Biddy (an Irishwoman inner city survivor of the Nazi bombing raids), and Jo (person who enjoys defying authority). Together, they help each other survive.
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE is a well-written World War II historical novel that centers on the rarely chronicled war efforts of females. The four lead characters seem authentic as the audience can picture them working with the air balloons as well as their relationships with one another and others. The use of Anglo slang adds to the genuine feel of the plot, but also proves difficulty in understanding and at times slows the story line down. Judith Saxon has written an interesting tale that World War II purists will find quite refreshing.