Review of Behind the Barbed Wire Fence

[dparnell51]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Behind the Barbed Wire Fence" by Jennie Linnane.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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‘Behind the Barbed Wire Fence’ is a historical fiction set just before the beginning of World War II in 1938 in the Bushland of Australia between the coast and the hinterland of New South Wales. Our protagonist is Lucy Chadwick. The backstory of her life finds her an orphan at St, Declan’s Convent in the small town of River’s Bend. Abandoned by her mother at birth she found St. Declan to be her home. Raised by Nun’s and doctor’s she found safety, compassion, and sound education. She aspires to be an author.

Lucy has found herself at the end of the Great Depression, at the onslaught of the war. While out walking in the country she falls victim to an event that finds her imprisoned behind a barbed-wire fence unable to escape and return to her home. The conditions are bearable but primitive. Unable to speak the language of her captor she finds it difficult to communicate.

Due to Jennie Linnane’s multiple authorships, she has done well. One aspect of her authorship is her ability to draw you in slowly through the intro of each character and his or her skills, traits, attitudes, and character flaws. She has an empathy that is contagious with a deep love for her fellow man. She has a show-and-tell mindset.

I did, however, find the story jumping about creating some confusion as to where I was in the story from time to time. I felt she could have done without the physical flaw of the lisps as it deterred from the story. Her being a historical fiction writer I felt she, as well, could have added a bit more Great Depression and WWII history. This would bring more credence to her fear of her captivity and the barbed wire fence, as well as her captor. Historical fiction is as much history as it is fiction.

I gave the book a 3 out of 4 ratings partly because of her experience and easy read. As well, there was no coarse language, sexual content, or spiritual influence of religion with exception to the Jewish people and their relation to the war. I found only one grammatical error.

I most definitely recommend this book as a good and easy read. Her chapter subheadings make going back to catch something in the story you may have missed so easy.

Jennie spins a great ending to this story. Stay with it till its end. You will not be disappointed.

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Behind the Barbed Wire Fence
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