by Mary Wesley

This Mary Wesley novel , which has been passed around to many readers in my family and is now back on my shelves looking a little the worse for wear, is a fascinating story of a young woman, Juno, whose complicated family and love life leaves her to fend for herself as the single mother of twins during the harsh period of the second world war.
Mary Wesley herself was a woman who would encourage those who enter their "troisieme age" to believe that there can be many good things ahead for them. Her first adult novel, "The Camomile Lawn" was published when she was in her seventies, and she followed that with nine others before her death.
All her novels are very readable, with vibrant characters and strong plots that draw on her own life experiences, especially during the period of World War II. Her own fascinating life was documented by Patrick Marnham, and her story is even more interesting than the fiction she produced.
For a glimpse at her turbulent and interesting life see this summary and a review of Marnham's book click
HERE.