The Long Shadow - J Furze

Jill Scott-Taylor grew up in the London suburbs at a time when the scars of WWII were still vivid on the buildings around her home. But the war didn’t merely leave scars on the buildings and countryside of the England of Jill’s childhood. It left scars on her Lancaster pilot father, too. Despite the fading photograph which was always on his desk – a Lancaster called ‘Whiskers’ with its crew alongside - Robert Scott-Taylor was reluctant to talk about his wartime experiences. When he did speak of the war, it was often in angry outbursts and Jill and her brother Will never knew from one day, or even one moment, what their dad’s mood would be.

As soon as he can Will leaves home, building a new life for himself away from his volatile father, but Jill becomes more and more determined to find out what happened to her dad and why he changed from the cheerful chap in the photo, the father her mother consistently defends and loyally supports, to the hard and bitter man she knows. The man who nonetheless, just now and then, shows a glimpse of the person her gentle mother fell in love with and married. But searching for answers can lead to unexpected revelations and there are more than broken, rusted fragments of ‘Whiskers’ to be found in the Dutch countryside.

 

I read this book into the small hours of the morning because like Jill, I was particularly eager to know more about Rob’s ops on Lancasters. A significant chunk of the second half is told in his own words, which makes it feel more immediate and personal, and the descriptive writing of the flying, and in particular of the shooting down of Whiskers and her crew and the immediate aftermath is fantastic. I was completely absorbed in the storytelling. 

 

There are more than a few twists in the tale, too, so even if – like me – you’ve read lots of wartime stories, this one is still likely to keep you interested right to the end!

 

This is more than a ‘war story’ though. It’s a story of family, both near and extended. A story of finding your own path in life, and ultimately a story of renewal and reconciliation. Although I did feel sad for both Robert and his loving and supportive wife Madge. What a shame his personality wasn’t that of his Flight Engineer Johnny, who coped with life in a very different way after the war. That’s how people differ, though.

I recognised a lot in this book. The touching language used in 1940s letters to those you love reminds me of letters written by my grandfather to my grandmother during the war years. Several (but definitely not all!) of Jill’s life choices reflect those of my mother. As does Jill’s love of Cornwall and her finding peace in the countryside, coast and friendships made there. And so here I confess that I am somewhat biased because this book was written by my Mum. I am incredibly proud of her for producing such an incredible novel. I read and review a lot of novels both for pleasure and as part of my job. I tend not to say much if I’ve not liked a book, even if it’s written by someone I know. I can genuinely say of this one that if you enjoy wartime set novels, this one is well worth reading. And no, I’m not just saying that because it was written by my mother!