Book Review

 

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The Collaborator’s Daughter

by Eva Glyn

Published by One More Chapter

ISBN 978-0-00-855327

What an evocative start to this book – a man holding a new born daughter and cherishing the moment. It’s 1944 and war is ravishing his country. But soon the reader is in 2009 at a father’s funeral with family members at loggerheads and a truth is revealed.

This is Fran’s story – if you enjoy Long Lost Family on tv you will enjoy the journey she takes. Through grief she makes enquiries regarding her heritage. The antagonist is a sister with a lifelong grudge and causes Fran much angst. Her brother though is much more understanding and supportive of her need to know more about her roots, as is her son.

I have not yet visited Croatia but it was easy to imagine the streets, the buildings, shops, cafes and homes that engulf Fran on her visit there. Eva Glyn’s description of places and people draw you into the mysteries that Fran is trying to unravel on her brave and adventurous trip to the country of her birth. With a name, a place and a necklace as the basis for her retirement project, we step into another world as the pages and time slip chapters grip the reader’s interest.

Fran is a caring person, a worrier and often thinks the worst of any situation, doubts herself and her decisions. She keeps in touch with her friend Parisa back home in the Uk and makes a new friend in Croatia, Jadran, who helps keep her on track with the reason for being there.

She finds she is attracted to Jadran but constantly talks herself out of getting too involved. However, given time, there is a deep romance, one which is sweet and caring for two retirees even though scars and judgements pepper their relationship. Opening wounds, searching secrets and visiting places that hold memories and answers, test them both. Watch out for a tear-jerking end as many of the conundrums are solved.