A Daughter’s Hope by Donna Douglas – Three women and the challenges they face during wartime


A Daughter’s Hope by Donna Douglas
Hope is a difficult thing in Wartime, and in July 1942 the people of Hull had to have hope in the face of the destruction of much of the centre of the town in memorable air raids. This well written novel looks at the progress of the Maguire family and their friends in Jubilee Row, as some of the women are challenged in new ways as a result of the War. This is the third book in a series featuring the residents of the area, but could easily be read as a standalone as the characters featured are all well described in this largely self contained novel. The lives of women, even in wartime, are not lived without reference to men, but this book concentrates on the lives and loves of three women as it is definitely female led fiction. Thus there are some fascinating insights into the clothes, including uniforms, worn by the women in a time of shortage, and how they make the women feel. The author has obviously tackled a lot of research into the period, but has so absorbed the small and large realities of life that the narrative is never slowed down by facts. I found it a sophisticated view of what women’s lives were actually like at the time, when both in civilian and service life there are real challenges. I found this a particularly enjoyable book for its realism and reality, and was very pleased to have had the opportunity to read and review it.
At the beginning of the book the matriarch of the clan, “Big May Maguire” is overseeing the wedding of her daughter Iris, and getting cross with her oldest friend and sparring partner Beattie Scuttle. It is July 1942, and there is a lot of history behind all the relationships involved. She then has to break up an argument between the bride and Florence, her oldest daughter. Florence is shown not to be an easy person to be with, as she is resolutely single in a time when most women are eager to marry and have children. Florence is awkward and struggles socially, and is most fulfilled when at work for the Corporation supervising a typing pool of younger women producing bills and other paperwork. Even here she is unsure about the personal lives of the girls, so takes refuge in being strict. She is also aggrieved that she was sidelined for promotion in favour of Clement Saunders, an ineffectual man who has no real interest in the work. They are both commanded to attend a dance with local American airmen. Florence meets someone, and Clement faces a huge challenge.
Meanwhile twins Sybil and Maudie are arriving to work as WAAFs on a fairly local airfield. Their very different personalities soon emerge as Sybil flirts outrageously with both officers and aircrew, at the cost of relationships with the other women. Maudie as always feels obliged to look after her, and at least try to keep her out of trouble, but Sybil is determined to seize each moment whatever the risk. As both women meet aircrews who are regularly risking their lives on operations, it is a risky time to form any sort of relationship.
I found this a fascinating book because of its non straightforward attitude to romance it takes, when women have their doubts about what is going on in their lives. It provides intriguing story lines and insights into what lives would probably have been like when everyone’s fate was still in the balance to a certain extent, when the future was still unknown. I recommend it as an interesting contribution to the large numbers of books set during the Second World War which feature women’s lives.