The Orphan’s Homecoming (The Red Cross Orphans)
The third instalment of Glynis Peters’ The Red Cross Orphans series follows Red Cross nurse, Kitty Pattison, as she searches various locations across Great Britain to discover her place contributing to the war effort during World War Two. As an orphan herself, Kitty finds that her strength resides in her compassion for the lost and wounded, whom she cares for in both orphanages and prisoner of war camps throughout the story. Yet, while she spends most of her time helping those in need due to the war, Kitty is also facing internal conflicts of her own: her fiancé – a Canadian soldier named Michael – is currently undergoing medical treatment thousands of miles away for the severe head injuries he suffered whilst serving. And a shadowy figure from Kitty’s past reemerges unexpectedly.
In just over 300 pages, The Orphan’s Homecoming offers an extensive overview of several ways in which British women contributed to the war effort, both on home soil and abroad. Through her depiction of Kitty’s work as a nurse alongside her own personal struggles, Peters also successfully captures the way in which the Second World War impacted individuals on both a global and a personal scale. Due to the ambitious nature of the plot, however, Peters’ writing oftentimes relies too heavily on producing twists and shocks to progress the story along, rather than allowing its events to develop gradually. Nevertheless, while certain areas of the novel feel underdeveloped, Peters delivers a fast-paced and exciting narrative which will keep readers desperate to know where Kitty’s journey will lead her next.
