The Forgotten Village

The Forgotten Village by Lorna Cook

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am a big fan of dual timeline stories, and always happy to come across such novels.

During 2018 storyline we meet newly single and jobless Melissa who came to Dorset on a romantic summer vacation. The romantic part of the vacation didn’t turn out to be as great as she had expected, especially after an awful breakup. However, coming upon a village that was requisitioned during WWII got Melissa’s attention. But not the village itself, mostly one specific couple from old photographs.

In 1943 part of the novel we are being introduced to two more main characters: Anna and Veronica. As requisition approaches, both women are looking forward to leaving Tyneham. When Anna is looking forward to joining the forces to help the English army, Veronica is planning an escape from her abusive and estranged husband.

Two different stories, two different timelines, the only thing that connects them is abandoned village in Dorset, England.

I must say, I was a bit disappointed, as I expected to learn more of the history of the village that was forgotten after the war, however, the main focus of the novel was on a family that used to own the village. I am the kind of reader that always finishes the book, even if I find it not quite interesting. Nevertheless, the last pages contain an interesting twist in the story that made the book worth reading.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced free copy of the novel.

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