The Blue Bench

By: Paul Marriner

Narrated by: Colleen MacMahon

Margate 1920. The Great War is over, but Britain mourns, and its spirit is not yet mended.

Edward and William have returned from the front as changed men. Together, they have survived grotesque horrors and remain haunted by memories of comrades who did not come home. The summer season in Margate is a chance for them to rebuild their lives and reconcile the past.

Evelyn and Catherine are young women ready to live life to the full. Their independence has been hard-won, and with little knowledge of the cost of their freedom, they are ready to face new challenges side by side.

Can they define their own future and open their hearts to the prospect of finding love? Will the summer of 1920 be a turning point for these new friends? As the body of the unknown warrior is returned, can the nation find a way forward?

©2018 Paul Marriner (P)2019 Paul Marriner

Symbolic

The Blue Bench by Paul Marriner is a very symbolic historical listen. This book takes place after the ravages of World War I in 1920. I found the descriptions to be quite vivid, and noticed the un-diagnosed PTSD in some of the characters, The story definitely has some heartbreaking scenes. The background of Westminster Abby and the grave of the Unknown Soldier added to the depth and descriptions of the story. I found several of the characters to have great resilience to what life had given them. The journey in this book not depressing, but eye opening and heartbreaking. The narration by Colleen MacMahon was perfect. She brought the characters to life with her distinguishable voices , I will listen to more books by this author and narrator.