The
Lark Ascending. Sally Zigmond. The Conrad Press. December 2019. Kindle, 304 pp.;
ASIN: B082XCQ9ZH.
In
1919 WWI is over for many but for others, especially those who were conscientious
objectors, their memories and suffering continue. Some died and others were so cruelly treated
that their mental and emotional scars linger, affecting their current choices
and relationships.
To
begin with we meet Alice Fields who yearns for a better job. After returning an item that a rich woman,
Rhona, left in the store where Alice was working, Alice naively is fooled into
marrying Rhona’s son Richard. At first
Alice believes she’s in love but that quickly changes at Richard’s cruel,
belittling and even violent personality.
Finally, on being accused of adultery after telling Richard of her
pregnancy, she leaves him to live on a farm where many of the residents are
becoming whole again after their questionable behavior after the war.
As
the story continues, Alice finds love again with Michael whose passion has been
sublimated into advocating for striking miners and other injustices. However, Alice is no longer the innocent gal
she once was and refuses to wed Michael, even after her divorce. She wants to make her own way with her own visions
and plans, in this case for a school for women who cannot afford education but
have the ability to attain learning for a better life.
During
the course of Alice’s residence at the farm she will learn the story of how
conscientious objectors were treated and the tragic costs that followed. This is an issue too long ignored but now
getting public attention.
Sally
Zigmond has written a fascinating, albeit painfully poignant, account novel which
is fascinating reading. It leaves the
reader with many thoughts and questions about courage, resistance, integrity
and debasement of those who are weaker than those with money and power. It’s fine, highly recommended historical
fiction!
