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Don't Forget to Write
- The True Story of an Evacuee and her Family
- Narrated by: Penelope Freeman
- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
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Don't Forget to Write
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Summary
“Dad walked determinedly down the path, joined by two neighbours with five children between them. As we reached the corner of Kent Avenue, I looked back for one last wave. But Mum had buried her head in her pinny and it was a year before I saw her again.”
In June 1940, 10-year-old Pam Hobbs and her sister Iris took the long journey from their council home in Leigh-on-Sea to faraway rural Derbyshire. Living away from Mum and Dad for two long years, Pam was moved between four foster homes. In some, she and Iris found a second family, with babies to look after, car rides and picnics, and even a pet pig. But other billets took a more sinister turn, as the adults found it easy to exploit the children in their care.
Returning to Essex, things would never be the same again, and the war was far from over. Making do with rations, dodging bombs and helping with the war effort, Pam and her family struggled to get by.
In Don't Forget to Write, with warmth and vivid detail, Pam describes a time that was full of overwhelming hardship and devastatio - yet also of kindness and humour, resilience and courage.
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What listeners say about Don't Forget to Write
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr Mouse
- 09-12-14
Lots to learn
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes. It tells me much about world war two that I didn't know and has a good mix of the highs and lows of evacuee life.
What other book might you compare Don't Forget to Write to, and why?
When the Siren Wailed by Noel Streatfield. Both are about evacuees in their 'new' family and the differences between the old and new lives. Only that book is fiction while 'Don't forget to write' is fact.
What about Penelope Freeman’s performance did you like?
Her reading is well paced and didn't force my ears to feel a different emotion than the text was telling me.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I found it very sad at times especially when they had to leave one of the families.
Any additional comments?
It is a very good book and the author takes a balanced view of events including blaming her own behaviour on some misfortune.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- ania
- 22-01-19
A bit boring
The author clearly knows how to write but failed to keep me involved. I found this book a bit dull. Thats a pity because the subject is fascinating.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- K
- 08-06-14
Good listen
What made the experience of listening to Don't Forget to Write the most enjoyable?
It was an interesting subject and well read
What other book might you compare Don't Forget to Write to, and why?
Cannot think of a comparison
Which scene did you most enjoy?
The details of the period and personal experiences an emotions
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
A child's war
Any additional comments?
This is a good book but I would describe it as a child's war experience rather than an evacuation story as a lot of it is actually written about before and after evacuation, it does not make the book ant less enjoyable but the impression if the tittle would make you think it is based solely on her evacuation experience.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fran
- 12-06-13
Great story
Excellent story of a young girls life as an evacuee. how she coped and felt. Well written and also an insight into life during world war 2
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- joanne alcorn
- 14-01-24
Interesting and gentle
I think I learned more about the war from
This book than I ever have. Lovely to hear this account. I was inspired to download it by the film Goodnight Mr.Toms, it made me want to know more about evacuees. The added bonus is that is in my neck of the woods in Essex, so found it even more relatable.
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