I enjoyed this book because I learned so much about the true facts of what happened to children during the war. I did not realise that they were sent to Australia. This book was written sympathetically and honestly. I recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction.

An interesting story about a topic I was totally unaware of!

There’s so much you don’t learn in history class and I feel like me history education had a lot missing to begin with. It’s always nice to learn new pieces of history.

The author does a great job weaving historic facts into a compelling story.

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Oceans Between Us is the début novel from Gill Thompson and she has chosen to write about a topic that will leave the reader angry and upset at the injustice at what befalls the main characters. Even more so because the book is based on true events. The story has a long timeline beginning in 1941, going up to 1962, and in the epilogue it is set in 2009. There are numerous strands throughout the story all told from three distinct perspectives - Molly, Jack and Kathleen. There are five parts to the story spread across various different years that were being featured in that section.

Each character was heard from during that time but the one thing I will say is that as the story jumped around a lot from person to person within each part or even several times within chapters it did become confusing at times. I think it would have been very beneficial to have the name of the character we would be following printed just above the beginning paragraph of that section. I found myself getting used to someone's story and then it jumped to a different character and even several years forward all within the space of a page or two. This was disconcerting to me and I think that's why it took me so long to really get into this book and to see that the author did an excellent job of bringing issues and topics to light that many people in the present day may not have even realised occurred in the first place. It was only when I reached just past the half way point that for me the story really came alive and I became deeply invested in the eventual outcome.

The brief prologue provides us with many questions, just who are the man and woman on the plane? Where are they going? What are the reasons for going to something that they had apparently fought for? I pushed this scene to the back of my mind but when I reached the epilogue I thought it connected very well back the opening pages.We then move back to 1941, the scene is set as Molly Malloy lives in Croydon with her young son Jack. She lost her husband Mick at Dunkirk and has soldiered on since as best she can despite all the deprivations and hardships that the war brings. London is a dangerous place to live as bombing raids are an almost daily occurrence. Then their little family unit is torn apart as a bomb falls near to their house. This sets in motion a change of events that will have far reaching repercussions for many many years.

I loved how the reader knew everything that was going on at all times during the book. There was nothing kept secret from us or hidden and we have to decipher the clues so to speak. It's the characters that are kept in the dark and it was interesting would the wool ever be pulled from their eyes and light therefore allowed to shine though. War and bureaucracy play a major part at what unfolded as a woman remains in a hospital. Her memory gone and no recollections as to who she is or how she came to be there? We follow this person for several years and over time it becomes apparent that this is Molly and that fateful day when the bomb exploded was the day her life changed forever and she was separated from her beloved Jack.

Molly throughout was a character who was very fragile and a vulnerable person who had to relearn how to live in the outside world and one who hoped the memories would come back over time. She was in an awful situation, not of her own making, and she had no control over the events that followed. But one thing is certain once she realises she had a son she will not give up looking for him no matter what difficulties and obstacles are thrown in her path. Over the years that follow her own personal circumstances change. Many of these for the better but the gaping hole left by Jack still remains. As you delve further into Molly's point of view and she becomes aware of things you do question why didn't she sort things out fairly quickly once she had some concrete information? On reflection I'm glad the author didn't make things very easy because at the time it wouldn't have been but saying that I wish she had fought that little bit harder with the authorities in England to uncover the truth as to what happened to so many children. Too many excuses were given and she shouldn't have accepted them so readily.

As for Jack we journey with him as he goes from an innocent young five year old whose life was torn apart following the 'death' of his mother in a bombing raid to a man who lives on the other side of the world. Jack experiences many different stages and transitions in his life but he never believes that his mother is dead. He hopes that one day she will come looking for him, to reclaim him so to speak. Children who were left orphans at the time of war were viewed as an extra burden that needed to be dealt with. If you were unfortunate enough not to have a relative to take you in what awaited you was certainly not the best life. Jack lost all his innocence and grew guarded and wary. He becomes traumatised and hardened by unspeakable events.Promises that were made and ideals portrayed were nothing but lies. As the Australian government seeks to boost its white population and curtail their native people a programme is set in motion by the Ministry of Immigration to transport children from England to Australia. I couldn't believe what I was reading and the way the authorities spoke as if they were moving cattle or something for sale. The blatant disregard they had for the Aboriginal people and the manner in which they took in children from another country for their own gains was just incredible and so selfish and immoral. The children were promised the world but then racism and the Catholic Church did play a part in what happened to these children in their new life in Australia.

What angered me even more the further I delved into Jack's aspect of the overall plot was they were promised sunshine and a good life and what they got was the opposite. How could the powers that be not have noticed what was going on or else did they sit back and let it happen and sweep everything under the carpet? Simply because they had long term plans and ambitions with regard to Australia's population and an attempt to make it a super country. I thought the way the author dealt with racism both in Australia and England was wonderfully woven in throughout the story and it shows how far we have come today in some ways and in others various forms still exist.

I thought there were innumerable comparisons to be made between what Jack experiences and who he connects with as he grows older and that of his mother back in England and the path she takes in her personal life. As Jack grows older he is no fool and his desire for revenge with something that connects back to a place called Bindoon was more than justifiable and I could see that this drove him to be the person he became. But still as other characters have a role to play his life could have been so different if secrets hadn't been kept. They were not misunderstandings rather deliberate attempts to keep someone's life the way they felt it should be.

As for Kathleen all she ever wanted was a child to make her family complete. Married to John who works at the Ministry, she leads a lonely existence and craves a baby that will make her feel complete. John was manipulative, domineering and controlling although I felt when their family situation changes this wasn't as apparent in relation to Kathleen and to be honest I don't think a leopard really changes their spots. So I found it frustrating that things became all happy in the garden once Kathleen gets her wish. As they visit a farm where young boys supposedly live a good life, one young boy catches her eye and she feels a connection. Can they adopt and make her dreams come true but at what cost will this be? I could totally understand Kathleen's longing for a child, to fill the emptiness that eats away inside her but I think if she had known all the background details would she have really gone for it. Kathleen had a very strong voice in the earlier half of the book but I thought this faded the further we progressed. I thought a bit more searching and confrontation with John would have added some drama to her storyline. Instead of her sitting back and accepting things as she found them. If she had her suspicions she should have acted on them.

Although it took me quite some time to really get into The Oceans Between Us, I do think having finished it that it was a very good début novel. The author dealt with topics that stir up many emotions in people and people will have firm opinions either way on what went on. At times I felt she did overstretch herself and maybe had too much going on in terms of dealing with racialism and the issues of 'importing' children. I understand that these are two very important parts of history and people deserve to know what went on but at certain times during the story I thought certain aspects were dealt with too quickly and needed more exploration. Maybe shortening the timeline ever so slightly might have helped as well as I thought we moved through years very quickly and it wasn't as apparent to the reader as it should have been that we had moved forward several years. Saying all that this book was a very good read which brought my attention to a time and place that I had very scant knowledge of. It has opened my eyes to the injustice done to so many and it does provide for a thought provoking and interesting read.

FIRST LINE OF THE OCEANS BETWEEN US BY GILL THOMPSON

“Even after all these years he still dreads plane journeys.”

MY THOUGHTS ON THE OCEANS BETWEEN US BY GILL THOMPSON

I flew through this emotional book with a lump in my heart and watery eyes.

It featured Jack who was transported from the UK to Australia after WW2. I wasn’t aware that this was a practice. It seems madness as many families are temporarily displaced after a war. In Jack’s case, he was incorrectly categorised as an orphan, as were so many others. And madness is understating this revolting child migration scheme, as this book hammers home very firmly.

We get to see the story from Jack’s point of view, and also his mother Molly who never stopped searching for him. And through the eyes of the family that adopted him in Australia. This 360 degree view really emphasised that there were many losers in this program, and it led to lots of unnecessary heartache.

On top of that, it also tacked the horrific theme of Aboriginal children who were separated from their parents by government policy. And sent to work as domestic servants for white middle class families. Horror on top of horror.

I took many of these lovely characters to my heart, and I felt their sorrow from losing family bonds. I was distressed by the harsh life ahead of them. And I cringed and raged at just what some had to endure. But I also felt their bravery in finding justice for all children who suffered from these two awful policies.

WHO SHOULD READ THE OCEANS BETWEEN US BY GILL THOMPSON

I’d strongly recommend this to you if you like emotional plot lines that suck you and spit you out with your heart in shatters. Fans of Lucinda Riley, Hazel Gaynor and Nikola Scott might also enjoy. Or if you enjoy the TV series Call The Midwife, I’d also recommend this to you, as it has a similar time setting and both make me feel all the emotions.

I loved the characters in this novel. I also appreciated that it approached the aftermath of World War II from a fresh perspective. I hope this book gets the attention it deserves. Gill Thompson is an author I will be following.

This is the story of Molly and her young son Jack who sadly got separated in the Blitz when a bomb landed close to their home.

Molly’s husband had already been killed in the war and mother and son were everything to each other. Unlike other parents, Molly had decided not to send Jack away to the country like the other evacuee children. After losing her husband at sea she wanted to keep her son close by, despite the dangers from the bombing.

The bomb struck close to their home, leaving Molly without any memory except an unexplainable feeling that she had lost something. Jack was at school so he was unhurt but told that his mother had died in the bombing blitz. He was sent to an orphanage, then later to Australia with a promise of a ‘land full of sunshine’ where they would live on huge farms, drive tractors and learn to ride horses.

Would the promises be fulfilled and would Molly ever recover enough to remember her beloved son?

This is such a heart-wrenching debut novel from Gill Thompson. A story based on actual events which will have you glued to the pages of this harrowing story. I was unable to put the book down until I knew if poor Molly would ever be reunited with her son, despite them being on opposite sides of the World. An outstanding debut.

In the chaos of the 2nd World War bombings a young boy (whose father had already been killed during the war) is taken into care when he is found wandering near the ruins of his bombed home. A few years later, having been told his mother is dead (though he has not really accepted this) he is sent to Australia on the SS Asturia under a post war scheme to resettle orphaned children. Once in Australia he finds that far from having a better lifestyle in fact his life becomes worse as he is sent to a boys home where cruelty and hard conditions prevailed. Luckily for him he is adopted by a childless couple and makes something of his life, even though his adoptive parents are far from ideal.
Meanwhile in England his mother, having spent many years in hospital suffering from memory loss finally realises she has a son and starts looking for him.
There is a twist when the pair are finally reunited after many years apart and for me this was perhaps the most heart wrenching moment in the book. The book's idea is a good one but for me it fell a little short. There wasn't quite enough emphasis on how badly the children were treated and how many of them had families in England who just couldn't care for their children at that time, so shouldn't have been sent.

This book was. A good one that tells the story of thousands of children sent to Australia after World War Two and the harrowing issues they faced.
It was a good addition to this genre.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

I received this book "The Oceans Between Us" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. An amazing historical fiction story. I had no idea that these things had happened during the war. What a heartbreaking story and I really felt the sadness for Jack and his mom. You felt like you were right there with the characters in the book. Definitely an interesting read that I looked forward to each day. Not sure I really like the title though.

Jack is five and living with his mum Molly in Croydon during the Blitz. His dad was killed at Dunkirk but they’re doing their best to cope. One day, a bomb lands at the back of their house and explodes as his mum is running from the house. Molly loses her memory, she knows she’s lost something, but what? She can’t even remember her real name and over the next few years remains in hospital being cared for. While she’s in hospital, Jack is taken to live at an orphanage. No one can trace his mother and she is believed to have been killed when the bomb exploded. Jack misses his mum and refuses to believe she’s dead. He’s offered a new life in sunny Australia, tempted by stories of having horses and oranges and, after a little trepidation, he agrees to go. But life with the Catholic brothers in Boys Town, Bindoon is nothing like they’ve been led to believe.

The story spans several decades. As Jack finds a way to cope with what life throws at him, he keeps believing that his mother will one day find him. Molly’s life back in England is also difficult and as she begins to remember her past she desperately tries to find a way to contact her son.

This is a heart-breaking, well researched story. It’s hard to imagine how horrific it must have been for the children and their families to cope with being separated from each other by such an enormous distance and also the callous way decisions were made about their lives. Jack and Molly’s aren’t the only sad stories in this beautifully written book. I look forward to reading more by this author.

My thanks to Headline and Netgalley for my free arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

When Molly is caught up in an air raid in WW2 she is injured and her home destroyed, she is found wandering the streets some way away with no memory of who she is and where she came from. Meanwhile Molly's young son Jack comes home from school and finds the house and his mother gone, assuming he is an orphan he is put in a children's home and then sent to Australia with a lot of other orphans for a "better life"! As Molly's memory eventually starts to return will she be able to find Jack?

A very poignant story, especially as based on a true one, the Australian child transportation scandal is highlighted and it can be hard reading at times but a compelling story that I couldn't put down. A book that stays with you long after you have finished it.

A delightful and heartwarming story about the child migrants sent to Australia during the second world war. My review is to follow as part of the blog tour for this title.

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
What a heart breaking story it is captivating from the first chapter lots of tissues need I can highly recommend this book it deserves more stars than I can give

The Oceans Between Us is a story that alternates between mother and son. With the story being set in Australia and England also, you really couldn’t get much further distance between both.

This is a story that is really going to tug at the readers heart strings. What’s worse is that even though a work of fiction, it is based on real events. I just couldn’t imagine anything worse than the emotional journey that Jack and his mum Molly go through.

I had to really admire Jack. Being sent to an orphanage at such a young age and then to be sent off to the other side of the world for a promising new life. For someone so young that is such a big upheaval. One thing he never gives up hope for is his mum. I just wanted to wrap him up in my arms and I felt so much empathy for Kathleen who takes him in and gives him a home.

The story touches on so many issues that are sadly very much still around today like, racism and abuse. The author doesn’t go into any great detail though rather leaving it to the readers imagine of which I was grateful for.

The Oceans Between Us is a story that will touch every readers heart. Jack and Molly’s plight is something that I think will stay with me for a long time to come. The last part of the story I read through tears as I was so caught up in what was happening to the characters. Very much a bitter sweet read and is a brilliant showcase of the authors writing skills. An absolute must read.

The Oceans Between Us is a heartbreaking and beautiful story.I really enjoyed the book, even though at times I found hard it to read due to the difficult issues being explored. The book is well written and researched by the author. It is clear that the writer felt very passionate about the issue and wanted to highlight the injustice many British children suffered, being sent to Australia. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

I don't even know where to begin. Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. Some of it was hard to read because of the emotion and pictures the author paints so realistically. I had heard about the Aborigines children being taken from the families and sent to the so called Christian group homes in Australia during and after WWII, but I had never heard of the English children being sent to Australia. Many of these children were thought to be orphans and many were not. Gill Thompson does an incredible job writing their story. Thank you NetGalley for the privilege of previewing this book.

There are many excellent, heartbreaking WWII stories involving lost children that it takes a unique story to break through and be worth truly getting behind. This is that book. Based on true events, we meet Jack, who is told that his mother died when a bomb destroys their London home. His mother Molly survives but initially has no memory of her son as she recuperates. With hopes of riding horses and playing with friends until he is reunited with his mother, who he doesn’t believe is dead, Jack is transported to Australia with other displaced children to a life far from what is promised. Molly also never stops searching for what she has lost. What a powerful story. All the more impressive as this is a debut novel.

My only concern is that there are several books with this same name and it shouldn't create any confusion. The subhead is long and might make it hard for people to find this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for an advance copy of this engaging book in exchange for an honest review.

Based on the true story of British children sent out to Australia shortly after the end of WW2, this book highlights some of the dreadful experiences these children had. Promised a life of sunshine, horse riding and oranges growing on trees, the reality was completely different. Molly, a young widow, is at home and Jack, her young son, is at school when a bomb drops in their street. Molly suffers severe memory loss and is found wandering far from her home. No one can identify her and she is placed into an asylum. Jack is presumed orphaned and sent to a children’s home. At the end of the war he is sent for a new life in Australia, but the harsh truths of his new home are far from the promises made in England. Molly spends years searching for something she is certain she has lost, but she can’t identify what it is she is looking for. Jack’s fortunes change for the better when he is adopted by a prominent couple, but he is never able to forget his mother.
Will Molly ever remember Jack? Can they ever be reunited?
A brilliant and fascinating book, based on historical fact. A must read for anyone interested in this period of history.

Brilliant book that keeps you captivated from the first chapter.
I shall be looking out for this author in the future.

This book is a not my usual type of read but I found it to be interesting although a bit unpleasant in some parts but overall a good solid read with excellent characters.

I can recommend this book if this is the genre which you enjoy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.