Review
Set in Torquay before the First World War, Forget-Me-Not is a genteel, romantic novel, encompassing characters that are endearing and portray an innocence that befits the period. Yet it parts from romantic tradition with certain themes - homosexuality and prostitution - which contrast greatly with its general feel and so makes them seem all the more shocking. These issues infer there is more to Emma Blair's 22nd novel than the first few rather jolly chapters suggest. Tim, a young, eager journalist, still lives with his mother Minna, who runs a boarding house, and spends his time riding his motorcycle and courting his first love Katherine. When the war begins, Tim joins the Royal Flying Corps and so the theme of death assumes prevalence. Whilst Tim is on leave, the novel takes a more romantic turn as he discovers the joys of lovemaking with a mature West End actress. But turmoil is to follow.
Product Description
Following her husband's death, Minna runs a small boarding house in Torquay and brings up her son, Tim. Tim becomes a journalist for the local paper, struggling to get by-lines and hoping to make it to a national some day. However, the outbreak of The Great War disrupts his life. Tim resists volunteering for the sake of his mother who can't bear to see her only son go to war, but eventually his guilt at not helping his country makes him sign up for the Royal Flying Corps. For two years he escapes death and injury but finally has a breakdown and is sent home. Elyse Davenport, an actress just passed her prime, introduces him to the joys of lovemaking, but his true love is Katherine whose mother pressurises her to marry the wealthy and eminently suitable Miles. Following his death in action, Katherine becomes a VAD in France, but Tim and Katherine don't meet up again until peace is declared...
