I know it's 2011, but in my head, it's August 1942. That's because, as part of my work on my latest book project, I've been researching the Battle of Dieppe, which took place on August 19, 1942 -- and in which thousands of Canadian soldiers were injured, killed or taken as prisoners.
In particular, I've been looking at how Canadian newspapers covered the story of Dieppe. What's interesting is that early reports are largely positive. The huge number of deaths and casualties was revealed slowly and the focus was on the so-called "lessons" learned at Dieppe.
As well as looking at old newspapers on microfiche, I have been reading Hugh Brewster's moving novel Prisoner of Dieppe. It's part of Scholastic's I Am Canada series. What I like so much about Brewster's book is that his characters really bring history to life. I got so involved reading about Alistair Morrison that I forgot I was doing research!
My favourite scenes in Brewster's book have to do with the friendship between Alistair and a young man named Mackie. Before the boys go into battle, Mackie gives Alistair a little mirror to put in his pocket -- and that mirror turns out to be very useful. Read this little excerpt and you'll understand why: "I reached in and pulled out the metal hand mirror that Mackie had given me. It had been punched inwards and shaped like a tiny fist. Clasped inside its bent edges was a jagged piece of shrapnel that had been headed for my heart."
Can't you just see it -- and feel it?
Here's to historical fiction that really works!