Lissa Evans: Their Finest Hour and a Half

Chosen – well, because it was there on the shelf. It’s a story set in 1940. France has fallen, bombs are falling on London, and the call goes out for a morale-boosting film (preferably one which will appeal to the American market). As in so many areas, it’s the ones left behind after all the talents have gone onto greater things who have to do their best to answer the call. Lissa Evans comes with good comic credentials, having been producer/director on classic TV comedy including Room 101, Father Ted and The Kumars before turning to fiction (this is her third book).

I didn’t like the title – sounded rather like a Robert Rankin – but warmed to the Acknowledgements (surely everybody reads those first?) which included not only librarians (always a plus point) but also the author of “How We Lived Then” which she claims awoke in her 13 year old self an abiding interest in the Home Front. On reading that, I immediately saw in my mind’s eye that series of books, crammed with line drawings – to be inspired by such modest works marks her out as Someone Worth Reading.
I wasn’t disappointed. Puzzled, perhaps. That made me think about reading for literary prizes, and how I sometimes find myself reading things a little differently from the way I read other books. It’s as if I’m responding on 2 levels – “am I enjoying/being moved/being challenged by this book?” but also “am I seeing what the judges saw in this book?”

But casting those inhibitions aside, what an enjoyable read. Lissa Evans has created a wonderful set of characters, from the cunning and self-delusional Ambrose Hilliard (imagine a slightly less louche Chuffer Dandridge) to Arthur, Special Military Advisor, and all too aware of his lack of credentials for the role. She somehow manages to pull off that very difficult trick of leading her readers to change their minds and alter their judgement about some characters – without making us feel manipulated.
Her filmic experience gives a real feeling of accuracy to the story of the making of Just an Ordinary Wednesday – and behind and around all the minor power struggles and irritations is the Blitz, dealt with in a matter of fact way which somehow makes it seem all the more real and chilling.
So – great characters, fine plotting, humour and pathos, and an ending worth waiting for.
Recommended!