Few Eggs and No Oranges by Vere Hodgson

Few Oranges and No Eggs by Vere Hodgson

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this diary of Vere Hodgson who was a social worker living in the Notting Hill Gate area of London during WWII. Her account of the Blitz, and life in London during the War is a fascinating account of the everyday lives of ordinary people. The diary is full of detail about the lack of sleep, the difficulties of traveling, the lack of food (particularly fruit and eggs, hence the title), the responsibilities of being a fire-watcher during air-raids, and the toll that the uncertainties of life took on the population. Her circle of friends is wide, and includes her family in Birmingham (where she visits as often as she is able). The diary brings the experiences of Londoners in those uncertain times vividly to life. If you are interested in the British home front during WW II, this is a book not to be missed.