Courage Be My Friend

$17.99
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UPC:
9781760993726

Product Description

A moving tale of friendship, survival, and the remarkable strength and resilience of women during World War II. Sister Vivian Bullwinkel was the only survivor of the Bangka Island massacre during World War II. Her evocative story is told through the eyes of fifteen-year-old Edith 'Edie' Kenneison. Sister Bullwinkel enlisted in the Australian Army Nurse Service at the outbreak of World War II and was posted to Singapore. In February 1942, she and hundreds of others attempted to escape the advancing Japanese army but was captured and held as a prisoner of war. Vivian spent the next three years in captivity, working tirelessly to help her fellow prisoners. One of those prisoners was young Edie. Their remarkable friendship would help them survive and became the basis of a lifelong bond.

Other Details

Author:
Jenny Davis

Reviews

  • 4
    war, survival, massacre, friendship, dual perspectives, historical narrative, World War II, POW camps, trauma, resilience

    Posted by Novel Insight Reviews on 3rd Apr 2024

    Vivian Bullwinkel was a war army nurse during World War II. Along with several other Australian war nurses, she was posted in Singapore. When it had to be evacuated to escape the advancing Japanese army, over 65 people boarded the Vyner Brooke. When the ship was bombed, approximately half made it to an island, Bangka Island. Some of the nurses and civilians were immediately imprisoned. Several British soldiers and Australian war army nurses chose to surrender after days without food or medical attention. However, their surrender became a massacre. A heavy and fascinating narrative non-fiction story based on real biographies that include the Bangka Island massacre. The story follows Vivian's perspective during the war and Edie's perspective as a teen girl after the war.