This is an absolutely charming story, with occasional bites of reality, about life in rural Ireland during the early 1940’s. Newborn Teddy is evacuated from bomb ravaged London to Tipperary and bought up by his Grandmother and Uncle. This is, in effect a memoir, however Edward Forde Hickey explains that it is set in a fictional region of Ireland with characters blended together from actual people. It really does feel as though you've been transported to this time, you can look around and see the faces, feel the movement, hear the music, and that’s before you see the photos. The names of the characters feel like they have magical properties and almost give the story a fairytale ring. Teddy has to learn the mysteries of country life and I wandered with him as he discovered the delights and occasional shocks that life has to offer. ‘The Early Morning Light’ is an evocative, poetic story and it quite simply, touched my heart. ~ Liz Robinson
'The life of this little evacuee couldn't be more different from those other unlucky children his own age, who had been left behind in a state of dreamy delirium on the battered streets of London.' While World War II was raging and turmoil spread throughout Europe, thousands of children were evacuated in the hope of protecting them from the trauma of war. Among these children was newly-born Edward (Teddy), who was rescued from the terror of the London Blitz by his parents and sent to live with his grandmother in Tipperary, Ireland. He spent his childhood among the vibrant hillside community, where he had the rare opportunity to develop at the hands of nature. The Early Morning Light is a celebration of his young life, which was a stark contrast to those of countless other children living traumatised across Europe. This detailed account explores the gradual change of Edward's life as a small boy throughout World War II, with a continuous undercurrent of how his life may have been had he never been evacuated. Sharing some of his favourite childhood memories, including his hunting and fishing expeditions with his uncle, Edward shares with the reader a very different story to other wartime memoirs. Written in the same linguistic manner as the Irish tales of the time, The Early Morning Light moves poetically as it tells his touching story. Inspired by literary greats such as Virgil and Kafka, The Early Morning Light is a compelling memoir that will appeal to those who enjoy reading about family life during the Second World War.
'A wonderful collection of tales, resounding with a sense of loss and valediction... An exquisite description of nature.' Ben Evans
'Touching, heart-warming, thought-provoking and always charming, The Early Morning Light is a worthy companion - and in some ways a sorely-needed corrective - to Angela's Ashes. Edward Hickey has made a heartfelt plea to keep alive the memory of the heartland of wartime Ireland and he does so with compassion and panache.' Jake Wallis Simmons
Author
About Edward Forde Hickey
In early life, Edward Forde Hickey lived in Tipperary (Dolla) and now lives with his wife in Kent. They have three sons. Edward is retired and has been writing sporadically since his London University days, when he studied Classics.
