Small Wars: Family and military strife in Cyprus in the 1950s

Small Wars by Sadie Jones

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Englishwoman Clara marries soldier Hal, knowing what will be expected of her as a military wife. She follows him to his posting in Cyprus, along with her two small daughters.

Many years ago, a friend of ours spent a year in Cyprus and had an amazing experience. What she told us is the extent of my knowledge about the country, before reading this book.

In the 1950s, Cypriots were rebelling against British rule. Clara gets caught in the middle of this civil crisis, as Hal witnesses some life-changing, very disturbing actions by his men.

I found it frustrating that the author used a number of acronyms and abbreviations in her book, which are most likely unknown and not understood by the reader.

The characters felt distant--from each other as well as from the reader--which I suspect was intentional. It was a "very proper British marriage," with not a lot of lively conversation taking place, but clearly fondness for each other.

Overall, it was an interesting read.



View all my reviews