UNTIL WE FIND HOME by CATHY GOHLKE

UNTIL WE FIND HOME is the first book I have read by CATHY GOHLKE and it most definitely will not be the last! It is a beautifully told story which takes place in the Lake District during the Second World War. Strongly based on biblical truth, the novel deals with such issues as family values, loneliness, rejection, letting go of the past, and, most importantly, the all encompassing love of our Heavenly Father.
Claire Stewart arrives at her aunt Miranda's stately home with five French Jewish children and life at Bluebell Wood will never be the same! In fact, there has not been much life in Lady Miranda Langley since she lost her beloved husband in the First World War and her son Christopher at the start of the Second World War. She is consumed with grief, and this is made worse because Claire reminds her so much of Christopher.
Miranda and Claire are very similar, both being writers and both hanging on to past loves. In fact, the Jewish refugee children, with their own incredible fears and "lostness" play a big part in breaking down the walls these two women have put up around their hearts. We see the Lord working in all of their lives as "all fear is cast out by His perfect love"!
Claire was working for the French Resistance in Paris, when she is forced by circumstances to chaperone these children across the channel, leaving behind Arnaud, the man she loves.
Claire, Miranda and David Campbell, are all Americans. The local British look down on them, mostly because President Roosevelt is taking so long to join the war. We see this discrimination as well in the anti Semitism shown towards the children, especially when they are joined by German Jewish children. In fact, dear Dr Raibeart Macdonald takes a while to warm up to David Campbell because of the bloodthirstiness of the Campbell clan three hundred years before! The French and German children take a while to get used to each other as well.
Claire, David and Miranda have each experienced rejection by family members. Claire finds it hard to love as she is afraid she will be deserted again and Miranda fears the loss of another loved one. David is a follower of the writings of C. S. Lewis, and is a strength to the adults and children alike at Bluebell Wood. "The Secret Garden" and the books and paintings of Beatrix Potter play a big part in the story. Claire realizes that, in order to be a real writer, she must write about her own life and experiences, not borrowing from those she tried to emulate in Paris.
The Author has obviously done a lot of research into this period of history and also shows she believes in the Jewish roots of Christianity. I love the way she brings out the importance of Jewish customs and feasts. We see the family celebrating Shabbat, Passover and Hannukkah. When little Aimee places her precious Mezuzah on the door, we know that they are all home at last.
I can highly recommend this book for the well told story, the descriptions of the beautiful Lake District, the Author's insight into that period of history, the interesting characters, and the strong Christian content. In fact it is a novel I will read over and over again.


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