A World Between Us

What a fine job she's done.

Based on first-hand testimonies and extensive historical research, A World Between Us tells the story of Nat, a young Jewish East End communist, and suburban middle-class nurse Felix, who meet by chance at the battle of Cable Street in 1936.

It's love at first sight but Nat's about to join the international brigade and go to Spain to take part in the anti-fascist struggle.

What follows is a page-turner as Felix decides to obey the dictates of the heart and a growing understanding of what's at stake in the anti-fascist struggle.

On an impulse she volunteers as a nurse for the brigades in the hope of eventually being reunited with Nat. What follows is a skilfully crafted account as the two are caught up in major battles of the war at places like Jarama, Madrid and Teruel - the aftermath of the aerial bombing of Guernica is particularly effective - and through Felix's eyes the work of British medical volunteers and their experiences are made real.

As love story, history and gripping drama - there's a chilling plot twist after Felix realises that one of her Spanish colleagues is in fact a Franco sympathiser - it's a book that works on all levels, not least because Syson avoids the trap of romanticising.

She shows how sometimes the dislocation between idealism and the realities of conflict reflect the uncomfortable life-or-death choices made in the heat of struggle.

This book should certainly appeal to those interested in an anti-fascist struggle whose events and consequences still impact in Spain and beyond to this day. Highly recommended.