“Valuable… There is no healing without remembering, and there is no remembering without stories. So thank goodness Brown’s Nanny Ruth, who was a survivor of the crush, told her granddaughter what she remembered… You might open Nineteen Steps for the celebrity name, but stick with it for the history of an under-recognized event of World War II.” — New York Times Book Review
“The book is really about making your way when consumed by grief. And in that aspect it succeeds, painting a brave portrait of Nellie and her family and friends as they struggle to survive and find happiness in a world gone mad… [Brown's] late, beloved grandmother would assuredly be proud of this first effort.” — Associated Press
“Millie Bobby Brown may be best known for taking down Demogorgons in Stranger Things and solving impossible cases as Enola Holmes, but the actress establishes herself as an equally powerful writer with her poignant debut novel Nineteen Steps. Inspired by true events from her family history…Brown refuses to shy away from the realities of war in her coming-of-age story, exploring love, loss, and courage in a way that is both bold and intensely moving.” — Entertainment Weekly
“[An] emotionally layered debut… Brown’s narrative, which is based on real events, effectively balances the danger and deprivations of war in a city under siege with the joys of family, friends, and romance. This highly charged historical romance offers intimate insight into WWII London and the challenges of overcoming loss.” — Publishers Weekly
“My inner history-loving teenage geek clapped her hands in ecstasy at the thought of a historical novel penned by Enola Holmes, and she wasn't disappointed! Dreamer Nellie Morris spends her days typing and her nights sheltering from the German bombers screaming overhead, imagining a bigger world beyond her East End London roots—and a burgeoning romance with an American airman offers hope beyond the end of the war. But one terrible night at the nearby air raid shelter tears Nellie's world apart and she must find the courage to make a new life from the wreckage. Millie Bobby Brown pens a sweet, sensitive coming-of-age story drawn from her own family history—Nineteen Steps is a lovely read for fans everywhere.” — Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye
“In this remarkable debut, Brown brings to life an unfamiliar—and shocking—tragedy that took place during World War II in London’s East End. Supported by a rich cast of characters, her tale of first love, poignant regrets, and the search for truth makes for a spellbinding read. Enthralling.” — Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Spectacular
“Centered around a real-life historical event that counts as the UK’s largest loss of civilian life during the Second World War, Nineteen Steps shines a brilliant light on a dark moment in history. Actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown soars in her debut novel, bringing to life the joy and heartache of wartime England, as well as the visceral terror that came with frequent German bombings over London. Full of heartbreak and hope, and overflowing with vibrant characters you’ll root hard for, Nineteen Steps will plunge you into the 1940s East End and will stay in your heart for a long time to come.” — Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Daughter
“Heartfelt and warm, with quietly heroic characters that embody the innocence of first love and wartime patriotism, Brown’s debut is sure to be popular among readers who enjoy novels that bring lesser-known notable events from the past to life.” — Booklist
2023-08-31
A tale of love, war, and tragedy in 1940s London.
Brown’s debut is touted as being inspired by events that affected her own family, but just about anyone who has seen a movie about World War II could probably have written a similar novel; the story and tropes are all too familiar. Set in the Bethnal Green neighborhood of London, the story follows young Nellie Morris, who works for the mayor’s office. Nellie, who lives with her parents, brother George, and adored little sister Flo, navigates wartime scarcities and endures the frequent air raids with as much grace as she can muster with German bombers screaming overhead. She does have fun hanging out with her childhood friends Babs and Billy, the latter of whom is not-so-secretly in love with her. But when the sirens howl, laughter is forgotten as the whole neighborhood flees to the Underground station to wait out the bombs. The tedium and terror are interrupted when Nellie meets Ray Fleming, a handsome American airman, who tells her tales of his native Michigan, and suddenly her hopes and dreams for the future blossom. But a shocking tragedy upends their romance, and Nellie must confront hard questions of civil and personal responsibility. Brown is best known for playing the telekinetic Eleven on Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, and her fans are likely to reach with excitement and hopeful generosity for this coming-of-age story. But it is inexpertly written, its major tragic scene confusing and poorly described, and the characters never transcend the paper-thin clichés with which they were constructed (plucky young woman; handsome Yank; asthmatic, nobly suffering friend). Though it seems likely to be a hit, the novel lacks the depth to elicit real emotion.
Poorly drawn characters and clichés abound in this familiar story of WWII.
