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Requiem for a Wren
Requiem for a Wren
Mar 10, 2026 8:41 AM

Author:Nevil Shute

Requiem for a Wren

The mysterious death of a young woman on an Australian farm reveals a bittersweet story of doomed wartime romance amidst a family crisis.

Alan Duncan returns to his family home in Australia after the war and several years of study in England. But his homecoming is marred by the mysterious suicide of his parents' quiet and reliable parlour-maid. A search through her belongings in search of clues leads to heartbreaking revelations about the woman's identity, the death of Alan's brother Bill and, above all, the disappearance of his brother's fiancée, Janet.

Reviews

My favourite novel, by my favourite author, is a wonderful example of a master's craft. This understated Second World War love story still has a freshness and sincerity more than half a century after it was written. Tragically sad but also uplifting

—— Gerald Seymour , Sunday Express

Magnificent

—— Guardian

Shattering, unaffected, literary style...masterly

—— H.E. Bates

There is little that Mr Shute does not know about choosing an appealing story and telling it in a gripping way

—— The Times

Remarkable books...I share a fierce personal regard for Nevil Shute

—— Richard Bach

A gripping wartime classic

—— Daily Mail

Dunmore chillingly evokes the atmosphere of Soviet suspicion, where whispered rumours and petty grievances metastasise into lies and denunciation. A gripping read

—— Daily Mail

Meticulous, clever, eloquent. An absorbing and thoughtful tale of good people in hard times

—— Guardian

A remarkably feeling, nuanced novel that satisfies the head as well as the heart. This does not read like a retelling of history, but like a draught of real life. With her seemingly small canvas, Dunmore has created a universe

—— Sunday Herald

Dunmore's genius lies in her ability to convey the strange Soviet atmosphere of these very Soviet stories using the most subtle of clues

—— Spectator

Storytelling on a grand scale

—— The Times

This cleverly constructed novel will have, deservedly, widespread popular appeal, especially, perhaps, with young female readership

—— School Librarian

A beautifully written book with moments of real sadness, hope, laughter, tragedy and joy, which make you appreciate all the little things you love, as your eyes brim with tears

—— Booktrust online

A beautifully-crafted, heart-breaking look at love and loss

—— Western Daily Press

Another must is If I Stay by Gayle Foreman, which deals with deep, universal emotions and unpicks the truth about moving on after unspeakable loss - a fresh and compelling piece of work

—— Sarah Webb , Irish Independent

A heartbreaking and beautifully written novel that should be a must-read for everyone. I doubt anyone who reads this will get to the end dry-eyed. Stock up the tissues!

—— So Little Time for Books

If I Stay makes you appreciate what you have, all that you've lost and all that might be

—— Shout

A beautifully written book with moments of real sadness, hope and joy

—— Rachael Ashley , Sainsbury's Magazine
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