A Time for Peace

When the vast army of the Austro-Hungarian Empire marches on Belgrade in 1915, hundreds of Serbians are forced to evacuate in a mass exodus to Corfu during the worst Balkan winter in living memory. In the midst of the violence and the hardship each person struggles with their own pain in the face of countless atrocities, and the lives of a brave soldier and a patriotic medical orderly interweave. Stefan, brutalised by the horror and torn by loyalty to his men, and Ellen, burying the memory of women's rotting corpses piled in a church. With the weather closing in and the roads treacherous, Stefan leads the rear guard of the army in their efforts to help tens of thousands of civilians with dwindling food and supplies make the last push towards the Adriatic coast, while Ellen fights to keep them alive to see their sanctuary. In the most important journey of their lives, their survival depends on facing what they fear most. Set in Serbia during the First World War, the lives of a brave soldier and a patriotic medical orderly interweave.Stefan is brutalised by war atrocities but torn by loyalty to his men. Ellen buries the memory of women's rotting corpses piled in a church.When Serbia is occupied during 1915, the army, 30,000 of its cadets, and hundreds of its people evacuate in a mass exodus to Corfu.In the worst Balkan winter in living memory, Stefan leads the rear guard action and Ellen escorts cadets.Their survival depends on them facing what they fear most.There is a satisfying blend of spareness and depth in A Time for Peace, which is very accomplished. Marg Roberts has a natural-seeming ability to blend outer sensory detail with inner life and a light touch with perfectly poised use of sensory detail that brings scenes alive. There is a subtlety that knows about pacing and delivery as well as understatement. A fine and brave novel.—Roselle AngwinThis is a very convincing piece of writing. The terse tone suits the subject matter and the characters inhabit their world well.— Ian Breckon, author of Knight of Swords Set in Serbia during the First World War, the lives of a brave soldier and a patriotic medical orderly interweave. In war atrocities take place. Stefan is brutalised by the horror, torn by loyalty to his men. Ellen buries the memory of women's rotting corpses piled in a church. When Serbia is occupied during 1915, the army and 30,000 of its cadets, hundreds of its people evacuate in a mass exodus to Corfu. In the worst Balkan winter in living memory, Stefan leads the rear guard action and Ellen escorts cadets. Their survival depends on them facing what they fear most.