The novel 'These Days' fictionalizes a lesser-known chapter in the history of Belfast
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, author Lucy Caldwell discusses her research into the Belfast Blitz and how it shaped her novel "These Days." Inspired by her son's interest in World War II, Caldwell uncovered stories about Belfast's experience during the bombing raids through family histories and survivor interviews, which she incorporated into her fictional narrative about two sisters living through the crisis.
The episode explores how Caldwell's experience writing during the COVID-19 lockdown influenced her portrayal of people living through historical catastrophe. She draws connections between the wartime "Blitz spirit" and similar attitudes during the pandemic, examining how people maintain their lives and relationships during times of uncertainty. The discussion covers her use of historical details to build authenticity and her portrayal of both the devastation of the raids and the persistence of daily life.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 14, 2026 episode of the NPR's Book of the Day
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1-Page Summary
Writing Historical Fiction About the Belfast Blitz
Lucy Caldwell's journey into writing about the Belfast Blitz began when her son's interest in a children's book about the London Blitz led her to notice how underrepresented Belfast's experience was in literature. Through extensive research, including family history and interviews with survivors, Caldwell discovered enough compelling stories to fill multiple novels. She believes that incorporating authentic historical details, even small ones like the specific use of a lump of coal, helps create a believable fictional world.
The Novel's Portrayal of Life During the Blitz
In her novel "These Days," Caldwell explores the complex dynamics of family life during the Belfast Blitz through the story of two sisters, Audrey and Emma. She delves into how people's public, private, and secret lives intersected during the crisis, showing both unexpected connections and surprising distances between close relationships. The novel vividly depicts the human toll of the Blitz, including haunting scenes of victim identification at St. George's market and practical measures people took to preserve their identities in case of death.
Writing Through the Lens of COVID-19
Caldwell wrote the novel during the COVID-19 lockdown, which gave her unique insights into the uncertainty and resilience of people living through crisis. She draws parallels between the "Blitz spirit" rhetoric of World War II and similar sentiments expressed during the pandemic. Through this lens, Caldwell portrays both the cruelty of the Blitz and the remarkable resilience of survivors, reflecting on how life persists even amid terrible circumstances.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- You can explore underrepresented historical events in your area by visiting local archives and speaking with elders to uncover untold stories. By doing so, you might find fascinating narratives that have been overlooked, similar to how Caldwell discovered the Belfast Blitz. For example, you could research the impact of a local natural disaster or an important community figure whose story hasn't been widely told.
- Create a personal time capsule with items and notes that represent your life and current events, inspired by the measures people took during the Blitz to preserve their identities. This could include photographs, a letter to the future, or a list of your favorite things. It's a way to connect with the concept of preserving personal history in the face of uncertainty.
- Draw parallels between past and present crises by journaling your experiences during difficult times, reflecting on resilience and endurance. Just as Caldwell used her lockdown experience to inform her writing about the Blitz, you can document your thoughts and feelings during challenging periods to better understand personal and collective strength. This could be a private practice or shared with others through a blog or social media to encourage community resilience.
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Caldwell's Approach To Writing Historical Fiction On the Belfast Blitz
Lucy Caldwell takes a thoughtful approach to historical fiction as she dives into the underrepresented topic of the Belfast Blitz, aiming to bring this chapter of history to life with evocative detail and emotional truth.
Inspired by Her Son, Caldwell Writes About the Belfast Blitz
In search of an untold story, Caldwell drew inspiration from her son's fascination with a children's book about the London Blitz.
Caldwell Found the Belfast Blitz Was Undertold and Decided to Research It, Uncovering Stories for a Dozen Novels
After noticing an abundance of stories about the London Blitz, Caldwell realized the Belfast Blitz was not as well represented in fiction. This realization drove her to delve deep into research, where she unearthed a wealth of stories she felt could fill a dozen novels.
Caldwell Believed one Correct Historical Detail Made a Fictional World Believable
Caldwell is a firm believer in the power of a single true detail to make an entire fictional world seem real. ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Caldwell's Approach To Writing Historical Fiction On the Belfast Blitz
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore your local history by visiting nearby museums or archives to uncover lesser-known events that shaped your community. By doing so, you'll gain a deeper understanding of your area's past and may find intriguing stories that are seldom told. For example, you might discover a significant event in your town's history that isn't widely recognized and share it through social media or a blog post to raise awareness.
- Start a creative project, like writing a short story or creating a piece of art, that incorporates a specific detail from your family's past to connect with your heritage. This could be a tradition, an object, or an anecdote that has been passed down. For instance, if your grandparents had a unique way of celebrating holidays, use that as a central theme in your story or artwork to give it authenticity and personal significance.
- Engage with older family members or neighbors to collect ...
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Realities Faced During the Blitz In the Novel
In "These Days" by Lucy Caldwell, the author probes deeply into the fabric of human experience against the backdrop of the Belfast Blitz. She focuses on the intricate dynamics of a family, captured through the varying degrees faced by sisters Audrey and Emma, and how the crisis of the Blitz reshapes their relationships and self-perception.
Caldwell Explored Characters' Public, Private, and Secret Lives, Showing how the Blitz United People Unexpectedly While Highlighting Distances Between Close Relationships
Caldwell delves into the complex inner worlds of her characters, unraveling the nuances of individuals’ public, private, and secret selves, especially amid the terror of the Blitz. She uses the circumstances to drive people together in intimate, unexpected ways. However, concurrently, she unveils the emotional distances within close relationships.
Harrowing Efforts to Identify Blitz Victims Highlight Human Toll and Anxieties
Within the novel, Caldwell reflects on the immense human toll inflicted by the Blitz, such as when St. George's market is converted into a temporary morgue. She paints vivid images of civilians grappling with loss, including a woman identifying her son solely by the fabric of his trousers.
The novel also touches on methods of self-preservation amidst the fear of death, such as the character Audrey conserving her identity card in her dress, a somber reminder of the practica ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Realities Faced During the Blitz In the Novel
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore your family's history during significant historical events by creating a family tree that includes personal anecdotes and experiences from older relatives. This activity helps you understand how your family members might have reacted differently to the same event, much like Audrey and Emma's diverse responses to the Blitz. Start by interviewing your relatives about their experiences or stories passed down, and document these alongside the family tree. This could reveal the varied ways your family has navigated crises and how these events have shaped your family dynamics.
- Reflect on your own public, private, and secret selves by keeping a journal where you categorize your thoughts and actions according to these aspects. This self-reflection can help you understand the complexities of your own identity, similar to the characters in Caldwell's narrative. For instance, you might write about a situation at work (public), your personal feelings about it (private), and any thoughts you keep to yourself (secret). Over time, you may notice patterns that reveal how different situations influence the various facets of your identity.
- Engage with your community by volunteering in local crisis respo ...
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Blitz and Covid-19 Similarities: Caldwell's Writing Influence
Lucy Caldwell drew parallels between the historical events of the Blitz and her experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown as she was writing her novel, highlighting a common resilience amidst the cruelty of both crises.
Caldwell Gained New Insights Into the "Provisionality" of the Blitz While Writing the Novel During Covid-19 Lockdown
Caldwell wrote her novel during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 lockdown, a time when people did not know which loved ones would survive, much like the characters she depicted in the Blitz. She mentioned that at the start of the pandemic, the UK media often talked about the "Blitz spirit," evoking a similar sense of uncertainty about whether the hardships would last weeks, months, or years.
Caldwell Linked "Blitz Spirit" Rhetoric in Crises To Living Amidst Surrounding Horrors
Writing the novel amidst the pandemic helped Caldwell to develop a new understanding of the "Blitz Spirit" rhetoric that is commonly invoked during crises. She found a connection between the so-called "Blitz spirit," characterized by a stiff upper lip and mantra to keep calm and carry on, and the experience of living through both the Belfast Blitz ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Blitz and Covid-19 Similarities: Caldwell's Writing Influence
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Counterarguments
- The comparison between the Blitz and COVID-19 lockdown might oversimplify or overlook the unique challenges and contexts of each event.
- The "Blitz spirit" rhetoric could be seen as romanticizing or glorifying a time of trauma, which may not accurately reflect the varied experiences of those who lived through it.
- The notion of a universal "Blitz spirit" may not account for the diverse reactions and coping mechanisms of individuals during crises.
- The idea of resilience might inadvertently minimize the psychological impact and long-term trauma experienced by survivors of both the Blitz and the pandemic.
- The use of historical events like the Blitz in contemporary narratives could risk trivializing the suffering of those who experienced it firsthand.
- The concept of "keeping calm and carrying on" may not be a universally effective or healthy coping strategy in the face of crisis and could discourage seeking help or acknow ...
Actionables
- Reflect on personal resilience by journaling your experiences during challenging times, drawing parallels to historical events like the Blitz. This activity can help you recognize your own strength and the common humanity in facing adversity. For example, write about a day during the pandemic when you felt particularly challenged, and then describe how you coped, what you learned, and how you might have shared experiences with those who lived through the Blitz.
- Create a "resilience playlist" of music, podcasts, or speeches that embody the "keep calm and carry on" mantra. Listen to this playlist during moments of stress or uncertainty to remind yourself of the enduring human spirit. You might include songs that have historically uplifted people during tough times, or speeches that inspire perseverance.
- Start a virtual book club focused on novels and memoirs set ...
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