Over By Christmas
William Daysh
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Buy NowWhy I wrote this book
Over By Christmas is a "factional novel" - that is, one that sets fictional characters and story lines against a background of factual situations and people.
My motivation for writing this book came from my desire to recapture a time when the British Empire and the Royal Navy were at the pinnacle of their greatness and Britain commanded respect in the world. Also, there were some immensely important and interesting historical characters ―strutting the world stage at that time.
There are many books about WW1 but they mainly deal with the trench warfare while relatively little has been written about the navy‘s part in the war. For me, the period is already on the brink of rapidly fading into the background of history.
I came from a naval family and I wanted to capture the drama of how people‘s lives were unfolding at that time, but from the naval perspective. So, I set out to construct the story in a "cause-and-effect" manner by metaphorically ̳eavesdropping‘ on those who made the life-changing decisions while following the lives of ordinary people who would live or die implementing those decisions, in particular those at sea and their families at home.
Why World War 1? Basically, my interest was sparked when, as the Diving Officer at HMS Condor, Arbroath, Scotland, I led a diving team which discovered the massive propellers of the WW1 battle-cruiser, HMS Argyll – a wreck well-known locally for foundering on the Bell Rock – which had been missing for some 60 years. Once I started researching the circumstances of Argyll‘s demise and re-visiting my father's old naval documents of his time in the Great War, I began to see "film scenes" of them in my mind — and then I was off and running! My hope is that I have succeeded in bringing the period to life for interested readers, before it fades into oblivion and before the Royal Navy that made Britain great is finally scuppered by a torrent of economic cutbacks and political change.
Why people should read Over By Christmas
I quote a review from Mid West Review: ―There is something for everyone here -- wonderfully descriptive accounts of explosive action at sea and on the beaches at Gallipoli, as well as strong characterisation, tender romance and a love triangle -- complete with betrayals -- on the home front. Over-arching all is the intriguing factual story of the British Prime Minister's obsessive love for a young society woman while his warlords are bickering among themselves and courting dire circumstances. Over By Christmas is an absorbing read. I couldn't put it down and I highly recommend it to both male and female readers.
Author Comparison (aspirations) Douglas Reeman, Patrick O‘Brian, Bernard Cornwell
Synopsis
It is 1914. As war engulfs the British Empire, Royal Navy gunner, George Royal awaits his next ship in his home port where his best friend falls in love with beautiful Carrie, a woman with secrets. But, when she is attracted to George she brings the two men into conflict. Unprepared for war, Britain's leadership is severely tested. The Prime Minister is preoccupied with his love for a young woman even during Cabinet meetings at which his bickering warlords make fate-changing decisions. Through the personal lives of Britain's leaders and George's coming-of-age through a love triangle at home and ferocious battles at sea, the story reveals how the machinations of leaders influenced the course of the Great War and the fate of those fighting it.Reviews
P. Welch "Paul" (UK) Reviewer
A thoroughly absorbing read. This is a wonderful historical novel from first time author William Daysh. He takes as his background the first 18 months or so of the First World War. His characters are drawn from different strata of society, some real, some fictional, but all are well drawn and believable, and their dialogue convincing. They are caught up in the sweep of international events and personal emotions, and we follow their fate in these dramatic and terrible months. In the upper echelons of society we follow the British prime Minister, Asquith, trying to come to terms with the demands of the war at the same time as his feelings are directed towards a much younger woman. Churchill is there too, 'Jacky' Fisher and Lloyd George. The impact their direction of the war has on ordinary men and women is seen as we follow the fates of a father and son, Jack and George Royal, in the Royal Navy. Through their eyes we experience dramatic action on the high seas as the dreadnoughts of the British and German Navies encounter each other, and in some of the fighting in the Dardanelles. The author is very good at describing the action, and the pace is fast and exciting. And tangled emotions are not the prerogative of the upper class. We see how the relationship between George Royal and his best friend Bill are affected by the arrival of the rather mysterious Carrie, a triangle that is only resolved near the end of the story, along with the revelation about Carrie's past. This is a very well written book, pacy, easy to read, and it carries the reader along. The research for this book shows through, and also is the more convincing because of the author's own naval service. As the characters are so believable the ending is a very convincing and satisfying one. Highly recommended.
Linda Ferguson Reviewer
Over By Christmas is a breath of fresh air. At last, here is a book about life in the Great War from the Royal Navy's perspective. It is a "factional" novel in which the author uniquely brings to life many of the powerful, historical characters who were strutting the world stage at that time, making them integral to the fictional world he creates for the loves and lives of ordinary people both on the home front and at sea. There is something for everyone here -- wonderfully descriptive accounts of explosive action at sea and on the beaches at Gallipoli, as well as strong characterisation, tender romance and a love triangle -- complete with betrayals -- on the home front. Over-arching all is the intriguing factual story of the British Prime Minister's obsessive love for a young society woman while his warlords are bickering among themselves and courting dire circumstances. Over By Christmas is an absorbing read. I couldn't put it down and I highly recommend it to both male and female readers.
Review by Bob Jerrard of Royal Navy & Maritime Book Reviews
"This is a novel, however much of it is based on historical fact and as such it is a very absorbing read, which held my attention throughout. Since this review is for this website “Royal Navy and Maritime Book Reviews”, I hope I will be forgiven for not concentrating too much on the romantic and domestic aspect and the various love affairs. The book takes us through the years from March 1914 to January 1916.This is the Naval History of those two tragic years for the Royal Navy and the story covers many losses and famous battles from the loss of HMS Amphion, an active class cruiser completed in 1912 and mined 4 August 1914. We move through WWI and the story takes us through the battles of the Falklands and Coronel. Our hero George Royal spent a large part of his war in HMS Inflexible (an Invincible class battlecruiser and the story follows his life until that ship was lost. As a story I really enjoyed the read. As well as enjoying the book I learnt a lot along the way and I look forward to the author's next book because I understand he intends to continue the story with the minor players. Will George find happiness and will Carrie find whatever she is seeking?" Bob Jerrard, August 2008
Review By JACK TROUGHTON for the Round Town News
"Big Ben sounds the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 and people take to the streets, prepared to do their bit for King and Country - blissfully unaware of the toll on land, sea and air that will follow. William Daysh's debut 'factional' novel Over By Christmas' charts the first 18 months of the war to end all wars, and as mighty European empires clash, more unusually looks at the conflict at sea and the ships and crews of the Royal Navy. The book examines the bickering on high, the well-documented love affair of family man Prime Minister Asquith that left him heartbroken, and how the decisions taken by leaders affected the lives of ordinary serviceman. Meticulously researched, the history is very real, while the Costa Blanca based author's fictional characters are interwoven to spin a tale of brutal sea battles and life and loves at home.
Review by Malcolm Smith for the Costa Blanca News (2)
" William Daysh's epic historic drama about the early years of the 'War to end all wars' is not some potboiler but a very special factitious chronicle. Even from the early pages I was able to grasp the theme which poignantly encompassed fact and fiction; love and war, bloody devastating battles at sea and profiteering on the home front ... a theme which continued throughout right to the final page. Over By Christmas is not just one adventure but an ongoing series of adventures both at sea, at commando level and very much on a personal level with many of its controversial characters. It is also a deeply romantic melange of sagas from grass roots to aristocratic salons with no lack of cynicism en route. The exceptionally accurate accounts of sea battles as far removed as the Falklands, the North Sea and Gallipoli are rivalled only by battles within the War Cabinet and on the political front. It isn't easy to produce a historical romance coupling political intrigue with a common everyday love story but Over By Christmas does so magnificently and plays it out in surprising fashion. One of the best historical romances I have read for some time, this saga manages to be both educational and entertaining. I hope it will not be the author's only excursion into the literary world and that he receives the acclaim he deserves. If my prediction is correct, I am sure that in William Daysh's case it will not be Over By Christmas!" Malcolm Smith, 14 November 2008
Review by Nik Morton, Author of The Prague Manuscript
The title employs the phrase used by many at the start of the First World War; sadly, those hopes were greatly optimistic and the conflict lasted four years, claiming thousands of lives. In a brave and bold attempt to reflect those lives and times, William Daysh has examined a number of real life people and imagined other fictional characters, blending them into an engrossing novel about cataclysmic events. Some two years before the outbreak of war, Prime Minister Asquith, 59, fell in love with 24-year-old Venetia Stanley. Married and a father of five, Asquith confided state secrets to Venetia. Alongside him were politicians and military leaders whose bickering and antagonism towards each other simmered and often affected the decision-making process during the war. One family who went to war was the Royals. George Royal followed in his father's footsteps, joining the Royal Navy as a gunnery rating. The naval town of Gosport is then brought to life, where the scene is set for a love triangle for George, but his ship is suddenly called to the South Atlantic to avenge a bitter naval defeat. George's ship is also sent to the Dardanelles, where he is involved in a landing party and life-and-death situations. Daysh manages to juggle several balls with assurance during the narrative, which is aided by the inclusion of excerpts from Asquith's letters to Venetia - he tended to write at least once a day to her. The battles at sea, and the rise of ungentlemanly submarine warfare, are recreated in suspenseful and taut prose. Saved for the closing chapters, there is an intriguing revelation from the past that puts much into perspective. Highly recommended.” Nik Morton,
Review by Philip Spires, Author of Mission
"Over By Christmas by William Daysh is a war novel. It is also a superb novel in which real events, imagined histories, human relationships, and politics intertwine.. While naval battles of the first half of World War One are described, we encounter some of the politics that generate their necessity. We see the in-fighting and posturing around the desire to avoid responsibility. We share the priority of a Prime Minister who, amidst the pressure of decision, remains obsessed with a young woman to whom he is compelled to write, often several times a day. Central to the story are the Royals, a naval family in Gosport, Portsmouth. But throughout there is the war and George Royal emerges as the central character of Over By Christmas. We follow him repeatedly to and from Portsmouth. He sees The Pacific and the South Atlantic. He sails around Britain into the North Sea. He is in Malta and Gallipoli. Above all, he is in the war, perhaps not muddied in trenches, but permanently threatened by torpedo, shell and sea. But throughout, his passion for a young woman with secrets, Carrie, remains. Chances to reconcile their differences, to realise their shared love are rare, but important moments. And then… And then this is the beauty of Over By Christmas. The narrative engages the reader in its characters’ lives. In twists and turn it surprises, but in the end we have merely the complications of human relationships.” Philip Spires, November 2008 A compelling tale,
January 2, 2010 A Review by Pete Lihou
'As I started to read this story of the First World War battles, romance and politics I was reminded of one of my favourite authors Patrick O'Brian. Those of you who have read him will know the kind of great story teller he was and the historical accuracy he brought to all his books. Over by Christmas has yet another dimension, not only is it a naval classic, but it describes vividly the man at the helm in this terrible war. The British Prime Minister's obsession with a younger woman not only dominated his judgement but laid him open to the most dangerous of security risks. Some historical works can be dreary but this isn't one of them, the author is sensitive and skilful in his description of the affair and the parallel story of an ordinary woman and her love of a naval gunner. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel by William Daysh and recommend it most strongly, my only regret is I have turned the last page and I hope there is a sequel!'
Book info
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Format
Paperback
380 pages pages
Author
William Daysh
Publisher
U P Publications Ltd
Publication date
9th December 2011
ISBN
9781908135032
