Dan Wakefield’s Under The Apple Tree: A World War II Home Front Novel is a tremendous story of the American home front during World War II. The story, which takes place in a small Midwestern town, starts on the day the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. Almost eleven year old protagonist Artie idolizes his older brother Roy. He’s envious that Roy is joining the Marines to fight the Japanese. Artie decides to help the war effort on the home front as much as he can by buying war bond stamps, collecting metal, finding Japanese spies and watching over Roy’s girlfriend. He does this while engaging in the usual boyhood activities such as school and Boy Scouts. By the end of the book, Artie learns what it means to be a man.
Wakefield displays his skill as a literary craftsman in this novel. Every word pushes Artie one step further toward maturity. The dialogue sparkles. He alternates comic and poignant sections. Each character seems totally real. While reading the book, I was magically transported back to that interesting time in American history. I literally hated to put the book down.
Told from the perspective of a pre-teen/teen in the 1940s, the book touches on issues such as post traumatic stress syndrome of returning soldiers, the national hysteria about possible German and Japanese spies and societal judgments of people. Wakefield specifically didn’t change these issues to meet current sensibilities.
Although the book takes place in a small rural town in Illinois, it is loosely based on Wakefield’s personal experiences in Indianapolis during the time period. Republished by Hawthorne Publishing in honor of the 70th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II, the actual book is lovely. Dawn Marion produced gorgeous drawings to illustrate the book. And the print is large and simple enough that it is easy to read. A set of book discussion questions at the conclusion of the book adds to the book’s value.
On Thursday, December 3 from 5:30 to 8:30, Wakefield will appear at a celebration of this book at the Benton House, 312 S. Downey Avenue. World War II artifacts will be on display. Wakefield will speak about the home front during the war. The Sophie Faught Trio will play World War II era music along with its contemporary repertoire. Hawthorne Publishing will provide snacks. Bookmamas will offer copies of the book-which will make a terrific holiday present-for sale.
