Valentine's Day Period Drama Blog Party: Dawsey Adams & Juliet Ashton

After reading this book and then viewing the film, I just fell in love with these two. It was a very traditional, old-fashioned relationship. Two people brought together by the after effects of WWII. Both have suffered loss and have endured great loneliness. Both found refuge in the world of books. And it would be books that would unite the two of them. Dawsey and Juliet meeting one another because of an old book of Juliet's that Dawsey randomly picked up is spot on old-timey romance! And through the book and subsequently the Guernsey Literary Society, Juliet and Dawsey would find unexpected love and long awaited happiness.

Dawsey Adams❦

❦ A pig farmer on the tiny British island of Guernsey that is under Nazi occupation for almost the entirety of the second World War. Quiet and reserved, but also friendly and warm natured, Dawsey is the truest definition of a loyal friend. He's willing to put his own life in danger if only to find companionship with others amid the loneliness of the occupation. Dawsey is sacrificial to a fault. When he realizes that the woman he loves, Elizabeth McKenna, is in love with a young German soldier, Christian Hellmann, he doesn't resent either of them. He's puts his own personal feelings aside for Elizabeth's happiness and considers Christian a friend instead of a rival or even the enemy.

❦ His quiet strength and loyalty is seen by everyone, especially Elizabeth who eventually entrusts the care of her and Christian's daughter, Kit, to Dawsey. He raises a half-German child who is not his, but the product of the woman he loved and the man who was once his enemy. This is a task he does not take lightly and he loves Kit as his own. This is something that Juliet sees clearly in her time on Guernsey. It's Dawsey's love of Kit that truly endears her to Dawsey. 

❦ As Juliet continues to research and dig deeper into the occupation of Guernsey and Elizabeth, Dawsey becomes her strongest source of information. He really doesn't hide the fact that he had feelings for Elizabeth, but neither does he hold any anger or aggression to Christian whom she chose as her lover. Dawsey's whole life is about Kit and creating a better world for her. A world that might seem simple and poor, with little money and maybe a limited education, but also a life of security, happiness and freedom to be whatever she desires. A life not too different from Juliet's childhood. 

Juliet Ashton❦

❦ Orphaned at a young age, Juliet found solace in reading which eventually led to a talent in writing. Throughout the war, Juliet becomes a popular literary success. Yet, Juliet still grieves the loss of her parents and is still haunted by the sounds of air raid warnings and London bombings. After the ward ends, Juliet finds herself reaping the benefits of the American/British alliance. She falls in love with a handsome American millionaire, Mark Reynolds, who wants her to come back with him to New York. If she goes with him, Mark guarantees that she will have a life of wealth and prosperity, as well as continuing fame as an author. Surely no one can say no to that?

❦ However, all that changes when Juliet receives an unexpected letter from a farmer on Guernsey. As she learns about Dawsey and Guernsey Literary Society, she becomes enamored with the idea that this could be a novel worthy story. Upon arriving, Juliet becomes immersed with Guernsey, the society and most of all the mystery of Elizabeth McKenna. Yet, nothing could have prepared her for the unlikely love that slowly blossomed between her and Dawsey Adams. 

❦ What Dawsey might feel for Juliet at first is somewhat vague. It's clear he's taken with her because of her beauty, wit and curiosity. He is a man with secrets, doubts, fears and even regrets. And he certainly doesn't want to drag this good, young women into that. When he notices Juliet taking a liking to Kit, his exterior begins to break down and his secrets so long buried begin to rise to the surface. Yet, fears he's falling in love with another young woman who is in love with someone else. 

❦ It's not love at first sight. It's quiet and patient and not without it's heartbreaking moments. Juliet must constantly remind herself that she's engaged. Yet, Dawsey's kindness towards his friends, his protection of Elizabeth and clear love of Kit does not go unnoticed. He may be a country man, but what he lacks materially he more than makes up with generosity and hard work.  Juliet finds herself at a crossroads between two worlds. One in New York with a millionaire. Another on an obscure English island with a poor farmer. With Mark she can continue to pursue a successful literary careers. With Dawsey her life as a writer may take a back seat as she will also become Kit's mother. 

❦ So, Juliet has a choice between two men and two lives. One of material wealth and the other of simplistic domesticity. For Dawsey who has to sacrifice over and over again, he must once more sacrifice his growing love for Juliet Ashton; if only to allow her the happiness that was denied Elizabeth and Christian. So, it must have been quite a shock when he realizes that Juliet leaves everything that was promised her, everything she worked so hard for to return to Guernsey and return to him. 

❦ Why Dawsey and not Mark? Granted, Mark was a nice enough guy, but Dawsey understood, truly understood Juliet. He knew the pain and the sacrifice that war put everyone through. He knew what it was like to be hungry and scared. Juliet had experienced all these as well and while she fared better than those on Guernsey, the war is still very present. She realizes that going to America and living in New York will not erase her memories and her pain. On Guernsey, she interacts with people who stood firm and strong and never compromised or ran away. She saw a strength in them that she admired and respected and Dawsey was the forefront of that same strength.

❦ When Juliet arrived at Guernsey she thought she was going to find inspiration for a new novel. Instead she found inspiration for a new life. Dawsey thought that he was just asking about a book when he wrote to Juliet. He never imagined that he would be opening the door to unexpected love. Through the darkness of war and the loss of loved ones, Dawsey and Juliet found one another. Both lost, but making their way the best they could. Dawsey was willing to walk away from Juliet to allow her to have the happiness she deserved. Yet, it ended up being Juliet who walked away from everything. She gave up wealth and prosperity, and chose a life created of simplicity and hope and family.