John Charles Hall’s Dystopian WWII Series, Starting With Under The Yew Tree, Captures The Essence Of What If? -

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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, John Charles Hall’s storyline finds the Germans having landed on England’s south coast during World War II, and the harrowing impact of a community under siege.

Dystopian WWII Series

A gripping three-part read, John Charles Hall’s dystopian WWII series kicks off with Under the Yew Tree, a counter-factual and heartrending War II scenario in which the south of England finds itself under the iron grip of German forces. Exploring the profound impact war-time occupation has on a close-knit community, with two young lovers, Julia, and Joseph, taking centre stage, John Hall’s story is one of collaboration, resistance, loves, and loss. Set in the South Downs and West Sussex, this series brims with the sights and sounds of the countryside, contrasted superbly with the harrowing infiltration of German forces.

Continuing the story across two further books, Ash before Oak and The Holly And The Ivy, this story delves deeply into the resistance, Julia’s situation, and the dangers that are part and parcel of everyday living for this war-torn community.

An alternative war story that delivers a hugely entertaining read, this captivating series also triggers in readers a deep sense of what could have been.

Under The Yew Tree

What-if the Southeast of England had been occupied by German forces during WWII?

Living under dark authoritarian rule, where the press, radio and television are controlled and even in the villages the stifling presence of the German army is felt, young lovers Joseph and Julia are part of a small village and farming community caught up in the horrors of war.

To the occupying forces and the outside world, Joseph is just the son in a small farming family, but to those in the know, he is the youngest member of the Resistance. Living with the enemy tests the character of every individual, and this close-knit and resilient community needs to carry on with their work lives regardless of the challenging factors around them… but their daily lives are filled with betrayal, collaboration, resistance, and death.

Ash Before Oak

In book 2 of the dystopian WWII series, the English Resistance are acting under the German occupation of the Southeast of England. As the Nazi army settles into West Sussex, the Resistance fights with all its guerrilla might to undermine the invasion. There is no such thing as surrender, but with neighbours, friends, and relatives full of fear of their new rulers, the battle is more often than not keeping secrets from those you live alongside. For their sakes and for yours.

When two of their men on exercise are caught unawares by German soldiers on patrol, the local branch of the English Resistance know where the betrayal has come from. This imagined history creates a story of a rural English community caught between trying to carry on with their everyday lives, whilst at the same time, resisting the forces of occupation. Living with the enemy tests the character of every individual and the community as a whole.

The Holly And The Ivy

The Holly and the Ivy is the third book in the trilogy and continues the story of Julia, Commander Henry Clay, and the brave men and women of the Resistance.

The imagined history is set in the rural villages and surroundings of the English countryside and deals with the daily struggles of its people against the invaders.

The community is caught between trying to carry on with their everyday lives, whilst at the same time, resisting the forces of occupation.