Doodlebugs and Spitfires

“Doodlebugs & Spitfires” is a delightful collection of memories and short stories written by Peter Carroll, the author of “Queen of Misfortune,” in his trademark poetic and profoundly thoughtful style. Most of his stories, previously published in limited form in local English newspapers, like “Brave New World”, “The Forties Street Tradesmen”, “Doodlebugs”, or “The Christmas of 43” evolve around his childhood in...
More Description

“Doodlebugs & Spitfires” is a delightful collection of memories and short stories written by Peter Carroll, the author of “Queen of Misfortune,” in his trademark poetic and profoundly thoughtful style. Most of his stories, previously published in limited form in local English newspapers, like “Brave New World”, “The Forties Street Tradesmen”, “Doodlebugs”, or “The Christmas of 43” evolve around his childhood in the Northern part of London during and after World War II. He describes the horrors that came with the V1 flying bombs, nicknamed the “Doodlebugs.” Heroic British pilots in their “Spitfire” airplanes would attempt to divert the flying bombs from the populated areas, sometimes successful, and sometimes not. Other stories are about his childhood adventures as a moviemaker with the short-lived Cinecarr Productions, his work as an RAF nurse in England and post-war Germany, and his crash as a Spitfire pilot. But there are also contemporary, fictional stories. Other tales like “Paradise Walk”, “The Demise of Florence Harper”, or “The Spirit of Ann Luxon,” dedicated to his hometown of Devon in England, tell of historical events there. Throughout the collection there are hints of Carroll’s unique mind, which may be described as extra sensual perception. They enrich his stories and make this an enjoyable reading.