Product Description

At the school where Edward Enderby taught for over forty years, there were few who knew he'd once been a successful fighter pilot during the war. It was not something he ever talked about - not even to his family. And for over half a century he had, for the most part, managed to put the memories of those years out of his mind. But fifty years on, he is alone - a widower - with a strained relationship with his only son, and a career behind him that has brought him respect but little affection. In 1995, Britain is celebrating the anniversary of the end of the war, and Edward finds himself forced to confront the tragedy he suffered during those years. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and personal redemption, Edward travels from England to Malta and then to Italy, and in doing so comes face-to-face with the idealistic young man he once was, and the devastated and traumatised 23-year-old he was to become. Following his experiences over the skies of England in 1941, through the dark days of the Siege of Malta, to the partisan struggle in Italy, "A Pair of Silver Wings" is a story of friendship, love and the terrible legacy of war, exploring universal themes of grief and redemption, and one man's quest to heal the scars of the past.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #124535 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

From the Publisher
From the Sunday Times Bestselling author comes a story of friendship, love and loss in a time of war...

From the Inside Flap
At the school where Edward Enderby taught for over forty years, there were few who knew he’d once been a successful fighter pilot during the war.It was not something he ever talked about – not even to his family. And for over half a century he had, for the most part, managed to put the memories of those years out of his mind. But fifty years on, he is alone – a widower – with a strained relationship with his only son, and a career behind him that has brought him respect but little affection.

In 1995, Britain is celebrating the anniversary of the end of the war, and Edward finds himself forced to confront the tragedy he suffered during those years. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and personal redemption, Edward travels from England to Malta and then to Italy, and in doing so comes face-to-face with the idealistic young man he once was, and the devastated and traumatised 23-year-old he was to become.

Following his experiences over the skies of England in 1941, through the dark days of the Siege of Malta, to the partisan struggle in Italy, A Pair of Silver Wings is a story of friendship, love and the terrible legacy of war, exploring universal themes of grief and redemption, and one man’s quest to heal the scars of the past.

From the Back Cover
At the school where Edward Enderby taught for over forty years, there were few who knew he'd once been a successful fighter pilot during the war. For over half a century he has, for the most part, put the memories of those years out of his mind. But fifty years on, he is alone, with a strained relationship with his only son, and a career behind him that has brought him respect but little affection.

In 1995, Britain is celebrating the anniversary of the end of the war, and Edward finds himself forced to confront the tragedy he suffered during those years. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and personal redemption, Edward travels from England to Malta and then to Italy, and in doing so comes face-to-face with the idealistic young man he once was, and the devastated and traumatised 23-year-old he was to become...

Praise for James Holland

'Exciting and poignant, and ultimately hopeful' Literary Review

'Holland skilfully turns the screw of tension as the last months of peace slip away ... He has joined the few who can bring history to life' Guardian

'Well-written and exciting' Daily Telegraph

'There can seldom have been a better, nor more detailed, evocation of exactly what it was like to fly - and die - in the clear blue skies above the English Channel in those heady days in the summer and autumn of 1940' Daily Mail

Customer Reviews

A powerful and resonant story of post-WWII grief
This is a powerful, tragic and deeply moving tale of a man who has shut down his emotions following the trauma of WWII; a man who, aged 73, finally begins to confront his grief.

The book takes us on a journey back in time through the wartime experiences of Spitfire ace, Edward Enderby, as he departs the relative safety of Cornwall to fight in the hell that was Malta in 1942. And finally, the emotional climax of the story, to Italy in the last phases of the German retreat in 1944.

This is a book about a man who finally confronts his tragic past, the loss of soul partner, untimely and brutally ripped from being. For many years his grief is irreconcileable. Nowadays, there would be an army of counsellors, psychologists, case workers, etc, deployed to unlock the trauma; then there was only stiff English reserve and a lifetime of regret.

I thought this was a far better book than 'Burning Blue', it was grittier, full of detailed and absorbing action. The writing is much tauter and the portrayal of war more realistic and convincing. There is also far greater depth of characterisation. This is the second James Holland I have read; the narrative skill is improving with every new chapter. I am really looking forward to reading more.

Had me flying
A great read,once in a while a good read comes along after which
you cant pick up another book to read that comes close,this is one of those.
Starting in the present you jump back and forth to WW2 normally
I cant stand this but it works fine in this novel.
I highly recommend this book

Not into WW2 stuff
I bought this book for my husband as he has an avid interest in the wars. He became engrossed and encouraged me to read it. I am glad I did. I clearly didn't read it as closely as the reader who commented on the editing; which is probably just as well because it may have spolit my enjoyment of what I consider to be a well written book. Just enough sentiment; just enough description; just enough love; just enough gore; just enough history. Beautiful and poignant.