DAVID CLENSY
I am a Wiltshire-based writer, originally from Birkenhead, in Merseyside.
I spent more than 20 years in regional newspaper journalism. I was twice named South-West Feature Writer of the Year at the EDF Regional Media Awards. I have also worked as a magazine editor, sub-editor, communications officer and a senior copywriter.
I’ve written a number of non-fiction and fiction books, including Island Life: A History of Looe Island (2006), The Mole of Edge Hill (2006), and Walking The Wolds Way (2007).
In July 2023 I won the Frome Festival Short Story Competition Local Prize. My short stories have also been long-listed in the Cranked Anvil Short Story Prize 2022, short-listed in the Wells Festival of Literature Short Story Competition 2022 and short-listed in the Yeovil Literary Prize 2023.
My debut novel, Prayer in Time of War, was released in February 2024. It tells the story of elderly veteran Ernie as he returns to an Italy transformed from his experiences during the Second World War, in search of the girl he left behind in the back streets of Naples half a century before. Read more about the novel here. It made the Cheshire Novel Prize’s LLL Agent Showcase in 2023.
My latest work of narrative non-fiction, Walking the White Horses, came out in 2023.
Find my books on Amazon here.
Prayer in Time of War
Prayer in Time of War is out now in paperback and Kindle. It tells the story of elderly veteran Ernie as he returns to an Italy transformed from his experiences during the Second World War, in search of the girl he left behind in the back streets of Naples half a century before.
By the winter of 1943, the city of Naples has become nothing short of a hell on Earth. Food, happiness and hope are scarce; poverty, misery and desolation are plentiful. Prayer in Time of War tells a story of love in a world without room for romance.
For the British Army, fighting its way from the beaches of Salerno, the squalor of the Neapolitan suburbs comes as a shock. For Private Ernest Green, at just 22, it feels like another world. He is alone in a nightmare landscape, until he catches the gaze of Preghiera. She is the lonely teenage daughter of an embittered old butcher, with dangerous entanglements in the local camorra. But for Ernest, she is a celestial being who enters his world at the very moment he needs her most. He returns as an elderly widower, 50 years later, with a dream of rekindling their ill-fated love affair and proving that true love never fades. Order your copy.
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Favourite reads of last year
Thanks to Shepherd.com for asking me about my three favourite reads of last year. Here’s a link to the article: https://shepherd.com/bboy/2023/f/david-clensy
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Prayer in Time of War – reviews
Delighted to see the first of the reviews coming in for Prayer in Time of War. Thanks to Patrick Larsimont, author of The Lightning and the Few, and Helen Salsbury, author of Sometimes When I Sleep, for the first two posted online. Here’s a little taste of what they said – to read their full…
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Publicising Prayer in Time of War
It’s been a good week since launching Prayer in Time of War, with fantastic coverage in the Western Daily Press on Saturday February 24 (see picture), followed by mentions in a couple of online publications. Fading memories always make for a powerful theme in fiction – thanks to Shepherd.com for asking me about my book…
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Prayer in Time of War – publication day!
Prayer in Time of War, my debut novel, is now available! It tells the story of elderly war veteran Ernie as he returns to an Italy transformed from his experiences during the Second World War, in search of the girl he left behind in the back streets of Naples half a century before. I have…
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Eightieth anniversary of the Monte Cassino bombings
Next week marks the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Monte Cassino – one of the most vivid and debated incidents of the Second World War and a key moment in my forthcoming novel Prayer in Time of War, which is published on February 23rd. With its heavily fortified mountain defences, difficult river crossings, and…
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Paying homage to the so-called ‘D-Day Dodgers’
Later this month I will release my debut novel – inspired by the wartime recollections of my grandfather, who fought in Italy during the Second World War. Prayer in Time of War, which is released on February 23, 2024, tells the story of elderly war veteran Ernie as he returns to an Italy transformed from…
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Reviews
In creating a real sense of what it was like to walk as a young soldier through a war torn city, with eyes open to the brutal realities of life for its remaining citizens, Clensy creates a sense of what it would be like to exist in any war torn city. This is a gentle, authentic novel, with a great deal of the sort of specific detail and characterisation which brings a world to life, an at times biting humour in depicting the absurdities of war, and a real emotional engagement with Ernest and his comrades.
Helen Salsbury, author of Sometimes When I Sleep – reviewing Prayer in Time of War
Charming but gritty, and very evocative of Naples and Italy during difficult times… Big thumbs up.
Patrick Larsimont, author of The Lightning and the Few – reviewing Prayer in Time of War
The author adeptly captures the complexities of human emotions amid the turmoil of conflict, painting a vivid portrait of resilience and camaraderie in the face of adversity… With meticulous attention to detail and a sprinkling of twists, Clensy crafts a poignant narrative that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.
Shapna Peri, Book Reviews Cafe – Prayer in Time of War
There’s a lot of good historical detail here, including an account of the Battle of Monte Cassino, the more mundane aspects of a soldier’s life when not fighting, and a picturesque sense of Italy in the post-war years. The book also manages a few twists and surprises. One thing that Clensy does particularly well is blur the line between friends and enemies, showing that nothing is clear-cut in the chaos of war… Recommended
Richard Salsbury, author of Mute- reviewing Prayer in Time of War
A captivating and delightful hiking companion for Wiltshire’s White Horse Trail… What sets this book apart is Clensy’s deep knowledge and passion for the Wiltshire landscape, which shines through in his vivid descriptions and historical insights.
LibraryThing Reviewer – Walking The White Horses
This is a delightful travelogue for armchair travellers like myself… The writing style was engaging and enthusiastic, with exemplary descriptions of landscape… I highly recommend this fine contribution to the nature travel genre.
GoodReads Reviewer – Walking The White Horses
I would hope this book would inspire other fathers to plan and carry out such memorable experiences for their sons. It’s a book well worth reading!
LibraryThing Reviewer – Walking The White Horses
After reading about David Clensy and his son walking the White Horse Trail, I would have loved to walk it with them. His descriptions were vivid…
LibraryThing Reviewer – Walking The White Horses
A delightful book.
LibraryThing Reviewer – Walking The White Horses
I found it hard to put this book down. A truly superb piece of work.
Amazon Reviewer – The Mole of Edge Hill
A fascinating book that cleverly weaves fact with fiction,
Jackie Foottit, Hull Daily Mail – The Mole of Edge Hill
giving us an insight into this quirky character. An interesting read.
The author’s love of the island shines through his well-researched, atmospheric narrative.
John Weller, Hull Daily Mail – Island Life: A History of Looe Island
A fascinating book about the colourful history of this Cornish landmark.
Oscar Morse, Cornish Guardian – Island Life: A History of Looe Island
Very well done, I must say… For those who love to travel and/or learn about other cultures, this book needs to be on your list. Highly recommend!
LibraryThing Reviewer – As Wide as All The World
It is David Clensy’s colourful and pacy approach to telling these tales that lifts it well above the average walking book, Walking The Wolds Way is an entertaining, fast-paced volume.
Beverley Advertiser – Walking the Wolds Way
The book was interesting and made me want to experience the Wolds Way.
Amazon Reviewer – Walking the Wolds Way
It is highly recommended for anyone interested in walking, local history or the beautiful countryside. And, who knows, it may inspire a few more people to tackle the walk across East Yorkshire’s rolling hills. As an added bonus, David includes a collection of features about the county’s hidden history. Each of these is a great read in its own right and makes ‘Walking The Wolds Way’ a must-buy book.
Paul Johnson, South Lincolnshire Target – Walking The Wolds Way
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