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brimgriff's review against another edition
3.0
I have such mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed Catrin, who is the semi-main character, but the story got a bit muddled with all of the characters that you're introduced to throughout the pages. The angle of the movie production is an interesting view of a time period that is heavily written about.
stationeleven's review against another edition
3.0
@ SAM CLAFLIN TURN ON YOUR FUCKING LOCATION I WANNA FIGHT
gh7's review against another edition
3.0
Their Finest Hour is about the making of a movie during the blitz. Initially I was struck by the lovely subtle wit of the voice of this. Such a smooth gliding surface to her prose like a layer of freshly fallen snow. Evans did a fine job of setting up the novel, evoking the atmosphere and telling little details of the times really well. The research seamlessly stitched into the fabric and adding a great deal of vitality of colour. However it began to become apparent that this novel is too long. At least 100 pages too long. And the subject and characters just didn’t have enough vitality to sustain a 400 pg. novel. The characters, not the most inspired cast to begin with, began to become tiresome. Ambrose, the ageing narcissistic actor whose vanity is repeatedly punctured, got away with being a cliché for a while but he kept repeating the same routine to the point where you could predict his every self-important and misanthropic response. The rather dowdy and unassuming Edith (scenes when she worked at Madame Taussaud’s were however brilliant) and the shell-shocked and anaemically formal Albert were touching for a while but hardly original or inspired as characters. The best character Catlin, the young female who finds a greater sense of autonomy and self-assurance during and because of the war, though again clichéd, begin to disappear from the novel just when she’s needed to support it. The vaudeville humour too began to become a bit too slapstick. Even the research began to become overwhelming. A kind of blitzkrieg of period detail as if Evans was determined to shoehorn in every little piece of fascinating data she had picked up while researching. There’s some really good comic writing. But unfortunately the long dragged out nature of this novel and its clichéd characters ended up diminishing this book from a four star affair to a barely three star one.
stacyroth's review against another edition
3.0
I won this book as a FirstRead.
In 1940 London, Catrin Cole is plucked from her job in advertising to help write realistic-sounding women into propaganda shorts to be shown before movies. From there, she is chosen to help write a full-length film supported by the Ministry of Information of the “true” story of two young British girls who sailed to Dunkirk to rescue British troops. With so many people at war, those left behind must fill the various roles to make the movie happen. Ambrose Hilliard, who believes himself still to be as popular as when he was voted 3rd most popular film star of 1924, swallows his pride to play the girls' uncle in the film. Edith Beadmore, a wardrobe assistant at Madame Tussaud's, works on the cosutmes for the films. Arthur Frith, a catering manager before he got called up in the war, becomes a Special Military Advisor to the film since he was in Dunkirk.
I felt like Catrin's part was the strongest part of the story. Ambrose's part didn't seem to add much, unless it was supposed to be comic relief to listen to his arrogance for so much of the book? The book kept me entertained while I was reading it but didn't hold my mind in between times.
In 1940 London, Catrin Cole is plucked from her job in advertising to help write realistic-sounding women into propaganda shorts to be shown before movies. From there, she is chosen to help write a full-length film supported by the Ministry of Information of the “true” story of two young British girls who sailed to Dunkirk to rescue British troops. With so many people at war, those left behind must fill the various roles to make the movie happen. Ambrose Hilliard, who believes himself still to be as popular as when he was voted 3rd most popular film star of 1924, swallows his pride to play the girls' uncle in the film. Edith Beadmore, a wardrobe assistant at Madame Tussaud's, works on the cosutmes for the films. Arthur Frith, a catering manager before he got called up in the war, becomes a Special Military Advisor to the film since he was in Dunkirk.
I felt like Catrin's part was the strongest part of the story. Ambrose's part didn't seem to add much, unless it was supposed to be comic relief to listen to his arrogance for so much of the book? The book kept me entertained while I was reading it but didn't hold my mind in between times.
krismcd59's review against another edition
4.0
This novel combines the best aspects of historical adventures set during the London Blitz and backstage stories about filmmaking. Evans follows a variety of characters as they slowly -- very slowly, in fact -- become involved in a common project, a film adaptation of an uplifting war story about two girls involved in the rescue at Dunkirk. Evans brings each character to life with his or her own distinctive voice and take on the chaos of life in wartime London. I was really sorry when this was over, as I had become very fond of all her characters and invested in the film they were trying to bring to life, in spite of the challenges of food rationing, bureaucratic meddling, relationship woes, and of course the ever-present threat of bombs. The love stories that gradually develop and flourish in this environment are realistic, wry, and heartfelt. Lovely book.
capellan's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sort of coming-of-age, finding yourself (and possibly finding love) tale about four people in WW2 England. I liked the characters - even Ambrose's awfulness was done in an engaging way on the whole - and the mix of humour and drama was well judged. An enjoyable read.
msjenne's review against another edition
3.0
I felt like it was taking a frustratingly long time setting everything up...and then just when I started really getting into it--good people triumphing! others getting their comeuppances! working together and getting shit done!--it all wrapped up way too fast, like when you realize your lunch break is already over and you didn't get to finish your dessert.
stytzer's review against another edition
3.0
I watched the movie and half a year later I read the book. Although I don't remember much of the film the differences are pretty drastic. Which is not necessarily a bad thing.
I did really enjoy the book. But because it was in English, my second language, there were parts I didn't completely understand. That comes with a rich language. Therefore I presume the book is better than my first thought four stars: It wouldn't be as hard and slowly if I had understood it all.
But in the end I couldn't let go of it. And that's what matters.