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kaje_harper's review
4.0
A fun mid-20th century historical romp with a little bittersweet gut-punch in the middle. James Trevalyan, 18 year old university student and heir to nobility, had married the sweet sixteen-year-old girl he fell in love with, ready to take on the world and his parents' rejection for her. But things fell apart fast and soon Barbara was whisked off back to America and a divorce. Not a bad thing in the end, because it gave James a chance to discover that he really preferred men... or at least, one special man. Jeremy is the lonely son of a cold father, quiet, self-conscious, and exactly right for James.
James makes a very appealing narrator - self-confident, amusing, diffident, and very much in love. In the years following WWII, James and Jeremy can't afford to be an open couple but that doesn't stop James from making certain they are one in private. The two men work for British government intelligence in the field and the office, and celebrate life together at home.
I didn't read the blurb for this book, so I wasn't prepared for the middle of the story. I'm actually glad I didn't know in advance - the book has the light breezy tone through most of it, as James moves through years of his life. This was the moment that went deep. ...Major spoiler unless you read the blurb... I imagine the author had a struggle to decide whether to warn of a major plot twist, or face the wrath of readers unwarned... I don't think the blurb really weights the story elements quite the way they felt to me, and I'm glad I read it only afterward.
In any case, I really liked the whole story. I had a couple of small issues - a little paranormal thread that shows up out of nowhere near the end, and goes nowhere. It explains one plot point, but it didn't feel necessary, and once introduced it didn't feel half well enough utilized. And I also was envisioning a couple of coming out moments that never happened, that I'd have liked to have seen.
But over all a fun, occasionally affecting story with a fast, smooth, confident narrative style and just enough period detail as it moves through the decades. There are some sweet moments, and a happy ending, and I was left wanting more of these guys, but satisfied with where it ended.
James makes a very appealing narrator - self-confident, amusing, diffident, and very much in love. In the years following WWII, James and Jeremy can't afford to be an open couple but that doesn't stop James from making certain they are one in private. The two men work for British government intelligence in the field and the office, and celebrate life together at home.
I didn't read the blurb for this book, so I wasn't prepared for the middle of the story. I'm actually glad I didn't know in advance - the book has the light breezy tone through most of it, as James moves through years of his life. This was the moment that went deep. ...Major spoiler unless you read the blurb...
Spoiler
After making the reader fall in love too, with quiet, self-deprecating, sweet and brilliant Jeremy, the author allows Jeremy to die. Which was fine - painful, emotional, but that's how life sometimes is - other than the little misdirection at the beginning of the book. The second half of the story is James's slow return to life, and to the arms of another good man.In any case, I really liked the whole story. I had a couple of small issues - a little paranormal thread that shows up out of nowhere near the end, and goes nowhere. It explains one plot point, but it didn't feel necessary, and once introduced it didn't feel half well enough utilized. And I also was envisioning a couple of coming out moments that never happened, that I'd have liked to have seen.
But over all a fun, occasionally affecting story with a fast, smooth, confident narrative style and just enough period detail as it moves through the decades. There are some sweet moments, and a happy ending, and I was left wanting more of these guys, but satisfied with where it ended.
the_novel_approach's review
4.0
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” – The Bible.
When James Trevalyan fell in love, it was forever. But, life doesn’t always work out that way. Greater Love Hath No Man takes us through the loves, tragedies and family dynamics in James’s life, from 1948 to 1976. James is British and heir to the Pennington/Trevalyan fortune, but he really doesn’t care about the wealth. He just wants to be with Barbara. When parents interfere, however, his life falls apart.
James eventually meets schoolmate Jeremy Waters. As James and Jeremy begin a secret life together, we find there is no greater love than theirs. Jeremy is sweet and caring, but he’s also shy and lonely. He tries to please his father, but their relationship is estranged. Through Jeremy’s father, he and James become involved in the SIS (Secret Intelligence Service), but when tragedy strikes, James closes himself off for thirteen years. He becomes immersed in his job and is in control in all aspects of his life, but then, he meets another Jeremy—Jeremy Tanner—who’s confident, sure and rough around the edges, and James’s control starts to slip.
Tinnean has a unique way of writing that keeps you mesmerized throughout this story. The British wording sets the tone for this 20th century tale. This novel isn’t so much about espionage but more about James and Jeremy Waters’ life together, about how families and attitudes and behavior are different among the wealthy and common people. It’s also set during a time when being gay was a danger, as the Sexual Offenses Act was not a passed until 1967, decriminalizing homosexuality.
The star in this story is James Trevalyan. He is a man of morals, and when he loves, he loves forever and does it with his whole heart and soul.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/review-greater-love-hath-no-man-by-tinnean/
When James Trevalyan fell in love, it was forever. But, life doesn’t always work out that way. Greater Love Hath No Man takes us through the loves, tragedies and family dynamics in James’s life, from 1948 to 1976. James is British and heir to the Pennington/Trevalyan fortune, but he really doesn’t care about the wealth. He just wants to be with Barbara. When parents interfere, however, his life falls apart.
James eventually meets schoolmate Jeremy Waters. As James and Jeremy begin a secret life together, we find there is no greater love than theirs. Jeremy is sweet and caring, but he’s also shy and lonely. He tries to please his father, but their relationship is estranged. Through Jeremy’s father, he and James become involved in the SIS (Secret Intelligence Service), but when tragedy strikes, James closes himself off for thirteen years. He becomes immersed in his job and is in control in all aspects of his life, but then, he meets another Jeremy—Jeremy Tanner—who’s confident, sure and rough around the edges, and James’s control starts to slip.
Tinnean has a unique way of writing that keeps you mesmerized throughout this story. The British wording sets the tone for this 20th century tale. This novel isn’t so much about espionage but more about James and Jeremy Waters’ life together, about how families and attitudes and behavior are different among the wealthy and common people. It’s also set during a time when being gay was a danger, as the Sexual Offenses Act was not a passed until 1967, decriminalizing homosexuality.
The star in this story is James Trevalyan. He is a man of morals, and when he loves, he loves forever and does it with his whole heart and soul.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/review-greater-love-hath-no-man-by-tinnean/
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