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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
I’m excited to be part of @celadonbooks new Read Together Initiative for BEYOND THAT, THE SEA by @laura_spence_ash. I read this book along with my new IG friend, Carrie (a.k.a. @mamacappsreads). It was awesome to discuss the book and discover that we had different views on some of the characters. One thing for sure, we both loved Gerard. I loved the character of William. I guess I related to him and his frustration. I was rooting for him and Bea. I love this novel for many reasons. One of them is the author’s ability to describe the scenery and the mood of the characters. I was transported to the island in Maine and sat in the Gregorys’ kitchen while I was reading. I felt William’s frustration, Gerard’s passion, and Millie’s sadness. The story is moving and at times very sad. It is a beautiful book, and you should pick up a copy when it comes out in March.
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emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This book, this book was heartbreakingly heart warming. It did really twist your heart throughout the whole thing but once the ending came (though it did seem rushed) it was magnificent. Bea and William and Gerald - Mr and Mrs G, the war going on. How over the course of 30-40 years how their lives have changed. What you once thought your life would be how seeing how it turned out. Growth and destruction. It was remarkably moveable.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book drew me in from the start and kept me mesmerized for the entirety of it. This is about Operation Pied Piper, the evacuation of millions of children from London to places all over the world in an attempt to save them from the German bombs.
In 1940 Millie and Reginald Thompson made the difficult decision to send their only child, 11 year old Beatrix, to America to keep her safe from the war. Beatrix was taken in by the Gregory family- Mom Nancy, Dad Ethan, and their two boys, 12 year old William and 10 year old Gerald. The five years Bea was with them passed differently for her than it did for her parents back in London. When she finally went back she realized neither she nor they were the same people as before the war and Bea had to change to fit back in with her London identity.
Told third person via multiple viewpoints and over 30ish years, this is such a beautiful story of family and the ties that bind. Because of how it’s written we are given a comprehensive view of not just Bea’s life, but the lives of all of the characters. While none of them are perfect, all of them are likable.
This isn’t a typical WW2 story. Most WW2 books take place in the heart of the holocaust. I loved how this takes place in London and Boston during the war. I also loved how close to each character the multiple viewpoints brings us. We get to see how the war and the separation of family affects everyone from more than just a birds eye view.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book taking place during WW2 because with everything happening in Israel right now, my heart really can’t take more heartbreak. I took a gamble reading this one, and it really paid off.
I hope Ms. Spence-Ash has another book for us down the road because her writing is both beautiful and grabbing and finishing this one has left me wanting to read more of her work.
Character driven books usually aren't my jam but this one works since it's also a coming of age read. 11 year old Beatrix is sent to live with an American family in Boston to evade bomb raided WWII London. As a parent, I can't even imagine having to make such a devastating decision. This book shows the spiderweb of deep layered relationships in Bea's life that came from that one decision. A sweeping novel, covers decades of time, slower paced with short chapters that packs an emotional punch. A little like The Summer I Turned Pretty - two brothers, a "sister" who isn't really their sister, an inevitable love triangle.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked the multiple points of view and the way the story progressed through time. I didn't connect understand one of the characters very well. I think if I had liked him more, this would've been a 5 star book for me.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No