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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The second installment of the Cazalet Chronicles focuses mostly on the three teenage girls of this sprawling family—Clary, Louise, and Polly—each of whom feels like a very distinct person with their own voice and view of the world. Each of them feels like they are "marking time" as the usual frustrations of growing up (being too old for some things and too young for others) take on additional complications as the Phoney War ends and the Blitz begins. Elizabeth Jane Howard had a keen eye for the telling character detail, and <i>Marking Time</i> unfolds in a pleasurable readable way.
I would like for a very large bomb to fall on Edward, the shit.
“Someone had turned off the wireless and, in spite of the room being full of people, there was a complete silence — in which Polly could feel, and almost hear, her own heart thudding. As long as nobody spoke, and no one moved, it was still the very end of peace . . .” — Marking Time by [a:Elizabeth Jane Howard|113328|Elizabeth Jane Howard|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1264002881p2/113328.jpg]
This is the second book in Elizabeth Jane Howard's incredibly well-written historical fiction series, the Cazalet Chronicles, which is set during the second world war and follows the lives of the wealthy Cazalet family.
This volume opens on 3 September 1939. Prime Minister Chamberlain has just announced the country is at war with Germany. The book covers that time up until Winter 1941, focusing on the experiences of wartime through the eyes of Louise (16), Polly (14), and Clary (14), the daughters of the three Cazalet brothers.
As the title of the book indicates, the story captures the combined feeling of marking time in both childhood and wartime. In the case of the Louise, Polly, and Clary, there is a distinct feeling of waiting for childhood to be over, for them to be old enough, and for their lives to ‘really’ start. This feeling extends to the rest of the family too, as their lives are put on hold with the start of WWII. All the characters in this book to some extend are waiting in expectation for something to happen, even if it is just for time to pass.
One of the things I especially appreciate about Howard’s books is how well she writes from the prospective of children and young adults. This to me shows how skilled a writer she is, because I think most of us forget what it was like to be children and how we thought and spoke. But Howard’s children always seem entirely authentic.
If you enjoy family sagas and books set during the Second World War, I highly recommend giving this series a go.
This is the second book in Elizabeth Jane Howard's incredibly well-written historical fiction series, the Cazalet Chronicles, which is set during the second world war and follows the lives of the wealthy Cazalet family.
This volume opens on 3 September 1939. Prime Minister Chamberlain has just announced the country is at war with Germany. The book covers that time up until Winter 1941, focusing on the experiences of wartime through the eyes of Louise (16), Polly (14), and Clary (14), the daughters of the three Cazalet brothers.
As the title of the book indicates, the story captures the combined feeling of marking time in both childhood and wartime. In the case of the Louise, Polly, and Clary, there is a distinct feeling of waiting for childhood to be over, for them to be old enough, and for their lives to ‘really’ start. This feeling extends to the rest of the family too, as their lives are put on hold with the start of WWII. All the characters in this book to some extend are waiting in expectation for something to happen, even if it is just for time to pass.
One of the things I especially appreciate about Howard’s books is how well she writes from the prospective of children and young adults. This to me shows how skilled a writer she is, because I think most of us forget what it was like to be children and how we thought and spoke. But Howard’s children always seem entirely authentic.
If you enjoy family sagas and books set during the Second World War, I highly recommend giving this series a go.
All the great perceptive writing as in 'The Light Years', but with the added tragedies of events in WW2. Beautifully wove storylines: some more characters (friends etc) and yet I am interested in all of them and feel I know all of them.
emotional
lighthearted
Love this series and the characters!! I had a hard time getting into this one. Not sure if it was the writing or just being busy with life. But I’m looking forward to the next one!
What can you say about the Cazalet Chronicle? An enthralling, warm, witty, and emotional account of the ups and downs of a prosperous British family over 20 years, beginning shortly before the outbreak of WWII.
Howard does such an amazing job in these books, revealing both the damaging and benign aspects of family dynamics, and how patterns of both can echo down through the generations. She renders the delicate intimacy of couples superbly, and excels in her delivery of utterly convincing and dimensional children.
What a fantastic journey it’s been, and I shall miss them all immensely.
Howard does such an amazing job in these books, revealing both the damaging and benign aspects of family dynamics, and how patterns of both can echo down through the generations. She renders the delicate intimacy of couples superbly, and excels in her delivery of utterly convincing and dimensional children.
What a fantastic journey it’s been, and I shall miss them all immensely.
a good sequel to the first book in the series. i like the way Howard lays out the story and changes every few pages which character is speaking. can't wait to read the third book!
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes