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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
This was a little bit of a slow start, and it was somewhat confusing at first, but once I got into it...WOW. An amazing story, and the emotional nuances and relationship intricacies were so well-done. I loved the emphasis on honesty and bringing stories into the light, even if it's painful.
I loved this book! I appreciated the different angle it took when looking at WWII. Very much about family and the way we perceive our histories and how it impacts us all. Loved.
Caroline Payne is approached by old college friend, Mat Hammond who is writing an article. While doing research for a family, he discovered that a secret about Caroline’s namesake and aunt, Caroline. Caroline was told that her aunt died of polio as a child, but that is not the truth. It turns out that the twin sister of Caroline’s grandmother betrayed her country. She went to France to be with her German officer lover. Caroline does not believe this is the truth. She heads the family home in London to dig through letters and diaries buried in a trunk in the attic. The more Caroline reads, the more questions she has about Caroline Waite. Caroline and Mat keep digging until they uncover the truth. The London House by Katherine Reay is an engaging story. I thought The London House is well-written with developed characters. This story takes readers from the present day to the late 1930s and early 1940s. I can tell the author did her research for this story. The details are what brings this novel to life. Katherine Reay brings her world and characters alive with her descriptive writing. The pacing varies throughout the book (action speeds it up while overly detailed sections slow it down) and I thought the book was a little long. Quite a big of the story is told through letters and diary entries (very realistic) as Caroline and Mat work to uncover the truth. I wish the story had followed a straightforward timeline. It would have made for easier reading. I enjoyed the tie in to Elsa Schiaparelli. I enjoyed the descriptions of her design house and her gorgeous dresses. Those who love historical fiction especially the World War II era will enjoy reading The London House. The London House is a dual timeline novel about misperceptions, misunderstandings, love, jealously, hope, and injustice.
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
I thoroughly enjoyed the redemption and closure for this family. Confronting hard truths, having the conversations that needed to be said, and seeing the way our perceptions when not addressed, can lead to years of issues.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
This book started off engaging but it fell flat for me. I didn't like the characters, it had suggestive scenes (Ch.8) , and I didn't like the writing. I also didn't like the over sexualization of the fashion describe during the time. It was not a story I wanted to continue.
When I say I like WWII fiction, this is not what I mean. What a total slog
I did not feel the author did a good enough job of making us care about any of the characters until the last, no joke, 5% of the book. Dull, dry, poorly developed characters, and no plot. All things I hate wrapped up in a book!
I did not feel the author did a good enough job of making us care about any of the characters until the last, no joke, 5% of the book. Dull, dry, poorly developed characters, and no plot. All things I hate wrapped up in a book!
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional