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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. There were some parts of this book that I just loved and other parts that were just ok that, unfortunately, detracted from the lovely parts. But it was a good read overall. I just really didn’t care for all the mean, judgmental people in Selina’s life, namely her mom and husband (even though they were like that because of the time period).
Really about 3.5 stars. Nice story, slow in the beginning but picks up toward the end.
The Glittering Hour is told via two timelines and characters. First, there is Selina in 1925. Selina lives a life of privilege, however life changes when she meets and falls quickly in love with Lawrence Weston, a talented, but as it often goes, struggling artist. Then, there is Alice in 1936. Alice is Selina's young daughter. As the story begins, she's staying with her grandparents and her family's maid Polly. Alice's story revolves around the letters her mother sends while on a trip to Burma. She uses the letters to begin telling Alice about her past via a treasure hunt she has built as well as continuing to remind her daughter how deeply she loves her.
Very early in the story, it is revealed that Lawrence is not who Selina ended up with, and instead, she married a "safe" choice as Selina's dad is not Lawrence. Much of Selina's story is then explaining why and how she found great love, but also what pushed her to make different choices. It was an interesting experience to read a story knowing the happily ever after ending you see isn't going to be. However, there was such emotional power in going on the journey to understand why Selina did what she did. Her story is one full of pain, as well as one of resilience. As her story is told, the reader (as well as her daughter) see her mother's authenticity, vulnerability and strength.
In addition to being about Selina, this is about Alice. For the first time, she learns who her mother was before. She and her mother have an amazing connection, however there is a side of her she has never seen. This is a journey that really makes you think. How many of us don't really know who/what our parents were before we existed? What are the choices that got our parents to each of us, and what could they have done differently? I appreciate a story that makes me think about my own life through the story on the pages, and this absolutely did that.
Not only is it about the before, but this is truly a deep emotional dive into what Selina did in the moment. There is tragedy in Selina's story. She encounters significant grief and loss, and she has to move forward. It isn't easy, and she does what she feels she must to be okay and move forward. The connection to her past told through Alice's discoveries then do a brilliant job of showing her whys, as well as even giving her a chance to revisit her story.
This is a book with an ending that is still heavy on my heart weeks after I read this book. It's one I'm still thinking about, and even as I type I find myself getting a bit teary thinking about how the story of these two women ended. It was one of those reveals when you find out all is not what it seemed that makes you gasp (literally), then clutch your heart (literally) as you've become so immersed into this world.
Y'all, this book was just beautiful, and I cannot say that enough. The story was emotional with such depth. If you're looking to be captivated and get all up in your feels (seriously, have some tissues handy), this is where you need to be.
The Glittering Hour is a tragic love story.
The book itself was a slow start. It took a while to build the worlds of 1925 and 1936. It tried to convey a sense of country depression after WWI but I found it fell short of any feeling, it was more of an observation and little of it.
I was intrigued by the “treasure hunts” the main character, Selina, creates for her daughter, Alice. It was a fun way to merge the past with the present but towards the end these hunts and Alice’s life seem to drag the book’s pacing down. I almost couldn’t wait for the book to end because the pacing had slowed so much, but the twist in the novel kept my interest alive and the last 20 percent of the book you will want to read all at once. Have your tissues ready for it! An extremely sad ending but it rounded out the story making it a satisfying read.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy for my honest and unbiased opinion.
The book itself was a slow start. It took a while to build the worlds of 1925 and 1936. It tried to convey a sense of country depression after WWI but I found it fell short of any feeling, it was more of an observation and little of it.
I was intrigued by the “treasure hunts” the main character, Selina, creates for her daughter, Alice. It was a fun way to merge the past with the present but towards the end these hunts and Alice’s life seem to drag the book’s pacing down. I almost couldn’t wait for the book to end because the pacing had slowed so much, but the twist in the novel kept my interest alive and the last 20 percent of the book you will want to read all at once. Have your tissues ready for it! An extremely sad ending but it rounded out the story making it a satisfying read.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Heartbreaking Ending
Great book, believable characters. Loved the 1920s/
1930s feeling. I would like to read more about The Bright Young Things. Will definitely look out for more by Iona Grey.
Great book, believable characters. Loved the 1920s/
1930s feeling. I would like to read more about The Bright Young Things. Will definitely look out for more by Iona Grey.
1925 Selina Lennox is one of the 'Bright Young People', the society set who came out after the war. She leads a frivolous life whilst awaiting the staid marriage expected of her. One night she meets artist/photographer Lawrence Weston and her world is turned upside down. 1936 Selina is away in Burma with her husband and her daughter Alice is staying with her maternal grandparents in Selina's old home. To pass the time Selina has set a treasure hunt but the conclusion will only lead to heartbreak.
This book has been the subject of glowing reviews and I can see why it appeals. Grey understands the idea of a good story, the two timescales are handled deftly and there is a lot of understanding of the lives of women between the wars. Where is falls down for me is that it is just too obvious - the 'twists' are not twists - in addition there are references to events but they are so subtle that it seems everything occurs within a bubble. The sense of loss following the war is the one area where Grey shows empathy and a subtle approach to her writing, Lawrence's work in painting portraits of lost sons is very emotive. I understand why this would be a book that appeals to the masses and I can see why many readers love it however it is too simplistic for me to enjoy other than as a pleasant escape.
This book has been the subject of glowing reviews and I can see why it appeals. Grey understands the idea of a good story, the two timescales are handled deftly and there is a lot of understanding of the lives of women between the wars. Where is falls down for me is that it is just too obvious - the 'twists' are not twists - in addition there are references to events but they are so subtle that it seems everything occurs within a bubble. The sense of loss following the war is the one area where Grey shows empathy and a subtle approach to her writing, Lawrence's work in painting portraits of lost sons is very emotive. I understand why this would be a book that appeals to the masses and I can see why many readers love it however it is too simplistic for me to enjoy other than as a pleasant escape.
What an absolutely heart wrenching and beautiful book! Present day is 1936, when 9 year old Alice is living with her grandparents’ country estate, Blackwood, while her parents are on a business trip to Burma. Her grandparents are chilly and her governess is strict and there isn’t much for Alice to do, until one day her mother sends her a letter sending Alice on a scavenger hunt. Each letter sent from her mother includes another clue and tells about 1926, when Selina (Alice’s mother) was young and carefree with her friends.
This beautifully written book is more than just a story of a young girl and her mother; it is a glorious love story and a good reminder that one should never be afraid to love.
I happened to listen to this and the narrator Imogen Church took this to an entirely different level. The range of voices and the emotion she is able to convey throughout from tenderness to coldness is truly remarkable.
This is definitely a book that shouldn’t be missed. Between the settings of England in 1926 and 1936, the cast of characters, and the wonder of scavenger hunts and romance, Iona Grey has created a true masterpiece.
This beautifully written book is more than just a story of a young girl and her mother; it is a glorious love story and a good reminder that one should never be afraid to love.
I happened to listen to this and the narrator Imogen Church took this to an entirely different level. The range of voices and the emotion she is able to convey throughout from tenderness to coldness is truly remarkable.
This is definitely a book that shouldn’t be missed. Between the settings of England in 1926 and 1936, the cast of characters, and the wonder of scavenger hunts and romance, Iona Grey has created a true masterpiece.
Took me a while to get into it...it’s pretty but felt a bit contrived and the ending is too clean, although very sad.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Slow start, but good (not amazing) ending. Had some subtle but expected twists and turns. Overall 3.75/5.