Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Cross-posted to http://off-the-book.org.
Three female characters, each touched by World War I. They all have their own stories to tell about this devastating time in world history, which was especially devastating to the England. There is Evelyn, a pensions clerk, is almost 30 and lives with another "spinster" roommate. Hettie lives with her mother and shell-shocked brother Fred, while working as a dancer. Ada is 45, with a son who never returned from the war and a marriage that's falling apart.
Each of these women are described in an outstanding manner - their thoughts and personalities are distinct. While at first they aren't linked, as the story goes on you begin to understand how they connect, and what the war has done to connect women all over England. Each woman is unhappy and longing for something they cannot find. For Evelyn, she is dealing with the loss of the love of her life. Hettie has lost her brother, and a chance at marriage and happiness. Ada's loss seeps into every aspect of her life, and she longs to know what really happened to her son at the Front.
These stories tie together with that of the Unknown Soldier. I loved that their stories were revealed throughout the novel. I hate the kind of book where it's assumed that the reader is really stupid, and needs every bit explained to them so that they understand. This is a real literary achievement from a debut author, and she adeptly manages the revelatory aspects of the plot with a real understanding of what readers want and need to read.
Man, what a tearjerker this was for me. An exquisitely moving novel, it also manages to keep the historical details authentic and it really adds to the story. I would absolutely read another novel from Anna Hope, and I hope she writes another one soon.
If you liked the emotional drama of Atonement, or historical novels like A.S. Byatt's Possession, you will love this book. I highly, highly recommend.
http://www.off-the-book.org/2014/02/book-review-wake-by-anna-hope.html
Three female characters, each touched by World War I. They all have their own stories to tell about this devastating time in world history, which was especially devastating to the England. There is Evelyn, a pensions clerk, is almost 30 and lives with another "spinster" roommate. Hettie lives with her mother and shell-shocked brother Fred, while working as a dancer. Ada is 45, with a son who never returned from the war and a marriage that's falling apart.
Each of these women are described in an outstanding manner - their thoughts and personalities are distinct. While at first they aren't linked, as the story goes on you begin to understand how they connect, and what the war has done to connect women all over England. Each woman is unhappy and longing for something they cannot find. For Evelyn, she is dealing with the loss of the love of her life. Hettie has lost her brother, and a chance at marriage and happiness. Ada's loss seeps into every aspect of her life, and she longs to know what really happened to her son at the Front.
These stories tie together with that of the Unknown Soldier. I loved that their stories were revealed throughout the novel. I hate the kind of book where it's assumed that the reader is really stupid, and needs every bit explained to them so that they understand. This is a real literary achievement from a debut author, and she adeptly manages the revelatory aspects of the plot with a real understanding of what readers want and need to read.
Man, what a tearjerker this was for me. An exquisitely moving novel, it also manages to keep the historical details authentic and it really adds to the story. I would absolutely read another novel from Anna Hope, and I hope she writes another one soon.
If you liked the emotional drama of Atonement, or historical novels like A.S. Byatt's Possession, you will love this book. I highly, highly recommend.
http://www.off-the-book.org/2014/02/book-review-wake-by-anna-hope.html
Londres, novembre 1920. Alors que toute l’Angleterre attend l’arrivée du Soldat inconnu, Anna Hope nous raconte cinq jour de la vie de trois femmes : Evelyn, Ada et Hettie. La première a perdu son fiancé à la guerre, la deuxième son fils. Quand à Hettie, elle vit avec son frère dont l’esprit est resté hanté par les champs de bataille. Ces trois femmes tentent de faire le deuil des jours heureux pour se reconstruire.
Au fil des pages, Anna Hope nous fait partager le chagrin des vivantes ; celui de trois femmes fortes que la vie n’a pas épargné. On sent l’énergie croitre dans les veines de ces trois héroïnes aux caractères extrêmement différents mais qui toutes, doivent quitter leur solitude pour continuer à vivre. L’autrice parvient, avec grande élégance, à nous émouvoir sur ces histoires individuelles poignantes. Et à travers les portraits de Evelyn, Ada et Hettie, c’est toute l’ambiance du Londres d’après guerre qui nous enveloppe.
Au fil des pages, Anna Hope nous fait partager le chagrin des vivantes ; celui de trois femmes fortes que la vie n’a pas épargné. On sent l’énergie croitre dans les veines de ces trois héroïnes aux caractères extrêmement différents mais qui toutes, doivent quitter leur solitude pour continuer à vivre. L’autrice parvient, avec grande élégance, à nous émouvoir sur ces histoires individuelles poignantes. Et à travers les portraits de Evelyn, Ada et Hettie, c’est toute l’ambiance du Londres d’après guerre qui nous enveloppe.
Thank you to the publishers for giving me a chance to read an advance copy of this wonderful book.
It tells the story of three different women, all connected by WW1 across five days in November 1920.
Parts of the novel, especially the parts that tell the story of the transportation of the soldier I felt like I was actually there watching. I felt the emotion all the way through it but it wasn't until the 4th day that I was reading with tears rolling down my face.
Along with the story of the three main characters we were shown how other families and very small characters were affected by the war even if it was only over a paragraph.
If anybody is interested there is film footage of the football team mentioned in the book going off to war available on YouTube.
It tells the story of three different women, all connected by WW1 across five days in November 1920.
Parts of the novel, especially the parts that tell the story of the transportation of the soldier I felt like I was actually there watching. I felt the emotion all the way through it but it wasn't until the 4th day that I was reading with tears rolling down my face.
Along with the story of the three main characters we were shown how other families and very small characters were affected by the war even if it was only over a paragraph.
If anybody is interested there is film footage of the football team mentioned in the book going off to war available on YouTube.
Interesting connections between the characters. I listened to the audio book so I probably would have caught even more if I'd just read it.
A different take on WWI looking exclusively at Post War home front and memory, but rather disjointed and unremarkable.
challenging
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, War
Very well written but I think there was more to the story. The entire book had a sad feel which is exactly what I'm guessing was intended. It could have been another 300 pages and I would have kept on reading.
It took a long time for me to get into it and when the excitement happened it was only for a bit. This book bored me perhaps because I had such I hopes for it.
challenging
emotional
sad
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