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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
One where all the separate strands of the story come together at the end, which was quite nicely done. I felt a bit like some things were under explored, like I think I'd have liked a bit more on Edward and I think Hettie got the raw end of the deal after a happy ending for Evelyn and Ada. Enjoyable.
Good story, very realistic picture created by author Ann Hope of the lives forever changed by WWI. Hope doesn't candy coat war or make excuses for characters behaviour. I wish she had fleshed out Hettie's story more, I thought she was the most likeable character of them all but hers was the weakest.
It's November 1920 - 2 years since the First World War ended and the Armistice was signed on 11th November. Actually, it's the 4 days leading up to the 11th, and there are small inserts throughout the book about the finding of remains to represent the Unknown Soldier to be entombed in Westminster Abbey. This event has a different effect on the three women whose lives we are invited into - three women who never meet yet who are connected by specific men.
It's hard for someone. who has not had loved-ones involved in war, to grasp the implications that permeated the generations. This book, however, gives excellent insight into the psyches of returned servicemen and of women whose sons / brothers / lovers suffered in the trenches. None of them are untouched, none of them able to retrieve what life was like before the war.
I was really gripped by this novel and found myself totally involved in it. An excellent read.
It's hard for someone. who has not had loved-ones involved in war, to grasp the implications that permeated the generations. This book, however, gives excellent insight into the psyches of returned servicemen and of women whose sons / brothers / lovers suffered in the trenches. None of them are untouched, none of them able to retrieve what life was like before the war.
I was really gripped by this novel and found myself totally involved in it. An excellent read.
I did not really like this book until the end, and even then I was not sure. Is it because everything is so dark, but war is dark.
I just could not really connect to any of the characters.
But it did have parts of beauty.
I just could not really connect to any of the characters.
But it did have parts of beauty.
Not all that served thrived. Many merely survived. Hope's debut novel followed several in the wake of war and the challenges of their lives.
Competent though the themes and plotlines have been much worked over in other novels.
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed learning about the effects of World War I.