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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Super story and a great narrator. The author manages to include social commentary with a healthy dose of humor.
Received this book as a Christmas gift in 2016 when the book was published and for some reason I kept putting off reading it. I think because I had heard that some people were disappointed in it compared to her first book. I am now kicking myself for waiting as I completely enjoyed reading this book. It was the sort of book where I'd pick it up to read just a couple of chapters and then find it hard to put down. The title is a bit misleading as the war starts about a third of the way through the book. The book opens with Hugh contemplating his future as a doctor, Beatrice is starting a new life in East Sussex as a Latin teacher at the local school, Daniel is flitting aimlessly about writing poetry and Agatha is doing her best to organize everyone's affairs. All the while the threat of war is looming over them. The story unfolds and we see how the war impacts them and how the smallest words or decisions can have huge repercussions.
Read my review at my book blog: https://historyloverdiversions.com/2016/10/02/the-summer-before-the-war/
While the writing was lovely, I really was not hooked on the plot. I found it way less engaging than Major Pettigrew.
I loved this innocent and thoughtful book about the impact of WWI on the quiet little town of Rye in Sussex, England.
This is one of those books where you need to slow down and enjoy a story that unravels at a very leisurely pace. Like reading Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice. It is a lovely and heartbreaking story about a town in England on the brink of and during World War I.
Could not finish this, was maybe halfway through when I stopped. And this says a lot because I usually have a very high commitment to finishing Book Club books. Didn't really like any of the characters, and couldn't keep track of who was who.
i DNF'd this back in 2018, but came across it on my goodreads and thought i'd give it another go. i feel like it's very unoriginal - like it's trying to imitate edwardian novels, but it doesn't add anything fresh or interesting, so why not just read an edwardian novel?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, Classism
Minor: Physical abuse
1 ⭐
Disappointing. This one was not for me. I cannot believe I made it to the end. This was a story set in world war I, but one almost couldn't tell based on all of the self important and privileged characters. The plot was extremely boring and slow. It read like a poorly written Jane Austin novel.
Disappointing. This one was not for me. I cannot believe I made it to the end. This was a story set in world war I, but one almost couldn't tell based on all of the self important and privileged characters. The plot was extremely boring and slow. It read like a poorly written Jane Austin novel.