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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
DNF - a "slice of life" book. After 9/13 discs when I couldn't see the story going anywhere, I decided to throw in the towel. The narrator is not my favorite (also narrated The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend). The book just dragged along. Set up a good narrative of the struggles of women to gain independence in Britain, and what pre-war life is like in the small town of Rye, but all in all, it was just boring.
The Summer Before the War is a perfectly fine book. There is not much in the book that surprises you except the characters of and story-lines around Celeste and Daniel. These two are definitely more a creation on today's world being applied on yesteryear but they are a refreshing change from a book filled with stereotypical characters and plot points.
Beatrice is you standard female lead who has come to a new place for a new start. The women and men in this town are the kinds you would find in these towns during World War One. You have the greedy lawyers who would gladly control a women's trust and expenses for an overbearing family. The women are all very concerned about their reputations and what they think is proper without any thought to the person or circumstances. There are a few scenes with the townspeople where you kind of want to punch them in the face because of what they say and how they are acting.
This is not a must read but it is enjoyable enough. Lots of tragedy but the expected happens in the end so it is somewhat satisfying.
Beatrice is you standard female lead who has come to a new place for a new start. The women and men in this town are the kinds you would find in these towns during World War One. You have the greedy lawyers who would gladly control a women's trust and expenses for an overbearing family. The women are all very concerned about their reputations and what they think is proper without any thought to the person or circumstances. There are a few scenes with the townspeople where you kind of want to punch them in the face because of what they say and how they are acting.
This is not a must read but it is enjoyable enough. Lots of tragedy but the expected happens in the end so it is somewhat satisfying.
I loved this book. It was heartbreaking but also satisfying. Excellent writing! I need another book like this in my life.
3.5 Not as good as her first novel - Mr Pettigrew's Last Stand - but an enjoyable read. What a terrible war, and some people were treated so badly at the time.
I received this book as an ARC from a goodreads giveaway.
When I first read about this book, I was excited to read a story about pre/during WWI. While I did enjoy Simonson's writing, I felt the story went all over the place. There were too many characters and it pulled in too many directions. It made it difficult to really care about most of the characters. I really loved Beatrice and Agatha and I had wished their stories had played out more of the novel. I felt a lot could have been done there, some big opportunities missed. I was also hoping for a little more reflection during the scenes that actually took place during the war. The writing kept me engaged but only towards the end of the novel. I felt I had to slog half way through the book before I could really sink my teeth into it.
When I first read about this book, I was excited to read a story about pre/during WWI. While I did enjoy Simonson's writing, I felt the story went all over the place. There were too many characters and it pulled in too many directions. It made it difficult to really care about most of the characters. I really loved Beatrice and Agatha and I had wished their stories had played out more of the novel. I felt a lot could have been done there, some big opportunities missed. I was also hoping for a little more reflection during the scenes that actually took place during the war. The writing kept me engaged but only towards the end of the novel. I felt I had to slog half way through the book before I could really sink my teeth into it.
This felt like it was never going to end! Almost 500 pages of detailed descriptions of nothing happening. I really had to struggle my way through and started skimming in the end.
I'm sorry to give this only 2 stars, as I had expected more of it.
I'm sorry to give this only 2 stars, as I had expected more of it.