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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
It took me a long time to start this book -- possibly because I have been inundating myself in the world of Agatha Christie for too long and I've become used to short, quick reads. But this book -- once I finally made myself start reading it, well I fell in love. The characters are wonderful, the setting is visibly real, and I thought about the story and the characters well after I had left the book at my table, thinking that it was all so very real.
Read it. It may not be to your taste but it is definitely worth a try.
Read it. It may not be to your taste but it is definitely worth a try.
informative
slow-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:
N/A
I picked up this book because I was interested in finding out more about World War I. I have read thousands of books on World War II, but don’t know a lot about the first war. This book was highly recommended, not only for historical fiction but romance. I had a very hard time getting into this book, thankfully my library kept allowing me to renew the book. I wasn’t wowed by the book, but once the book got going it was interesting enough.
I honestly don't know why it took me so long to get through this book, because it really was great. Perhaps just too many things going on in my own life. Anyway, yes, this was great. It's a great mix of history and social commentary as well as an at-times dishy, soap opera-esque read. The impact of social norms and constraints is almost overwhelming at times and gives a good sense of what it meant at that time (and even today) to deal with issues of gender, sexuality, class, and ethnicity. My one complaint is that Beatrice disappears for a good chunk towards the end, and I missed her voice. Overall highly recommend!
I absolutely loved The Summer Before the War! It may be somewhat of a slow read, but it is full of witty conversations, fleshed out characters, and beautiful prose. I donât read a lot of WWI novels, but after reading this one, I want to read more! Helen Simonson did an amazing job of making me fall in love with her characters, especially the strong women like Beatrice and Agatha. I loved the little bits of romance against the backdrop of the beginning of Great War. And now, at the end of the novel, I feel a little saddened that I must say goodbye to my good friends of Rye.
Historical romantic fiction is just not my bag. Well written but not my style.
emotional
slow-paced
****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review*****
This got forgotten about in my kindle and then I came back across it and thought I really ought to read it. But I think I'm burned out on WW1 and immediately-pre-WW1 stories at the moment and I just couldn't get into this. Hey ho - I'm sure it's excellent, but it's just not for me at this point in time.
This got forgotten about in my kindle and then I came back across it and thought I really ought to read it. But I think I'm burned out on WW1 and immediately-pre-WW1 stories at the moment and I just couldn't get into this. Hey ho - I'm sure it's excellent, but it's just not for me at this point in time.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
I eagerly picked up this book as a fan of [b:Major Pettigrew's Last Stand|6643090|Major Pettigrew's Last Stand|Helen Simonson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320539020l/6643090._SX50_.jpg|6837577]. Unfortunately this book doesn't live up to that standard, but nevertheless I found it an enjoyable read. My biggest critique is the length, which seems quite unnecessary. While there is quite a bit of good character development I definitely think this book would benefit greatly from being at least 100 pages shorter. My other major problem was the ending, not so much in the events that transpired but in the fact that the focus of the book shifts to being more of a warfront story and doesn't really return to the small town focus as it concludes, which I thought was most unfortunate. It is however a lovely story and I would still happily pick up any new books by this author.