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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Spoiler Alert. The title is misleading. This book actually begins the summer before the war and then includes the war. For someone who does not love war books, me, this had me gnashing my teeth.
Here's what I liked. The story. A young girl, bent on being an independent woman (spinster) is hired to teach Latin in a school in a small town. She develops friendships with some of the well-to-do and does some of the independent things women might do during this time period. There is some scandal which is a must-have if one is not going to have a murder. I do love this Downton Abbey-ish book. The characters are wonderful. Although the plot is somewhat predictable, I still enjoyed this book.
Here's what I liked. The story. A young girl, bent on being an independent woman (spinster) is hired to teach Latin in a school in a small town. She develops friendships with some of the well-to-do and does some of the independent things women might do during this time period. There is some scandal which is a must-have if one is not going to have a murder. I do love this Downton Abbey-ish book. The characters are wonderful. Although the plot is somewhat predictable, I still enjoyed this book.
Eight plus years ago i gave four stars to "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand." Helen Simonson's latest book, "The Summer Before the War" is getting strong reviews, but it may have been the wrong time for me to read it. I loved the central character, Beatrice Nash, Latin teacher and would-be writer, mourning her father's death, arriving early for her first teaching position in Rye, East Sussex. The summer ends abruptly with England's entry into World War I, and Rye and its lovely quiet life are upended. In the 2020-21 pandemic, even with hopes of our re-entry into life, it was too much. So I read the first 200-some pages (before the war) and the last several chapters (out of 473 pp.).
It took a bit to get into it, but it is really a good story with great characters.
This book frustrated me. It was ambitious, but I became frustrated by the characters' shallowness. They never felt fully like real people to me.
Finally got around to reading this one: Andy bought it last spring, read it, and it's been in my TBR pile ever since. What a pleasure! Simonson creates an engrossing picture of life for an educated and capable woman who's limited by sexism and tradition: her depiction is subtle and nuanced, showing us Beatrice's awareness of her own expectations as well as those of the society around her with very little "telling" so we never feel talked-down-to or lectured. Agatha Kent, caught in the middle of a variety of conflicts, is a fascinating character as well, choosing to fight some battles and letting others pass her by. I was amazed by Simonson's ability to convey reality while still using the conventional language and euphemisms of the day: for fear of spoilers, I won't say more, but this ability created a strong sense of the reality of the time, of discussions, of gossip, of scandal, and how various information was conveyed.
I would not be surprised if opinion on The Summer Before the War is strongly divided, but I loved it.
I would not be surprised if opinion on The Summer Before the War is strongly divided, but I loved it.
This really should be a 3 or 3.5, but I'm a sucker for small-town stories.
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No