Scan barcode
A review by emileereadsbooks
Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reginald and Millie are concerned about the war's impact on their eleven-year-old daughter Beatrix, so in 1940, they make the choice to send to her America, out of harm's way. There, in Boston, she is placed with the Gregorys. Before she knows it, she is part of the family with Mr. and Mrs. G, fitting perfectly into their life and between their two boys, William and Gerald. But when the war is over and she is called back to London, she has to wrestle with what home is to her and how to move forward.
_____
This is a book about relationships. Mothers and children, friends and siblings, over an ocean and through walls.
A book about choices and regret, following expectations or your heart.
A book about home and the places and people that are a composition of who you are and where you've been.
A novel about what could have been, the choices that alter the trajectories of our lives.
A book about what love is. How we can love the idea of somewhere or someone but living the day to day of love is in the details and intentionality. Love is a choice. Real love matures and grows with us.
I was entranced by this story. Pulled into the kaleidoscope of points of view as they were constantly shifting to alter my perception of the timeline of events. Much more melancholy than my usual reading fare, I felt like my heart was being wrung out to feel every desire and sorrow of these characters. Also, many of the characters were unlikable to me. I could not justify their choices which led to me having complicated feelings about this book as a whole.
But, if you like emotionally wrought family sagas, then add this one to your TBR.
_____
Content Warning: Death, infidelity, slight open door sexual content, WWII bombings
Thank you for the gifted book Macmillan Audio and Celadon Books. All opinions are my own.
_____
This is a book about relationships. Mothers and children, friends and siblings, over an ocean and through walls.
A book about choices and regret, following expectations or your heart.
A book about home and the places and people that are a composition of who you are and where you've been.
A novel about what could have been, the choices that alter the trajectories of our lives.
A book about what love is. How we can love the idea of somewhere or someone but living the day to day of love is in the details and intentionality. Love is a choice. Real love matures and grows with us.
I was entranced by this story. Pulled into the kaleidoscope of points of view as they were constantly shifting to alter my perception of the timeline of events. Much more melancholy than my usual reading fare, I felt like my heart was being wrung out to feel every desire and sorrow of these characters. Also, many of the characters were unlikable to me. I could not justify their choices which led to me having complicated feelings about this book as a whole.
But, if you like emotionally wrought family sagas, then add this one to your TBR.
_____
Content Warning: Death, infidelity, slight open door sexual content, WWII bombings
Thank you for the gifted book Macmillan Audio and Celadon Books. All opinions are my own.