deby 's review for:

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson

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I liked it, but I was torn. I've read so many books that take place in England during the World Wars. This one was good, with strong characterization, but it didn't really stand out. It didn't hold a candle to Jacqueline Winspear's, "The Care and Management of Lies," but it was heads above something like, "Mr. Churchill's Secretary." I think the characters may stick with me. The fiercely independent Latin teacher, abandoned to hostile family after her father's death. The two cousins, a surgeon and a poet, closer to each other and their aunt than to anyone else in the world. The aunt who does things her own way and sees that the world complies but who can't always escape the setbacks within herself. The pretty refugee. The Latin scholar iron monger's son. But, all in all, I liked, "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand," better.