The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson 473 pages What’s it about? This novel takes place in Rye, England in 1914 and centers around Beatrice Nash. Beatrice is young, single and trying to find her way after the death of her father. She arrives in Rye to teach Latin to the local schoolchildren. The Edwardian lifestyle depicted in this novel will change drastically after World War 1. This novel transports us to 1914 and gives us a glimpse into what it was to live in a small countryside village in England at the brink of war. What did it make me think about? This book is so charming- and managing to write a charming book is a real talent. Ms. Simonson manages to charm you with her English cast of characters at the same time she is teaching you about a different era. Most importantly this is a universal story about war, and what a tragedy it is at any time. Should I read it? Yes! If you enjoyed "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" then be warned that this latest novel by Helen Simonson is somewhat different. This book has a large cast of characters, and the plot moves at a little slower pace (Beatrice doesn't actually start teaching until 2/3 of the way through the book). However it is a wonderful novel filled with characters that you will want to spend a few days with. Think Downton Abby in a novel... It does start out slowly, but Beatrice, Uncle John, Aunt Agatha, Hugh, Daniel, Snout and the rest make the pages move right along. I will miss Rye in 1914! Quote- "An unworthy concern flickered through her mind that Cook might now take to being absent without warning, burning gravy because of tiredness, bringing her granddaughter with her to get underfoot in the kitchen. Agatha was forced to consider whether her sympathetic interest in her staff's families might have more to do with appearing generous than with any willingness to be inconvenienced by their actual problems." If you liked this try- The Love Song of Miss Queen Hennesy by Rachel Joyce A Man Called Ove by Frederic Backman The Tower, The Zoo, and the Tortoise by Julia Stuart The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce 9 1/2 stars |
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
next upfavorites from 2020some favorites of the last decadebest of winter 2020best of summer/fall 2019best of winter/spring 2019best of summer/ fall 2018best of winter/spring 2017-18best of spring/summer 2017best of winter
|
best of summer 2014
last spring favorites
on my nightstand
edge of your seat
guest reviews
and the mountains echoed
the bully pulpit
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
― Charles William Eliot
ratings
3 to 4- I found some aspect of this book redeeming but would not recommend it.
5 to 6- I really enjoyed something about this book (characters, plot, meaning etc.) but it was uneven. Some aspects were stronger than others.
7 to 8- It was a good book. I liked lots of aspects of this book. I would recommend it.
9 to 10- I was sorry to turn the last page. I highly recommend this book!