Das Cottage hinter den Feldern

by Susan Sallis

They discovered the empty cottage in 1940, when they were still at school—four teenage friends from wildly different backgrounds and with the war casting its shadow over their lives. The cottage became a place of refuge for them, symbolizing their loyalty to one another which held in the face of jealousy, passion, tragedy, and betrayal. It was to the cottage that Monica came, pregnant, alone, and frightened, and it was there that their story really began. For Bessie, born secretly and shamefully to one of them, raised by another, and loved by them all, came to represent what was the very best in their lives. This is a huge and powerful novel of four friends and the lifetime bonds that held them together.

Genres: Fiction

542 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Susan Sallis was the author of over twenty bestselling novels, many of them set in the West Country. She was born in Gloucestershire and lived in Somerset with her family. She died in 2020.

Reviews

[Jenny Ilgunas]

Was really slow in parts and I nearly gave up. I have more of hers to read but not sure I’m up to them at the moment. Need something with a bit more pace

[Melissa Metz]

I read to the end because of the soap opera style plot twists, but the couples’ relationships were disturbing.
And no candles.

[Paula R C R. C. Readman]

It took me a while to get back to this book as l read three other books in the meantime. I'm not a saga reader, but l like to try other types of books. Susan Sallis by Sun and Candlelight, held my interest but l find the ending a little predictable.

The book followed the teenage friends in adulthood. The characters are strong, the setting interesting but the plot line a little weak and predictable as far as the testing of the friendship goes i.e which friend is going to run off with which husbands.

The book is well written. I have three other books by the author which l'm willing to have a go at reading so l'm looking forward to reading a great story by her.

[Mariama]

4.5 really based on how interested it kept me. The story was an intriguing one, despite the many problems I had with it. The amount of drama and the border-line incestuous relationships were annoying but nevertheless, an entertaining book.

[Fi]

I thought this was going to fit into the category I class as 'lightweight', but there was a surprising amount of meat to the story; very good