Written on Glass

by Judith Lennox

It is 1946 and the old families of the Temperleys and the Chancellors have been neighbours on the South Coast of England for many years. Now the younger generation has been touched by the second world war. Reserved, principled and cool-headed Marius Temperley has left the army and is struggling to fit into civilian life. His twenty-one year old sister, Julia, is quick-tempered, proud and passionate and, since her father`s recent death, has been running the family business, fiercely independent in her ambitions. Handsome, but emotionally distant Jack Chancellor has been demobbed and has another problem to face. Both he and his younger, more naive and impetuous brother Will, are in love with Julia. Jack doesn`t want to lose her, but his sweet, slightly gawky cousin, Topaz, lets slip that their imperious Aunt Carrie has a plan for him: if he leaves Julia, he will inherit Sixfields, the beautiful family farm...As the years go by, the family secrets come out, and it seems that the ties that bind can change relationships for ever...

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Adult Fiction

624 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Aka Judith Lennox-Smith

Judith Lennox lives in Cambridgeshire, England with her husband and three sons.

Reviews

[Charlotte Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the kind of book I usually read, but I couldn't give it less than 5-stars. It is beautifully written, poignant and haunting. It is a book that I have never forgotten and love the way it follows the lives of the characters.

The setting was particularly special to me, as they are more or less all places I have lived in / near, or visited. I was able to envision the scenery and characters, bringing the story to life.

I would highly recommend this book, and would happily read it over and over.

[Adri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just the right kind of book when one is nicely wrapped up against the chill. Lots of family drama and intrigue. The writing is very good, the characters felt real, not some fantastical super heroes or perfect women. They are flawed and therefore more believable.

The book does not demand much of the reader intellectually, but it does keep one turning the pages.

I enjoyed it and would give it 3.5 stars if I could

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. The story is set on the southern coast of England, and in London in the 1940s and 50s. The plot is interwoven with various sub-plots and comes to a satisfactory conclusion. The characters are likeable, all having their own personal characters and traits and making their own way in life. There is a little bit of intrigue, keeping the reader guessing. I would recommend it as a book worth reading.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Judith Lennox books. Friendship, love, family drama,... and all that mostly in the twentieth century. Just the right books to read when you have holidays.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two families, old friends, living on the coast of England in 1946. As the years go by, family secrets are revealed and the Temperleys and the Chancellors learn that passion can be destructive.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written on Glass, although not the most interesting book I have ever read, provided me with some mild entertainment. The plot seemed predictable and contrived. The plot "twists" were nothing more than half-hearted "bumps." I was especially annoyed at the author's choice of the name "Topaz." I am curious as to whether this name was actually common in that time-period, as it seems so out-of-place in the novel. Perhaps the author was trying to establish some sort of distinction between this character and the other more "normal" characters. However, I doubt the use of such a name would have made a difference in the way the reader views the character.

This book is perfect for those boring afternoons where you don't want to think more than you have to.

[Sim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I was interested in reading a tale set at a different time and exploring complicated family relationships. It definitely lived up to that promise with plenty of complex interactions and developments during the characters' lives. What I like most (and least) about the narrative is that the characters don't all end up living happily ever after, and in some cases the reader is left to wonder about how certain relationships will turn out. I found it to be quite realistic, in that life takes many twists and turns and you can never know what it will end up like and which relationships will indeed last. However I wouldn't give this book a 10 out of 10 rating like others in my book club have done because I still found myself unable to "bond" with some of the characters.

[Phantom They-rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

AAAAAAA
I just finished the book! I-
Omg I loved it!!

Like, in the beginning it was kinda confusing to start, and around the middle I was so confused I had to put the book away for a bit, but this books is defiently one of my favourites like, of all times
It's about 2 neighbor families, the Temperlies, and Chancellors, and how their friendship tooka twist after the war
It goes over around 10 years
There's not big-big plot twists, but the few ones there is, isn't out of nowhere, and I wil tell you, I screamed a few times.
It has romance in it, which we love. As the characters are flawed, it seems realistic, and I wouldn't be surprised if this was real events happening!
I just love-love-love this book, and I really think you should read it!!!

[Mi_er · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant read that got me back into reading. after 3 amazing books I had a hard time picking up something. This was easy and mildly gripping enough to get me back into the swing of things. That said I did not really enjoy the author's need to explain everything and tie things up with a neat little bow in the end.

[Sharon Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I got into this book I really enjoyed it. Family friends and the twists and turns life has in store. Love of family and friends. Strength of character and following ones heart all intertwined in this book.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

en tiedä kirjasta etukäteen mitään, mutta oli niin halpa (1,95e) että oli pakko ostaa ;).

[Linda]

Rather predictable - but easy when the mind is busy with other things.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the type of book I would normally read, however I liked. Not exactly the quickest book, however I loved the detail in the writing.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, only my second by this author, but impressed with the sweet sad story line. Great for a holiday escape book!

[Brooksie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. This is one of those books where nearly every catastrophic event could have been avoided if the characters just spoke to each other rather than get pissed over nothing and storm out of each other's lives for years at a time. The story ends with two characters who haven't even admitted to being in love with each other agreeing to get married. Like, they've barely seen each other for years and have only been friends. But suddenly he's proposing and she's thrilled. That's the kind of book this is. I had more mature relationships in high school.

There are too many Chancellors and too many Temperleys and everyone has blue/grey eyes (I'm going to start mentioning this in my reviews. It's been years since I've encountered a brown-eyed white woman in literature), they have varying relationships that all seem to end badly because no one communicates, a cranky old woman croaks out why she's so cranky on her near-death-bed, the end. Nothing to see here.

[Geoff Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does what it says it does--- a compelling story of love, loyalty and family. A well written story that introduces a range of related people and how their lives interact, how they affect each other and eventually how they live out their lives. Some great 'gasp' moments as unexpected events change the course of events in a major way. Also plenty of analysis of the relationships and how behaviou affects others. Felt that the book took a little time to get going but then the momentum is maintained to the end.

[Eija Miettunen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toisesta maailmansodasta ja sen jälkeisestä ajasta on kirjoitettu paljon, tehty sarjoja ja elokuvia, usein tulee mieleen, että silloin ihmiset tarttuivat tilaisuuksiin ja onneen kun sellaista oli tarjolla, sillä ei tiedä, mihin elämä vie.
Kirja oli kirjoitettu niin, että halutti lukea se saman tien loppuun. Paljon surua ja pieniä onnenpilkahduksiakin.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Kept me interested and I wanted to pick it up to read.

Will read more by this author. I have read others of hers and all very good.

However, very disappointed by the ending. It was poorly handled and a real let down.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heel mooi boek waarvan ik wou dat het bleef duren.
Een man keert terug van de oorlog, hij heeft heel de oorlog lang op zijn jeugdliefde gewacht en hoopt dat zij ook op hem gewacht heeft...

[maureen cowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Very interesting and eventful book not knowing where it would end kept me guessing all the way through very well written

[Katja Habitzreither · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amusing book which covers the ups and downs in live. Exciting. You do not want to stop reading.

[Ziggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This book really grabbed me and carried me along with its saga. An excellent read.

[Janine6523 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freundschaft ändert sich, doch wenn man miteinander redet und sich mitändert, kann man auch an Freundschaft wachsen,lernen und lange zusammen sein.

[Yang Shu-yuan · Rating 4 out of 5]

England, 1946: Die 17-jährige Topaz ist voller Vorfreude -- sieben Jahre hat sie ihre Cousins Jack und Will und deren Nachbarn Julia und Marius Temperley nicht mehr gesehen. Doch dieser Sommer ist anders als die unbeschwerten Ferientage ihrer Kindheit -- in diesem Sommer werden die Weichen gestellt für die Zukunft.
Jack, gerade aus dem Krieg zurückgekehrt, ist in Julia verliebt, schon seit er denken kann. Doch die Großgrundbesitzerin Carrie will ihn als Erben einsetzen, wenn er mit der Heirat noch wartet. Bei der Wahl "Haus oder Herz" verliert Julia -- und heiratet aus Trotz Jacks jüngeren Bruder Will. Denn zuhause möchte sie nicht länger wohnen, da ihr Bruder Marius überraschend erfahren hat, dass aus einer Liason mit einer Soldatenkollegin ein Kind entstanden ist. Nun fühlt er sich verpflichtet, Suzanne zu heiraten und sie mit ihrem Kind auf das Gut seiner Familie zu bringen. Und Topaz? Sie muss, wie ihre Freunde auch, durch Liebe und Verlust gehen, um überhaupt herauszufinden, wer und was ihr wirklich wichtig ist.

Liebe und Leid, Schuld und Sühne, Hass und Vergebung: Emotionen, die in den Büchern der englischen Erfolgsautorin Judith Lennox garantiert nicht zu kurz kommen. Warmherzig und spannend schildert sie in ihrem Roman Zeit der Freundschaft die Nöte und Sehnsüchte einer Kriegskinder-Generation. Geschickt verknüpft sie dabei die einzelnen Handlungsstränge miteinander zu einer dichten Decke mit liebevoll ersonnenem Muster und ohne lose Fäden -- genau das Richtige also zum Hineinkuscheln an einem langen, langen Leseabend! --Beate Strobel -- Dieser Text bezieht sich auf eine vergriffene oder nicht verfügbare Ausgabe dieses Titels.

[Lyn Zuberbuhler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat predictable story, with multiple characters finding each other, then losing each other, over multitudes of misunderstandings.
However, Judith Lennox is a reasonable author and can tell a story in such a way that one’ s interest is maintained.
Embarrassed to admit that I have just now reread this story in 2023 and kept thinking it seemed familiar but I could not remember all of the story line.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lightweight but enjoyable story set in 1946 with postwar effects seen in many of the characters