After the War is Over

by Maureen Lee

A heart-warming tale set in Liverpool and London during the post-war years, from bestselling author Maureen Lee.

Liverpool, 1945. Three women, firm friends, return home from the war and try to fit back into their old lives after they've been demobbed. They've been thrown together by the war, and have shared all sorts of good and bad times. Now their old lives seem dull in comparison. But not for long...

The younger women, Maggie and Nell, are both twenty-one and are full of hope and excitement; Iris, on the other hand, is feeling apprehensive about returning to civilian life. At the age of thirty,
her only wish in life is to have a baby, but sadly this wish has yet to come true.

When one of the women falls pregnant, there begins a dramatic sequence of events so far-reaching that the three friends' lives will become more intricately interwoven than they could ever have imagined.

Over the next quarter of a century, this story of three remarkable - and very different - women unfolds into an uplifting tale of how three ordinary families become extraordinary.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Chick Lit, Audiobook

360 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Maureen Lee was born in Bootle, England, UK, near Liverpool during the World War II. She attended Commercial College and became a shorthand typist. She married Richard, and they had three sons, now adults. The last years the marriage lives in Colchester, Essex.

During years, she published over one hundred and fifty short-stories, before published her first novel Lila in 1983. She continued published dramatic historical sagas mainly setting in Liverpool since 1994. In 2000, her novel Dancing in the Dark won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Reviews

[Briar Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's no way around it, this is a poorly-written book. The characters are paper thin, and there are too many of them. The plots are soapy, melodramatic and uninteresting. The author lets too much of her own personal prejudice seep into the narrative and into the mouths of the characters. It reads like EastEnders come to life.

The author also has a positively bizarre view of history. WWII was apparently a jolly old time for all the English women caught up in it, rationing was a fun experience that made you a creative cook, and the freezing winter of 1947 (which killed thousands of people in real life) was a minor inconvenience. Every dramatic occurrence in the book goes like this, all the air taken out of it as the characters run on rails through a pre-determined (and wholly unoriginal) narrative. It's a lifeless book.

So why did I read it, and why am I giving it a generous two stars? Well, the narrator of the audiobook was excellent. She injected a bit of life into it, and made me want to keep listening. And there was a ghoulish enjoyment in finding out what ludicrous yet dull plot point the author would come up with next (Baby swapping? Sure! Fake a rape? Ok! Kill another character off [but not in WWII, because apparently no one died in that]? Why not!)

[Jo Ring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good typical Maureen Lee book.

[Stefania PRD · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading the title, I thought that something interesting was going to happen. However, in this book, everyone only aims to get married and wishes to have many kids. Example: "Nell sipped her orange juice. "She told me she wants at least five children" ". There are no great conversations, nor characters. It was boring and I really hoped that I could take more from it.

[Sharon Brailey-Poulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down, I absolutely loved it. One of my new fav authors!

[Novelle Novels · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 stars
This a gentle story of three young ladies who have been demobbed after world war 2. They return to Liverpool and have to find out how to fit back into their old lives. Maggie is abit of a drama queen who struggles to find where she fits in, she annoys me and she makes a big deal out of the bad things thrown at her rather than getting on with it like Nell does. Iris goes back to married life and wants a baby but struggles at first. Life changes and the friends drift apart and we hear the tales of each of their families. I really felt for nell and she was my favourite character as she is so strong. It’s a lovely story but some things did annoy me which dropped it a star.

[entresuspaginas · Rating 3 out of 5]

¡Hola amores! ♡ Hoy les traigo mi opinión de #DeVueltaACasa de #MaureenLee 💜 ¡Muchas gracias @oceano_argentina por el ejemplar!

👉 Este libro nos cuenta la historia de tres mujeres: Nell, Maggie e Iris. Ellas tres vuelven a sus hogares en Liverpool una vez finalizada la Segunda Guerra Mundial, y vamos a vivir con ellas ese "después".

Para las tres es muy difícil volver a su vida anterior, ya que pasaron varios años en labor y teniendo una independencia que antes no tenían. Se encuentran con que se espera de ellas que se casen, tengan hijos y sean leales a lo que se acostumbraba en la época... pero ellas quieren más 👏🏻

Me parece maravilloso el planteo de esta historia, y ver como tres mujeres buscan cambiar su vida y cumplir sus sueños.

Creo que el defecto que le encontré fue narrativo, ya que por momentos me costó diferenciar una voz de otra y tenía que volver para atrás... pero en general es un libro muy copado que toca temas como la amistad, la familia y el autoconocimiento.

Creo también que la autora hizo un gran trabajo poniéndonos en contexto de época, y pude engancharme muchísimo con la historia.

Algo que me pareció muy copado del libro es que viene con una guía de lectura, peeeero NO LA LEAN HASTA EL FINAL porque es spoiler. Sirve para debatir el libro o bien analizarlo a fondo.

💕 Muy buena historia de una autora que nunca había leído, pero que vi que tiene varios libros más en su haber. ♡♡♡ 3/5

[Trish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave up on this as I found the writing poor and didn't care about the characters. I may pick it up again if I get a bored moment...

[Zainab Cader · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book was okay in the beginning. It wasn't the best writing style but was kinda like a soapie for me so I found it easy to get into. The language was very basic so I got through it in almost one sitting. When I got to the last 100 pages I was getting very bored and didn't want to finish this book. I really didn't understand what the extra pages were about since the big secret was already out and the story was starting to get confusing. There were way too many characters in this book (I kept forgetting which child belong to which mother). A lot of the elaborate details seemed a bit pointless as it didn't add to the character growth or to the plot of the story. This is book is dull and repetitive. The author repeats the same memories IN THE SAME WORDS, all over the book.

I needed this book right now because it actually helps my brain to switch off since it isn't thought provoking at all. It's probably like a 1 and a half.

[La biblioteca de Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es fácil de leer, no es de los que te enganchan a las páginas para saber cómo avanza, pero se disfruta mucho su lectura.
Te traslada a la época en que se cuenta y puedes sentirte en cada lugar, viviendo cada situación que viven las 3 protagonistas.
Sus personajes son carismáticos y optimistas en medio (y a pesar) de muchas situaciones, con caracteres muy bien desarrollados. Y, a pesar de ser tantos, no lleva a confusión sobre la identidad de cada uno.
Es una novela que habla de amor, de relaciones familiares, de padres y de hijos (y nietos).
Una mirada diferente a la pos guerra, una historia de seres que se sienten reales y cotidianos, un libro hermoso (no conocía a la autora y sin duda me gustaría leer algún otro de sus libros), me ha gustado mucho.

[Lyndsey Gollogly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not normally a book I’d pick up from a shop or the library this was passed on by a friend and I always like to try different books. I really enjoyed it! It’s a gentle well told story of 3 women who’s lives take so many different twists and turns. You find yourself immersed into each of their lives. I will certainly be trying more of her books sometimes a girl needs a break from supernatural and crimes!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just going to quickly tell you the flaws: personally, I didn't like the dramatic time changes as it was slightly disorganised. Also, I did notice a few grammatical errors.
It was a little slow to start, but the story became quite gripping after a while. I really liked the relationship the three women had at the start.
An alright read which did become quite gripping.

[Karla Samman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una lectura muy agradable.

Hace tiempo leí varias novelas de esta autora, me gusta como escribe y quise repetir. Esta novela no es de sus mejores obras, pero cumple con su estilo, tiene personajes muy humanos y suceden cosas como en la vida misma. Es una ventana en el tiempo por donde asomarnos a otro mundo muy distinto del que ahora conocemos.

[Mary Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of the most oddly "written" books I've come across. It was like a well fleshed out outline or a long list of actions that could happen in a trilogy. Prose, character development, and pacing are a few things that could have improved it. Truly peculiar "writing."

[Donna Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a lot of Maureen Lee's books and usually love them,however this one just had far too many characters I had to keep reminding myself who was who's children/grandchildren/inlaws.A good story about friendship but not a book I would recommend.

[Jean St.Amand · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of an odd one, not much like the other Maureen Lee books I've read. It seemed less like a novel and more like a chronological list of the major life events of 3 friends and their families. The last 20% or so was better or at least more entertaining in an OMG way.

[Pratima Shrestha · Rating 2 out of 5]

It feels like i am just reading a timeline of what happened with them over the period of time. Many characters, difficult to keep it up in the beginning. There was some of the "oh! " Moment, which was impressive.

[Ceci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. My favourite Maureen Lee´s book so far.

[Linda Schwikkard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off well but I found the pace the story followed became so fast it was hard to follow the story and characters. Battled at the end

[Emme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable and easy to read. I personally liked the way the author addressed topics such as marriage, motherhood and adult friendships; all within the post-war political context.

[Cristy Cobos de zea · Rating 4 out of 5]

-¿Cuánto tiempo ha pasado desde que las tres estuvimos así, hablando?- murmuró Maggie. Estaba muy complacida al ver que no parecía haber animosidad alguna entre Nell e Iris. Estaban muy a gusto allí, aunque habrían debido mezclarse con los demás invitados
-Pues más o menos un cuarto de siglo, calculo- dijo Iris.
-¡No puede ser tanto!
-Sí, Maggie, te lo aseguro. -Fue antes de que hubiese aparecido William en escena, recordó Iris, y éste cumpliría veinticuatro años al mes siguiente.
-¡Ay, Dios mío, Iris! Qué vieja me siento... Veinticinco años no parece tanto como un cuarto de siglo.
-Pues entonces digamos que son veinticinco años".

Una dulce y conmovedora historia de 3 jóvenes amigas que deben volver a sus hogares en Liverpool tras finalizada la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Maggie y Nell amigas desde la escuelas, y voluntarias como soldados rasos, conocieron a la sargento Iris, y se hacen amigas, y a pesar del momento álgido que han vivido, para ellas fue una etapa agradable y emocionante, de aprendizaje, vivencias y aventuras. Ahí no sólo surge la amistad, sino que cada una aprende y experimenta diferentes sensaciones de acuerdo a lo que les toca vivir.

Regresan a su vida anterior con mil y un sueños ideados y por cumplir, pero el día a día les demuestra, que muchas veces, esos sueños se quedan en nada.
Tendrán que adaptarse de nueva cuenta a su antiguo entorno, y decidir qué van a hacer para seguir adelante.

Maggie, hermosa y la más superficial, se instala en Londres y encuentra trabajo como taquimecanógrafa, que era a lo que se dedicada en la guerra. Sale de fiestas con la finalidad de encontrar marido y casarse.
Iris, regresa a trabajar como recepcionista en el consultorio de su marido Tom, que es médico, y sigue con el sueño de su vida: ser madre. Y Nell, físicamente la menos agraciada, pero quien posee el corazón más grande y los ojos con la mirada más dulce, debe quedarse en casa cuidando a su madre, pero gracias a la experiencia adquirida en la guerra como cocinera, empezará a hacer sus sueños realidad.

Tres personalidades distintas, 3 mujeres de carácter e ideas diferentes, 3 amigas que buscan su destino en una Inglaterra posguerra, golpeada, disminuida, pero con los deseos y empuje para salir adelante. Pronto se darán cuenta que se debe trabajar con ahínco para hacer sus sueños realidad, y para mantener a flote y fuerte la amistad que un día creyeron inquebrantable. Personajes bien cincelados y construidos, que nos muestran a estas amigas totalmente humanas; con errores, virtudes, tropiezos y aciertos, que lloran, sufren, pero siguen adelante. Tan reales, que viviremos sus experiencias en primera persona.

Con el paso de los años experimentaremos idas y vueltas de cada una, y conoceremos a sus familias, sus novios, maridos, hijos y demás. Veremos la evolución y el crecimiento de ellas, juntas y en singular. Nos alegraremos de sus triunfos y alegrías, y lloraremos con ellas por las trastadas que por momentos la vida les presentará.

La ambientación realizada es otro punto importante. La escritora sabe llevarnos por calles y barrios de su Liverpool natal de una manera tan clara, que pareciera que hemos paseado por allí. Sabe mostrar de manera certera los diferentes estratos sociales, y la educación y valores de sus personajes.

Una historia de vida y amistad a través de los años. Una novela que habla de amor, de las relaciones familiares, de padres, hermanos e hijos, y alguno que otro nieto.
Habla del valor de la mujer como pilar fundamental en la familia, y fuera de ella.
Habla de traiciones, errores y perdón.
Habla de la historia de 3 amigas con todo lo que esto conlleva.

De fácil y agradable lectura. Con una hermosa y enternecedora historia, con muy buenos personajes, con hermosos momentos y también, como la vida misma, es tanto tiempo el narrado y lo que se ha vivido, que existirá algún dolor del alma y alguna desgracia acontecida.

Primera vez que leo a Maureen Lee, y seguramente no será la última, porque me gustó su estilo de relatar esta novela.
¡Y sí, la recomiendo! ♥

[Chantal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sería más bien un 2.5/3. No me ha gustado tanto como otras historias, pero no ha estado mal, pero no la recordaré. Creo que de todos los libros de Mauren Lee que he leído es el que menos me ha enganchado. Me costó ponerme, pero una vez me puse lo leí del tirón. La única que me ha caído bien ha sido Nell (de las protagonistas), Maggie me era indiferente, pero a Iris no le aguantaba.

[Nina Tweddle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one of my "booky dips". In fact it may the the one that stops me wanting to buy one every time I pass the bookshop!

Very formulaic novel. Like an afternoon tv movie. Gentle story where nothing appears to become too much of a concern. Even when one of the characters is raped, it doesn't seem to bother her much.

I won't be rushing to read anything else by this novelist.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically a soap opera starting in the post-WWII era. Starting when the Women's Army Corp was demobilized in 1945, three women who were friends in the army return home. Various love affairs, pregnancies, marriages, adoption of a baby of an unwed mother, possible bigamy...

[del · Rating 3 out of 5]

me estoy dando cuenta que me esta gustando este género.
la traducción era meh. muchas veces me hubiera gustado que profundizará los sentimientos de las mujeres y no sólo decir paso esto y se largo a llorar.
pero dentro de todo lo disfrute bastante

[Kathleen Wrinskelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of 3 friends after the war and their lives.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant story. Very enjoyable with great characters

[Julie Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from beginning to end ..wonderful story 😍

[martyna · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5

[Cecile Paddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit over long and not quite with the usual grip that this author’s previous stories have had over me, but overall a confusing family mix!

[Erik · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my opinion it’s very very boring