Αναμνήσεις από την καταιγίδα

by Marcia Willett, Αλέξης Εμμανουήλ (Translator)

Το παλιό σπίτι δίπλα στο ποτάμι κρατάει καλά φυλαγμένα τα μυστικά του εξήντα χρόνια τώρα. Η Έστερ έχει ζήσει εκεί τα χρόνια της νιότης της, τις βαριές απώλειες του πολέμου αλλά και τα πρώτα σκιρτήματα του έρω­τα. Η Κλίο, η βαφτιστήρα της, τα ξένοιαστα καλοκαίρια της παιδικής της ηλικίας. Και ο Τζόνα λαχταράει να βρεθεί σ’ αυτό το μέρος όπου κατέφυγε η μητέρα του, παιδάκι ακόμα, στα δύσκολα χρόνια του πολέμου.
Γιατί όμως η μητέρα του δεν μιλάει ποτέ για κείνη την εποχή; Και γιατί αποφασίζει να μιλήσει για όσα ξέρει όταν βλέπει ν’ ανάβει μια σπί­θα έρωτα ανάμεσα στην Κλίο και τον Τζόνα;

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Historical Fiction, British Literature, Womens Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Marcia Willett began her career as a novelist when she was fifty years old. Since that first novel Marcia has written twenty more under her own name as well as a number of short stories. She has also written four books under the pseudonym "Willa Marsh", and is published in more than sixteen countries.
Marcia Willett's early life was devoted to the ballet, but her dreams of becoming a ballerina ended when she grew out of the classical proportions required. She had always loved books, and a family crisis made her take up a new career as a novelist - a decision she had never regretted.

Reviews

[Aradna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the historical elements of the book combined with the depth of deeply enclosed family secrets that unleashed a lifetime of pain.

I love reading stories about the war as it reminds me how privileged I am not to have grown up during any of the great wars. It makes you think of history and how time changes but emotional elements of any period are consistent to today: love, hate, passion, jealousy, confusion, secrecy, pride, fear. These travel a lifetime in someone’s thoughts when suppressed.

Life is sad. This book feels sad with the resolve of the main character being detached emotionally from her pain to carry on life as best she can. I really enjoyed the relationships across the generations of time.

It was beautifully written as well. A somewhat flat but still ending. It gave me peace. Loved it overall.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marcia Willett writes using Exmoor and Devon as her backdrop and always makes me get the map out and want to visit! This story is written using the Second World War vs the here and now with Hester, who is one of the main characters, as a young woman in the older part of the story and an elderly lady in the contemporary sections. Btw Marcia Willett has a great website which pictures of the places she writes about.

[Debbie Lippitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

During Covid I revisited many of my books since our library is closed! :( This one didn't stand up well to a second reading. Was far too drawn out for me. Also the religious stuff put me off a bit.
Read Echoes of the Dance then The Sea Garden first...maybe it was just reading 3 Willett books in a row? Do her books seem just a tad precious? After reading a lot of reviews maybe I will try her early books..though some are hard to get in the U.S.

[Ellen M Jester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Midsummer cushion… so apropos it would finally be laid out in all its glory…

Several stories intertwined in this book.. but most important is the one that leaves a child fretting her whole life over the fallout of an unfortunate lie… by a thoughtless woman. And so is our world. We must be careful of doing harm to others … we know not the depth of their grief! Great lesson(s) to be learned here…

[Laura]

Another enjoyable book by Marcia Willett, one of my favorite English authors. Intelligent and clever writing, interesting and clever characters. This story involves an episode that happened in the war long ago, which had a strong ripple effect within the family, and which was largely misunderstood by a child which she carried into adulthood. Recommended.

[sharon check · Rating 5 out of 5]

The terrible cost of a lie.

The novel here my interest from beginning to end. I liked the author's sty!e of writing that brings alive the characters and the countryside. From Hester, who is the glue of the family to Elinor, who only thinks of herself the reader is wondering what will happen next. I would recommend the story to any reader.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

moving and lovely and heartbreaking

Be careful what you say to a child. They don’t perceive the world as we do as there are still ghosts and fairies and unfortunately wicked witches jealous of Snow White. Found this gem reading a hilariously rude review of another book in which said reviewer recommended Marcia Willett; which I also can do.

[Susan Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose this is a romantic novel with a bit of history/suspense thrown in. Easy to read and not hard to guess the ending, but it was pleasant. Sort of book I'll be reading when I'm eighty five and not able to follow complicated story lines.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read. There was no great aha moments..or peaks in the book, however it wasn't boring but more just a good story telling.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all Marcia Willett's books the characters are mostly people you would want to know. Hester in this book is one you would enjoy as a friend. I love M.Willett's descriptions of home and village life. Another lovely read. I dont think I have read a book by her that I haven't enjoyed or wanted to end.

[Sharen · Rating 4 out of 5]

How children see and perceive (or misinterpret?) family tragedies is key in this novel. As always, Marcia Willett delivers an engrossing family story with a setting in the west of England that one can walk right into and characters one takes to heart. A pleasure to read.

[Pam Langer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Couldn’t wait to read more. Actually read almost all in one afternoon and cried at the ending. I felt I was in England with them and could visualize each person even tho there was little description given.

[Jackie Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthwhile Read

The first half if the book was a bit of a challenge, since I'm not familiar with anything British, however once I got into the novel, and sorted out the characters, it became very interesting. In the end, I very much enjoyed the novel.

[Barbara Munford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories of the Storm

I liked the way the family members interacted with each other, although I had to keep reminding myself who was related to whom. I didn't like to think about Lucy losing her father as ab young child in such a devastating way.

[karen dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

What a delightful story and such beautiful characters! All but one. Of course there must always be a villian. Marsh Willett is an amazing story teller
I adore all of her books but this one is very special. Thank you!

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. Good character development and interesting plot lines crossing over 2 time periods. Great settings come alive and certainly made me want to revisit Exmoor.

[Rita Mahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Marcia Willett but found this one a little dark from beginning to end.

[Tania Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this story

[Katie Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so keen on this one, not sure why, but again the religious elements speak strongly to me.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

[Andrea Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wartime tragedy with secrets lies ,friendships and companionship. A perfect example how secrets lies can influence life .An easy read and enjoyable

[Donna Mcnab · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book with a satisfying ending, as is usual with Marcia Willett's books.

[Barbara Belliveau · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring

Long drawn out story, repetitive of story line.
Could have summed up story in far fewer words,sorry I purchased this one.

[Marilyn Renaudin · Rating 5 out of 5]

great tale of family

This was a sure picture of memories being confused and hurts that follow through life. But love runs true and flourishes.

[Kathy Spann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I identified with the character Hester in this book. The author explained her personality in such a way that I recognized something in myself. That is how good Willett is as a writer.

[Jane Gregg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cosy old MW strikes again.

[Ziggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about human relationships and how words can be very damaging, causing misunderstandings. A good read.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great depiction of what can happen to innocent people when other people are self-centered liars and truth gets buried. Only honest communication can rectify the damage.

[KC Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

a nostalgic look at the past

What a story this author weaves about a family during the war. Love lost and found in the end and family secrets revealed.

[jeanne tomsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE

Mystery, secrets, lies, uncovered friends and family’s united. Loved the book couldn’t put the book down. I will be following Marcia Willett