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All the Sweet Promises
nan
- GenresHistorical
800 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 10, 2021
I love Elizabeth Elgin's books and have read this one a couple of times. Maybe it's because I'm older but a few things grated on me this time round.
There's an awful lot of repetition, especially when we're reading the thoughts of the girls. It was a bit syrupy sweet in some places too.
First time read I loved the character of Vi. This time she struck me as over bossy and nosy. She felt she had a God given right to interfere in everyone's business no matter what it was.
Yes she took the two younger girls under her wing but they had joined up to escape over bearing parents and she just continued the job.
However, it's well written with some good descriptions of a submarine base at war .
There's an awful lot of repetition, especially when we're reading the thoughts of the girls. It was a bit syrupy sweet in some places too.
First time read I loved the character of Vi. This time she struck me as over bossy and nosy. She felt she had a God given right to interfere in everyone's business no matter what it was.
Yes she took the two younger girls under her wing but they had joined up to escape over bearing parents and she just continued the job.
However, it's well written with some good descriptions of a submarine base at war .
January 26, 2019
Reread an old favourite.
October 29, 2020
Brought this book many years ago in an airport, before flying to the United States. As wanted a large book to read on the flight. This didn’t disappoint. A great story of WW2 . Should highly recommend.
May 14, 2022
This is a compelling story of three young women who enter the WRNS during the dark days of the World War II, and the men with whom they find love. Their backgrounds couldn't be more different, yet together they share their finest hours. In fact, the late author of this book,Elizabeth Elgin (1920-2005) served in the WRNS during WWII, and she met her husband on board a submarine depot ship.
WRNS included cooks, clerks, wireless telegraphists, radar plotters,weapons analysts, range assessors, electricians and air mechanics.The WRNS had an expanded list of allowable activities, including flying transport planes.During the war 102 WRNS members were KIA and 22 WIA.One of the slogans used in recruitment posters was "Join the Wrens and free a man for the Fleet".
From 1939, Wren uniform, designed by leading British fashion designer Edward Molyneux, consisted of a double-breasted jacket and skirt, with shirt and tie, for all ranks (although similar working dress to the men could also be worn). Junior Ratings wore hats similar to those of their male counterparts (although with a more sloping top). Senior Ratings (Petty Officers and above) and officers wore tricorne hats. In tropical areas with a white cover. All insignia, including cap badges and non-substantive (trade) badges, were blue.Female sailors are still informally known by the nicknames "wrens" or "Jennies" ("Jenny Wrens") in naval slang.
The O.H.M.S, is an initialism for On His/Her Majesty's Service,an official ranking commonly seen on correspondence from government departments in the UK,Canada, Australia and other countries in the Commonwealth Realms.
Before 1993, all women in the Royal Navy were members of the WRNS except nurses, who were in Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service,and medical and dental officers, who were commissioned directly into the Royal Navy.In 1939, the first Wrens were admitted to the Royal Naval College in Greenwich to undertake officer training, cipher and administration courses.Women were not allowed on ships that were going into active service, but Wrens did load torpedoes on to submarines and command and crew powerful harbour launches.
WRNS included cooks, clerks, wireless telegraphists, radar plotters,weapons analysts, range assessors, electricians and air mechanics.The WRNS had an expanded list of allowable activities, including flying transport planes.During the war 102 WRNS members were KIA and 22 WIA.One of the slogans used in recruitment posters was "Join the Wrens and free a man for the Fleet".
From 1939, Wren uniform, designed by leading British fashion designer Edward Molyneux, consisted of a double-breasted jacket and skirt, with shirt and tie, for all ranks (although similar working dress to the men could also be worn). Junior Ratings wore hats similar to those of their male counterparts (although with a more sloping top). Senior Ratings (Petty Officers and above) and officers wore tricorne hats. In tropical areas with a white cover. All insignia, including cap badges and non-substantive (trade) badges, were blue.Female sailors are still informally known by the nicknames "wrens" or "Jennies" ("Jenny Wrens") in naval slang.
The O.H.M.S, is an initialism for On His/Her Majesty's Service,an official ranking commonly seen on correspondence from government departments in the UK,Canada, Australia and other countries in the Commonwealth Realms.
Before 1993, all women in the Royal Navy were members of the WRNS except nurses, who were in Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service,and medical and dental officers, who were commissioned directly into the Royal Navy.In 1939, the first Wrens were admitted to the Royal Naval College in Greenwich to undertake officer training, cipher and administration courses.Women were not allowed on ships that were going into active service, but Wrens did load torpedoes on to submarines and command and crew powerful harbour launches.
February 15, 2025
Friendship, Love & Duty
I first read this book 25+ years ago in paperback and I loved it way back then.
Re-reading it has not disappointed all these years on.
Beautifully written, it’s the story of 3 very different women who would never have met but for WW2. There are some really tear jerking moments but it is a book about friendship, fate and service.
I first read this book 25+ years ago in paperback and I loved it way back then.
Re-reading it has not disappointed all these years on.
Beautifully written, it’s the story of 3 very different women who would never have met but for WW2. There are some really tear jerking moments but it is a book about friendship, fate and service.
December 28, 2020
I read this book many many years ago and loved it and have been trying to find it again since I did not disappoint it was even better the second time
June 13, 2016
A wonderful read. I first read this book twenty years ago and didn't remember the story so it was like reading a book for the first time. This is Elizabeth Elgin at her best.
August 19, 2014
Most definitely A Good Read: I've read most of Elizabeth Elgin's books, & this is one of the best; I was really sorry to come to the end of it
September 1, 2014
Excellent, thought provoking story. happy and sad ending. lovely.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews