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War at Home #1
Goodbye Piccadilly
In 1914, Britain faces a new kind of war. For Edward and Beatrice Hunter, their children, servants and neighbours, life will never be the same again. For David, the eldest, war means a chance to do something noble; but enlisting will break his mother's heart. His sister Diana, nineteen and beautiful, longs for marriage. She has her heart set on Charles Wroughton, son of Earl Wroughton, but Charles will never be allowed to marry a banker's daughter. Below stairs, Cook and Ada, the head housemaid, grow more terrified of German invasion with every newspaper atrocity story. Ethel, under housemaid, can't help herself when it comes to men and now soldiers add to the temptation; yet there's more to this flighty girl than meets the eye.
The once-tranquil village of Northcote reels under an influx of khaki volunteers, wounded soldiers and Belgian refugees. The war is becoming more dangerous and everyone must find a way to adapt to this rapidly changing world. Goodbye Piccadilly is the first book in the War at Home series by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, author of the much-loved Morland Dynasty novels.
Set against the real events of 1914, Goodbye Piccadilly is extraordinary in scope and imagination and is a compelling introduction to the Hunter family.
The once-tranquil village of Northcote reels under an influx of khaki volunteers, wounded soldiers and Belgian refugees. The war is becoming more dangerous and everyone must find a way to adapt to this rapidly changing world. Goodbye Piccadilly is the first book in the War at Home series by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, author of the much-loved Morland Dynasty novels.
Set against the real events of 1914, Goodbye Piccadilly is extraordinary in scope and imagination and is a compelling introduction to the Hunter family.
392 pages, Hardcover
First published June 19, 2014
137 people are currently reading
1490 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
148 books499 followersCynthia Harrod-Eagles (aka Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennett)
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
August 13, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this, and look forward to the next volume.
The book starts in the month before The First World war commences and centres around two families: The middle-class Hunters, and the upper-class Wrougtons. We are introduced to them and alongside are the large supporting cast of servants, friends, acquaintances and trades-people and others who make up life in a village in early 20th century England.
The village is just 20 miles from London, and whilst rural at heart, it has strong connections to the city through the railways and road links to trade and industry, and means both the Hunter and Wroughton families commute or visit: Mr Hunter senior is a well-respected bank manager, and has family in the Capital, whilst Earl and Countess Dene i.e. Lord and Lady Wroughtons, also have family there and are an "old" name known and part of Society.
As war comes events start to challenge and change their lives with soldiers being a normal sight and men (and boys) volunteering for service; after all the war will be over before Christmas.
The book ends at Christmas 1914, as the war continues and the community of Northcote village are doing their bit.
What I really liked about the writing by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles is the links in the story to real events and people, as well as aspects of life that happened in many villages and towns. Examples being: horses being requisitioned for the army; the place of Germans or those thought to be German in society; the worries about food and supplies; the worries about jobs, stock markets and how women could help; the early arrival of Belgian refugees and English towns being shelled by the German Navy, and of course, the impact on the families and their friends, especially those who are serving or join the colours. Amongst all this too, are the relationships between the characters and others, some old and some new, as well as the ever-present divisions, behaviours and expectations of people in a society where people are expected to know their place. Unknown to them all, war will change this, and 1915 will create and cement change on a unprecedented level as the heavy casualty lists of 1914 grow to unexpected and never seen before numbers.
The book starts in the month before The First World war commences and centres around two families: The middle-class Hunters, and the upper-class Wrougtons. We are introduced to them and alongside are the large supporting cast of servants, friends, acquaintances and trades-people and others who make up life in a village in early 20th century England.
The village is just 20 miles from London, and whilst rural at heart, it has strong connections to the city through the railways and road links to trade and industry, and means both the Hunter and Wroughton families commute or visit: Mr Hunter senior is a well-respected bank manager, and has family in the Capital, whilst Earl and Countess Dene i.e. Lord and Lady Wroughtons, also have family there and are an "old" name known and part of Society.
As war comes events start to challenge and change their lives with soldiers being a normal sight and men (and boys) volunteering for service; after all the war will be over before Christmas.
The book ends at Christmas 1914, as the war continues and the community of Northcote village are doing their bit.
What I really liked about the writing by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles is the links in the story to real events and people, as well as aspects of life that happened in many villages and towns. Examples being: horses being requisitioned for the army; the place of Germans or those thought to be German in society; the worries about food and supplies; the worries about jobs, stock markets and how women could help; the early arrival of Belgian refugees and English towns being shelled by the German Navy, and of course, the impact on the families and their friends, especially those who are serving or join the colours. Amongst all this too, are the relationships between the characters and others, some old and some new, as well as the ever-present divisions, behaviours and expectations of people in a society where people are expected to know their place. Unknown to them all, war will change this, and 1915 will create and cement change on a unprecedented level as the heavy casualty lists of 1914 grow to unexpected and never seen before numbers.
March 20, 2015
I went to an author meet-and-greet at my local library given for Cynthia Harrod-Eagles last year, despite not having read any of her books. She was an engaging speaker, it was a lovely evening, and I determined I was going to read at least one of her books this year! When I was at the library a couple of weeks ago, I came across a copy of this, the most recent of her books.
I’ve read a lot of books about WWII, but not so many about WWI so it was interesting to read a bit more about this period of time in Britain. This is set in 1914, and I think the idea is that it is the first in a new series with a book for each year of the war.
I enjoyed this book and would like to continue with the series (despite the fact that I keep saying I’m not starting any more series until I finish some of the ones I’m already reading!!), however, technically, this one isn’t a series yet as the second isn’t published (and I can’t see any mention of it on the author’s website…)!
I’d also like to explore her other series at some point - there is the Morland Dynasty (although I’m a little daunted by the fact that this series has over 30 books in it!) or the Bill Slider series or there are other stand alone novels as well.
I’ve read a lot of books about WWII, but not so many about WWI so it was interesting to read a bit more about this period of time in Britain. This is set in 1914, and I think the idea is that it is the first in a new series with a book for each year of the war.
I enjoyed this book and would like to continue with the series (despite the fact that I keep saying I’m not starting any more series until I finish some of the ones I’m already reading!!), however, technically, this one isn’t a series yet as the second isn’t published (and I can’t see any mention of it on the author’s website…)!
I’d also like to explore her other series at some point - there is the Morland Dynasty (although I’m a little daunted by the fact that this series has over 30 books in it!) or the Bill Slider series or there are other stand alone novels as well.
October 2, 2023
Downton Abbey vibes ALL THE WAY. I really enjoyed this WW1 family drama. There were a lot of likable characters in this story, which is usually not the case I find with family sagas like this. I was shipping the star-crossed love story of Diana & Charles (was that name choice on purpose?). Can’t wait to pick up the next one to see where these characters go.
November 17, 2025
Picking up this FINISHED series is my attempt to fill in the gap left when I finished Book 4 of Harrod-Eagles’ Edwardian series, which is sadly ongoing. (Sadly because I want to know what happens to all those characters sooo much and I have to WAIT.) I don’t love these characters quite as much (yet) as the Ashmore Castle series but I still enjoyed this a lot. It starts several months before WWI. I haven’t read much about that time so I found it fascinating how the war actually does start and the tensions around it already on the home front. I really like the Hunter family. I’m intrigued by Laura, the Hunter kids’ single aunt. I’m hoping there isn’t too much heartache to come so I’ll tread lightly with the coming books. The ending of this one was poignant.
April 1, 2025
This is the first in a series and a reread for me. It's mainly about the Hunter family at the beginning of World War I. Beatrice and Edward live in Northcote with their children. Edward is a banker and moved his family out of London to have a better life. Beattie runs the house. David is the eldest, Bobby is heading for Oxford, Diana wants to be married and Sadie is sixteen and horse mad. There are also two younger boys. Nailer is the family dog who has his own personality. He's included in the story quite a bit and I laughed at the way he's portrayed. It's a bit of light heartedness in the story.
When war breaks out it affects each and everyone of them including the servants. From drifting through life day to day, suddenly the world turns upside down.
Being the first book it's mainly setting everything up but it's a fantastic read and I can't wait to get to the rest of them. There will be heartbreak and sadness ahead I think.
When war breaks out it affects each and everyone of them including the servants. From drifting through life day to day, suddenly the world turns upside down.
Being the first book it's mainly setting everything up but it's a fantastic read and I can't wait to get to the rest of them. There will be heartbreak and sadness ahead I think.
October 30, 2014
This historical fictional account of the beginning of WWI was disappointing in that nothing much of interest happened to the characters. It was a relief to finally finish the last page and close the book at last. Gentle Readers, save yourself the time, find something else to read
February 9, 2019
"GOODBYE PICCADILLY" is a novel centered around 2 families in Britain, spanning the period from July to December 1914. One family - the Hunters of The Elms, Northcote - is middle class. Mr. Edward Hunter is a banker - yet with enough wealth as to be able to have servants (one set of servants lived with the Hunters while the other set lived in their own respective residences). The other family - the Wroughtons - is representative of an aristocratic class that enjoys considerable influence, possesses immense wealth, and commands everyone's respect.
While the middle and upper classes often dealt with one another formally and in business matters (Edward Hunter acted as a financial adviser to Earl Wroughton, the family head), the upper class seldom mingled socially with their middle class contemporaries, regarding them as their inferiors. Notwithstanding that, Charles Wroughton (Earl Wroughton's eldest son, who is destined to inherit the family estate and all that it entailed) espies Edward Hunter's eldest daughter Diana one day while on an outing and takes a fancy to her. Diana is 19, very beautiful, and longs for marriage. She has her eyes set on Charles - who is rather shy and ill-at-ease in most social situations. The odds are clearly against them both. For the Wroughtons would never countenance a marriage of their eldest son to - God forbid! - a banker's daughter.
What makes "PICCADILLY SUMMER" such a delight to read is the way Cynthia Harrod-Eagles brings forth a variety of fascinating characters across the classes who become so immediately human and real to the reader. Northcote goes from being a tranquil village to a community caught up in the initial excitement, demands, and stresses created by the outbreak of war in August 1914. By year's end, "Northcote reels under an influx of khaki volunteers, wounded soldiers and Belgian refugees."
The war itself which began as 'something remote' by virtue of being waged across the Channel in France and Belgium, was, at its outset, regarded by most people in Britain as a short-lived conflict that would result in an Allied victory by Christmas. But by Christmas, it is becoming clear in the public consciousness that the war is much more dangerous than previously thought with no end in sight. Casualties are much higher than anyone could have foreseen. And all the while, life in Northcote is changing under wartime pressures for everybody. What those changes will lead to remain to be revealed. (I can't wait to read the next novel in this 6-novel series.)
While the middle and upper classes often dealt with one another formally and in business matters (Edward Hunter acted as a financial adviser to Earl Wroughton, the family head), the upper class seldom mingled socially with their middle class contemporaries, regarding them as their inferiors. Notwithstanding that, Charles Wroughton (Earl Wroughton's eldest son, who is destined to inherit the family estate and all that it entailed) espies Edward Hunter's eldest daughter Diana one day while on an outing and takes a fancy to her. Diana is 19, very beautiful, and longs for marriage. She has her eyes set on Charles - who is rather shy and ill-at-ease in most social situations. The odds are clearly against them both. For the Wroughtons would never countenance a marriage of their eldest son to - God forbid! - a banker's daughter.
What makes "PICCADILLY SUMMER" such a delight to read is the way Cynthia Harrod-Eagles brings forth a variety of fascinating characters across the classes who become so immediately human and real to the reader. Northcote goes from being a tranquil village to a community caught up in the initial excitement, demands, and stresses created by the outbreak of war in August 1914. By year's end, "Northcote reels under an influx of khaki volunteers, wounded soldiers and Belgian refugees."
The war itself which began as 'something remote' by virtue of being waged across the Channel in France and Belgium, was, at its outset, regarded by most people in Britain as a short-lived conflict that would result in an Allied victory by Christmas. But by Christmas, it is becoming clear in the public consciousness that the war is much more dangerous than previously thought with no end in sight. Casualties are much higher than anyone could have foreseen. And all the while, life in Northcote is changing under wartime pressures for everybody. What those changes will lead to remain to be revealed. (I can't wait to read the next novel in this 6-novel series.)
July 10, 2014
Although based around the fictional exploits of the middle class Hunter family the story is given realism with references to actual events, places and people. It has an opening setting that demonstrates an idyllic lifestyle for the upper classes. However, by using charaters from different social classes and genders, opinions and experiences are shown from a variety of angles.
The publication is well timed with the centenary of the outbreak of WW1 and will give an insight to readers with little knowledge of that time.
With the outbreak of war the young see excitement and adventure and are totally ignorant of the actual horrors from which they seem so detached. The main female character is more concerned about her disrupted social life than the atrocities of war. The upper classes immediately mobilize to show a civic concern for the plight of fleeing refugees yet show a total disregard for the poverty in their own communities.
It has an easy flowing style of writing which helps develop an interest in the storyline. You are left with wanting to know more about what happens next and how such historic events change lives.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads, but it has in no way influenced my opinion of it.
The publication is well timed with the centenary of the outbreak of WW1 and will give an insight to readers with little knowledge of that time.
With the outbreak of war the young see excitement and adventure and are totally ignorant of the actual horrors from which they seem so detached. The main female character is more concerned about her disrupted social life than the atrocities of war. The upper classes immediately mobilize to show a civic concern for the plight of fleeing refugees yet show a total disregard for the poverty in their own communities.
It has an easy flowing style of writing which helps develop an interest in the storyline. You are left with wanting to know more about what happens next and how such historic events change lives.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads, but it has in no way influenced my opinion of it.
February 20, 2015
A very slim three stars. I actually almost quit reading after only 30 pages it was so dull. I persisted but still fell that while you know about the characters you don't KNOW the characters. Isn't this deadly for the first book in a possibly long proposed series? The main focus is the Hunter family and their small town near London leading up to and beginning WWI. The working in of facts of how the war involving England affected the citizens was interesting and the only thing that kept me going. The characters were cardboard.
February 3, 2019
Well written novel set during the first months of WWI as seen through the perspective of various characters. I liked that the author slowly lets the reader get to know the characters and how the different classes; aristocrats, upper middle class plus the servants and villagers; interact with each other and react to the increasingly alarming news from Europe. This is the first book in the War at Home series and I enjoyed it so much that I immediately downloaded book #2 to read next.
October 10, 2014
After 80 pages, I still didn't really care, so I gave up.
May 20, 2015
Goodybe Piccadilly begins in that achingly beautiful, final summer of peace in 1914. The Hunter family is contemplating their annual summer holiday in August. Yet each of the young adults in the family finds change in the air. Sadie is realizing a dream by putting off finishing school and working with beloved horses for the summer. David is wondering about completing university and what he'll do with his life afterwards. And beautiful Diana has gained the attention of Charles Wroughton, heir to the Dene family fortune. Although neighbors, the Hunters and the Wroughtons don't mingle in the same circles, so Diana's dreams of a future with Charles are just that, dreams. But its summer and there's time for everything. Until, that is, Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination and the beginning of war by August. Suddenly, everyone's lives are turned upside down and no future is certain.
This is the beginning book in a series by one of my favorite authors. It is well-written with accurate historical information interspersed with the story of the fictional families. It stops at Christmas of 1914 so the story will continue on into the rest of the war years and maybe beyond. I'm already a fan of the author's Morland family series which is voluminous and am happy to have discovered this new series.
This is the beginning book in a series by one of my favorite authors. It is well-written with accurate historical information interspersed with the story of the fictional families. It stops at Christmas of 1914 so the story will continue on into the rest of the war years and maybe beyond. I'm already a fan of the author's Morland family series which is voluminous and am happy to have discovered this new series.
August 26, 2016
This book was disappointing from the lifeless, one-dimensional characters to the plotless story line. I love historical fiction, especially this time period, but even that was dull in this book. It felt like the author had no interest in the story or characters.
wish-list
September 12, 2016looks good
April 6, 2018
The first of the “War At Home” series
It is July 1914 in Northcote, a sleepy village close to London. Here, the time has stood still and things are the same as they always were. Only they aren’t. Archduke Franz Ferdinand has been assassinated in Sarajevo, and Europe stands on the brink of war.
The book revolves around the Hunter family. Edward Hunter is a banker in the City. He, his wife, Beatrice and their 6 children live comfortably in their large house in Northcote with their retinue of domestic servants and gardener to look after them.
David, the Hunter’s eldest son, 20, is excited about the prospect of war and sees great glory in fighting for King and Country. The eldest daughter, the beautiful Diana, 19, has many suitors but has set her heart on the elder son and heir of Earl Wroughton, the dour Charles. It is, however, 1914 and this is an impossible social hill to climb.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles is an established author and she brings great feeling and knowledge to this book. I felt as if I knew the characters and was swept along by the events depicted. She interweaves real events of the time into her storyline with great skill and gives us a glimpse of the rigid class system operating then; from the servant's halls to the Lords and Earls, with the middle-class Hunters stuck between them.
The book moves on sequentially through the last 6 months of 1914, incorporating the declaration of war, Kitchener’s army, and then highlights the sheer undoubted patriotism of the country as a whole. It finishes with the haunting “Stille Nacht” in the trenches on Christmas Eve.
The following books in the series deal with the same characters as they progress, year by year, personally, professionally and emotionally through the Great War.
Mr Bumblebee
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
It is July 1914 in Northcote, a sleepy village close to London. Here, the time has stood still and things are the same as they always were. Only they aren’t. Archduke Franz Ferdinand has been assassinated in Sarajevo, and Europe stands on the brink of war.
The book revolves around the Hunter family. Edward Hunter is a banker in the City. He, his wife, Beatrice and their 6 children live comfortably in their large house in Northcote with their retinue of domestic servants and gardener to look after them.
David, the Hunter’s eldest son, 20, is excited about the prospect of war and sees great glory in fighting for King and Country. The eldest daughter, the beautiful Diana, 19, has many suitors but has set her heart on the elder son and heir of Earl Wroughton, the dour Charles. It is, however, 1914 and this is an impossible social hill to climb.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles is an established author and she brings great feeling and knowledge to this book. I felt as if I knew the characters and was swept along by the events depicted. She interweaves real events of the time into her storyline with great skill and gives us a glimpse of the rigid class system operating then; from the servant's halls to the Lords and Earls, with the middle-class Hunters stuck between them.
The book moves on sequentially through the last 6 months of 1914, incorporating the declaration of war, Kitchener’s army, and then highlights the sheer undoubted patriotism of the country as a whole. It finishes with the haunting “Stille Nacht” in the trenches on Christmas Eve.
The following books in the series deal with the same characters as they progress, year by year, personally, professionally and emotionally through the Great War.
Mr Bumblebee
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
January 31, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is the first in a series of three books set during the first World War. The primary characters are the Hunter family, who live in the suburbs of London. They are fairly comfortable financially and have six children. This book was primarily about the youngest dtr. Sadie and the oldest Diane. For Sadie the war environment changes her coming of age considerably. Unlike her older sister, no finishing school for her. Instead she fills the days with her beloved horses. Diane has her eyes set on the local young nobleman--and of course that is just "not done" in those days. Sons and husbands are marched off to war. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are living a fairly predictable life but with severe changes around the corner. It's a wonderful book, to be read slowly and savored. I so look forward to the next!
May 19, 2017
It is 1914, the Hunter are comfortably upper middle class family with 6 children and enough money for a few servants.
Their world is one of tea parties, finishing schools and worries about debutant balls, that is until August 1914 when war is declared and their lives will be changed forever.
As the men go off to war, it is the women that are left behind trying to carry on with their lives and the hardships that it throws at them.
"Goodbye Picadilly” is the first book in the new War at Home series and covers the first 4 months of the war.
Perfect for anyone who loved Downton Abbey and fans of the late Elizabeth Jane Howard.
Their world is one of tea parties, finishing schools and worries about debutant balls, that is until August 1914 when war is declared and their lives will be changed forever.
As the men go off to war, it is the women that are left behind trying to carry on with their lives and the hardships that it throws at them.
"Goodbye Picadilly” is the first book in the new War at Home series and covers the first 4 months of the war.
Perfect for anyone who loved Downton Abbey and fans of the late Elizabeth Jane Howard.
May 29, 2017
(7/10) I'll be honest, I was a good quarter of the way through before I started to enjoy this book. It follows The Hunter family through 1914 as Europe slides into war, ending rather poignantly on Christmas Day in the trenches. Having read Cynthia Harrod-Eagles before I already know her strengths lie in a family saga and she is very good at writing from multiple characters perspectives and following their development over time. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series which will carry on and cover 1915.
April 24, 2015
Just ramblings about pre-war and the 1914 beginning of WWI, it needed more depth.
March 23, 2020
First in a series of five, Cynthia Harrod-Eagles takes on a historical fiction read of the Hunters, an upper middle-class family, living in Northcote, a small village near London, who are caught up in the first six months of the Great War. British citizens are under the assumption that the war will be won by the by Christmas and are soon disillusioned by the amount of casualties and injured men coming home from the front. Each of the Hunters, their small staff of servants and neighbors, wealthy and poor, are heavily invested in the goings on of the war effort. If you like Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey, you will enjoy this series.
Favorite Quotes:
“... the very least one requires for civilisation to survive is an adequate supply of sound wines.”
“Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom .... These are the beginnings of sorrows.”
“One of the great benefits of being married is always having someone to tie one's tie.”
Favorite Quotes:
“... the very least one requires for civilisation to survive is an adequate supply of sound wines.”
“Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom .... These are the beginnings of sorrows.”
“One of the great benefits of being married is always having someone to tie one's tie.”
November 24, 2015
Set during WW1 this is the first of trilogy and so the storylines are unresolved at the end of the book. And there are a lot of stories here. There's the subject of class, a huge issue in the First World War. There are aristocrats, tradesmen, bankers and housemaids, and each has a story to be followed. The historical detail is fascinating because it covers things we know, but from the home front perspective. Things like the requisitioning of horses, the billeting of soldiers etc. I'm looking forward to books 2 and 3
February 23, 2016
This was a really nice start to a new series about WWI and the home front in England. It revolves around a middle class family living in the London suburbs, and covers the period of time from that beautiful 1914 summer up through Christmas. "Over by Christmas" was clearly too optimistic. I enjoyed the characters and the detail about life during this time period, and I'm looking forward to hopefully getting my hands on the second one soon. It's tough to love British authors who aren't published in the US :)
January 17, 2016
The first book in a new series from this popular author. Set at the very beginning of First World War and, in this book at least, telling how the world news has such different effects on families in the home village of Northcote. Although finding the book a little slow going at first, I am now quite hooked onto the stories of the families and looking forward to reading the next in the series.
June 21, 2024
I've read three books during the time I was reading this one... I found it very dull. It picked up a bit near the end but not enough that I still wasn't relieved when it was over.
It was very Downton-Abbey-esque without any of the scandal.
It was very slow and boring. The characters were not interesting at all and the only name I remembered over the course of the book was Nailer.
It was very Downton-Abbey-esque without any of the scandal.
It was very slow and boring. The characters were not interesting at all and the only name I remembered over the course of the book was Nailer.
November 23, 2015
For this they made her stop writing the Morlands? Not worth it. Some characters may develop well in the next 4 books (assuming one for 1915, '16, '17, '18...) but this book was actually too short for CHE to do develop her characters as fully as usual and still include all the historical detail.
September 15, 2024
This book was disappointing from the lifeless, one-dimensional characters to the plotless story line. I love historical fiction, especially this time period, but even that was dull in this book. It felt like the author had no interest in the story or characters.
July 25, 2014
I sure am sad that after 38 books the Morland dynasty is over, but this seems like the start to another excellent series.
October 14, 2019
too slow
April 28, 2024
This is far from my usual genres, so why have I become hooked? I first read one of the later books in this series, and decided to go back and read the earlier ones, this being #1. I've also started dipping into the author's mammoth "Morland Dynasty" series.
The books are well written, but they do follow a pattern. There's always a mix of upper class characters, and middle and lower classes. The differences in attitudes are emphasised. The upper classes are arrogant and self-absorbed, and despise anyone not in their narrow circle. There are many characters that you love to hate, although some are bearable.
Differences between men and women are also emphasised. It's a man's world, and women are expected to try and make "good" marriages - after all, there are few opportunities for them to work.
Servants are not just background, they have lives, and we see their problems and advantages stemming from their positions.
Real historical events and people are woven into the story, and even general attitudes and social and economic conditions of the era are well detailed. I have to admire how the author has managed this. It must have required a lot of research. I'm unable to fault these historical aspects, as they seem to be confirmed by any superficial research of my own.
The books are all so long - this is a shorter one at nearly 400 pages, more than I usually want to read. Although the dialogue rings true for the time period, it's also painfully twee, and I have been forced to skim through some parts. Sometimes I was forced to go back and re-read parts, and this desire to comprehend the details has been the "fault" of the author.
It's no use going into detail about the characters, as there are very many - every book has a family tree, which covers only the central families. I'll repeat, there are likeable characters, and unlikeable characters, and a range of those in between - grey people who populate a page and then leave.
Romances are inevitable, with young women chasing after desirable men (read wealthy and titled), and all men chasing after beautiful young girls. Don't get me started on the bored and neglected married women or the husbands with wandering eyes (and other parts). Sexual activity, however, remains genteel and firmly innocent.
There is a lot to like about these books, although of course the Great War is the main recurring subject, with all its horrors. The characters are impacted in various ways, some dying and others being seriously damaged. Some of the women take active roles - another major theme of this series.
Readers of this review may note that I sometimes am referring to the series in general and not just this specific volume - maybe a no-no but there you have it. The major themes are the same in all of them.
I'm going to give this a 4.0 rating, because the good points outweigh any of my personal dislikes. If you like reading historical fiction, I'd certainly recommend giving books by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles a try.
The books are well written, but they do follow a pattern. There's always a mix of upper class characters, and middle and lower classes. The differences in attitudes are emphasised. The upper classes are arrogant and self-absorbed, and despise anyone not in their narrow circle. There are many characters that you love to hate, although some are bearable.
Differences between men and women are also emphasised. It's a man's world, and women are expected to try and make "good" marriages - after all, there are few opportunities for them to work.
Servants are not just background, they have lives, and we see their problems and advantages stemming from their positions.
Real historical events and people are woven into the story, and even general attitudes and social and economic conditions of the era are well detailed. I have to admire how the author has managed this. It must have required a lot of research. I'm unable to fault these historical aspects, as they seem to be confirmed by any superficial research of my own.
The books are all so long - this is a shorter one at nearly 400 pages, more than I usually want to read. Although the dialogue rings true for the time period, it's also painfully twee, and I have been forced to skim through some parts. Sometimes I was forced to go back and re-read parts, and this desire to comprehend the details has been the "fault" of the author.
It's no use going into detail about the characters, as there are very many - every book has a family tree, which covers only the central families. I'll repeat, there are likeable characters, and unlikeable characters, and a range of those in between - grey people who populate a page and then leave.
Romances are inevitable, with young women chasing after desirable men (read wealthy and titled), and all men chasing after beautiful young girls. Don't get me started on the bored and neglected married women or the husbands with wandering eyes (and other parts). Sexual activity, however, remains genteel and firmly innocent.
There is a lot to like about these books, although of course the Great War is the main recurring subject, with all its horrors. The characters are impacted in various ways, some dying and others being seriously damaged. Some of the women take active roles - another major theme of this series.
Readers of this review may note that I sometimes am referring to the series in general and not just this specific volume - maybe a no-no but there you have it. The major themes are the same in all of them.
I'm going to give this a 4.0 rating, because the good points outweigh any of my personal dislikes. If you like reading historical fiction, I'd certainly recommend giving books by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles a try.
August 23, 2020
Interesting book with different subplots from Diana Hunter's romantic interest in Charles Wroughton to the Hunters' last normal lives before 4 August 1914 when the Great War started. David was between doing college work and being able to do his part in the British Army's fight with the Germans. Edward and Beattie Hunter had a rather happy marriage with six children: David, Diana, Bobby, Sadie, William and Peter. Each of them has their own experience with the last July summer before WWI. There were the downstairs servants-four women and outside people who provided services for the Hunter family.
Personally, I thought each character has her/his flaws and strengths as well as the Great War being the featured theme of dealing with anxiety, hope and sadness. Charles' parents and brother were incapable of accepting the upper middle class as co-equals. The rigid rules between the upper class and middle class came to us readers as a way to expose the distrust they had with each other. Edward's two sisters represented the new "modern woman" of the 1910s. (more to come in the War at Home second, third and fourth book series)
My feeling? Amazement at how the characters deal with their own lives as the Great War was just beginning. I've learned from evaluating the characters' pros and cons as well as fears for a new war.
Grade: A+
Personally, I thought each character has her/his flaws and strengths as well as the Great War being the featured theme of dealing with anxiety, hope and sadness. Charles' parents and brother were incapable of accepting the upper middle class as co-equals. The rigid rules between the upper class and middle class came to us readers as a way to expose the distrust they had with each other. Edward's two sisters represented the new "modern woman" of the 1910s. (more to come in the War at Home second, third and fourth book series)
My feeling? Amazement at how the characters deal with their own lives as the Great War was just beginning. I've learned from evaluating the characters' pros and cons as well as fears for a new war.
Grade: A+
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