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Return to Fourwinds
From the author of Secrets of the Sea House comes the mystery of a runaway bride. Can a century of family secrets be unravelled in time to bring her back? For fans of Kate Morton and Rachel Hore.
One house. Two families. A lifetime of secrets.
At Fourwinds they gather: Alice and Ralph, Patricia and Peter, to celebrate the marriage of their children. The marquee is on the lawn, breathing in and out in the summer heat. But the bride is nowhere to be seen.
As both families are drawn together, the past floods through the corridors of the old house. What secret has Ralph been keeping from his wife? What is it about Alice's wartime encounter with Peter that has haunted her ever since? And what could have caused Sarah to vanish without a word to any of the people she loves?
Moving from the orange groves of Valencia and the spacious houses of the British countryside to the post-war slums in the north, Return to Fourwinds is a sweeping, lyrical story of the things we tell and the things we keep to ourselves. Is Sarah's disappearance a culmination of the pressures that have kept the two families apart? Or can they work together to bring her back to Fourwinds?
One house. Two families. A lifetime of secrets.
At Fourwinds they gather: Alice and Ralph, Patricia and Peter, to celebrate the marriage of their children. The marquee is on the lawn, breathing in and out in the summer heat. But the bride is nowhere to be seen.
As both families are drawn together, the past floods through the corridors of the old house. What secret has Ralph been keeping from his wife? What is it about Alice's wartime encounter with Peter that has haunted her ever since? And what could have caused Sarah to vanish without a word to any of the people she loves?
Moving from the orange groves of Valencia and the spacious houses of the British countryside to the post-war slums in the north, Return to Fourwinds is a sweeping, lyrical story of the things we tell and the things we keep to ourselves. Is Sarah's disappearance a culmination of the pressures that have kept the two families apart? Or can they work together to bring her back to Fourwinds?
368 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2014
21 people are currently reading
574 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 12, 2018
A wonderful and poignant family story
October 27, 2022
2.5 stars.
This is historical fiction, set in England spanning from the 2nd World War to the 80s. In the 80s, Sarah and Nicky are getting ready for their wedding, when Sarah disappears without a word to anyone, calling the wedding off.
It turns out that Sarah and Nicky's families knew each other when they were younger. The past starts to come to the forefront, as each family must deal with their past secrets and histories.
I see that this is recommended for fans of Kate Morton. There are of course similarities, but no one really does this type of story better than Kate Morton. The bones of a good story were here, and I did enjoy reading this book. It is just that the stories were cobbled together a bit randomly, with no real cohesion. The big emotional moments at the end did fall rather flat, as everything was much too quickly resolved. If the author had perhaps spent more time on plotting her connections between the characters, and a few more pages on the ending, it would have been a great book, as she is a good writer.
This is historical fiction, set in England spanning from the 2nd World War to the 80s. In the 80s, Sarah and Nicky are getting ready for their wedding, when Sarah disappears without a word to anyone, calling the wedding off.
It turns out that Sarah and Nicky's families knew each other when they were younger. The past starts to come to the forefront, as each family must deal with their past secrets and histories.
I see that this is recommended for fans of Kate Morton. There are of course similarities, but no one really does this type of story better than Kate Morton. The bones of a good story were here, and I did enjoy reading this book. It is just that the stories were cobbled together a bit randomly, with no real cohesion. The big emotional moments at the end did fall rather flat, as everything was much too quickly resolved. If the author had perhaps spent more time on plotting her connections between the characters, and a few more pages on the ending, it would have been a great book, as she is a good writer.
September 6, 2014
This is a beautiful novel of love and loss, identities discovered and secrets revealed. It's broad in its sweep - across England and Spain, between different generations and classes. So it's a big story, but never once does the author lose control of her narrative. Elisabeth Gifford is a gorgeous writer, as observant as Elizabeth Jane Howard, as ingenious as Sarah Waters and as lyrical as Hannah Kent.
Every aspect of the novel appealed - I could hardly put it down - but my favourite sections were those set in Valencia and Elizabeth Gifford's brilliant depiction of a sensitive young boy pulled between families and countries. A triumph.
Every aspect of the novel appealed - I could hardly put it down - but my favourite sections were those set in Valencia and Elizabeth Gifford's brilliant depiction of a sensitive young boy pulled between families and countries. A triumph.
October 13, 2014
Once again, Elisabeth Gifford has based her story on secrets.
These secrets have been kept within two families for decades and it is when two couples travel to Fourwinds; a house that played a major part in their stories, that the secrets slowly begin to expose themselves. Alice and Ralph's son Nicky is to be married to Patricia and Peter's daughter Sarah. It is clear that these two couples have shared memories from their past, but when Sarah disappears just before the wedding, these secrets can no longer be kept.
Elisabeth Gifford weaves a wonderful story, moving from 1981 Derbyshire back to Spain and England during World War Two, and she does this effortlessly, transporting the reader swiftly from the modern-day problems to the drama of life during the War.
The author has combined so many threads within Return to Fourwinds, dealing with complex and often dark and distressing issues expertly. She brings her characters to life with a flourish, whether dealing with the vulnerabilities of a young boy in a strange country, or the class distinctions of England and how they affect relationships.
Return to Fourwinds is based on real secrets recently uncovered in the author's own family history about a mysteriously awarded OBE during World War II, and it is knowing that this that adds so much to this compelling and intriguing story.
Huge praise from me to Elisabeth Gifford, her writing goes from strength to strength. I was immersed in this story, and felt that I was there, right in the middle of it all.
These secrets have been kept within two families for decades and it is when two couples travel to Fourwinds; a house that played a major part in their stories, that the secrets slowly begin to expose themselves. Alice and Ralph's son Nicky is to be married to Patricia and Peter's daughter Sarah. It is clear that these two couples have shared memories from their past, but when Sarah disappears just before the wedding, these secrets can no longer be kept.
Elisabeth Gifford weaves a wonderful story, moving from 1981 Derbyshire back to Spain and England during World War Two, and she does this effortlessly, transporting the reader swiftly from the modern-day problems to the drama of life during the War.
The author has combined so many threads within Return to Fourwinds, dealing with complex and often dark and distressing issues expertly. She brings her characters to life with a flourish, whether dealing with the vulnerabilities of a young boy in a strange country, or the class distinctions of England and how they affect relationships.
Return to Fourwinds is based on real secrets recently uncovered in the author's own family history about a mysteriously awarded OBE during World War II, and it is knowing that this that adds so much to this compelling and intriguing story.
Huge praise from me to Elisabeth Gifford, her writing goes from strength to strength. I was immersed in this story, and felt that I was there, right in the middle of it all.
November 14, 2014
4.5*
At Fourwinds they gather: Alice and Ralph, Patricia and Peter, to celebrate the marriage of their children. The marquee is on the lawn, but the bride is nowhere to be seen. What could have caused Sarah to vanish without a word to any of the people she loves?
This is a story of betrayals - both real and imagined, and the damage that keeping the wrong sort of secrets can do.
This moving story takes us from the orange groves of Valencia and the spacious houses of the British countryside to the post-war slums in the north. It has it's beginnings in the gassing of a soldier in the first war, continues with the evacuation of his children in the second war, and is entwined with the life of another British boy during the Spanish Revolution.
An eminently satisfying read that is sending me in search of Elizabeth Gifford's first book Secrets of the Sea House
did-not-finish
January 30, 2016DNF.
This could have been really good. On the eve of Nick and Sarah's wedding, their two sets of parents realise they used to know each other several decades ago; now they've been reunited, it's only a matter of time before the secrets of the past are revealed....
You'd assume we'd then go back to when the parents were in their 20s, but no, we head back to when they were children. Hmm. Just a brief bit of background, I thought, a few pages at most. Nope. A quarter of the way in, and they're still kids. Bored as hell, I've been skimming for a while already, so what's the point of carrying on? Pah.
This could have been really good. On the eve of Nick and Sarah's wedding, their two sets of parents realise they used to know each other several decades ago; now they've been reunited, it's only a matter of time before the secrets of the past are revealed....
You'd assume we'd then go back to when the parents were in their 20s, but no, we head back to when they were children. Hmm. Just a brief bit of background, I thought, a few pages at most. Nope. A quarter of the way in, and they're still kids. Bored as hell, I've been skimming for a while already, so what's the point of carrying on? Pah.
February 15, 2016
Fourwinds is the focal point for the books secrets; the character’s secrets. The house has seen many tantalizing events and it is only when Sarah goes missing just before her wedding that these begin to be reveal themselves.
The author has intertwined her plot with social issues of the time. For example, the difference between classes and how this affects the choosing of one’s life partner, in this the author has helped to bring the setting alive.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
The author has intertwined her plot with social issues of the time. For example, the difference between classes and how this affects the choosing of one’s life partner, in this the author has helped to bring the setting alive.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
July 5, 2015
As for big secrets, yeah, I would not say they were big. People were just stupid. Everything had to be perfect, to look perfect, and if something was the slightest off, not good. They came from that era so it was understandable.
The book starts with Nicky and Sarah about to get married. She runs away and we go back in time.
Alice who grew up privileged, but not privileged enough for some so she strive for perfection.
Ralph her husband grew up in Spain. His story is the one of his mother and her new husband and the secrets there.
Then we have Patricia and Peter. Patricia does not really have a secret, and neither does Peter. But Peter grew up in the slums and wanted to make something for himself. He also knows Alice from the war. Ok so that secret was not really something she should feel bad about.
Their life before the war, and during the war, and after it. Lives were shaped. But I must say, Sarah's choice had nothing to do with those secrets. I'd rather have it as an aftermath of all of that. She still had a secret and I will say nothing more than I totally understood why she ran.
I liked what we later learned about Spain, now there was a book. I also liked the social clashes. Rich and poor. Newly rich. They all looked down on someone else.
An interesting book.
The book starts with Nicky and Sarah about to get married. She runs away and we go back in time.
Alice who grew up privileged, but not privileged enough for some so she strive for perfection.
Ralph her husband grew up in Spain. His story is the one of his mother and her new husband and the secrets there.
Then we have Patricia and Peter. Patricia does not really have a secret, and neither does Peter. But Peter grew up in the slums and wanted to make something for himself. He also knows Alice from the war. Ok so that secret was not really something she should feel bad about.
Their life before the war, and during the war, and after it. Lives were shaped. But I must say, Sarah's choice had nothing to do with those secrets. I'd rather have it as an aftermath of all of that. She still had a secret and I will say nothing more than I totally understood why she ran.
I liked what we later learned about Spain, now there was a book. I also liked the social clashes. Rich and poor. Newly rich. They all looked down on someone else.
An interesting book.
January 6, 2015
Two families have gathered at the large rambling house by the name of “Fourwinds” – Alice and Ralph, Peter and Patricia. In a few days Nicky, the son of Alice and Ralph will marry Sarah, the daughter of Peter and Patricia.
Suddenly, without any explanation, Sarah disappears. What has she kept a secret from her parents for all these years? The parents of Nicky and Sarah also have secrets, secrets that have stayed buried, hidden and not talked about for many many years.
The story sweeps the heat of Valencia to the squalor and poverty of the Northern slums, from the Spanish Civil War to the post-war years to present day.
This is a story of how we all keep secrets until they are forced out into the open where the consequences can be far reaching for everyone.
This book was ok; the changes in time and place were easy to follow. Engaging characters also added to the enjoyment of the book. However, the only thing that was missing was a superb twist at the end. The story just seemed to fizzle out. Fans of Katherine Webb, Lucinda Riley, Kate Morton and Rachel Hoare would enjoy this book. It is just a shame it is not as good as the first book Elisabeth Gifford wrote. If I had read this book first I may not have read another one by her.
June 5, 2016
Four winds booktrail
I loved the fact that one house and two families stories could weave their way out and cover so many time periods and locations. The novel is quite complex as it jumps around quite a bit and can be a bit slow in the beginning because of all the change but maybe this was because I was reading on a kindle and don’t normally read dual timelines due to this very problem.
What the novel was to me was an epic read of so many secrets coming to light when a marriage was about to take place. It’s a big story with many many threads which come together slowly but surely. I think you should take your time with this novel as it does reward you for gaining the information to see the overall picture. I’s all about keeping secrets, hiding secrets and then being forced to let them out in the open when that really is the only place left for them to go.
I particularly enjoyed the sections set in Valencia as these to be were the most evocative, symbolic and enjoyable but the sections set in Manchester and the ‘slums’ were poignant. In fact this is quite the jigsaw of a novel as you really do need every piece to make sense of it all and that only happens at the end.
I loved the fact that one house and two families stories could weave their way out and cover so many time periods and locations. The novel is quite complex as it jumps around quite a bit and can be a bit slow in the beginning because of all the change but maybe this was because I was reading on a kindle and don’t normally read dual timelines due to this very problem.
What the novel was to me was an epic read of so many secrets coming to light when a marriage was about to take place. It’s a big story with many many threads which come together slowly but surely. I think you should take your time with this novel as it does reward you for gaining the information to see the overall picture. I’s all about keeping secrets, hiding secrets and then being forced to let them out in the open when that really is the only place left for them to go.
I particularly enjoyed the sections set in Valencia as these to be were the most evocative, symbolic and enjoyable but the sections set in Manchester and the ‘slums’ were poignant. In fact this is quite the jigsaw of a novel as you really do need every piece to make sense of it all and that only happens at the end.
January 7, 2015
I would like to thank Goodreads Giveaways and the Publishers for a copy of Return to Fourwinds.
The story begins in 1981 with two families gathering for the wedding of their children, Sarah and Nicky. The day before the wedding for some unexplained reason the soon to be bride, Sarah, is unable to speak. This is a shock to everyone, her parents explain that this had only happened once before and resolved after a few weeks. That night Sarah secretly left Fourwinds and made her way to Scotland.
The story slowly builds commencing in 1941 Spain. As the story unfolds, covering the war years, links with the two families are made. A family saga about love, loss and deeply hidden secrets dominate the story, central to it all is Fourwinds.
Historical fiction is my genre of choice and I had great expectations regarding ‘Return to Fourwinds’. Although I found it a well written, pleasant read, in my opinion it lacked originality, excitement and depth. The progression of the story was slow, I had difficulty endearing to the main characters and most of the ‘secrets’ were weakly disclosed at the end.
The story begins in 1981 with two families gathering for the wedding of their children, Sarah and Nicky. The day before the wedding for some unexplained reason the soon to be bride, Sarah, is unable to speak. This is a shock to everyone, her parents explain that this had only happened once before and resolved after a few weeks. That night Sarah secretly left Fourwinds and made her way to Scotland.
The story slowly builds commencing in 1941 Spain. As the story unfolds, covering the war years, links with the two families are made. A family saga about love, loss and deeply hidden secrets dominate the story, central to it all is Fourwinds.
Historical fiction is my genre of choice and I had great expectations regarding ‘Return to Fourwinds’. Although I found it a well written, pleasant read, in my opinion it lacked originality, excitement and depth. The progression of the story was slow, I had difficulty endearing to the main characters and most of the ‘secrets’ were weakly disclosed at the end.
March 22, 2016
I came to this book fresh from reading Elisabeth Gifford's other wonderful novel,"Secrets of the Sea House." I wasn't disappointed! Both titles share a delicious use of language, a delightful mastery of words, exquisitely original, precise and evocative metaphors that bring scenes springing to life, as well as a haunting sense of place - in this novel, places, plural, not least 'Fourwinds' itself, the house that lies at the intersection of the characters' lives.
The themes run deep and the characters across the generations are beautifully drawn. The themes unify the story, which is ambitious in its reach across the decades. On every level, it's a true page-turner. The story deals with learning to risk showing who we are deep inside, with all our hidden fears and secrets, to those dearest to us. The book has a compelling vein of hope running through its heart, as characters gradually confront their deepest fears of humiliation and rejection in order to be open and authentic in their relationships. Marvellous storytelling!
The themes run deep and the characters across the generations are beautifully drawn. The themes unify the story, which is ambitious in its reach across the decades. On every level, it's a true page-turner. The story deals with learning to risk showing who we are deep inside, with all our hidden fears and secrets, to those dearest to us. The book has a compelling vein of hope running through its heart, as characters gradually confront their deepest fears of humiliation and rejection in order to be open and authentic in their relationships. Marvellous storytelling!
November 13, 2014
I remember seeing a list in a newspaper once of 'charming' books, and this book ought to be at the top of it. 'Return to Fourwinds' is a wonderful and complex novel, beautifully written with huge depth and sensitivity, spanning many years and experiences. It took me a little while to get into it, as there are lots of characters at different times of their lives, and (particularly reading on a kindle) I found it initially confusing. But by the time Ralph went to boarding school I began to settle into it, and from that point on couldn't put it down. It's one of those books you think about when you're not reading it, and you feel as though you know the characters personally. Hugely recommended - it deserves to win many awards.
May 10, 2016
I'm a big fan of this split timeline kind of novel and enjoyed some elements here very much. However, I did wonder if there weren't a few too many characters and storylines jostling for space with the result that everything felt a bit rushed. This feels to me like two novels squished into one which is a bit of a shame.
August 23, 2015
A disappointing book because there was too much in it too many stories that my interest flagged.
March 5, 2019
Rather tedious story until the last third. I just didn't get into it.
April 15, 2021
{4.5 stars}
This is my second Elisabeth Gifford book. The first, Secrets of Sea House is one of my favourite books of last year. Delving into the myth of the selkies and traveling back in time to the horrible Highland Clearances of Scotland, this book was amazing. So naturally, I wanted to see what else Gifford had written.
Return to Fourwinds, also a story based on secrets, is more of a love story to all things English. Leaving mythology aside, the book focusses on the history of the 20th century, in particular, WWII, Franco's rule, and the years of rebuilding that followed - and how these events effected those who lived through them. It is a family saga, following the lives of new money wealthy Alice, English immigrant in Spain Ralph, the working class evacuee Peter, the smart and determined Patricia, and their eventual children, the carefree Nicky and the quiet and introverted Sarah.
The book explores the types of secrets that are kept and how, and how the types of secrets might change over the years. The book starts off with a wedding - a doomed wedding, as it turns out, when the brides walks away from the alter days before the guests are meant to arrive - before heading into the past to follow these two families from the 30s all the way to the 80s. We see Ralph's life in Valencia as Franco rises to power, we see Peter's life as a boy from the slums evacuated to the countryside, living in the house of the wealthy factory owners the Hanburys. We see the bright Alice navigating love and an Oxford education. We see Sarah grow up in the post-war years in the shadow of the clergy, and Nicky grow up the sports star who secretly loves poetry. Everyone has a secret of some kind, hidden out of shame or fear, or to save face, to keep a certain reputation, or simply because that's how things are done. The wedding brings the cast together once more, and we see the secrets start to unravel.
The book is beautifully written, and some of the history brought up - particularly Mr Gardiner's role in 1940s Madrid - that I hadn't known about. Written simultaneously as Sea House, there's still no comparison for me - I loved the backdrop of the Scottish islands, the young couple relocating there in the 80s and the secrets they uncover, not to mention the semi-mystical aspect of the selkie myth. Fourwinds was well written and evocative but it was missing that quasi-magical element present in her other novel. Regardless, I am definitely a fan of Gifford's beautiful prose and will be reading her other works soon!
TW: sexual assault off screen, horrors of WWII
This is my second Elisabeth Gifford book. The first, Secrets of Sea House is one of my favourite books of last year. Delving into the myth of the selkies and traveling back in time to the horrible Highland Clearances of Scotland, this book was amazing. So naturally, I wanted to see what else Gifford had written.
Return to Fourwinds, also a story based on secrets, is more of a love story to all things English. Leaving mythology aside, the book focusses on the history of the 20th century, in particular, WWII, Franco's rule, and the years of rebuilding that followed - and how these events effected those who lived through them. It is a family saga, following the lives of new money wealthy Alice, English immigrant in Spain Ralph, the working class evacuee Peter, the smart and determined Patricia, and their eventual children, the carefree Nicky and the quiet and introverted Sarah.
The book explores the types of secrets that are kept and how, and how the types of secrets might change over the years. The book starts off with a wedding - a doomed wedding, as it turns out, when the brides walks away from the alter days before the guests are meant to arrive - before heading into the past to follow these two families from the 30s all the way to the 80s. We see Ralph's life in Valencia as Franco rises to power, we see Peter's life as a boy from the slums evacuated to the countryside, living in the house of the wealthy factory owners the Hanburys. We see the bright Alice navigating love and an Oxford education. We see Sarah grow up in the post-war years in the shadow of the clergy, and Nicky grow up the sports star who secretly loves poetry. Everyone has a secret of some kind, hidden out of shame or fear, or to save face, to keep a certain reputation, or simply because that's how things are done. The wedding brings the cast together once more, and we see the secrets start to unravel.
The book is beautifully written, and some of the history brought up - particularly Mr Gardiner's role in 1940s Madrid - that I hadn't known about. Written simultaneously as Sea House, there's still no comparison for me - I loved the backdrop of the Scottish islands, the young couple relocating there in the 80s and the secrets they uncover, not to mention the semi-mystical aspect of the selkie myth. Fourwinds was well written and evocative but it was missing that quasi-magical element present in her other novel. Regardless, I am definitely a fan of Gifford's beautiful prose and will be reading her other works soon!
TW: sexual assault off screen, horrors of WWII
dnf
February 14, 2024dnf on page 113
trigger warning
1980, Fourwinds: A bride-to-be-disappears and when she returns, her voice is gone and she insists, writing down on a piece of paper, to cancel the wedding. What happened?
We have multiple timelines and points of view, because it turns out that the families of bride and groom met ages ago, and there are secrets to be discovered. Or rather, unpleasantness.
There will be a short chapter set at Fourwinds, where the wedding is supposed to happen because there is lots of space, and then we drift to one of the parents and their backstory. I can see what the author was trying to do, but the insertion of the points of view and different timelines felt very random. We jump from here to there and back again. Heavy topics are mentioned, but as far as I've read not properly explored. Have some war, have another war, how about some bullying?
Additionally, there appears to be a wall between the characters and the reader, they always remain in a distance.
All in all, I found myself having no reason to read on. I simply don't care, but have a stack of books I'd rather read. So I'll let go of this one.
trigger warning
1980, Fourwinds: A bride-to-be-disappears and when she returns, her voice is gone and she insists, writing down on a piece of paper, to cancel the wedding. What happened?
We have multiple timelines and points of view, because it turns out that the families of bride and groom met ages ago, and there are secrets to be discovered. Or rather, unpleasantness.
There will be a short chapter set at Fourwinds, where the wedding is supposed to happen because there is lots of space, and then we drift to one of the parents and their backstory. I can see what the author was trying to do, but the insertion of the points of view and different timelines felt very random. We jump from here to there and back again. Heavy topics are mentioned, but as far as I've read not properly explored. Have some war, have another war, how about some bullying?
Additionally, there appears to be a wall between the characters and the reader, they always remain in a distance.
All in all, I found myself having no reason to read on. I simply don't care, but have a stack of books I'd rather read. So I'll let go of this one.
July 18, 2017
Tetszettek az élettörténetek, Ralph-é, Peter-é, izgalmasan írt róla a szerző, de végül nem állt egésszé össze a könyv. Igazából nem értettem hogy kerülnek a sztoriba. S amiről szólt volna a történet, a titok, arról szinte nem is volt szó. Mintha két külön könyvet összeragasztottak volna, némi átfedéssel, de sok-sok zavaró ugrással.
April 19, 2020
Was really enjoying this, but it all fell apart when we finally came to the reason one of the characters flees her own wedding - which is the inciting event that kicks off the story. Turns out those reasons are utterly unrelated to the major events explored in the whole rest of the book . Annoying, actually.
June 3, 2022
I found the strength of this book the details of the Civil War in Spain and experiences in WW2 along with the social climates of the early 20th century. Yes there were secrets and I had to go back and re read passages in order to understand the various story lines as they developed. Overall an enjoyable read.
March 19, 2019
I found this book started strong, I was interested and enjoyed reading it, and then it slowed down with details that didn't seem to tie in to the story in a meaningful way. I had to push through in the late middle. The end was good but a little rushed maybe.
April 2, 2025
I liked the writing and the story. In the beginning, the jumping time line put me off, but then I got used to it. I liked the characters, even as they are also somewhat cliche. I think Ralph is my favourite.
October 29, 2019
Rather involved story of families, secrets, class distinctions, the past merging with the present. Was a bit convoluted in parts, but readable.
Read
October 6, 2021DNF graveyard 🪦
November 26, 2014
The story opens in 1981 as two families gather at the house named Fourwinds, to celebrate the marriage of Alice and Ralph's son, Nicky, to Patricia and Peter's daughter, Sarah. However, when Sarah goes missing just days before the wedding, family secrets which have been long buried threaten to overwhelm the happiness, not just of the young couple about to be married but also of the older couples, whose shared connection to the past, threatens the happiness of future generations.
The story evolves between 1981 Derbyshire and 1930’s Spain with effortless ease and the consummate skill of the author ensures that all time frames have equal importance with none trying to outshine the other. We learn of the connection between Alice and Peter as we flit into and out of the great country houses of England and yet juxtaposed is the less salubrious evidence of working class ambition. Ralph’s eventful childhood in 1930s Valencia is gorgeous, and succulent with the heat and tempestuousness of a country on the brink of war. As the story moves to the eventful years of the Second World War, the connection between the characters becomes more evident and secrets start to emerge with shattering consequences.
Initially, the book gets off to a slow start which I think reflects rather well, as there is much to take in, both with the different characters who flit into and out of the story, and with the complexity of the settings, which are all described in wonderful detail. The evolution of the story is done with a deft hand by an author who knows and understands how to control a complicated plot and who by the end of the novel has delivered a wonderful family drama with an entirely appropriate ending.
I really enjoyed it.
The story evolves between 1981 Derbyshire and 1930’s Spain with effortless ease and the consummate skill of the author ensures that all time frames have equal importance with none trying to outshine the other. We learn of the connection between Alice and Peter as we flit into and out of the great country houses of England and yet juxtaposed is the less salubrious evidence of working class ambition. Ralph’s eventful childhood in 1930s Valencia is gorgeous, and succulent with the heat and tempestuousness of a country on the brink of war. As the story moves to the eventful years of the Second World War, the connection between the characters becomes more evident and secrets start to emerge with shattering consequences.
Initially, the book gets off to a slow start which I think reflects rather well, as there is much to take in, both with the different characters who flit into and out of the story, and with the complexity of the settings, which are all described in wonderful detail. The evolution of the story is done with a deft hand by an author who knows and understands how to control a complicated plot and who by the end of the novel has delivered a wonderful family drama with an entirely appropriate ending.
I really enjoyed it.
April 14, 2015
For me, this was a bit ho-hum. Most of the ‘secrets’ are an anti-climax. Alice believes she treated Peter badly, but once the full story is revealed it doesn’t seem like there was much she could have done. Ralph’s story also didn’t feel particularly shocking or revelatory. Sarah’s secret was genuinely distressing, but it’s dealt with in a fairly cursory manner. I feel like the author has written to a formula, and tried to cram in as much as possible to make this a Great Read. There are the sections set against the Second World War, the dark secrets, the obligatory bad guy lurking in the shadows…it’s a bit of a cliché. Some things are mentioned as if they will have significance later in the story, but are either never mentioned again or not convincingly linked into subsequent events. Fourwinds itself isn’t as significant as the title might suggest, as it doesn’t appear to have any real relation to the events from the past, other than being the home for one of the families. Parts of the book are set in 1981, but this is really only to make the ages of the older generation fit with a war-time setting, and serves no real purpose. I was involved enough to want to finish it, and it is an easy enough read, but the story felt thin.
December 6, 2015
Although not of the same quality and enthralling ‘magic’ as Kate Morton, Elisabeth Gifford is a capable writer and I'll keep an eye out for other novels by her.
This was fairly absorbing novel, spanning generations and geographic locations. It's a shame that the 'present day' story of Sarah & Nicky wasn't very interesting or engaging, but to be honest that felt like just a mechanic to bring all the threads together. Ralph's family history and personal tale was the most intriguing and interesting to read - encompassing as it did all the time periods and settings; he is clearly the lynch pin of the whole novel, and is a likeable character, as is Peter (unlike the women in the novel who, interestingly, I found to all be fairly unlikeable or of little interest). It's a shame that the history between Alice and Peter never resolved itself, after such care had been taken in the detailed telling of it.
This was fairly absorbing novel, spanning generations and geographic locations. It's a shame that the 'present day' story of Sarah & Nicky wasn't very interesting or engaging, but to be honest that felt like just a mechanic to bring all the threads together. Ralph's family history and personal tale was the most intriguing and interesting to read - encompassing as it did all the time periods and settings; he is clearly the lynch pin of the whole novel, and is a likeable character, as is Peter (unlike the women in the novel who, interestingly, I found to all be fairly unlikeable or of little interest). It's a shame that the history between Alice and Peter never resolved itself, after such care had been taken in the detailed telling of it.
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January 15, 2017Loved this book. So very English, full of real & sometimes broken people, struggling to do their best. Having read another of Elizabeth's books - Secrets of the Seahouse - I can say this is my fav so far. Really love the rich characters & the jumps through time back & forwards, time & place. Highly recommend this book!
November 24, 2014
I received this book as a goodreads giveaway. A fascinating atmospheric tales filled with secrets long forgotten and layered with themes.
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