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The Echo of Twilight
From the acclaimed author of The Last Summer, a captivating and moving story of the unlikely relationship between a lady and her maid on the eve of World War I.
As I watched him — his long legs striding the narrow path through the heather, his golden hair catching the sun — I had a hideous feeling in the pit of my stomach. For it seemed as though he was already marching away from me.
In 1914, despite the clouds of war threatening Europe, Pearl Gibson’s future is bright. She has secured a position as a lady’s maid to a wealthy Northumberland aristocrat, a job that will win her not only respect but an opportunity to travel and live in luxury. Her new life at Lady Ottoline Campbell’s Scottish summer estate is a whirlwind of intrigue and glamour, scandals and confidences — and surprisingly, a strange but intimate friendship with her employer.
But when violence erupts in Europe, Pearl and Ottoline’s world is irrevocably changed. As the men in their lives are called to the front lines, leaving them behind to anxiously brace for bad news, Pearl realizes she must share one final secret with her mistress — a secret that will bind them together forever...
As I watched him — his long legs striding the narrow path through the heather, his golden hair catching the sun — I had a hideous feeling in the pit of my stomach. For it seemed as though he was already marching away from me.
In 1914, despite the clouds of war threatening Europe, Pearl Gibson’s future is bright. She has secured a position as a lady’s maid to a wealthy Northumberland aristocrat, a job that will win her not only respect but an opportunity to travel and live in luxury. Her new life at Lady Ottoline Campbell’s Scottish summer estate is a whirlwind of intrigue and glamour, scandals and confidences — and surprisingly, a strange but intimate friendship with her employer.
But when violence erupts in Europe, Pearl and Ottoline’s world is irrevocably changed. As the men in their lives are called to the front lines, leaving them behind to anxiously brace for bad news, Pearl realizes she must share one final secret with her mistress — a secret that will bind them together forever...
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2017
95 people are currently reading
1951 people want to read
About the author
Judith Kinghorn
7 books204 followersJudith Kinghorn is the author of four novels. Her acclaimed début The Last Summer was published in the UK, Canada and British Commonwealth countries in 2012, in the USA in 2013, and has been translated to languages including German, Spanish, French and Italian. Her subsequent novels include The Memory of Lost Senses (2013), The Snow Globe (2015) and The Echo of Twilight (2017).
To follow Judith on social media or to find out more, please click https://linktr.ee/JudithKinghorn
To follow Judith on social media or to find out more, please click https://linktr.ee/JudithKinghorn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
March 4, 2017
So much came together in this novel - the rich settings and landscapes of Northumberland and Scotland, the time period of World War One, and the well-developed characters and authentic feelings and relationships. Pearl Gibson, the main protagonist, had my attention from the start. Judith Kinghorn has a beautifully flowing and tight writing style. Fans of Downton Abbey, you are in for a literary treat! Thanks to the author who generously gifted me a copy of this gorgeous book. This was my unsolicited and honest review.
February 8, 2017
Visit the locations with the Literary Travel Agency: The Echo of Twilight
Think Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs mixed with Monarch of the Glen and you have some of the flavour of this historical read. I loved it, it took me away to these gorgeous estates and allowed me to imagine I was relaxing with the lady of the manor whilst getting waited on when really I was in a cafe on a rainy day.
The story is an epic one as you follow Pearl through her life as she meets Ottoline and travels with her. Through thoughts and flashbacks you learn more about Pearl and her backstory. I felt very close to her and was intrigued by her relationship with Ottoline.
There was an awful lot of mystery and something lurking in the background in this story. I felt Pearl and I discovered the world around us at the same time and I felt her thrill of going up to Scotland and getting to live like a lady for a while. She was a good narrator and her weaknesses made her even more personable than she as at the start. I was fascinated with Ottoline and could imagine her taking such delight in going against the grain. She and Pearl’s relationship was a fascinating one and just goes to show how two women – one from upstairs and one from downstairs – can suffer and go through the same worries and dramas.
The writing was as lyrical and as sweeping as the story. The settings were stunning – I particularly loved how Judith wove in her personal home of Northumberland and even Fenwick gets a mention! There was a lot of detail, research and care and attention in this story and the overall result is a sweeping historical drama
Loved the story, Pearl and Ottoline and ooh the mysteries of those grand houses!? The gorgeous cover wraps this up nicely.
Think Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs mixed with Monarch of the Glen and you have some of the flavour of this historical read. I loved it, it took me away to these gorgeous estates and allowed me to imagine I was relaxing with the lady of the manor whilst getting waited on when really I was in a cafe on a rainy day.
The story is an epic one as you follow Pearl through her life as she meets Ottoline and travels with her. Through thoughts and flashbacks you learn more about Pearl and her backstory. I felt very close to her and was intrigued by her relationship with Ottoline.
There was an awful lot of mystery and something lurking in the background in this story. I felt Pearl and I discovered the world around us at the same time and I felt her thrill of going up to Scotland and getting to live like a lady for a while. She was a good narrator and her weaknesses made her even more personable than she as at the start. I was fascinated with Ottoline and could imagine her taking such delight in going against the grain. She and Pearl’s relationship was a fascinating one and just goes to show how two women – one from upstairs and one from downstairs – can suffer and go through the same worries and dramas.
The writing was as lyrical and as sweeping as the story. The settings were stunning – I particularly loved how Judith wove in her personal home of Northumberland and even Fenwick gets a mention! There was a lot of detail, research and care and attention in this story and the overall result is a sweeping historical drama
Loved the story, Pearl and Ottoline and ooh the mysteries of those grand houses!? The gorgeous cover wraps this up nicely.
February 11, 2017
Two women, Pearl Gibson and Lady Ottoline Campbell are the main characters in this historical fiction novel that starts at the beginning of World War I. All Pearl knows of her mother is that shortly after her birth, she committed suicide. Pearl grows up with her Aunt Kitty, living hand to mouth and when Kitty dies, Pearl goes to work with Lady Campbell. Their relationship becomes more than just servant and mistress, they become friends.
With the advent of the war, the Campbell's sons sign up to fight which does not end well. This tugs on the fragility that is Lady Ottoline's psyche and she spirals into depression. Pearl had had a relationship with Lady Ottoline's cousin, Ralph, who also goes off to fight. After he leaves Pearl finds out she is pregnant and with the help of Ottoline, she delivers a little girl, Lila, named after Ottoline. Life goes on peacefully if not tensely as everyone waits to see if their loved ones will come home from the war.
During this time, Ottoline's depression continues and she and Pearl have a falling out and Pearl and Lila leave and go back to London. There Pearl ekes out a life for her and her daughter.
This story takes place in three parts, just prior to the war, during the war and after the war. The reader becomes part of Pearl's life, the ups and downs, through love affairs and friendships. A beautifully written story that will keep the reader turning the pages, hoping that Pearl finds the love she seeks. A bit of a twist at the end was unexpected but welcomed! I loved this story that was reminiscent of stories by one of my other favorite authors, Lucinda Riley.
With the advent of the war, the Campbell's sons sign up to fight which does not end well. This tugs on the fragility that is Lady Ottoline's psyche and she spirals into depression. Pearl had had a relationship with Lady Ottoline's cousin, Ralph, who also goes off to fight. After he leaves Pearl finds out she is pregnant and with the help of Ottoline, she delivers a little girl, Lila, named after Ottoline. Life goes on peacefully if not tensely as everyone waits to see if their loved ones will come home from the war.
During this time, Ottoline's depression continues and she and Pearl have a falling out and Pearl and Lila leave and go back to London. There Pearl ekes out a life for her and her daughter.
This story takes place in three parts, just prior to the war, during the war and after the war. The reader becomes part of Pearl's life, the ups and downs, through love affairs and friendships. A beautifully written story that will keep the reader turning the pages, hoping that Pearl finds the love she seeks. A bit of a twist at the end was unexpected but welcomed! I loved this story that was reminiscent of stories by one of my other favorite authors, Lucinda Riley.
February 19, 2017
Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for giving me a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a free and honest review.
Sadly this book fell very short for what i expected and wanted from it.
The summary of this book sounded so fantastic, i was excited to see a historical fiction book told from a woman's perspective covering such a huge historical important time without actually being about the wars and political changes during the time.
I don't know what exactly i was expecting, but i was not expecting to be bored basically right from the start of this book.
And i am not even sure if it was the writing itself that was just... well for the lack of a better word... dull, or if the plot and the speed the story was told in was what bothered me about this book and made it so very boring and endless feeling.
I do like a handful of small moments throughout the book, for example of Pearl becomes more independent, but i didn't really like the ti didn't really see if that was because Pearl herself became more independent or that simply happened as a by product of the changing times and how the more "traditional roles" became less traditional and changed and so Pearl simply changed with the time.
All in all this book, sadly, just lacked big time for me.
But not every book works for every reader, this one was just clearly not for me. Maybe next time...
Sadly this book fell very short for what i expected and wanted from it.
The summary of this book sounded so fantastic, i was excited to see a historical fiction book told from a woman's perspective covering such a huge historical important time without actually being about the wars and political changes during the time.
I don't know what exactly i was expecting, but i was not expecting to be bored basically right from the start of this book.
And i am not even sure if it was the writing itself that was just... well for the lack of a better word... dull, or if the plot and the speed the story was told in was what bothered me about this book and made it so very boring and endless feeling.
I do like a handful of small moments throughout the book, for example of Pearl becomes more independent, but i didn't really like the ti didn't really see if that was because Pearl herself became more independent or that simply happened as a by product of the changing times and how the more "traditional roles" became less traditional and changed and so Pearl simply changed with the time.
All in all this book, sadly, just lacked big time for me.
But not every book works for every reader, this one was just clearly not for me. Maybe next time...
February 24, 2017
Pearl Gibson starts work as a lady's maid for Lady Ottoline Campbell. They quickly develop a close relationship and soon Pearl learns many of the family secrets. Even with the threat of World War I looming, Pearl is caught up in the luxurious lifestyle of her employer. Soon Pearl is faced with a secret of her own.
I loved this book because it had a good mix of romance, heartache, friendships, betrayal, and surprises. I enjoyed reading about Pearl's relationship with the Campbell family, particularly Ottoline and Billy because it was unusual for that time period for a servant and employer to be so close. The book could be a little dark at times but it was necessary because there was a war going on.
This was a book that I couldn't put down and would recommend to anyone especially those that enjoy reading early 1900's romances.
I received a free copy of this book from Berkley Books and http://bookmama2.blogspot.com and that is my honest review.
I loved this book because it had a good mix of romance, heartache, friendships, betrayal, and surprises. I enjoyed reading about Pearl's relationship with the Campbell family, particularly Ottoline and Billy because it was unusual for that time period for a servant and employer to be so close. The book could be a little dark at times but it was necessary because there was a war going on.
This was a book that I couldn't put down and would recommend to anyone especially those that enjoy reading early 1900's romances.
I received a free copy of this book from Berkley Books and http://bookmama2.blogspot.com and that is my honest review.
January 1, 2017
A lady and her lady’s maid – an unconventional relationship (England and Scotland, WWI and Interwar periods, 1914-1925): What better way to kick-off a new year of blogging than to start with an historical novel by the same author whose historical debut inspired this blog nearly 4 years ago. For The Echo of Twilight echoes the enchanting prose of British novelist Judith Kinghorn’s
The Last Summer
, also set at the brink of WWI.
Whereas the first novel transports us to a country estate in the south of England, Kinghorn’s newest (her 4th) takes us to two “pristine and loved” estates: Birling Hall, shining brightly in northern England’s Northumberland (the author’s birthplace) and Delnasay, atmospheric in the “purple mist” of the Scottish Highlands, where so much of the novel’s emotional heart happens.
Echoes of Downton Abbey reverberate here too. With a twist that’s central to the plot. For the customary relationship between a beautiful lady of two grand houses – Lady Ottoline Campbell – and her pretty lady’s maid, Pearl, is intense and complicated, growing in dependency and entanglement. Part servant, part dear friend, part mother/daughterly, theirs is a closeness that strengthens, shifts, struggles, and changes over time and circumstances. Roller-coaster emotions that seem to parallel the timeline of the devastating war – before, during, and after. As such, we see their liaison as sweet innocence in the summer before the war; followed by great pride and honor of dutiful service as Britain gears up to enter the war; then a clinging to each other as the war rages on; later a hardening as the war takes its toll; and a long-lasting aftermath.
Told in Pearl’s refined voice, most of the novel ensues over six years in three Parts. Parts I and II shape four years of Pearl’s life in domestic service, opening when she’s 23 after nine years of service positions, searching for a place to belong (“a small star in transit”). She finds it as a lady’s maid to Lady Ottoline, who treats Pearl as “someone relevant.” Part III takes place over two years post-war when Pearl moves to London and gains employment at the high-class Selfridge’s department store, echoing another British TV drama, Mr. Selfridge. An Epilogue illuminates five more years.
It’s important to highlight the culmination of Pearl’s domestic service at the end of WWI for it coincides with the historical ushering in of the rise of feminism and a changing society. Historically, this is when Britain granted the right to vote to all men and to women over 30.
Which means that besides the winning prose, the author’s strength lies in seamlessly weaving historical details and themes (and evocative landscapes) into an interesting, informative, fast-moving plot. Many faces of many themes run throughout: an “upstairs/downstairs” hierarchical class system; powerful loyalties to those served at home and to country; loneliness, loss, grief, and love. Love of family, friends, colleagues, and romantic love. A profound and moving love story that’s Pearl’s, but like everything else Ottoline is ensnarled in it too.
War is rumored when we meet Pearl, who's “looking for love and home” and “betterment.” She’s on her way to Lady Ottoline’s beloved 14th century stone estate, having interviewed and accepted the prized position as her lady’s maid. Exalted because it “took a very superior sort of girl to be a lady’s maid.” Pearl prides herself on being that girl despite her emotionally affecting childhood, driving one of two unspoken mysteries.
That mystery is the identity of Pearl’s father. She’s never met him because her unwed mother committed suicide the day she was born. (Pearl was raised by her Aunt Kitty.) The other mystery that tugs at us surrounds the man Pearl falls madly in love with in Scotland: Ralph Stedman, a painter and Ottoline’s cousin, who lives in a cottage on the estate’s “10,000 acres of rivers, woods, hills, and fields.” These mysteries turn pages.
Some of my favorite lyricism comes when Pearl realizes she’s found the happiness she’s only dreamed of:
We’re told some downstairs staff are jealous of their exceptional relationship. Two downstairs characters touchingly prove otherwise: Rodney Watts, the butler, and Mrs. Lister, head cook. They will remind you of Mr. Carson and Mrs. Patmore of Downton Abbey. The Lagonda motor car featured in Ottoline’s shaky driving skills (reflective of her erratic behavior), and Pearl’s chauffeuring role will also bring back scenes from that PBS Masterpiece show.
The rest of the upstairs family includes Lord Hector Campbell, whose fuzzy position in the Foreign Office necessitates stretches of time spent in London, particularly during the war effort; and sons Hugo, 21, Oxford-schooled, and Billy, 19, an Eton student, who we come to know best and care most about as he’s the golden boy Ottoline’s acutely attached to.
Pearl’s initial impressions were of a “very happy household” where every day felt “like Christmas.” Although, she did sense an “ineffable sadness” about her ladyship, which surfaces in ways good and bad.
On the balance between happiness and sadness, the author has crafted a novel of a nation at war that never forgets to remind us of the beauty of life, nature, and experiencing true love.
Speaking of love, if you love historical novels, this one, I think, will inspire your new year’s resolution to read more in 2017!
Lorraine (EnchantedProse.com)
PS My last post on Victoria cited another PBS Masterpiece show, a mini-series based on the novel. Update on when it airs: January 15th. Also: After Queen Victoria’s reign, King George V became the next British monarch. Thus, The Echo of Twilight follows the historical timeline of British succession. Mentioned is the King’s Prime Minister, H.H. Asquith, who made the momentous decision to enter the war, and Lord Kitchener, his Secretary of State for War.
Whereas the first novel transports us to a country estate in the south of England, Kinghorn’s newest (her 4th) takes us to two “pristine and loved” estates: Birling Hall, shining brightly in northern England’s Northumberland (the author’s birthplace) and Delnasay, atmospheric in the “purple mist” of the Scottish Highlands, where so much of the novel’s emotional heart happens.
Echoes of Downton Abbey reverberate here too. With a twist that’s central to the plot. For the customary relationship between a beautiful lady of two grand houses – Lady Ottoline Campbell – and her pretty lady’s maid, Pearl, is intense and complicated, growing in dependency and entanglement. Part servant, part dear friend, part mother/daughterly, theirs is a closeness that strengthens, shifts, struggles, and changes over time and circumstances. Roller-coaster emotions that seem to parallel the timeline of the devastating war – before, during, and after. As such, we see their liaison as sweet innocence in the summer before the war; followed by great pride and honor of dutiful service as Britain gears up to enter the war; then a clinging to each other as the war rages on; later a hardening as the war takes its toll; and a long-lasting aftermath.
Told in Pearl’s refined voice, most of the novel ensues over six years in three Parts. Parts I and II shape four years of Pearl’s life in domestic service, opening when she’s 23 after nine years of service positions, searching for a place to belong (“a small star in transit”). She finds it as a lady’s maid to Lady Ottoline, who treats Pearl as “someone relevant.” Part III takes place over two years post-war when Pearl moves to London and gains employment at the high-class Selfridge’s department store, echoing another British TV drama, Mr. Selfridge. An Epilogue illuminates five more years.
It’s important to highlight the culmination of Pearl’s domestic service at the end of WWI for it coincides with the historical ushering in of the rise of feminism and a changing society. Historically, this is when Britain granted the right to vote to all men and to women over 30.
Which means that besides the winning prose, the author’s strength lies in seamlessly weaving historical details and themes (and evocative landscapes) into an interesting, informative, fast-moving plot. Many faces of many themes run throughout: an “upstairs/downstairs” hierarchical class system; powerful loyalties to those served at home and to country; loneliness, loss, grief, and love. Love of family, friends, colleagues, and romantic love. A profound and moving love story that’s Pearl’s, but like everything else Ottoline is ensnarled in it too.
War is rumored when we meet Pearl, who's “looking for love and home” and “betterment.” She’s on her way to Lady Ottoline’s beloved 14th century stone estate, having interviewed and accepted the prized position as her lady’s maid. Exalted because it “took a very superior sort of girl to be a lady’s maid.” Pearl prides herself on being that girl despite her emotionally affecting childhood, driving one of two unspoken mysteries.
That mystery is the identity of Pearl’s father. She’s never met him because her unwed mother committed suicide the day she was born. (Pearl was raised by her Aunt Kitty.) The other mystery that tugs at us surrounds the man Pearl falls madly in love with in Scotland: Ralph Stedman, a painter and Ottoline’s cousin, who lives in a cottage on the estate’s “10,000 acres of rivers, woods, hills, and fields.” These mysteries turn pages.
Some of my favorite lyricism comes when Pearl realizes she’s found the happiness she’s only dreamed of:
“As I gazed out across the glen, the river, beyond the alders and groves of silver birch to the mountains, the peace was overwhelming, newly extraordinary, deeper and more powerful than anything I’d known. And with it came a sense of belonging, a sort of contentment and connectedness. And I thought, even if nothing else happened in my life, this was enough: this sky, these hills, those high-up purples and blues, that dark bird’s wing, those feathery clouds and him.”As the war heightens and darkens Pearl’s and Ottoline’s lives, so goes their relationship. “I need you,” blurts Ottoline, for whom Pearl responds faithfully and gratefully, reacting to her lady’s maternal warmth and kindnesses.
We’re told some downstairs staff are jealous of their exceptional relationship. Two downstairs characters touchingly prove otherwise: Rodney Watts, the butler, and Mrs. Lister, head cook. They will remind you of Mr. Carson and Mrs. Patmore of Downton Abbey. The Lagonda motor car featured in Ottoline’s shaky driving skills (reflective of her erratic behavior), and Pearl’s chauffeuring role will also bring back scenes from that PBS Masterpiece show.
The rest of the upstairs family includes Lord Hector Campbell, whose fuzzy position in the Foreign Office necessitates stretches of time spent in London, particularly during the war effort; and sons Hugo, 21, Oxford-schooled, and Billy, 19, an Eton student, who we come to know best and care most about as he’s the golden boy Ottoline’s acutely attached to.
Pearl’s initial impressions were of a “very happy household” where every day felt “like Christmas.” Although, she did sense an “ineffable sadness” about her ladyship, which surfaces in ways good and bad.
On the balance between happiness and sadness, the author has crafted a novel of a nation at war that never forgets to remind us of the beauty of life, nature, and experiencing true love.
Speaking of love, if you love historical novels, this one, I think, will inspire your new year’s resolution to read more in 2017!
Lorraine (EnchantedProse.com)
PS My last post on Victoria cited another PBS Masterpiece show, a mini-series based on the novel. Update on when it airs: January 15th. Also: After Queen Victoria’s reign, King George V became the next British monarch. Thus, The Echo of Twilight follows the historical timeline of British succession. Mentioned is the King’s Prime Minister, H.H. Asquith, who made the momentous decision to enter the war, and Lord Kitchener, his Secretary of State for War.
April 6, 2018
Really enjoying stories of the Great War these days, and of course this feeds nicely into my Scotland reading. I enjoyed the development of the main character, who measurably matured throughout the course of the novel. The dropping of social barriers between lady and lady’s maid felt a little strange—it was of course meant to be strange, but I guess what I mean is it felt inauthentic somehow. I was also interested in the recurring theme of adultery, both the intentional and unintentional kinds. It’s certainly didn’t paint married men in the best light...
In all, though, a lovely wartime story certainly in keeping with Kinghorn’s The Last Summer, which I also quite enjoyed. Not quite as great as my all-time Great War favorite, The Passing Bells by Phillip Rock.
In all, though, a lovely wartime story certainly in keeping with Kinghorn’s The Last Summer, which I also quite enjoyed. Not quite as great as my all-time Great War favorite, The Passing Bells by Phillip Rock.
March 20, 2017
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
The Echo of Twilight
By Judith Kinghorn
ISBN #9780451472106
Author Website: http://www.judithkinghornwriter.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
In 1914, despite the clouds of war threatening Europe, Pearl Gibson’s future is bright. She has secured a position as a lady’s maid to a wealthy Northumberland aristocrat, a job that will win her not only respect but an opportunity to travel and live in luxury. Her new life at Lady Ottoline Campbell’s Scottish summer estate is a whirlwind of intrigue and glamour, scandals and confidences and surprisingly, a strange but intimate friendship with her employer.
But when violence erupts in Europe, Pearl and Ottoline’s world is irrevocably changed. As the men in their lives are called to the front lines, leaving them behind to anxiously brace for bad news, Pearl realizes she must share one final secret with her mistress a secret that will bind them together forever….(Goodreads)
Review:
The Echo of Twilight tells the story of ambitious ladies maid Pearl Gibson and her unconventional employer Lady Ottoline Campbell. The book begins with the world on edge anticipating the breakout of World War I. What ensues is a tale of two women whose secrets intertwine and lives are forever altered even long after the war has ended.
I was excited to read The Echo of Twilight as the cover blurb sounded like it would be right up my alley. I adore historical fiction and enjoy losing myself in another time. Judith Kinghorn definitely does a great job of creating a sense of place. I felt like I was right there with Pearl in England and Scotland. The writing style felt true to the period. However, I do think there were too many liberties taken with Ottoline’s behavior and attitudes. I seriously doubt that an aristocrat would introduce her maid to other members of the upper crust and throw a party for her like she belonged in the drawing room. Unconventionality aside, this rang completely false.
We are introduced to a handful of endearing characters. Pearl is relatable and a reliable narrator. I truly felt her loneliness and pain in wanting someplace to belong. I did not get her borderline obsession with not growing up to be like her mother. Had she actually known her mother I would have understood better. I found Ottoline and her motivations fascinating and an interesting portrayal of someone caught in a life where she does not quite fit in. Suffering from depression, anxiety, boredom, and loneliness, her thoughts and actions kept me reading. Ottoline’s cousin Ralph played in integral role in the story, and he was appealing. Though not featured much, Ottoline’s sensitive son Billy was one of my favorite characters. I wish he had played a bigger role. Butler Rodney Watts and cook Mrs. Lister added some much needed humanity to the “downstairs” life.
The book was very much about love in all forms – friendship, romantic, familial, especially maternal. Romance is where this book failed for me. Ralph and Pearl’s initial meeting (and her birthday party) provided a nice initial spark between the two, but as things progressed, I did not feel any chemistry between them and their relationship was unconvincing. The most compelling thing about the story was Pearl and Ottoline’s complicated and ever evolving relationship. The war and its repercussions were constant companions to all of the characters. There was great emphasis placed on how the war took its toll on everyone, the changing roles for women, and the blurring of the lines between society stations. All of these things helped give the story some bulk and move it along. However, the pace was never quick and became even more sluggish in the section set after the war. Also, I found the ending wrapped up a little too tidily.
Overall, The Echo of Twilight was worth reading. I recommend it to fans of World War I historical fiction.
The Echo of Twilight
By Judith Kinghorn
ISBN #9780451472106
Author Website: http://www.judithkinghornwriter.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
In 1914, despite the clouds of war threatening Europe, Pearl Gibson’s future is bright. She has secured a position as a lady’s maid to a wealthy Northumberland aristocrat, a job that will win her not only respect but an opportunity to travel and live in luxury. Her new life at Lady Ottoline Campbell’s Scottish summer estate is a whirlwind of intrigue and glamour, scandals and confidences and surprisingly, a strange but intimate friendship with her employer.
But when violence erupts in Europe, Pearl and Ottoline’s world is irrevocably changed. As the men in their lives are called to the front lines, leaving them behind to anxiously brace for bad news, Pearl realizes she must share one final secret with her mistress a secret that will bind them together forever….(Goodreads)
Review:
The Echo of Twilight tells the story of ambitious ladies maid Pearl Gibson and her unconventional employer Lady Ottoline Campbell. The book begins with the world on edge anticipating the breakout of World War I. What ensues is a tale of two women whose secrets intertwine and lives are forever altered even long after the war has ended.
I was excited to read The Echo of Twilight as the cover blurb sounded like it would be right up my alley. I adore historical fiction and enjoy losing myself in another time. Judith Kinghorn definitely does a great job of creating a sense of place. I felt like I was right there with Pearl in England and Scotland. The writing style felt true to the period. However, I do think there were too many liberties taken with Ottoline’s behavior and attitudes. I seriously doubt that an aristocrat would introduce her maid to other members of the upper crust and throw a party for her like she belonged in the drawing room. Unconventionality aside, this rang completely false.
We are introduced to a handful of endearing characters. Pearl is relatable and a reliable narrator. I truly felt her loneliness and pain in wanting someplace to belong. I did not get her borderline obsession with not growing up to be like her mother. Had she actually known her mother I would have understood better. I found Ottoline and her motivations fascinating and an interesting portrayal of someone caught in a life where she does not quite fit in. Suffering from depression, anxiety, boredom, and loneliness, her thoughts and actions kept me reading. Ottoline’s cousin Ralph played in integral role in the story, and he was appealing. Though not featured much, Ottoline’s sensitive son Billy was one of my favorite characters. I wish he had played a bigger role. Butler Rodney Watts and cook Mrs. Lister added some much needed humanity to the “downstairs” life.
The book was very much about love in all forms – friendship, romantic, familial, especially maternal. Romance is where this book failed for me. Ralph and Pearl’s initial meeting (and her birthday party) provided a nice initial spark between the two, but as things progressed, I did not feel any chemistry between them and their relationship was unconvincing. The most compelling thing about the story was Pearl and Ottoline’s complicated and ever evolving relationship. The war and its repercussions were constant companions to all of the characters. There was great emphasis placed on how the war took its toll on everyone, the changing roles for women, and the blurring of the lines between society stations. All of these things helped give the story some bulk and move it along. However, the pace was never quick and became even more sluggish in the section set after the war. Also, I found the ending wrapped up a little too tidily.
Overall, The Echo of Twilight was worth reading. I recommend it to fans of World War I historical fiction.
February 7, 2017
Another winner from Ms Kinghorn. Set around the time of the first world war.. Pearl is a ladies maid working for Ottoline. the book tells of their releationship and Pearl's love affair with the painter Ralph Steadman. A terrific read.
June 2, 2017
The Echo of Twilight didn't really break new ground with its themes - an unusual friendship between an aristocrat and her lady's maid on the eve of WWI - but the writing and slight twists really made me love this novel.
Pearl, the main character, was not easy to like. Right off the bat, she's a bit of a liar and very cold. And her employer, Ottoline, seems a bit flighty. But throughout the novel, we find that Ottoline has many layers to her, some good and some not-so-good. Through a series of events, Pearl and Ottoline become very close, but their friendship has a tipping point.
The story starts at the beginning of WWI and we continue to follow the characters long after the war has ended. The last third of the book felt a bit long-winded. Some issues regarding adultery and illegitimate children were a bit cliché, but more than one revelation had me shocked.
Kinghorn's writing is beautiful yet still easy to read. The story was a lovely addition to a genre that I always gravitate towards. If you enjoy stories about upstairs-downstairs relations, WWI historical fiction, and an English setting, add this one to your TBR.
Pearl, the main character, was not easy to like. Right off the bat, she's a bit of a liar and very cold. And her employer, Ottoline, seems a bit flighty. But throughout the novel, we find that Ottoline has many layers to her, some good and some not-so-good. Through a series of events, Pearl and Ottoline become very close, but their friendship has a tipping point.
The story starts at the beginning of WWI and we continue to follow the characters long after the war has ended. The last third of the book felt a bit long-winded. Some issues regarding adultery and illegitimate children were a bit cliché, but more than one revelation had me shocked.
Kinghorn's writing is beautiful yet still easy to read. The story was a lovely addition to a genre that I always gravitate towards. If you enjoy stories about upstairs-downstairs relations, WWI historical fiction, and an English setting, add this one to your TBR.
April 29, 2017
I gave this a four star review because it's well written and very descriptive. However, it didn't really 'do' it for me.
Pearl is the main character who came from nothing and works her way up to lady's maid. This is where it became kind of unbelievable for me. She had only started working for Lady Ottoline and she was being introduced to the family and their friends and dining with them. There is no way this would have happened at that time. The relationship between Pearl and Ottoline was unusual but this was carrying things too far I thought. Anyone she met seemed to instantly take to her and to be honest she wasn't that interesting a person.
The love affair she had totaled maybe a chapter and there was no real emotion or passion that I could see.
The book was in three parts. Part one I was enjoying to a point, part two wasn't great and part three changed everything that had gone before and though it tied up all the story a lot of it seemed coincidental.
For me there seemed to be a dreary thread the whole way through. I felt like it was dragging me down.
Pearl is the main character who came from nothing and works her way up to lady's maid. This is where it became kind of unbelievable for me. She had only started working for Lady Ottoline and she was being introduced to the family and their friends and dining with them. There is no way this would have happened at that time. The relationship between Pearl and Ottoline was unusual but this was carrying things too far I thought. Anyone she met seemed to instantly take to her and to be honest she wasn't that interesting a person.
The love affair she had totaled maybe a chapter and there was no real emotion or passion that I could see.
The book was in three parts. Part one I was enjoying to a point, part two wasn't great and part three changed everything that had gone before and though it tied up all the story a lot of it seemed coincidental.
For me there seemed to be a dreary thread the whole way through. I felt like it was dragging me down.
December 9, 2019
This is a generally well-written romantic story. There is much emphasis on the class system as well as early women's liberation. Although the story is somewhat predictable it is an entertaining read for fans of the genre.
January 2, 2017
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing House for giving me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Well, to say that I was underwhelmed with this book might be an understatement. When I read the synopsis, I was thrilled, excited for something that--well, wasn't what I expected. Yet I wouldn't say that the synopsis is misleading. There is definitely an "unlikely relationship" between a lady's maid and her lady, Pearl and Lady Ottoline respectively but it wasn't in the way I thought it would be and this book took some turns, good and bad, but overall, I'm afraid I can't find much excitement in it.
And I think that's one of the main problems I had with the book. It was dull. Pearl was incredibly dull--all of the characters were except maybe Lady Ottoline's youngest son, Billy, whom I thought was forming quite a good relationship with Pearl until the war broke out. The romance intrigued me but I didn't get the sweeping gestures and feelings I usually get. Nothing excited me or left me wanting more. I wanted to stop nearly halfway through reading but I pushed through because well, I was nearly to the end.
I can appreciate how Pearl becomes independent. A large part of it is due to the incredible changes the war brought and how traditional roles for women and people in general began to change. I can also appreciate the bond Ottoline and Pearl formed as two women with secrets of their own--secrets they shared with each other but no one else. Yet I couldn't understand the odd fascination that the main character had with her mother's choices. Maybe I would have understood if the circumstances around Pearl's mother had happened when Pearl could actually remember, but that wasn't the case. Pearl was incredibly determined not to be like her mother and while she accomplished that, in a sense, I still couldn't come to terms with Pearl's constant looking back at her mother.
While the ending was happy, it fell flat for me. I guess because I wasn't convinced of the romance in the first place. Didn't feel the burning passion and desire. It felt muted and grey, therefore, I wasn't drawn to it. But I am happy that Pearl herself received her happy ending because she did go through heartache yet continued to remain strong even towards the end.
Well, to say that I was underwhelmed with this book might be an understatement. When I read the synopsis, I was thrilled, excited for something that--well, wasn't what I expected. Yet I wouldn't say that the synopsis is misleading. There is definitely an "unlikely relationship" between a lady's maid and her lady, Pearl and Lady Ottoline respectively but it wasn't in the way I thought it would be and this book took some turns, good and bad, but overall, I'm afraid I can't find much excitement in it.
And I think that's one of the main problems I had with the book. It was dull. Pearl was incredibly dull--all of the characters were except maybe Lady Ottoline's youngest son, Billy, whom I thought was forming quite a good relationship with Pearl until the war broke out. The romance intrigued me but I didn't get the sweeping gestures and feelings I usually get. Nothing excited me or left me wanting more. I wanted to stop nearly halfway through reading but I pushed through because well, I was nearly to the end.
I can appreciate how Pearl becomes independent. A large part of it is due to the incredible changes the war brought and how traditional roles for women and people in general began to change. I can also appreciate the bond Ottoline and Pearl formed as two women with secrets of their own--secrets they shared with each other but no one else. Yet I couldn't understand the odd fascination that the main character had with her mother's choices. Maybe I would have understood if the circumstances around Pearl's mother had happened when Pearl could actually remember, but that wasn't the case. Pearl was incredibly determined not to be like her mother and while she accomplished that, in a sense, I still couldn't come to terms with Pearl's constant looking back at her mother.
While the ending was happy, it fell flat for me. I guess because I wasn't convinced of the romance in the first place. Didn't feel the burning passion and desire. It felt muted and grey, therefore, I wasn't drawn to it. But I am happy that Pearl herself received her happy ending because she did go through heartache yet continued to remain strong even towards the end.
February 20, 2017
Pearl has no family - her mother committed suicide hours after she was born and she has never known who her father is and she was brought up by her Aunt Kitty and Grandfather both of whom are now dead - so when she lands a job as Ladies Maid with Lady Ottoline Campbell she is over the moon
She soon finds that Ottoline wants a friend and confidante as well as a maid and the two become closer and closer. Starting off in the North of England they then move to Scotland for the summer - the last summer before WWI starts. Ottoline is distraught when both of her sons join up and Pearl is equally upset when Ottoline's cousin Ralph, the artist that has caught her heart, follows suit.
Staying up in Scotland events overtake both Ottoline and Pearl and they both have secrets that tie them together forever.....but can they both get through this unscathed!
A great family saga I loved the character Pearl and her longing for family and to belong somewhere, with the niggle of a name circled in a paper by her Aunt Kitty that she is sure must have significance to her past, and all ends are well tied up at the end of the book
She soon finds that Ottoline wants a friend and confidante as well as a maid and the two become closer and closer. Starting off in the North of England they then move to Scotland for the summer - the last summer before WWI starts. Ottoline is distraught when both of her sons join up and Pearl is equally upset when Ottoline's cousin Ralph, the artist that has caught her heart, follows suit.
Staying up in Scotland events overtake both Ottoline and Pearl and they both have secrets that tie them together forever.....but can they both get through this unscathed!
A great family saga I loved the character Pearl and her longing for family and to belong somewhere, with the niggle of a name circled in a paper by her Aunt Kitty that she is sure must have significance to her past, and all ends are well tied up at the end of the book
June 6, 2017
The writing was gorgeous and aching and perfectly suitable for the novel, but sadly, I found the protagonist rather dull--and would have cared to see much more of Ralph (my favorite character from the book) and Lady Ottoline (considering she's a central character and doesn't, in my opinion, receive enough time on-page). I enjoyed the relationship between Mr. Watts and Pearl, but would have liked to have had the latter and Ralph, and their romance, be explored far more.
At some points, the book felt like it was at war with pacing--should it tarry or hasten?--and a number of the plot points seemed foggy. The author appears to have a fondness for dialogue tags, even when they're not necessary (i.e., she would describe an action, but go ahead and pointlessly attach a dialogue tag, anyway. It just felt a bit jarring).
Overall, though, this Downton-esque book is an enjoyable one among a myriad of disappointing DNFs I've happened across of late. I'd certainly recommend it to historical fiction fans.
At some points, the book felt like it was at war with pacing--should it tarry or hasten?--and a number of the plot points seemed foggy. The author appears to have a fondness for dialogue tags, even when they're not necessary (i.e., she would describe an action, but go ahead and pointlessly attach a dialogue tag, anyway. It just felt a bit jarring).
Overall, though, this Downton-esque book is an enjoyable one among a myriad of disappointing DNFs I've happened across of late. I'd certainly recommend it to historical fiction fans.
January 3, 2017
As a fan of Downton Abbey, I was immediately intrigued by the title's description and although the story itself was a bit predictable, especially towards the end, I found this to be a captivating read nonetheless and wasn't disappointed in the least. Pearl Gibson and Lady Ottoline develop a rather unconventional relationship proving that times are changing and, with the onset of World War I, life will never be the same for either woman. Kinghorn has created a story filled with secrets and betrayals, lost loves, friendships, agonizing grief, and endless hope for a better future. Often I found Kinghorn's writing style to be captivating and rather poetic filled with intrigue, creating a strong urgency to keep on reading. I was easily lost between the pages and often found myself reaching for a tissue!
February 7, 2017
2.5 stars
Though a worthwhile read, THE ECHO OF TWILIGHT is sluggish. There is, however, a great sense of place, and I enjoyed getting lost in another era. The characters are somewhat compelling , but there is much emphasis placed on the repercussions of war. Lady Ottoline and Pearl's ever evolving relationship was the highlight of the book and kept me reading.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
Though a worthwhile read, THE ECHO OF TWILIGHT is sluggish. There is, however, a great sense of place, and I enjoyed getting lost in another era. The characters are somewhat compelling , but there is much emphasis placed on the repercussions of war. Lady Ottoline and Pearl's ever evolving relationship was the highlight of the book and kept me reading.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
April 12, 2018
The only reason I didn’t rate this book higher is because it was very predictable. This is a familiar genre for me and the plot is a common one. Nothing was new or fresh and I was disappointed by the predictably. It was neatly wrapped up and the main character seems to go through life with a convenient safety net. I wasn’t really attached to the characters or invested in what happened to them. It’s an all’s well that ends well book.
February 23, 2018
This was one of those books I just couldn’t put down, I just loved the characters and story and it was great the way it all came together, eventually. And as someone who has visited Tomintoul on a few occasions I also enjoyed the locations Pearl spent time in. Thank you again Judith Kinghorn for a wonderful read.
January 8, 2017
Perfect historical fiction. A feisty heroine, the years during WWI and directly after, and great supporting characters. It was split into three parts and very well paced, and although I knew where it was headed, it was still an enjoyable ride. Highly recommended.
June 15, 2018
Bought this book because descriptions said it was a cross between 'Downton Abbey' and 'Jane Eyre'. Miss Pearl Gibson is a young woman in service watching the world change from just before World War I and into the roaring 20's. She watches the sons of her house go to war, the aftereffects, plus the changes for her, the house, greater society and the repercussions of what happens after.
It was a solid read. Author Kinghorn writes with a pretty engaging voice for Pearl and I enjoyed the story, for the most part. The "downstairs" characters of DA tended to not interest me as much but the knowledge from the show helped me understand Pearl's role and what she was going through here. Her life, her loves, working for a lady who is not quite all that she seems and more. The first two sections (which mostly deal with her life before and during the war) were more of the 'Downton' part of the story and thought that was good.
The third and final part deals more with her life after leaving the household and that part just didn't interest me as much. This is the 'Jane Eyre' section and overall it felt a bit too tidily cleaned up. Secrets revealed, questions Pearl has are answered and she gets a happy ending. I don't mind that it all turned out okay for her but some of it was a bit too convenient for me and basically settled how she would be okay for the rest of her life (whereas many other young women at that time and in her position in society and what not would not be). The romance also bored me.
Overall it was a surprisingly pleasant read. It might have helped that some time has passed since I have watched the show or read the book so any comparisons aren't going to be as strong. Books that are marketed as
"readalikes" or a cross between certain well-known and/or critically acclaimed projects can sometimes be very deceptive but I thought it was relatively accurate.
I bought it and that was okay. It wasn't a page-turner for me so while I was interested in how Pearl's life would turn out I wasn't necessarily going to prioritize the book over something else. If you're stuck on a plane or am needing something to read while recovering for an illness, though, this might be a good pickup as a borrow or bargain buy.
It was a solid read. Author Kinghorn writes with a pretty engaging voice for Pearl and I enjoyed the story, for the most part. The "downstairs" characters of DA tended to not interest me as much but the knowledge from the show helped me understand Pearl's role and what she was going through here. Her life, her loves, working for a lady who is not quite all that she seems and more. The first two sections (which mostly deal with her life before and during the war) were more of the 'Downton' part of the story and thought that was good.
The third and final part deals more with her life after leaving the household and that part just didn't interest me as much. This is the 'Jane Eyre' section and overall it felt a bit too tidily cleaned up. Secrets revealed, questions Pearl has are answered and she gets a happy ending. I don't mind that it all turned out okay for her but some of it was a bit too convenient for me and basically settled how she would be okay for the rest of her life (whereas many other young women at that time and in her position in society and what not would not be). The romance also bored me.
Overall it was a surprisingly pleasant read. It might have helped that some time has passed since I have watched the show or read the book so any comparisons aren't going to be as strong. Books that are marketed as
"readalikes" or a cross between certain well-known and/or critically acclaimed projects can sometimes be very deceptive but I thought it was relatively accurate.
I bought it and that was okay. It wasn't a page-turner for me so while I was interested in how Pearl's life would turn out I wasn't necessarily going to prioritize the book over something else. If you're stuck on a plane or am needing something to read while recovering for an illness, though, this might be a good pickup as a borrow or bargain buy.
December 29, 2020
Pearl is a lady's maid and starts working for Ottoline. As WWI breaks out the 2 women become close as they are both hiding secrets and have things in common. It is an interesting WWI novel as neither woman is a contributor to the war effort.
June 25, 2021
I enjoyed the time period and the settings, but I could not connect with the heroine.
July 28, 2018
Loved it to the very last surprising page!
January 5, 2017
Pearl Gibson loves to travel, to move up, to make up names for herself and tales she tells strangers, lying to embellish and enchant mundane reality! She’s good at it or perhaps one should say she was good at it until she was caught in one of her brilliant fabrications. On the way to interview for a job as a lady’s maid, she gives her name as Ottoline, the name of her soon to be employer, to a fine looking man she meets at a railroad station. Just a stranger, right? Ha!
In fact, the real Ottoline Campbell who hires Pearl is a unique woman who does exactly as she pleases during an era when women’s roles were quite circumscribed. Ottoline’s attitude to Pearl from the very beginning is more of a friend than employer, although when displeased she lets Pearl know her place. Very quickly, Pearl learns about the family secrets but it isn’t her place to comment. Pearl then meets a family relative and they immediately bond. Now Ottoline has a secret that binds her to Pearl even deeper, a truth that is unfortunately or fortunately, depending on one’s point of view, shunted to the side with the beginning of World War I in 1914. Ottoline’s sons and so many other sons in the area join the military fight out of patriotic duty. Some will die; some will return as scarred, traumatized wrecks! Pearl soon has a secret that she entrusts to Ottoline, who now evolves into Pearl’s protector and more than friend.
Pearl’s tension from the war and its shocking effects builds up until one day she breaks and spews out what she perceives as the truth, an act that mandates she leave the Campbell home to become the independent woman she needs to be. Years later, she will return under totally unexpected circumstances.
This story has been told many times before this novel was written. The essence of this story, however, is quite unique. What rules our lives – fate, destiny, choices, rebellion, conformity – what? Judith Kinghorn is a very skilled author who crafts a mesmerizing account of how the vicissitudes of life dramatically shift during wartime. Every character is dramatically changed forever and the reader is honored to have shared the dramatic lives within these pages.
The Echo of Twilight is an amazing work of historical fiction that this reviewer highly recommends!
In fact, the real Ottoline Campbell who hires Pearl is a unique woman who does exactly as she pleases during an era when women’s roles were quite circumscribed. Ottoline’s attitude to Pearl from the very beginning is more of a friend than employer, although when displeased she lets Pearl know her place. Very quickly, Pearl learns about the family secrets but it isn’t her place to comment. Pearl then meets a family relative and they immediately bond. Now Ottoline has a secret that binds her to Pearl even deeper, a truth that is unfortunately or fortunately, depending on one’s point of view, shunted to the side with the beginning of World War I in 1914. Ottoline’s sons and so many other sons in the area join the military fight out of patriotic duty. Some will die; some will return as scarred, traumatized wrecks! Pearl soon has a secret that she entrusts to Ottoline, who now evolves into Pearl’s protector and more than friend.
Pearl’s tension from the war and its shocking effects builds up until one day she breaks and spews out what she perceives as the truth, an act that mandates she leave the Campbell home to become the independent woman she needs to be. Years later, she will return under totally unexpected circumstances.
This story has been told many times before this novel was written. The essence of this story, however, is quite unique. What rules our lives – fate, destiny, choices, rebellion, conformity – what? Judith Kinghorn is a very skilled author who crafts a mesmerizing account of how the vicissitudes of life dramatically shift during wartime. Every character is dramatically changed forever and the reader is honored to have shared the dramatic lives within these pages.
The Echo of Twilight is an amazing work of historical fiction that this reviewer highly recommends!
April 17, 2018
Pearl Gibson is alone in the world when her great-aunt Kitty passes on and she has to support herself. After her experience as a lady's companion, she takes a position as lady's maid to a wealthy family that owns an estate in Scotland.
"A lady's maid must be neat in her person... she should speak pleasantly and quietly, and be able to read and write well... A lady's maid is the private shadow of her mistress ... She is seldom seen or heard."
Pearl's story is the main focus of this novel as she learns to interact with the other servants and the Campbell family. When World War I begins Pearl has already made choices that will affect her life forever. Pearl is immediately drawn into the life of Lady Ottoline and experiences life from both the perspective of a servant and a member of high society.
I really enjoy reading historical fiction and love reading about England and the effects of the first world war on society. This book did not disappoint in that respect, and the characters engaged my sympathy. However, I didn't find Ottoline's character to be very believable, as she befriends her maid to the extent of treating her as an equal and almost like a sister. Pearl's choices were not blindly made and she did have to endure the consequences, but she is a strong character and resilient.
"...though I knew -knew even then - that Stanley Morton wasn't worth my tears, at that moment a desperate longing, a longing I'd known all of my life, the desire to belong to someone or something, to have a home, a family, swamped me."
However Pearl is soon faced with a decision of whether to continue a relationship that she knows will put at risk everything she dreams of.
Much of this novel illustrates the effects of human choice and free will, both outwardly and inwardly. Pearl herself is an orphan due to unfortunate circumstances, but she is determined to find happiness, even if she has to manufacture it for herself.
The author does use lovely prose and I especially love books that include Scotland especially in this time period, a time that is forever gone.
"A lady's maid must be neat in her person... she should speak pleasantly and quietly, and be able to read and write well... A lady's maid is the private shadow of her mistress ... She is seldom seen or heard."
Pearl's story is the main focus of this novel as she learns to interact with the other servants and the Campbell family. When World War I begins Pearl has already made choices that will affect her life forever. Pearl is immediately drawn into the life of Lady Ottoline and experiences life from both the perspective of a servant and a member of high society.
I really enjoy reading historical fiction and love reading about England and the effects of the first world war on society. This book did not disappoint in that respect, and the characters engaged my sympathy. However, I didn't find Ottoline's character to be very believable, as she befriends her maid to the extent of treating her as an equal and almost like a sister. Pearl's choices were not blindly made and she did have to endure the consequences, but she is a strong character and resilient.
"...though I knew -knew even then - that Stanley Morton wasn't worth my tears, at that moment a desperate longing, a longing I'd known all of my life, the desire to belong to someone or something, to have a home, a family, swamped me."
However Pearl is soon faced with a decision of whether to continue a relationship that she knows will put at risk everything she dreams of.
Much of this novel illustrates the effects of human choice and free will, both outwardly and inwardly. Pearl herself is an orphan due to unfortunate circumstances, but she is determined to find happiness, even if she has to manufacture it for herself.
The author does use lovely prose and I especially love books that include Scotland especially in this time period, a time that is forever gone.
February 16, 2017
Echo of Twilight Two women, Pearl Gibson and Lady Ottoline Campbell are the main characters in this historical fiction novel that starts at the beginning of World War I. All Pearl knows of her mother is that shortly after her birth, she committed suicide. Pearl grows up with her Aunt Kitty, living hand to mouth and when Kitty dies, Pearl goes to work with Lady Campbell. Their relationship becomes more than just servant and mistress, they become friends.
With the advent of the war, the Campbell's sons sign up to fight which does not end well. This tugs on the fragility that is Lady Ottoline's psyche and she spirals into depression. Pearl had had a relationship with Lady Ottoline's cousin, Ralph, who also goes off to fight. After he leaves Pearl finds out she is pregnant and with the help of Ottoline, she delivers a little girl, Lila, named after Ottoline. Life goes on peacefully if not tensely as everyone waits to see if their loved ones will come home from the war.
During this time, Ottoline's depression continues and she and Pearl have a falling out and Pearl and Lila leave and go back to London. There Pearl ekes out a life for her and her daughter.
This story takes place in three parts, just prior to the war, during the war and after the war. The reader becomes part of Pearl's life, the ups and downs, through love affairs and friendships. A beautifully written story that will keep the reader turning the pages, hoping that Pearl finds the love she seeks. A bit of a twist at the end was unexpected but welcomed! I loved this story that was reminiscent of stories by one of my other favorite authors, Lucinda Riley.
With the advent of the war, the Campbell's sons sign up to fight which does not end well. This tugs on the fragility that is Lady Ottoline's psyche and she spirals into depression. Pearl had had a relationship with Lady Ottoline's cousin, Ralph, who also goes off to fight. After he leaves Pearl finds out she is pregnant and with the help of Ottoline, she delivers a little girl, Lila, named after Ottoline. Life goes on peacefully if not tensely as everyone waits to see if their loved ones will come home from the war.
During this time, Ottoline's depression continues and she and Pearl have a falling out and Pearl and Lila leave and go back to London. There Pearl ekes out a life for her and her daughter.
This story takes place in three parts, just prior to the war, during the war and after the war. The reader becomes part of Pearl's life, the ups and downs, through love affairs and friendships. A beautifully written story that will keep the reader turning the pages, hoping that Pearl finds the love she seeks. A bit of a twist at the end was unexpected but welcomed! I loved this story that was reminiscent of stories by one of my other favorite authors, Lucinda Riley.
February 6, 2017
In London in the months leading up to the start of World War One, Pearl Gibson is a young woman with ambition--ambition to be a lady's maid, the most genteel occupation available to a young woman of her background. Her great-aunt Kitty taught her everything she could, and told her that it took "a very superior sort of girl" to be a lady's maid, and after years of work, moving repeatedly to advance herself, Pearl is interviewing with Lady Ottoline Campbell, who is looking for a new lady's maid.
It's the start of a new life for Pearl, and she has no idea just how much change this position, this particular lady, and the war will bring into her life. We see the strains and cracks already appearing in the old class system, and the hard rock it runs into with the war and all its death and destruction. But this is also a deeply romantic story. Pearl works out an unexpected friendship with Lady Ottoline, uncovers secrets of her own past, and finds love someplace wholly unexpected.
It's a beautifully developed story, with a richness of color, texture, and feeling. The cracking of the old order, the deaths and losses of the war, alongside the gains made by some as the cracks and losses created new opportunities for some, are all painfully present. At the same time, while acknowledging the costs, this is a strong, hopeful story.
Pearl and Ottoline, and those around them, are very nicely developed as characters, and our understanding of those around Pearl grows and changes as hers does. It's engrossing and satisfying.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
It's the start of a new life for Pearl, and she has no idea just how much change this position, this particular lady, and the war will bring into her life. We see the strains and cracks already appearing in the old class system, and the hard rock it runs into with the war and all its death and destruction. But this is also a deeply romantic story. Pearl works out an unexpected friendship with Lady Ottoline, uncovers secrets of her own past, and finds love someplace wholly unexpected.
It's a beautifully developed story, with a richness of color, texture, and feeling. The cracking of the old order, the deaths and losses of the war, alongside the gains made by some as the cracks and losses created new opportunities for some, are all painfully present. At the same time, while acknowledging the costs, this is a strong, hopeful story.
Pearl and Ottoline, and those around them, are very nicely developed as characters, and our understanding of those around Pearl grows and changes as hers does. It's engrossing and satisfying.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
February 7, 2017
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a review galley.
The Echo of Twilight is the story of two women whose lives are forever changed by circumstances beyond their control – most notably World War I. Pearl, a young woman, accepts the position of Ottoline’s lady’s maid. Raised by her spinster great-aunt, Pearl never knew her parents. When her great-aunt died she had no family left and went into service. When she was hired by Lady Ottoline she found a family of sorts – with a few of the staff and the Campbell family.
The Campbells are an interesting family. The two sons are nineteen and twenty-one and ready to fight for their King and Country. When war is declared they leave the family home and go off to fight. Uncertainty and heartache will loom for those left at home in the years to follow. Ottoline, the boys’ mother, proved to be a complex woman whose character was revealed in layers throughout the novel.
The novel is divided into three parts: Before, during, and after the war. Kinghorn’s story was so addicting that I had a hard time setting it down. I’m a fan of historical fiction, especially set in the early 20th century. The Echo of Twilight is an emotional novel that I recommend to fans of the author and the genre.
The Echo of Twilight is the story of two women whose lives are forever changed by circumstances beyond their control – most notably World War I. Pearl, a young woman, accepts the position of Ottoline’s lady’s maid. Raised by her spinster great-aunt, Pearl never knew her parents. When her great-aunt died she had no family left and went into service. When she was hired by Lady Ottoline she found a family of sorts – with a few of the staff and the Campbell family.
The Campbells are an interesting family. The two sons are nineteen and twenty-one and ready to fight for their King and Country. When war is declared they leave the family home and go off to fight. Uncertainty and heartache will loom for those left at home in the years to follow. Ottoline, the boys’ mother, proved to be a complex woman whose character was revealed in layers throughout the novel.
The novel is divided into three parts: Before, during, and after the war. Kinghorn’s story was so addicting that I had a hard time setting it down. I’m a fan of historical fiction, especially set in the early 20th century. The Echo of Twilight is an emotional novel that I recommend to fans of the author and the genre.
February 9, 2017
I'm bummed. After reading the synopsis, I was super excited to read Echo of Twilight after falling in love with The Last Summer two years ago. There were multiple similarities. The same time period? Check. Manor house? Check. Upstair-downstairs relations? Check.
Unfortunately, the book falters for multiple reasons. First, the central heart of the book, the romance, just seems off. Ralph and Pearl don't make sense together. There's no witty banter or real believability in the romance. The plot-twists were lame and one of them was basically copied her previous book. Second, the relationship between Ottoline and Pearl is so completely anachronistic. While Ottoline could have had a trusting, friendly relationship with Pearl (think Lady Mary and Anna from Downton Abbey), there's no way that during the time-period, Ottoline would be introducing Pearl at her parties and having Pearl ride in the same first-class carriage on the train.
The one upside is Kinghorn's poetic writing. She imbues a strong sense of place and writes carefully and eloquently. I cannot recommend the book, sadly, but would highly recommend her previous work, The Last Summer.
Unfortunately, the book falters for multiple reasons. First, the central heart of the book, the romance, just seems off. Ralph and Pearl don't make sense together. There's no witty banter or real believability in the romance. The plot-twists were lame and one of them was basically copied her previous book. Second, the relationship between Ottoline and Pearl is so completely anachronistic. While Ottoline could have had a trusting, friendly relationship with Pearl (think Lady Mary and Anna from Downton Abbey), there's no way that during the time-period, Ottoline would be introducing Pearl at her parties and having Pearl ride in the same first-class carriage on the train.
The one upside is Kinghorn's poetic writing. She imbues a strong sense of place and writes carefully and eloquently. I cannot recommend the book, sadly, but would highly recommend her previous work, The Last Summer.
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