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Williamsburg #6
This Was Tomorrow
The sixth of the "Williamsburg" novels, "This was Tomorrow" displays all the charm and dramatic power readers look for in the work of Elswyth Thane. Her skilful and delicate portrayal of the loves of Jeff and Sylvia, of Stephen and Evadne, will delight and fascintate. Jeff was a foreign correspondent, widely travelled and charming, Stephen and Sylvia were musical-comedy stars, whose gay and light-hearted performances delighted London audiences. But it is Evadne who dominates the story. Evadne, whose short chestnut curls and gentle curving smile made her quite irresistible to Stephen, had a passionate desire to help the world - a crusading complex - which lead her to adopt a Cause and very nearly to lose her Stephen. It was only Stephen's tact and understanding that helped Evadne to cease her vain pursuit and to direct her energies into a love that made both their lives rich and exquisitely happy. The loves of these two couples trace a bright thread through the rich pattern of English society at the time when the rise of a European dictator and the snare of appeasement where producing an ominous situation - that could happen again, tomorrow.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1951
27 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Elswyth Thane
41 books139 followersThane is most famous for her "Williamsburg" series of historical fiction. The books cover several generations of a single family from the American Revolutionary War up to World War II. The action moves from Williamsburg in later books to England, New York City and Richmond, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 7, 2008
i have read this book all the way through at least twenty five times. my mom once tried to 'lose' a library copy, but they said she'd still have to pay three months of fines plus the cover price. as a twelve year old, i was madly in love with stephen sprague. i remember crying over him. there's diary entries. it was the most pathetic, nerdy crush imaginable, and it was completely real to me. all of the books in the williamsburg series are great, but this one was always my favorite. they're good books for when you're feeling sad or blue or rainy, because you can curl up with them and forget the entire world outside of the book.
January 1, 2017
I've really been enjoying this series and will be sorry to see it end when I read the next book. I started reading it mainly for the Williamsburg setting, but have become fond of the family of characters. There are a few scenes in Williamsburg and it is interesting to hear the characters talk about the restorations being performed by Rockefeller.
This installment takes place mainly in Europe during the 1930s. The book was published in 1951. In today's political environment, it is chilling to read some of the observations about Germany at the time of the book.
This installment takes place mainly in Europe during the 1930s. The book was published in 1951. In today's political environment, it is chilling to read some of the observations about Germany at the time of the book.
April 14, 2013
Thane's writing is as superb as ever, though I'm almost tempted to give it a 3 just bc I find Evadne rather irritating and I just want to strangle Hermione the whole time.
October 11, 2017
Rating: 4.5 stars
Update: Still enjoyable. I struggled with liking Evadne's character very much, admiring her zeal and enthusiasm and desire to do something, while finding her gullible and naive and just a bit hard to take most of the time. As delightful as Stephen is, his opposite end of the spectrum take on religion/faith (to just pop in to church whenever the itch comes on) is disheartening as well. Although I didn't like the inevitable female exclamations of unbelieving protest ("You don't think we're going to have another war, do you?!"), it is easy to see how incomprehensible it would be to most of these characters who had just lived through (and in some cases lost loved ones in) the worst war the world had ever known.
Favorite quotes: "[Jeff] wanted to tell her how he had discovered that although he wasn't frightened - he had got through all that, and there was nothing to dying, when you came right down to it - living could be rather a nuisance."
"There seems to be a lot of people who are more self-conscious about going to church than about standing up before a lot of back-slapping well-wishers and Solving Their Personal Problems by Public Discussion." - Jeff Day
"I have always been crazy about your family. Individually and collectively. But to marry into it is a life-work." - Johnny Malone
Rating: 5 stars
This book picks up pretty much where “Kissing Kin” left off and follows new and familiar characters through the brief years before the Second World War’s eruption. The anxiety and tension felt throughout Britain (and the world) during this time is reflected in their lives. Once again, I find myself relating to these characters and their thoughts so often. Impending war forces them to live for the present moment. Bracken’s news correspondents change with the times and become radio correspondents. The presence and influence of Rosalind’s German son Victor makes the sinister reality of Nazi power hit home. The Spragues, Days, and Campions can only watch hopelessly, helplessly, as Britain and the rest of the world stands by and allows Hitler to run amok, doing nothing but watching and waiting for “the balloon to go up,” as Bracken says. I think it’s a safe bet that the final book in the series will take us into the heart of the war with these endearing families.
Favorite quotes: “But we had had our youth. We had been really gay, and really carefree. No one growing up today knows what that means. They live with doom. I’m terribly sorry for my children and their children. We had the best of it.” – Virginia Campion
“People who enjoy being hard to know usually aren’t worth the trouble.” – Stephen Sprague
Update: Still enjoyable. I struggled with liking Evadne's character very much, admiring her zeal and enthusiasm and desire to do something, while finding her gullible and naive and just a bit hard to take most of the time. As delightful as Stephen is, his opposite end of the spectrum take on religion/faith (to just pop in to church whenever the itch comes on) is disheartening as well. Although I didn't like the inevitable female exclamations of unbelieving protest ("You don't think we're going to have another war, do you?!"), it is easy to see how incomprehensible it would be to most of these characters who had just lived through (and in some cases lost loved ones in) the worst war the world had ever known.
Favorite quotes: "[Jeff] wanted to tell her how he had discovered that although he wasn't frightened - he had got through all that, and there was nothing to dying, when you came right down to it - living could be rather a nuisance."
"There seems to be a lot of people who are more self-conscious about going to church than about standing up before a lot of back-slapping well-wishers and Solving Their Personal Problems by Public Discussion." - Jeff Day
"I have always been crazy about your family. Individually and collectively. But to marry into it is a life-work." - Johnny Malone
Rating: 5 stars
This book picks up pretty much where “Kissing Kin” left off and follows new and familiar characters through the brief years before the Second World War’s eruption. The anxiety and tension felt throughout Britain (and the world) during this time is reflected in their lives. Once again, I find myself relating to these characters and their thoughts so often. Impending war forces them to live for the present moment. Bracken’s news correspondents change with the times and become radio correspondents. The presence and influence of Rosalind’s German son Victor makes the sinister reality of Nazi power hit home. The Spragues, Days, and Campions can only watch hopelessly, helplessly, as Britain and the rest of the world stands by and allows Hitler to run amok, doing nothing but watching and waiting for “the balloon to go up,” as Bracken says. I think it’s a safe bet that the final book in the series will take us into the heart of the war with these endearing families.
Favorite quotes: “But we had had our youth. We had been really gay, and really carefree. No one growing up today knows what that means. They live with doom. I’m terribly sorry for my children and their children. We had the best of it.” – Virginia Campion
“People who enjoy being hard to know usually aren’t worth the trouble.” – Stephen Sprague
December 21, 2018
War is coming ever closer as the 1930s wind to a close. This volume of the Williamsburg novels covers the years 1934-1938, as we follow yet another generation in the Day-Sprague clan. Jeff Day, the last of the Days, inherits Aunt Sue's house in Williamsburg, but as a roving reporter for his cousin Bracken Murray, he won't be able to spend much time there. Meanwhile Stephen and Sylvia Sprague prepare their latest Broadway show, with hopes of bringing it to London later. Jeff and Sylvia have always had a special connection, but Jeff worries his health may prevent him from marrying. In England, Bracken's sister Virginia is at her wits' end with her youngest daughter, Evadne, whose latest mission is converting her cousin Hermione to an offshoot sect. And Virginia's young granddaughter, neglected by her parents, finds solace and companionship with Jeff, becoming obsessed with learning everything she can about Williamsburg. When Stephen and Sylvia finally arrive in London, Stephen is immediately smitten with Evadne, but will he be able to break down her resistance? Against the backdrop of the Nazi buildup, this creates a very compelling story. Highly recommended.
January 31, 2021
The 6th book in this Williamsburg series gets tougher and tougher to read. The story, spanning just a few years in the 1930's, covers the family up through the beginning of WWII. The singing career that was so problematic for a girl 15 years before is now fine when performed with a brother. The family moves from being a newspaper family to being a radio family, and all the wrong people fall in love.
Again, there is romance between cousins, and this one really gave me pause. The bonds of cousinship between an American man and his English cousin are spread out enough to just raise one eyebrow; The American man raised by his mom's cousin and the daughter of his mom's brother made me really uncomfortable. His adoptive father finally says "Oh, just get married," and his wife (not related) says "Maybe they won't have children." Gahhhh. So weird. How do they not feel how weird that is? The patronizing racism with the house staff in Virginia is so habitual now that it's almost unnoticeable.
Once a loved story, this one became a little icky on re-reading it. That and the family hopes a girl will get married and stop being so idealistic. I've been married for 17 years and I'm still not done being idealistic. Definitely dates itself.
Again, there is romance between cousins, and this one really gave me pause. The bonds of cousinship between an American man and his English cousin are spread out enough to just raise one eyebrow; The American man raised by his mom's cousin and the daughter of his mom's brother made me really uncomfortable. His adoptive father finally says "Oh, just get married," and his wife (not related) says "Maybe they won't have children." Gahhhh. So weird. How do they not feel how weird that is? The patronizing racism with the house staff in Virginia is so habitual now that it's almost unnoticeable.
Once a loved story, this one became a little icky on re-reading it. That and the family hopes a girl will get married and stop being so idealistic. I've been married for 17 years and I'm still not done being idealistic. Definitely dates itself.
November 20, 2020
So good but I didn’t like Evadne!
I love Elswyth Thane. I love the way she weaves history in and through her characters. But Evadne, who’s is really the main character in this book was SO very annoying almost the entire time. Until the very end.
So....4 1/2 stars instead of the usual 5...because of Evadne.
I love Elswyth Thane. I love the way she weaves history in and through her characters. But Evadne, who’s is really the main character in this book was SO very annoying almost the entire time. Until the very end.
So....4 1/2 stars instead of the usual 5...because of Evadne.
October 18, 2021
This is #6 in the Williamsburg series . Most of the action takes place in London among the charming Sprague and Day family descendants. There are plenty of dangerous adventures during the late 1930’s as Hitler rises to prominence on the world scene. The romances, sometimes complicated, are ever present.
November 7, 2017
Truly enjoying this series. There is a bit too much romance, but seeing the world through the eyes of the people who lived through that period is worth it. Pre WWII England and Germany from people who lived through it presents parallels to our era which are chilling.
August 25, 2021
I enjoyed the device of letters as a way of linking sections. Both Hermione and Evadne are so irritating and the relationship between Jeff and Mab made me feel most uncomfortable.
Read
December 26, 2023The overall theme of every book in this series is the same, just set in a different era.
March 3, 2025
Interesting, but rather heavy-going. Doubt I'd recommend it to anyone.
December 22, 2012
The 6th novel in Elswyth Thane's Williamsburg series, this one takes place mostly in Europe. It is 1934. Germany, forbidden by treaty to build weapons in her own country is farming the manufacturing of her weaponry out to neighboring countries. As Germany rebuilds her army and Hitler comes to power, Evadne Campion in England falls in love with her American cousin, Stephen. (Elswyth Thane seems fond of cousins falling in love) There are two people standing in the way of Evadne's love, a young Nazi named Victor who appeals to Evadne's tender heart and her jealous, vicious cousin, Hermione who doesn't want anyone to be happy.
In novels written during this time, I do not have to put up with bad language, deliberate rudeness except from Hermione and sloppy dressing. Everyone owns a hat. Everyone puts their hat on before going out. People are courteous to each other.(except for Hermione)
During this time, Edward VIII abdicates. There is a coronation. Germany continues her build up while Hitler blasts away on the radio. England, aware a war is coming begins to prepare. This end in 1938 with affairs resolved quite nicely for all the characters other than the coming war looming in the background.
The next next book in this series is Homing which I think is about WWII but my library doesn't have it. I'll have to scare up a copy somewhere else.
In novels written during this time, I do not have to put up with bad language, deliberate rudeness except from Hermione and sloppy dressing. Everyone owns a hat. Everyone puts their hat on before going out. People are courteous to each other.(except for Hermione)
During this time, Edward VIII abdicates. There is a coronation. Germany continues her build up while Hitler blasts away on the radio. England, aware a war is coming begins to prepare. This end in 1938 with affairs resolved quite nicely for all the characters other than the coming war looming in the background.
The next next book in this series is Homing which I think is about WWII but my library doesn't have it. I'll have to scare up a copy somewhere else.
October 15, 2024
This is the 6th of the Williamsburg novels, and is set in the 1930s, in the build up to WW2. We meet Stephen and Sylvie Sprague, Fitz and Gwen's children, now successful stage performers (a la Fred and Ginger!), Jeff Day, and Evadne Campion, Virginia's youngest daughter, together with Victor, the Nazi.
As usual, there are love stories against a historical background, and here we also have Evadne's involvement in a pacifist, evangelical christian movement.
Re-reading this it struck me that while the main characters are, in general, fairly believable, the 'bad' ones are much less realistic, Hermione, for instance, appears to have no redeeming features whatsoever, but is also treated by the other characters so badly that one is left feeling a little sorry for her.
However, the book, like the others, is a fun, easy read, and quite interesting in terms of the historical setting.
As usual, there are love stories against a historical background, and here we also have Evadne's involvement in a pacifist, evangelical christian movement.
Re-reading this it struck me that while the main characters are, in general, fairly believable, the 'bad' ones are much less realistic, Hermione, for instance, appears to have no redeeming features whatsoever, but is also treated by the other characters so badly that one is left feeling a little sorry for her.
However, the book, like the others, is a fun, easy read, and quite interesting in terms of the historical setting.
September 21, 2009
Stephen tries to win captivative Evadne's heart but she doesn't want to hurt her cousin Hermione, also in love with Stephen. Jeff romances Sylvia, Fitz's Broadway actress daughter. The background of World War II helps tie it to the other volumes in the series, most of which are set against a canvas of important world events. I think Thane does not write male protagonists as well as she does females--Jeff and Stephen are no Tibby or Eden or Phoebe.
October 12, 2007
I would have read these books one right after the other, but our library didn't have them. My mother ordered the set for me for Christmas & so the library ordered the set, too.
June 12, 2008
This book is a fun romance that takes place mostly in Europe right before WWII. I enjoyed the characters and the story. It's a clean romance & also historical fiction, great book!
April 20, 2012
This was my least favorite of the series so far. Still pretty good, but didn't live up to the previous ones.
Want to read
September 4, 2012I love this book to death!
August 26, 2013
Another great from Williamsburg Series, as Jeff & Sylvia, Stephen & Evadne, wait anxiously for WWII to errupt.
December 7, 2014
I was so sad when I finished this book because I realized there was only one more left in the series.
November 28, 2021
A really great series written in 1951. I found this author through my local library. Enjoyed this more on the 3rd reading and as part of the continuing series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews