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A Lasting Spring
Presents the saga of Evelyn Fawley and her family, in a sweeping chronicle that moves from the early years of the twentieth century to the end of World War II
436 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
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About the author
Jean Stubbs
65 books13 followersAka Emma Darby
Jean was born in Lancashire and educated in Manchester. She has written many novels and short stories for magazines and collections, several of which have been adapted for radio and television. She has lived for more than twenty years in a cottage in Cornwall, England, with her husband.
Jean was born in Lancashire and educated in Manchester. She has written many novels and short stories for magazines and collections, several of which have been adapted for radio and television. She has lived for more than twenty years in a cottage in Cornwall, England, with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 28, 2021
Described as a war time saga this was so much more. A family story both pre and during the War and the pressures
that were faced by each of the Fawley family members as they try to come to grips with a new world opening at their
feet. New attitudes, new developments, different roles for women and men and the difficulties in adapting to them.
Dorothy has just entered into a second marriage with Gilbert also a widower. Both have young children and it is the
first thing that was different - they got on famously! In Michael Evelyn a shy girl found the companion and brother she
needed and he proved to be her strength throughout. Dorothy her step mother was not unkind, but did not really understand the girl
and her father Gilbert had his own set ways of looking at the world.
The story progresses with the start of WWII and the complications of as first Michael the son goes off to join the Airforce, Gilbert joins
the civilian force in charge of protection and Dorothy, a born organiser finds a niche for herself (something that she has solely
missed all these years of being a wife and mother). Evelyn continues with her studies at the Music Academy finding love and
heart break on the way
The difficulties of loss, bereavement which is so hard on the whole family and still the need to just go on is well written in
this story. War settings always have losses and each story is handled so well. Very descriptive of the area in which the
Fawleys lived, it brings this small village to life.
The changes wrought in those who go to fight and return. They are never the same people. But then neither are those who stayed
behind to support and prop the family amidst such hard circumstances.
that were faced by each of the Fawley family members as they try to come to grips with a new world opening at their
feet. New attitudes, new developments, different roles for women and men and the difficulties in adapting to them.
Dorothy has just entered into a second marriage with Gilbert also a widower. Both have young children and it is the
first thing that was different - they got on famously! In Michael Evelyn a shy girl found the companion and brother she
needed and he proved to be her strength throughout. Dorothy her step mother was not unkind, but did not really understand the girl
and her father Gilbert had his own set ways of looking at the world.
The story progresses with the start of WWII and the complications of as first Michael the son goes off to join the Airforce, Gilbert joins
the civilian force in charge of protection and Dorothy, a born organiser finds a niche for herself (something that she has solely
missed all these years of being a wife and mother). Evelyn continues with her studies at the Music Academy finding love and
heart break on the way
The difficulties of loss, bereavement which is so hard on the whole family and still the need to just go on is well written in
this story. War settings always have losses and each story is handled so well. Very descriptive of the area in which the
Fawleys lived, it brings this small village to life.
The changes wrought in those who go to fight and return. They are never the same people. But then neither are those who stayed
behind to support and prop the family amidst such hard circumstances.
January 25, 2008
This book opens with someone waiting in a tea-shop shortly after World War II, then returns to 1928 as she grows up. The horrors of war are hinted at and eventually the book comes full circle. A pleasant read.
July 9, 2012
England before the war.
Mix of families due to death of spouses.
Evelyn grows up and learns piano.
Slice of life.
Continues through marriage and the war.
Nice story.
Mix of families due to death of spouses.
Evelyn grows up and learns piano.
Slice of life.
Continues through marriage and the war.
Nice story.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews