Diana: The Unjust Skies

by R.F. Delderfield, Julian Glover (Narrator)

The Unjust Skies was combined with There was a Fair Maid Dwelling in 1979 to form Diana.

John Leigh and Diana Gaylorde-Sutton meet again in war-torn France while working for the Resistance as they wage war against the Nazis.

Read by Julian Glover.
8 audiocassettes (approximately 10 hr., 36 min.) : analog, Dolby processed

11 pages, Audio Cassette

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Ronald Frederick Delderfield was a popular English novelist and dramatist, many of whose works have been adapted for television and are still widely read.

Several of Delderfield's historical novels and series involve young men who return from war and lead lives in England that allow the author to portray the sweep of English history and delve deeply into social history from the Edwardian era to the early 1960s.

From Wikipedia

Reviews

[Christopher Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have previously read 18 books by this author and have generally enjoyed them very much - several rated at 5 stars. One that read many years ago was about the teenage love affair between the two main characters in this book. This is therefore a sequel to the original. I didn't realise this when I bought the book in a Charity shop - I was just attracted to the author. The point here is that I remember thinking that the original was not his best - and my opinion of the sequel is much the same.

It has several good patches, but many where his obvious love for all things found in the British countryside become waring. His prose is rich - but too much for me.

I also think that the tolerance shown by the British characters towards the underpinning unusual relationship between the two lovers is unlikely - about 40 years before it's time.

It won't put me off seeking out more of his books.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this well written love story. It harkens back to an earlier age of writing that is rich and expressive, not overly explicit, yet conveys the deep emotional connection between the characters. This book continues the story of Diana. World War II is in full swing and Jan (John) and Diana get pulled into the fray. Diana is a fascinating character, and you don't know exactly where her feelings lie in regards to Jan. Jan is much simpler: he loves Diana no matter what she does or what her situation in life is. Bittersweet and lovely.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A generous 3 stars. Part love story, part war story. Readable but sometimes boring, sometimes ludicrous.