A Song for Somme

by Jennifer Malech

After spending a few years in America, Lloyd Fox, a classical pianist, has returned to England in the year 1922 to study music composition at Oxford University. Upon his arrival, he reunites with Charles Atwood, his arrogant and affluent friend who served with him during the war. To Lloyd's dismay, Charles insists that in a post-war society, jazz music is going to revolutionize the future of all entertainment in England. Lloyd, however, is not convinced and takes quietly to transforming his experiences from the war into haunting compositions. Full of remorse from the war, a war in which his younger brother died in the deadliest battle of The Great War, The Battle of Somme, Lloyd tries to find the happiness that the rest of society has seemed to find so easily. It isn't until Charles takes an interest in a spunky and well-educated girl from Ireland, the independent and musical Cherry, that Lloyd begins to face his deepest and darkest secrets from before and during the war. In a series of unforeseeable events, Lloyd and Cherry are forced to face a secret of their past that intertwines together in a way that neither of them could have ever predicted. As Charles takes to touring with an American jazz band all throughout England, Lloyd will have to determine whether he will live in the past or move forward with the times.

462 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2017

About the author

Storyteller at all hours. Copywriter in Advertising by day, Author of Historical Fiction by night.

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

If possible I cried more the second read than I did the first. This story, the characters, and the reminders of grace and joy are indescribably beautiful.

[Juan Cornejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever loved someone so much you had to let them go? This story follows our protagonist Lloyd Fox, as he navigates through the waves of relationships, friendships, music, societal changes, and his beliefs. Ms. Malech has written a compelling story that captivates the readers from the first chapters. As you read this book, the words transcend into your reality as Ms. Malech embeds life lessons of love, betrayal, and forgiveness into this story. As the narrative unfolds, your predictions of the plot are turned upside down and flipped inside out. Take this as an early disclaimer, just read the story and leave your predications at the door. Once you have reached the end, you are left wanting more from these characters. As you arrive to the final pages, reflection takes a seat next to you and the last sentences leave you realizing Lloyd’s life has bloomed from a beautiful tragedy.

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regret. Romance. Redemption.

These are the themes woven throughout this book in the most intricate and yet obvious of ways. As you read, you'll be sucked into the lives of Lloyd, Charles and Cherry and meet the people who hold the most influence in their lives along the way. Jennifer's writing emphasizes every nuance of our human day-to-day lives and also makes the mundane come alive with literary color in the dialogue of her characters and overall story plot. I promise - if you like historical fiction, you won't regret picking this one up!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Malech has a way of really bringing the characters to life and drawing the reader right into their world of struggles, joy and pain. This is definitely not one of those “I figured it out in the first chapter” (or even the first 10 chapters) kind of book! The author delivers some unexpected twists and leads you through an emotional journey of one young mans struggle to reconcile his past with the present, and the loss and tragedy that finally teaches him to live.

[Averie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in five days, which for a slow reader is extremely quick. From the beginning, you were automatically thrust into the life of Lloyd Fox. The atmosphere, the lesson and the characters that were in A Song For Somme made me unable to put the book down. I absolutely loved and enjoyed this read!

[Karen Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I truly enjoyed being part of this journey and was sad when it came to an end. I always like a book that keeps me on my toes with surprises I don't see coming and at the same time learn a little history.
I am an avid reader and part of a book club. I can't wait to recommend this book for my group - lots of great characters to discuss.