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The Letter
LOSE YOURSELF IN THE THE NO.1 BESTSELLER READERS THE WORLD OVER ARE FALLING IN LOVE WITH.Are you ready to stay up all night reading?ONE DAY meets DOWNTON ABBEY in this haunting historical mystery with a twist that will break your heart . . .On the eve of the First World War Kit Rivers, heir to a Cornish manor house and aspiring poet had been raised to do his duty by his country and family, but when he falls in love with the one woman he cannot marry his world is changed beyond all recognition. A forbidden love affair across the classes and hidden for decades, Kit's story refuses to rest and waits patiently for the right person to hear it...One century later young widow Chloe exchanges London life for the rugged Cornish coast. Haunted and grieving, Chloe’s interest in a local war memorial proves a welcome distraction, but when her own life becomes entwined with Kit’s lost story, time and place collide as she finds herself caught in a web of forbidden love, loss, and the very darkest of secrets.Shortlisted for the prestigious Winston Graham Historical Fiction Prize 2018, The Letter is a beautiful novel set in England between the First World War and the present day. ***** "One of my books of the year," Being Anne.***** "Will break your heart and touch your soul." Amazon Vine reviewer.***** “Reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier and Rosamunde Pilcher.”***** “Romantic and moving, a tale of loss and love, the devastation of war and a homage to the lives shattered in the trenches and at home.”A #1 bestseller on Amazon UK, The Letter is a vivid novel of heartbreak and passion, with characters - and an ending - the reader won't forget.THOUSANDS OF READERS HAVE ALREADY GIVEN THE LETTER FIVE STARSTHE LETTER was a No.1 Kindle Store bestseller in 2018
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2018
4104 people are currently reading
2360 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Saberton
48 books351 followersRuth Saberton is a bestselling British author with over 25 books written under her own and pen names. Her books feature romance and secrets and are set in beautiful Cornwall.
Her latest book THE LETTER is available now!
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Ruth loves to to talk to her readers. Interact with her on her website www.ruthsaberton.com on Twitter @ruthsaberton
www.facebook.com/ruthsabertonauthor
Her latest book THE LETTER is available now!
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Ruth loves to to talk to her readers. Interact with her on her website www.ruthsaberton.com on Twitter @ruthsaberton
www.facebook.com/ruthsabertonauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 580 reviews
April 18, 2022
Das war schön! Für fünf Sterne hat es nicht ganz gereicht, aber es ist schon ziemlich nah dran. Ich mag diese Geschichten einfach, die von alten Tagebüchern und somit von früheren Schicksalen erzählen.
Hier findet eine junge Frau, die selbst einen harten Schicksalsschlag hinter sich hat, das Tagebuch einer 16-Jährigen, die ihre Einträge kurz vor Beginn des Ersten Weltkrieges geschrieben hat. Es geht um eine geheime, aber sehr tiefe Liebe. Sehr bewegend und berührend.
Mir haben beide Geschichten - die Gegenwartsgeschichte als auch die Vergangenheitsgeschichte - sehr gut gefallen. Und sie passen auch sehr gut zueinander. Zudem ist das Setting - Cornwall - ein Traum.
Ich habe mich sehr gut unterhalten gefühlt, mochte die Charaktere und auch alles drum herum.
Hier findet eine junge Frau, die selbst einen harten Schicksalsschlag hinter sich hat, das Tagebuch einer 16-Jährigen, die ihre Einträge kurz vor Beginn des Ersten Weltkrieges geschrieben hat. Es geht um eine geheime, aber sehr tiefe Liebe. Sehr bewegend und berührend.
Mir haben beide Geschichten - die Gegenwartsgeschichte als auch die Vergangenheitsgeschichte - sehr gut gefallen. Und sie passen auch sehr gut zueinander. Zudem ist das Setting - Cornwall - ein Traum.
Ich habe mich sehr gut unterhalten gefühlt, mochte die Charaktere und auch alles drum herum.
June 4, 2018
This is my own book and really I wanted to post something here about what it means to me and why I wrote it. I won't reveal any spoilers as the mystery is key to the plot. Below is the blurb from Amazon:
From Amazon Bestselling author Ruth Saberton comes an unforgettable story of long lost love, war, and heartbreaking betrayal.
What if death is not the end?
On the eve of the First World War aspiring poet Kit Rivers looks forward to a bright future. As the Lord of the Manor's heir, Kit’s duty is to the family estate but when he falls passionately in love he knows a hard choice must be made. Yet before the golden days of summer can fade into autumn, war comes and changes Kit's world forever.
One century later grief-stricken Chloe exchanges London for an isolated Cornish house. Haunted by memories, Chloe’s interest in an obscure war poet, Kit Rivers, proves a welcome distraction and leads her to piece together a forgotten history. Faced with more questions than answers, her own life soon becomes entwined with Kit's through love, loss, and the darkest of secrets…
THE LETTER isn’t a novel I planned to write. I was set to begin the next instalment in my Polwenna Bay series but one of the wonderful things about writing is that books never do what they’re supposed to! Being a great believer in trusting my intuition, I took a chance …
It was 2017 and I was staying with my parents. We were horrified by the Grenfell Tower tragedy and wanted to help by donating bedding. As Mum pulled blankets from a cupboard we came across some items that had belonged to my grandmother. Among these were sepia pictures and a small tin - a 1914 gift issued to the men fighting at the Front. My mother explained this had belonged to my Great-Aunt Ella who’d lost her fiancé, Arthur, at Cambrai in 1917. This tin must have once been his.
As I studied the photographs of Ella and Arthur I was struck by how young they were. I only remembered my great-aunt as a rather austere old lady. My granny once told me how Ella’s life had been spent hoping her fiancé might come back from the war. Arthur had been declared missing in action and his body was never found. Ella had no proof that her fiancé had died so no closure.
Ella refused to accept Arthur was dead and believed he may have been in hospital suffering from shell shock. She spent whole her life hoping she would find him, writing letters to the Red Cross and the War Graves Commission. She never married and she never loved another man. Like so many of her generation, the life she should have led ended on the battlefield. I was deeply moved by my great-aunt’s unwavering belief that her fiancé was still alive. I couldn’t find out great deal about him – Arthur has slipped from history – but he must have been very special to have held Ella’s heart for an entire lifetime. With little more to go on than a faded picture of a handsome boy in uniform and my imagination, I began to think about a love story that lasted a lifetime.
With this as my starting point, I began to research into the First World War and the lives of those who lived through it. I visited National Trust properties Lanhydrock and Cothele, both great country estates from where young men, servants and heirs alike, left for the Front. These houses have fascinating exhibitions about the war and many poignant tales about those who fought and died. Both properties feel as though the family members have only just left the room, the swish of a skirt of the ring of a bell for servants can almost be heard, and it’s impossible for a writer not to weave stories there. These settings were spring boards for the character of my 1914 hero, Kit Rivers.
I began re-reading Siegfried Sassoon’s Sherston Chronicles and Wilfred Owen’s poems, texts I knew well from my career as an English teacher. I imagined Kit Rivers as the heir to a big country estate like Lanhydrock. He was from a privileged background like Sassoon, dreamed of being a poet as did Owen and, like Arthur, had a sweetheart he loved dearly. Kit is at odds with his parents and longs to be a poet, setting the stage for tension and secrets.
I begin THE LETTER in the present day with the names carved on the war memorial feeling remote from the twenty-first century heroine and the reader before I take both back in time to bring these names to life and make the people behind them real. When we meet the 1914 characters we already know the fate of many, creating a sense of fruitless longing that maybe, just maybe, we have got it wrong. I wanted to make the past, and the people like my great-aunt who we only know as their elderly selves, vibrant and real.
The setting is key to this novel. Living in Cornwall, I’m surrounded by fantastic scenery; from the dramatic coastline, to smugglers’ coves, to skeletal engine houses, the past never feels far away. THE LETTER is set in Rosecraddick, my own fictional blend of Talland Bay and Fowey, where there are many hidden coves for forbidden lovers to meet. The cliff top war memorial in the novel can be found on the coast path half way between Talland and Polperro and the names carved on the cross are still borne by local people. It’s sobering to see how many families lost members. The waves rolling towards the cliffs create a sense of timelessness and I use this location to link the past and the present.
THE LETTER isn’t a war story or a historical novel but a story about loss, love, and the tenacity of the human spirit in the face of what seems like a hopeless cause. The First World War is the catalyst that divides characters in the book and the narrative is concerned with the impact of this rather than details of battles. My aim was to bring the everyday tragedies to the forefront and to explore the impact these had on those left behind even years after the Armistice. Through writing THE LETTER I hope I’ve reunited my great-aunt and her fiancé and made sure their story doesn’t fade away with the years and the photographs.
From Amazon Bestselling author Ruth Saberton comes an unforgettable story of long lost love, war, and heartbreaking betrayal.
What if death is not the end?
On the eve of the First World War aspiring poet Kit Rivers looks forward to a bright future. As the Lord of the Manor's heir, Kit’s duty is to the family estate but when he falls passionately in love he knows a hard choice must be made. Yet before the golden days of summer can fade into autumn, war comes and changes Kit's world forever.
One century later grief-stricken Chloe exchanges London for an isolated Cornish house. Haunted by memories, Chloe’s interest in an obscure war poet, Kit Rivers, proves a welcome distraction and leads her to piece together a forgotten history. Faced with more questions than answers, her own life soon becomes entwined with Kit's through love, loss, and the darkest of secrets…
THE LETTER isn’t a novel I planned to write. I was set to begin the next instalment in my Polwenna Bay series but one of the wonderful things about writing is that books never do what they’re supposed to! Being a great believer in trusting my intuition, I took a chance …
It was 2017 and I was staying with my parents. We were horrified by the Grenfell Tower tragedy and wanted to help by donating bedding. As Mum pulled blankets from a cupboard we came across some items that had belonged to my grandmother. Among these were sepia pictures and a small tin - a 1914 gift issued to the men fighting at the Front. My mother explained this had belonged to my Great-Aunt Ella who’d lost her fiancé, Arthur, at Cambrai in 1917. This tin must have once been his.
As I studied the photographs of Ella and Arthur I was struck by how young they were. I only remembered my great-aunt as a rather austere old lady. My granny once told me how Ella’s life had been spent hoping her fiancé might come back from the war. Arthur had been declared missing in action and his body was never found. Ella had no proof that her fiancé had died so no closure.
Ella refused to accept Arthur was dead and believed he may have been in hospital suffering from shell shock. She spent whole her life hoping she would find him, writing letters to the Red Cross and the War Graves Commission. She never married and she never loved another man. Like so many of her generation, the life she should have led ended on the battlefield. I was deeply moved by my great-aunt’s unwavering belief that her fiancé was still alive. I couldn’t find out great deal about him – Arthur has slipped from history – but he must have been very special to have held Ella’s heart for an entire lifetime. With little more to go on than a faded picture of a handsome boy in uniform and my imagination, I began to think about a love story that lasted a lifetime.
With this as my starting point, I began to research into the First World War and the lives of those who lived through it. I visited National Trust properties Lanhydrock and Cothele, both great country estates from where young men, servants and heirs alike, left for the Front. These houses have fascinating exhibitions about the war and many poignant tales about those who fought and died. Both properties feel as though the family members have only just left the room, the swish of a skirt of the ring of a bell for servants can almost be heard, and it’s impossible for a writer not to weave stories there. These settings were spring boards for the character of my 1914 hero, Kit Rivers.
I began re-reading Siegfried Sassoon’s Sherston Chronicles and Wilfred Owen’s poems, texts I knew well from my career as an English teacher. I imagined Kit Rivers as the heir to a big country estate like Lanhydrock. He was from a privileged background like Sassoon, dreamed of being a poet as did Owen and, like Arthur, had a sweetheart he loved dearly. Kit is at odds with his parents and longs to be a poet, setting the stage for tension and secrets.
I begin THE LETTER in the present day with the names carved on the war memorial feeling remote from the twenty-first century heroine and the reader before I take both back in time to bring these names to life and make the people behind them real. When we meet the 1914 characters we already know the fate of many, creating a sense of fruitless longing that maybe, just maybe, we have got it wrong. I wanted to make the past, and the people like my great-aunt who we only know as their elderly selves, vibrant and real.
The setting is key to this novel. Living in Cornwall, I’m surrounded by fantastic scenery; from the dramatic coastline, to smugglers’ coves, to skeletal engine houses, the past never feels far away. THE LETTER is set in Rosecraddick, my own fictional blend of Talland Bay and Fowey, where there are many hidden coves for forbidden lovers to meet. The cliff top war memorial in the novel can be found on the coast path half way between Talland and Polperro and the names carved on the cross are still borne by local people. It’s sobering to see how many families lost members. The waves rolling towards the cliffs create a sense of timelessness and I use this location to link the past and the present.
THE LETTER isn’t a war story or a historical novel but a story about loss, love, and the tenacity of the human spirit in the face of what seems like a hopeless cause. The First World War is the catalyst that divides characters in the book and the narrative is concerned with the impact of this rather than details of battles. My aim was to bring the everyday tragedies to the forefront and to explore the impact these had on those left behind even years after the Armistice. Through writing THE LETTER I hope I’ve reunited my great-aunt and her fiancé and made sure their story doesn’t fade away with the years and the photographs.
February 5, 2018
Where to start on this review. First off I have to say I am in no related to Ruth and this totally my views on this book. The reason I am telling you this is due to the review. I can not in any way shape or form now gush over this book!
The story line is one that will rip at your heart,soul and mind. The characters become old friends very quickly and the reader is sent on a journey like no other. The emotion is raw and kicks in the gut at a fast pace. Description of the area of Cornwall is one that is set by an author that loves every square inch of the land, but also knows Oxford enough to know the shortened words of a village within that area.
The pain felt in the pages is left with the reader long after the last page is read, the echos of the people that served in the war as well as the people who stayed at home and fought for the men to come home, is so long sent though every bone and will touch nerves you never knew you had.
This is one of the best books i have had the pleasure of reading and the best war book since The Poppy Factory. This is one book that should be read and passed on for many people to enjoy, i will certainly be shouting about it from the roof tops.
The story line is one that will rip at your heart,soul and mind. The characters become old friends very quickly and the reader is sent on a journey like no other. The emotion is raw and kicks in the gut at a fast pace. Description of the area of Cornwall is one that is set by an author that loves every square inch of the land, but also knows Oxford enough to know the shortened words of a village within that area.
The pain felt in the pages is left with the reader long after the last page is read, the echos of the people that served in the war as well as the people who stayed at home and fought for the men to come home, is so long sent though every bone and will touch nerves you never knew you had.
This is one of the best books i have had the pleasure of reading and the best war book since The Poppy Factory. This is one book that should be read and passed on for many people to enjoy, i will certainly be shouting about it from the roof tops.
November 19, 2018
What can I say about this book. I was ready to DNF it at 39% because we were still in the modern story which for me was getting repetitive and a little boring. However, I plodded on and oh my am I glad I did. When the historical part of the story started, which is the part I love best, it just grabbed me, reeled me in and wouldn't let go.
Chloe, a young widow, is the center of the modern day story. I didn't really take to her. This part of the story was too long and she started to grate on me a bit.
Kit is the main character in the historical part of the story. The book really picks up here and we have an absolutely amazing tale. There's young love, sorrow and heartbreak. In fact by the time I was finished I was emotionally wrung out. I'm not a romantic person at all but this story tugged at my heart strings.
When we get back to the present the story continues on at a good pace. Threads are being tied up and things start coming together. Then, just when you think you've reached the end, there's a humdinger of a twist that you won't see coming.
This is the first book by this author that I've read. It's very emotional and has beautiful descriptive writing. It's a book that will stay with me for a long time.
Chloe, a young widow, is the center of the modern day story. I didn't really take to her. This part of the story was too long and she started to grate on me a bit.
Kit is the main character in the historical part of the story. The book really picks up here and we have an absolutely amazing tale. There's young love, sorrow and heartbreak. In fact by the time I was finished I was emotionally wrung out. I'm not a romantic person at all but this story tugged at my heart strings.
When we get back to the present the story continues on at a good pace. Threads are being tied up and things start coming together. Then, just when you think you've reached the end, there's a humdinger of a twist that you won't see coming.
This is the first book by this author that I've read. It's very emotional and has beautiful descriptive writing. It's a book that will stay with me for a long time.
June 3, 2021
3,5 Sterne. Rezensionsexemplar von Netgalley.
Der Liebesbrief spielt auf zwei Zeitebenen: Chloe will nach dem Tod ihres Mannes in einem kleinen Ort in Cornwall neu anfangen. Sie trifft dort auf den Historiker Matt, mit dem sie dem Geheimnis rund um den im Ersten Weltkrieg verschollenen Dichter Kit und seiner damaligen großen Liebe Daisy nachgeht.
Chloes Perspektive nimmt weniger Raum ein, entsprechend blieb es für mich etwas oberflächlich und war fast überflüssig. Außerdem find ich es ECHT schräg, wenn potentielle Pärchen in übersetzten Romanen sich noch ewig siezen... Die Liebesgeschichte von Kit und Daisy hatte erst fast von Insta Love, war dann aber schön sehnsuchtsvoll und streckenweise richtig tragisch. Gute, solide Unterhaltung.
Der Liebesbrief spielt auf zwei Zeitebenen: Chloe will nach dem Tod ihres Mannes in einem kleinen Ort in Cornwall neu anfangen. Sie trifft dort auf den Historiker Matt, mit dem sie dem Geheimnis rund um den im Ersten Weltkrieg verschollenen Dichter Kit und seiner damaligen großen Liebe Daisy nachgeht.
Chloes Perspektive nimmt weniger Raum ein, entsprechend blieb es für mich etwas oberflächlich und war fast überflüssig. Außerdem find ich es ECHT schräg, wenn potentielle Pärchen in übersetzten Romanen sich noch ewig siezen... Die Liebesgeschichte von Kit und Daisy hatte erst fast von Insta Love, war dann aber schön sehnsuchtsvoll und streckenweise richtig tragisch. Gute, solide Unterhaltung.
November 4, 2018
Far. Too. Long.
Nice story. Good writer. Far too long and plodding, a decisive book editor would have made thus much better. Chloe - the main character - insufferable.
Nice story. Good writer. Far too long and plodding, a decisive book editor would have made thus much better. Chloe - the main character - insufferable.
December 17, 2018
Whilst the writing throughout was way too flowery and gushy for me, the final few chapters were very moving and made even more poignant by the author's notes where she tells us the story was based on the tragic WWI love affair between her great aunt Ella and her MIA fiance Arthur. So so sad.
June 11, 2018
I never fail to love a book that makes me want to unplug the telephone, curl up in my comfiest chair, and not move again until I’ve read the very last page – and this gorgeous book most definitely fits into that category. There are times, when you’re really looking forward to a book, that it just doesn’t quite live up to your expectations – but this wonderful book exceeded them in every possible way.
Following on from the stunning prologue, and into the present day story, Chloe won my heart from the very start – recently widowed, struggling with life and the need to move on, seeking solitude, seeing her husband everywhere, a convincing and moving portrait of bereavement and grief. I really loved her “voice” – wry, self-deprecating and sometimes very funny, but at other times heartbreakingly sad, her story full of observations and situations that bring both a smile to the face and a tear to the eye. But move on she does – helped by a rather lovely interfering female vicar, an interesting new relationship, and a kindling of interest in a nearby house and the life of war poet Kit Rivers.
The story then shifts to pre-1914, and the approach of the Great War – and focuses on a wonderful love story, told with immense tenderness and a love you can feel, impacted by both the horrors of war and the class divide. And then – but when the time’s right, and not in the least abruptly – the story returns to the present day, with the careful disentangling of all the threads and uncovering of the remaining mystery, the moving forward of Chloe’s story, and the heartbreaking legacy of sadness and wasted lives as the full wartime story unfolds.
In terms of construction, I thought the book was absolutely perfect – and it was definitely the right decision not to fragment the story at the book’s heart with shifts between past and present, as that might just have lessened its immense emotional impact. The characters within the historical story are so perfectly drawn, coming to life on the page and within the heart, particularly the story’s strong heroine: the backdrop of the wild Cornish clifftops and hidden coves is vividly and beautifully described, the author’s research into the realities of life at that point in history so well used, with moments in the story’s telling that are heartbreaking and deeply moving. The pacing of the whole story is simply perfect, the writing excellent – easy to read in all the right ways, but with such a deft touch in the emotional handling.
I’ve seen references to the writing being in the tradition of Daphne du Maurier and Rosamunde Pilcher – and quite rightly so. But this book also made me think of some of my personal favourites, like Lucinda Riley and Kate Morton – and I think those comparisons are totally justified too. But this book is entirely Ruth Saberton’s story and personal achievement – do read the author’s notes explaining the history that conclude the book, as they’re really fascinating. She has lovingly turned that chance find among the blankets in a cupboard, and her uncovered family history, into a sweeping and quite wonderful story – and a fitting and moving tribute both to those whose lives have been changed by the horrors of war and every person who ever loved and lost. Without a moment’s doubt, this will be one of my books of the year.
Following on from the stunning prologue, and into the present day story, Chloe won my heart from the very start – recently widowed, struggling with life and the need to move on, seeking solitude, seeing her husband everywhere, a convincing and moving portrait of bereavement and grief. I really loved her “voice” – wry, self-deprecating and sometimes very funny, but at other times heartbreakingly sad, her story full of observations and situations that bring both a smile to the face and a tear to the eye. But move on she does – helped by a rather lovely interfering female vicar, an interesting new relationship, and a kindling of interest in a nearby house and the life of war poet Kit Rivers.
The story then shifts to pre-1914, and the approach of the Great War – and focuses on a wonderful love story, told with immense tenderness and a love you can feel, impacted by both the horrors of war and the class divide. And then – but when the time’s right, and not in the least abruptly – the story returns to the present day, with the careful disentangling of all the threads and uncovering of the remaining mystery, the moving forward of Chloe’s story, and the heartbreaking legacy of sadness and wasted lives as the full wartime story unfolds.
In terms of construction, I thought the book was absolutely perfect – and it was definitely the right decision not to fragment the story at the book’s heart with shifts between past and present, as that might just have lessened its immense emotional impact. The characters within the historical story are so perfectly drawn, coming to life on the page and within the heart, particularly the story’s strong heroine: the backdrop of the wild Cornish clifftops and hidden coves is vividly and beautifully described, the author’s research into the realities of life at that point in history so well used, with moments in the story’s telling that are heartbreaking and deeply moving. The pacing of the whole story is simply perfect, the writing excellent – easy to read in all the right ways, but with such a deft touch in the emotional handling.
I’ve seen references to the writing being in the tradition of Daphne du Maurier and Rosamunde Pilcher – and quite rightly so. But this book also made me think of some of my personal favourites, like Lucinda Riley and Kate Morton – and I think those comparisons are totally justified too. But this book is entirely Ruth Saberton’s story and personal achievement – do read the author’s notes explaining the history that conclude the book, as they’re really fascinating. She has lovingly turned that chance find among the blankets in a cupboard, and her uncovered family history, into a sweeping and quite wonderful story – and a fitting and moving tribute both to those whose lives have been changed by the horrors of war and every person who ever loved and lost. Without a moment’s doubt, this will be one of my books of the year.
December 7, 2019
Repetitive and predictable
I skipped through a lot of pages which is unusual for me. Nice story but dragged out too much to fill pages.
I skipped through a lot of pages which is unusual for me. Nice story but dragged out too much to fill pages.
August 25, 2019
The Letter: A Captivating Story of Forbidden Love, Secrets, and Sacrifice is written by Ruth Saberton. This book is a World War I book and it is just as captivating as advertised. Ruth has a knack of taking the reader into the past and actually living the lives through of her characters. Her use of descriptions of the mansion and the town as well as that of the characters makes the reader feel you are there with them and know everything about them. The pain of losing a loved one in war is hard enough; but losing them and not knowing how or even if they are lost is something we can only hope we never have to experience. However, so many people experienced this during World War I. So many lives were lost and the remains were never found or were just in pieces. Men who did come home were maimed in horrific ways not seen before. Many of them lost parts of their faces and were doomed to live lives in seclusion or if they were able to have masks made which they wore in public to hide their deformities. This was the first modern war and the first to have such hellacious damage to so many men. A whole generation of men were wiped out and an entire generation of women remained unmarried because of this war. This brings up one of the themes or questions this book raises. What would you do if your fiancé was listed as missing in action? Would you believe he was dead like everyone else does or would you wait for him as you promised?
Chloe Pencarrow has come to Cornwall to be alone and try to come to some kind of closure for the death of her husband, Neil. It has been three years since he died and she can’t get back to her painting or anything else. He came here because Neil liked this particular village since his family had come from here. Maybe being totally alone, she can figure out her life. Although it isn’t the best of accommodations, she has rented the old Rectory. She doesn’t need this large of a place; but she feels at home here. The attic is a perfect place to set up her studio and that gives her hope.
When she goes looking for wood for her fire, she meets Sue, the church’s reverend. Sue takes her for a tour of the church and shows her the memorial window for those who didn’t come back in World War I as well as the stained glass window in honor of Captain Christopher “Kit” Rivers, their hometown poet. He isn’t well known but is one of the World War I poets. Chloe notices a daisy had been added to the stained glass at a later date and wondered about it. Reverend Sue had never noticed it and had no idea why it had been added. Chloe also noted a daisy had been carved into the pew where the Rivers family had sat. It was interesting.
Later, Chloe goes for a walk and ends up at Rosecraddick Manor. Here she meets Matt who is in charge of the restoration of the Manor in order to set up an exhibit in honor of Kit Rivers to bring more tourists to town. He gets her interested in helping restore the Manor and interested in getting to know more about Kit Rivers. Even he has no idea what they will get into in learning about the Manor and Kit Rivers.
Once more, Ruth Saberton outdoes herself in creating the world of 1914 and making it and the people who live there come alive and make you want to know more when the book is finished.
Chloe Pencarrow has come to Cornwall to be alone and try to come to some kind of closure for the death of her husband, Neil. It has been three years since he died and she can’t get back to her painting or anything else. He came here because Neil liked this particular village since his family had come from here. Maybe being totally alone, she can figure out her life. Although it isn’t the best of accommodations, she has rented the old Rectory. She doesn’t need this large of a place; but she feels at home here. The attic is a perfect place to set up her studio and that gives her hope.
When she goes looking for wood for her fire, she meets Sue, the church’s reverend. Sue takes her for a tour of the church and shows her the memorial window for those who didn’t come back in World War I as well as the stained glass window in honor of Captain Christopher “Kit” Rivers, their hometown poet. He isn’t well known but is one of the World War I poets. Chloe notices a daisy had been added to the stained glass at a later date and wondered about it. Reverend Sue had never noticed it and had no idea why it had been added. Chloe also noted a daisy had been carved into the pew where the Rivers family had sat. It was interesting.
Later, Chloe goes for a walk and ends up at Rosecraddick Manor. Here she meets Matt who is in charge of the restoration of the Manor in order to set up an exhibit in honor of Kit Rivers to bring more tourists to town. He gets her interested in helping restore the Manor and interested in getting to know more about Kit Rivers. Even he has no idea what they will get into in learning about the Manor and Kit Rivers.
Once more, Ruth Saberton outdoes herself in creating the world of 1914 and making it and the people who live there come alive and make you want to know more when the book is finished.
October 21, 2024
Really lovely story told over two storylines. The first is Chloe Pencarrow , a widow moving for a new life in Cornwall and getting enthralled by the mystery of a daisy on a stained glass window in a church . Finding letters from a girl named Daisy to a man called Kit she endeavours to find out the truth about what happened to them both .
The storylines goes back and forth in the time of Chloe and Matt , and in the time of Daisy and Kit.
The story is heartbreaking and beautifully touches on the poetry of famous poets including Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon .
A well written enjoyable read by Ruth Saberton !
The storylines goes back and forth in the time of Chloe and Matt , and in the time of Daisy and Kit.
The story is heartbreaking and beautifully touches on the poetry of famous poets including Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon .
A well written enjoyable read by Ruth Saberton !
January 25, 2022
Emanuela - per RFS
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Chloe Pencarrow è una giovane vedova, che si trasferisce in una vecchia canonica stretta tra le ripide scogliere di un’immaginaria località in Cornovaglia e un antico cimitero: Rosectraddick. La casa è vicina a una magione importantissima, in restauro per esser trasformata in museo.
La perdita del giovane marito l’ha lasciata in balia delle onde, incapace di riprendere a dipingere le illustrazioni con cui si guadagna da vivere. Il suo destino, grazie al ritrovamento di un diario scritto da una giovane donna vissuta durante la prima guerra mondiale, prenderà una piega inaspettata, rivelandole nuove strade, un nuovo amore e dandole uno scopo per tornare a vivere.
La giovane Margaret Hills passa le sue vacanze alla canonica del burbero Reverendo Cutwell. Rimasta orfana di madre (una tra le prime donne laureate del nuovo secolo), trascorrerà la sua estate con il padre, medico impegnatissimo, facendo il bagno al mare e lunghe passeggiate, allo scopo di rinforzare una gamba offesa dalla poliomielite. L’incontro con il giovane Kit Rivers, nobile di nascita ma poeta per scelta, cambierà per sempre la sua vita.
La sua storia, affidata alle pagine del diario finito nelle mani di Chloe, permetterà a Margaret e Kit, innamorati infelici e sfortunati, di ottenere la giustizia che gli spetta anche a distanza di settant’anni.
Grazie alle indagini di Chloe e di Matt, il bel professore profondo estimatore della poesia di Rivers, verranno alla luce gli inganni e le persecuzioni che avevano condannato due giovani innamorati alla separazione, permettendo la scoperta di un intero fascio di poesie che Margaret aveva abilmente sottratto all’oblio.
L’intreccio storico della prima guerra mondiale (che gioca un ruolo di primo piano), così come le considerazioni della protagonista, che sente prepotentemente riemergere dall’oblio il dolore degli amanti, costituiscono un cardine di questo bel romanzo, molto emozionante e coinvolgente, struggente e tragico.
Nonostante il tema sia stato più volte sfruttato nella narrativa moderna, ritengo questo libro una piccola e sorprendente novità da non lasciarsi sfuggire.
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Chloe Pencarrow è una giovane vedova, che si trasferisce in una vecchia canonica stretta tra le ripide scogliere di un’immaginaria località in Cornovaglia e un antico cimitero: Rosectraddick. La casa è vicina a una magione importantissima, in restauro per esser trasformata in museo.
La perdita del giovane marito l’ha lasciata in balia delle onde, incapace di riprendere a dipingere le illustrazioni con cui si guadagna da vivere. Il suo destino, grazie al ritrovamento di un diario scritto da una giovane donna vissuta durante la prima guerra mondiale, prenderà una piega inaspettata, rivelandole nuove strade, un nuovo amore e dandole uno scopo per tornare a vivere.
La giovane Margaret Hills passa le sue vacanze alla canonica del burbero Reverendo Cutwell. Rimasta orfana di madre (una tra le prime donne laureate del nuovo secolo), trascorrerà la sua estate con il padre, medico impegnatissimo, facendo il bagno al mare e lunghe passeggiate, allo scopo di rinforzare una gamba offesa dalla poliomielite. L’incontro con il giovane Kit Rivers, nobile di nascita ma poeta per scelta, cambierà per sempre la sua vita.
La sua storia, affidata alle pagine del diario finito nelle mani di Chloe, permetterà a Margaret e Kit, innamorati infelici e sfortunati, di ottenere la giustizia che gli spetta anche a distanza di settant’anni.
Grazie alle indagini di Chloe e di Matt, il bel professore profondo estimatore della poesia di Rivers, verranno alla luce gli inganni e le persecuzioni che avevano condannato due giovani innamorati alla separazione, permettendo la scoperta di un intero fascio di poesie che Margaret aveva abilmente sottratto all’oblio.
L’intreccio storico della prima guerra mondiale (che gioca un ruolo di primo piano), così come le considerazioni della protagonista, che sente prepotentemente riemergere dall’oblio il dolore degli amanti, costituiscono un cardine di questo bel romanzo, molto emozionante e coinvolgente, struggente e tragico.
Nonostante il tema sia stato più volte sfruttato nella narrativa moderna, ritengo questo libro una piccola e sorprendente novità da non lasciarsi sfuggire.
April 24, 2021
Seit dem Tod ihres Mannes hat die Künstlerin Chloe keinen Pinsel mehr angerührt. Sie hat eine Malblockade. Kurz vor Weihnachten zieht sie nach Cornwall, um sich von ihrer Trauer abzulenken. In dem kleinen Küstenort Rosecraddick zieht sie in ein altes Cottage, das frühere Pfarrhaus. Bei einem Besuch in der Kirche des Ortes entdeckt sie ein Fensterbild, das dem Dichter Kit Rivers gewidmet ist, der hier aufwuchs und bis zum Beginn des 1. Weltkriegs lebte. Ein Gänseblümchen, das so gar nicht zum sonstigen Fensterbild passen will, erregt ihre Aufmerksamkeit. Als sie den Historiker Matt kennenlernt, findet sie in ihm einen Gleichgesinnten, denn auch Matt ist von Kit und seinen Gedichten fasziniert. Gemeinsam recherchieren die beiden und versuchen, die Fragen, die sich um Kits Schicksal ergeben, zu lösen. Als Chloe im Dachboden des Pfarrhauses auf ein uraltes Tagebuch stößt, das von einer jungen Frau namens Daisy stammt, werden einige ihrer Fragen beantwortet, aber es ergeben sich wiederum viele weitere Rätsel. Über der Faszination um Kit und Daisy vergisst Chloe ihren eigenen Schmerz und findet ins Leben und zu ihrer Kunst zurück.
Im Grunde genommen verbindet dieser Roman zwei großartige Liebesgeschichten, die von Ruth Saberton mit viel Empathie und Feingefühl erzählt werden. Da sind einmal Chloe und Matt in der Gegenwart. Beide haben eine schwere Zeit hinter sich. In ihrer gemeinsamen Arbeit und den Recherchen zu Kit Rivers finden sie Zufriedenheit und Ruhe und kommen sich näher. Allerdings bringt sie das, was sie über Kit und Daisy in Erfahrung bringen, auch an ihre Grenzen, denn die fröhliche Ausgelassenheit, die heiteren Stunden am Meer und die zarte, aufkeimende Liebe zwischen dem Dichter und Daisy werden abrupt durch den Beginn des 1. Weltkriegs und Kits Einberufung beendet.
Der Roman besteht aus drei großen Abschnitten. Im ersten Teil lernt man Chloe und Matt kennen und erfährt mehr über sie, ihre Kümmernisse und ihre Vergangenheit. Man begleitet sie bei ihren Recherchen und kann sich gut in die Charaktere einfühlen. Der zweite große Abschnitt erzählt Kits und Daisys Geschichte. Auch hier hat man zwei starke, liebenswerte Charaktere. Was anfangs erscheint wie eine jugendliche Schwärmerei und Verliebtheit, entwickelt sich schnell zu einer tiefgründigen, tragischen Liebesgeschichte.
Der dritte Hauptteil führt die beiden Geschichten zusammen. Matt und Chloe lernen, das was sie in der Gegenwart entdecken, im Licht der damaligen Zeit zu sehen und zu verstehen. Es kommen erstaunliche, verwirrende und auch erschütternde Dinge zutage. Obwohl es sich hier gleich um eine doppelte Liebesgeschichte handelt, ist der Roman zu keinem Moment kitschig oder verklärt. Ruth Saberton verleiht ihren Charakteren Leben und hat eine unnachahmliche Art, Situationen und Gefühle einzufangen. Ihre Landschaftsbeschreibungen der Küste Cornwalls sind wunderschön. Ihre Schilderungen zum damaligen Kriegsgeschehen und seinen Auswirkungen sind realistisch und aufwühlend, ohne dass sie dabei zu stark ins Detail geht. Auch mit dem Liebesbrief, der den Romantitel bestimmt, hat es eine besondere Bewandtnis, die nicht romantisch, sondern erschütternd ist. Beim Betrachten des malerischen Titelbilds könnte man einen reinen Liebesroman erwarten. Die Schicksale der Menschen aus zwei Generationen, um die es hier geht, sind zum Teil tragisch, und doch liegt am Ende ein Hoffnungsschimmer über allem. Mich hat der Roman mit seiner Vielschichtigkeit und durch seine starken Schilderungen sehr beeindruckt und berührt.
Im Grunde genommen verbindet dieser Roman zwei großartige Liebesgeschichten, die von Ruth Saberton mit viel Empathie und Feingefühl erzählt werden. Da sind einmal Chloe und Matt in der Gegenwart. Beide haben eine schwere Zeit hinter sich. In ihrer gemeinsamen Arbeit und den Recherchen zu Kit Rivers finden sie Zufriedenheit und Ruhe und kommen sich näher. Allerdings bringt sie das, was sie über Kit und Daisy in Erfahrung bringen, auch an ihre Grenzen, denn die fröhliche Ausgelassenheit, die heiteren Stunden am Meer und die zarte, aufkeimende Liebe zwischen dem Dichter und Daisy werden abrupt durch den Beginn des 1. Weltkriegs und Kits Einberufung beendet.
Der Roman besteht aus drei großen Abschnitten. Im ersten Teil lernt man Chloe und Matt kennen und erfährt mehr über sie, ihre Kümmernisse und ihre Vergangenheit. Man begleitet sie bei ihren Recherchen und kann sich gut in die Charaktere einfühlen. Der zweite große Abschnitt erzählt Kits und Daisys Geschichte. Auch hier hat man zwei starke, liebenswerte Charaktere. Was anfangs erscheint wie eine jugendliche Schwärmerei und Verliebtheit, entwickelt sich schnell zu einer tiefgründigen, tragischen Liebesgeschichte.
Der dritte Hauptteil führt die beiden Geschichten zusammen. Matt und Chloe lernen, das was sie in der Gegenwart entdecken, im Licht der damaligen Zeit zu sehen und zu verstehen. Es kommen erstaunliche, verwirrende und auch erschütternde Dinge zutage. Obwohl es sich hier gleich um eine doppelte Liebesgeschichte handelt, ist der Roman zu keinem Moment kitschig oder verklärt. Ruth Saberton verleiht ihren Charakteren Leben und hat eine unnachahmliche Art, Situationen und Gefühle einzufangen. Ihre Landschaftsbeschreibungen der Küste Cornwalls sind wunderschön. Ihre Schilderungen zum damaligen Kriegsgeschehen und seinen Auswirkungen sind realistisch und aufwühlend, ohne dass sie dabei zu stark ins Detail geht. Auch mit dem Liebesbrief, der den Romantitel bestimmt, hat es eine besondere Bewandtnis, die nicht romantisch, sondern erschütternd ist. Beim Betrachten des malerischen Titelbilds könnte man einen reinen Liebesroman erwarten. Die Schicksale der Menschen aus zwei Generationen, um die es hier geht, sind zum Teil tragisch, und doch liegt am Ende ein Hoffnungsschimmer über allem. Mich hat der Roman mit seiner Vielschichtigkeit und durch seine starken Schilderungen sehr beeindruckt und berührt.
January 15, 2022
Wunderschön und traurig zugleich
Ein Buch das nicht nur hübsch aussieht, sondern auch inhaltlich tief ins Herz sticht. Abwechselnd wird das Leserherz gestreichelt nur um dann einen tiefen Dolch hinein zu stechen, es danach zu pflegen und zu trösten um es anschließend mit großer Wucht zu zerreißen.
Nachdem Chloe mit Anfang 30 ihren Mann verloren hat will sie aus der Umgebung ausbrechen in der sie alles an ihn erinnert. So zieht sie in ein Küstendorf in Cornwall, wo er oft seine Kindheit verbracht hat. So versucht sie neu anzufangen und ihn dennoch nah bei sich zu behalten. Dort lernt sie sowohl nette Menschen kennen und ihre Leidenschaft zum Malen erblüht in neuem Licht. Neben dem eigenen Schicksal erfährt sie auch etwas über eine andere Liebe, die bereits viele Jahre zurück liegt und ebenso keine gemeinsame Zukunft haben sollte.
Auf zwei Zeitebenen, heute und zur Zeit des 1. Weltkriegs, wird in 3 zusammenhängenden Buch-Teilen gezeigt wie stark man lieben kann und wie schmerzhaft es ist, wenn einem der Geliebte genommen wird. Aber auch wie diese Liebe den Tod überdauern kann und "aus den Augen" nicht auch "aus dem Sinn" heißt.
Sowohl Chloe in der Gegenwart als auch Daisy in der Vergangenheit können ihr Herz nur schwer bis gar nicht neu verschenken. Zudem schauen wir in die Köpfe und Herzen derer, die geliebte Menschen durch den Krieg verloren haben. Entweder weil sie von dort niemals oder als komplett verändert und traumatisiert zurückgekehrt sind.
Dass die Geschichte der Vergangenheit durch die Familie der Autorin inspiriert wurde, verstärkt die Ernsthaftigkeit und lässt weit über die genannten Charaktere hinaus denken.
Die wunderschöne, wenn auch raue Umgebung an Cornwalls Klippen, die alten atmosphärischen Herrenhäuser und die freundlichen Menschen eines Dorfs betonen auch die schönen Seiten des Lebens.
Auch wenn dieses Buch ganz oft traurig macht, liebt man es ebenso und möchte immer wieder zurück in beide darin enthaltenen Geschichten, zu lieb gewonnenen Charakteren und wunderschönen Kulissen. Besonders für Menschen die gerade eine Familie gründen werden zwar auch Verlustängste geweckt, aber man lernt sein eigenes Leben und Familie wieder etwas mehr Wert zu schätzen. Man wird daran erinnert, dass uns nichts von Dauer garantiert ist und jeder gemeinsame Moment kostbar.
Der Schreibstil lässt sich angenehm lesen, trotz ein paar überflüssiger Wiederholungen. Schön fand ich auch, dass hier nicht die körperliche Liebe im Vordergrund steht und uns die Vergangenheitsszenen zeigen, wie besonders es schon sein kann, wenn sich 2 fremde Hände berühren.
Alles in allem sehr lesenswert und eine Hommage und Ehrung einer Gruppe von Opfern des Krieges über die sonst nicht so oft gesprochen wird.
Ein Buch das nicht nur hübsch aussieht, sondern auch inhaltlich tief ins Herz sticht. Abwechselnd wird das Leserherz gestreichelt nur um dann einen tiefen Dolch hinein zu stechen, es danach zu pflegen und zu trösten um es anschließend mit großer Wucht zu zerreißen.
Nachdem Chloe mit Anfang 30 ihren Mann verloren hat will sie aus der Umgebung ausbrechen in der sie alles an ihn erinnert. So zieht sie in ein Küstendorf in Cornwall, wo er oft seine Kindheit verbracht hat. So versucht sie neu anzufangen und ihn dennoch nah bei sich zu behalten. Dort lernt sie sowohl nette Menschen kennen und ihre Leidenschaft zum Malen erblüht in neuem Licht. Neben dem eigenen Schicksal erfährt sie auch etwas über eine andere Liebe, die bereits viele Jahre zurück liegt und ebenso keine gemeinsame Zukunft haben sollte.
Auf zwei Zeitebenen, heute und zur Zeit des 1. Weltkriegs, wird in 3 zusammenhängenden Buch-Teilen gezeigt wie stark man lieben kann und wie schmerzhaft es ist, wenn einem der Geliebte genommen wird. Aber auch wie diese Liebe den Tod überdauern kann und "aus den Augen" nicht auch "aus dem Sinn" heißt.
Sowohl Chloe in der Gegenwart als auch Daisy in der Vergangenheit können ihr Herz nur schwer bis gar nicht neu verschenken. Zudem schauen wir in die Köpfe und Herzen derer, die geliebte Menschen durch den Krieg verloren haben. Entweder weil sie von dort niemals oder als komplett verändert und traumatisiert zurückgekehrt sind.
Dass die Geschichte der Vergangenheit durch die Familie der Autorin inspiriert wurde, verstärkt die Ernsthaftigkeit und lässt weit über die genannten Charaktere hinaus denken.
Die wunderschöne, wenn auch raue Umgebung an Cornwalls Klippen, die alten atmosphärischen Herrenhäuser und die freundlichen Menschen eines Dorfs betonen auch die schönen Seiten des Lebens.
Auch wenn dieses Buch ganz oft traurig macht, liebt man es ebenso und möchte immer wieder zurück in beide darin enthaltenen Geschichten, zu lieb gewonnenen Charakteren und wunderschönen Kulissen. Besonders für Menschen die gerade eine Familie gründen werden zwar auch Verlustängste geweckt, aber man lernt sein eigenes Leben und Familie wieder etwas mehr Wert zu schätzen. Man wird daran erinnert, dass uns nichts von Dauer garantiert ist und jeder gemeinsame Moment kostbar.
Der Schreibstil lässt sich angenehm lesen, trotz ein paar überflüssiger Wiederholungen. Schön fand ich auch, dass hier nicht die körperliche Liebe im Vordergrund steht und uns die Vergangenheitsszenen zeigen, wie besonders es schon sein kann, wenn sich 2 fremde Hände berühren.
Alles in allem sehr lesenswert und eine Hommage und Ehrung einer Gruppe von Opfern des Krieges über die sonst nicht so oft gesprochen wird.
July 17, 2019
Strangely enough I finished a book the other day that was a lot like this one, so I was a bit thrown off originally. But, technique-wise, this was not too bad of a book. The writing style appealed to me, especially in the beginning chapters, and I felt things were leading towards the main plot rather nicely. I loved that The Letter is inspired by a somewhat of a true story, it made the characters and reason for the story much more real at times.
I enjoyed the historical element, though I'm not too sure the dialogue during the POV of Daisy was entirely realistic, at least it didn't read that way to me. Maybe a little too over-dramatic. And, as the story progressed, the characters themselves became over-dramatic - a little too much for my tastes. I enjoy romance, but sometimes it can be layered on a little too thick and that's not what I'm particularly drawn to.
The story of Kit and Daisy was a sweet and sad one. I know back in that era, love at first sight was a lot more common, so I did appreciate the realism in a way, but I also thought the romance was a little too predictable and fast-paced. In terms of Chloe and Matt, well they were just a bore as love-interests.
Another thing with Chloe is that she spoke/thought of her deceased husband way WAY too much, it was tiresome. I understand grief, and in fact I appreciated that the author wanted to really provide the most emotion and detail to describe Chloe's grief, but it very quickly became too much. Chloe's inner-monologue was a drag, to say the least. I would have liked to know more about who she was as a person without that grief, but I feel I never saw much characterisation in her; even at the end of the book, I still felt as if she was an unchanged person, other than being told very briefly that she'd overcome the hardest part of grieving and moved forward, I wasn't really shown this.
Very briefly I enjoyed Matt's character, but we didn't get much characterisation from him either. Or maybe he was just boring. Basically, Chloe and Matt weren't at all interesting, and Daisy and Kit's story is probably why this book worked.
Overall, not a bad read. However, very overly-descriptive, mostly dull characters, and a little too predictable to raise it to anymore than two stars.
I enjoyed the historical element, though I'm not too sure the dialogue during the POV of Daisy was entirely realistic, at least it didn't read that way to me. Maybe a little too over-dramatic. And, as the story progressed, the characters themselves became over-dramatic - a little too much for my tastes. I enjoy romance, but sometimes it can be layered on a little too thick and that's not what I'm particularly drawn to.
The story of Kit and Daisy was a sweet and sad one. I know back in that era, love at first sight was a lot more common, so I did appreciate the realism in a way, but I also thought the romance was a little too predictable and fast-paced. In terms of Chloe and Matt, well they were just a bore as love-interests.
Another thing with Chloe is that she spoke/thought of her deceased husband way WAY too much, it was tiresome. I understand grief, and in fact I appreciated that the author wanted to really provide the most emotion and detail to describe Chloe's grief, but it very quickly became too much. Chloe's inner-monologue was a drag, to say the least. I would have liked to know more about who she was as a person without that grief, but I feel I never saw much characterisation in her; even at the end of the book, I still felt as if she was an unchanged person, other than being told very briefly that she'd overcome the hardest part of grieving and moved forward, I wasn't really shown this.
Very briefly I enjoyed Matt's character, but we didn't get much characterisation from him either. Or maybe he was just boring. Basically, Chloe and Matt weren't at all interesting, and Daisy and Kit's story is probably why this book worked.
Overall, not a bad read. However, very overly-descriptive, mostly dull characters, and a little too predictable to raise it to anymore than two stars.
February 1, 2018
This latest novel by Ruth Saberton is achingly beautiful. Such strength in a love so tragic. I believe The Letter is Ruth Saberton’s best story yet and it will certainly be one of my outstanding reads for 2018.
The extensive research that the author must have taken and the love of a lost love story of her Great Aunt clearly shows across the pages. Scenes were clearly laid out and you could picture them and feel the emotions of the characters. Many a time emotions took over me and I was swamped with intense reactions to the storyline.
The story begins in 1914 when sixteen year old Daisy Hills has arrived to stay with her godfather at the rectory in a small village off the coast of Cornwall. Daisy is hoping for the sea air and daily exercise around this beautiful village to bring back her strength following an illness. What Daisy doesn’t expect is for her life to experience a whole new adventure and for it to change the course of her future entirely.
A century later we meet grieving Chloe Pencarrow, who has escaped her life of so many sad memories in London with wishes to experience peace and tranquility in a Cornish coastal village. Chloe rents The Old Rectory and unbeknown to her at present the rectory holds many secrets to a past when time was cruelly snatched from many.
This story takes on two different time frames that slowly start unravelling into the present. Chloe finds interest in fallen war poet Kit Rivers who lived in the great mansion that can be seen from The Old Rectory. Delving deeper into Kit River’s life with the help of historian Matt Enys and the Kernow Heritage Foundation, Chloe and Matt’s lives are soon captivated by a forgotten time and a forgotten love story.
Truly outstanding storytelling from Ruth Saberton that deals with grief and loss and the hope of light bringing new directions. To a time when futures of young men and the women they left behind was unknown. To a time that we will not forget.
The extensive research that the author must have taken and the love of a lost love story of her Great Aunt clearly shows across the pages. Scenes were clearly laid out and you could picture them and feel the emotions of the characters. Many a time emotions took over me and I was swamped with intense reactions to the storyline.
The story begins in 1914 when sixteen year old Daisy Hills has arrived to stay with her godfather at the rectory in a small village off the coast of Cornwall. Daisy is hoping for the sea air and daily exercise around this beautiful village to bring back her strength following an illness. What Daisy doesn’t expect is for her life to experience a whole new adventure and for it to change the course of her future entirely.
A century later we meet grieving Chloe Pencarrow, who has escaped her life of so many sad memories in London with wishes to experience peace and tranquility in a Cornish coastal village. Chloe rents The Old Rectory and unbeknown to her at present the rectory holds many secrets to a past when time was cruelly snatched from many.
This story takes on two different time frames that slowly start unravelling into the present. Chloe finds interest in fallen war poet Kit Rivers who lived in the great mansion that can be seen from The Old Rectory. Delving deeper into Kit River’s life with the help of historian Matt Enys and the Kernow Heritage Foundation, Chloe and Matt’s lives are soon captivated by a forgotten time and a forgotten love story.
Truly outstanding storytelling from Ruth Saberton that deals with grief and loss and the hope of light bringing new directions. To a time when futures of young men and the women they left behind was unknown. To a time that we will not forget.
August 11, 2019
A very moving read
Just let me wipe away the tears before I begin.
This book is a compelling and very moving dual timeline set in the present day and the early 20th century .
Following the loss of her husband, Chloe moves into an old rectory in Cornwall. It isn't long before she comes across a memorial in the church, and is determined to reveal the story behind it.
Well written, and although the beginning appeared to be a bit drawn out for me, it wasn't long before I was embroiled in the story.
Just let me wipe away the tears before I begin.
This book is a compelling and very moving dual timeline set in the present day and the early 20th century .
Following the loss of her husband, Chloe moves into an old rectory in Cornwall. It isn't long before she comes across a memorial in the church, and is determined to reveal the story behind it.
Well written, and although the beginning appeared to be a bit drawn out for me, it wasn't long before I was embroiled in the story.
May 22, 2021
Meine Meinung:
Dieses Buch ist mir durch das wunderschöne Cover und dem weinroten Buchschnitt sofort aufgefallen. Und genauso wie das tolle Cover, hat es auch die Geschichte geschafft, mich auf ganz besondere Weise zu berühren.
Das Buch besteht aus zwei Geschichten. Zum einen erleben wir den Neuanfang von Chloe in Cornwall, die zusammen mit dem Historiker Matt das Geheimnis um Kit und Daisy ergründet. Und wir erleben die tiefe und ehrliche Liebe von Kit und Daisy, die allen Widerständen trotzt und mir sehr zu Herzen ging. Im Nachwort erzählt die Autorin, was sie zu dieser Geschichte bewogen hat, was sie umso ergreifender macht. Vor allem wenn man bedenkt, wie manche Handlungen ein ganzes Leben beeinflussen können. Die Autorin hat einen sehr emotionalen und bildhaften Schreibstil, der mir auch die rauhe Küstenlandschaft und das tolle Klima nahe gebracht hat.
Auch die Protagonisten sind hervorragend und sehr lebendig ausgearbeitet und waren mir alle sehr sympathisch.
Fazit: Eine sehr gefühlvolle Geschichte, die mich zu Tränen gerührt hat und die von Verlust, Trauer, loslassen können und Hoffnung handelt.
Die Geschichte wird mir noch lange im Gedächtnis bleiben, hat es auf meine Jahresbestenliste geschafft und hat daher 5/5 Sterne verdient.
Dieses Buch ist mir durch das wunderschöne Cover und dem weinroten Buchschnitt sofort aufgefallen. Und genauso wie das tolle Cover, hat es auch die Geschichte geschafft, mich auf ganz besondere Weise zu berühren.
Das Buch besteht aus zwei Geschichten. Zum einen erleben wir den Neuanfang von Chloe in Cornwall, die zusammen mit dem Historiker Matt das Geheimnis um Kit und Daisy ergründet. Und wir erleben die tiefe und ehrliche Liebe von Kit und Daisy, die allen Widerständen trotzt und mir sehr zu Herzen ging. Im Nachwort erzählt die Autorin, was sie zu dieser Geschichte bewogen hat, was sie umso ergreifender macht. Vor allem wenn man bedenkt, wie manche Handlungen ein ganzes Leben beeinflussen können. Die Autorin hat einen sehr emotionalen und bildhaften Schreibstil, der mir auch die rauhe Küstenlandschaft und das tolle Klima nahe gebracht hat.
Auch die Protagonisten sind hervorragend und sehr lebendig ausgearbeitet und waren mir alle sehr sympathisch.
Fazit: Eine sehr gefühlvolle Geschichte, die mich zu Tränen gerührt hat und die von Verlust, Trauer, loslassen können und Hoffnung handelt.
Die Geschichte wird mir noch lange im Gedächtnis bleiben, hat es auf meine Jahresbestenliste geschafft und hat daher 5/5 Sterne verdient.
November 17, 2021
3.5 Sterne
Solche Romane stehen und fallen für mich immer mit der Vergangenheitsgeschichte. Die sehr schnelle Liebesgeschichte zwischen Kit und Daisy konnte ich nicht so richtig abnehmen und war mir an manchen Stellen etwas zuviel des Guten. Die Aufklärung anschließend fand ich wieder mega.
Ich hab mich aber eher in der Gegenwart bei Matt und Chloe wohlgefühlt.
Solche Romane stehen und fallen für mich immer mit der Vergangenheitsgeschichte. Die sehr schnelle Liebesgeschichte zwischen Kit und Daisy konnte ich nicht so richtig abnehmen und war mir an manchen Stellen etwas zuviel des Guten. Die Aufklärung anschließend fand ich wieder mega.
Ich hab mich aber eher in der Gegenwart bei Matt und Chloe wohlgefühlt.
June 28, 2018
Loved this story! Took me awhile to read because I didn’t want to rush! I love the present and the past story! My favorite kind of books!
April 19, 2022
No not my kind of book. The story overall was ok.
December 8, 2022
I loved it!
This was a beautifully written book. The author describes people, places and emotions so that the reader is immediately drawn into the story. The suspense of a century old secret keeps pages turning in anticipation. I love, love backstory when it is well done, and Ruth Saberton is a master. Highly recommended.
This was a beautifully written book. The author describes people, places and emotions so that the reader is immediately drawn into the story. The suspense of a century old secret keeps pages turning in anticipation. I love, love backstory when it is well done, and Ruth Saberton is a master. Highly recommended.
January 5, 2021
Sweet and memorable
I enjoyed this book, especially when secrets were unfolded. Typical war story of lost love but with characters I came to root for. There were a number of unrealistic storylines, but overall, perfect by the fire with a glass of wine.
I enjoyed this book, especially when secrets were unfolded. Typical war story of lost love but with characters I came to root for. There were a number of unrealistic storylines, but overall, perfect by the fire with a glass of wine.
December 1, 2018
Wanted to like this book--but DNF. Too slow, too many pages where nothing happened, with repetitive thoughts by the main characters.
November 29, 2019
Too flowery. Too YA. Too long. Too repetitive. Don’t waste your time.
February 23, 2021
Grandios
Read
May 21, 2019Okay. First things first.
The writing is beautiful, the characters are engaging, the relationship develops realistically and the story builds to a dramatic climax without any sense of 'haste.'
But.
Globbits, its depressing.
Slight spoiler ahead:
The writing is beautiful, the characters are engaging, the relationship develops realistically and the story builds to a dramatic climax without any sense of 'haste.'
But.
Globbits, its depressing.
Slight spoiler ahead:
September 27, 2023
A deeply painful and moving story largely based on the tragic experiences of the writer's great aunt, as well as all the hundreds of thousands of other young people whose lives were damaged beyond repair because of the brutality of the Great War. . The story is hugely poignant, but for me, a little clichéd and 'cheesy' in places, which is why I have given this book three stars rather than four. .
April 1, 2020
Heart-Breaking and Beautiful Read
I will never forget this book...such a wonderful, and sad story, filled with so much love and bravery, at a time in history that should never be forgotten. Believe me, you will cry as I did, reading it. Ruth Saberton is a very gifted author and I will read more of her works.
I will never forget this book...such a wonderful, and sad story, filled with so much love and bravery, at a time in history that should never be forgotten. Believe me, you will cry as I did, reading it. Ruth Saberton is a very gifted author and I will read more of her works.
Want to read
May 19, 2019Free on Kindle
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