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The Blue Bench
A beautifully written story of yearning and love in 1920 as a nation grieves - one soul, one person at a time. The body of the Unknown Warrior is coming home, can Britain find peace?'..an important novel..'Margate 1920. The Great War is over but Britain mourns and its spirit is not yet mended.Edward and William have returned from the front as changed men. Together they have survived grotesque horrors and remain haunted by memories of comrades who did not come home. The summer season in Margate is a chance for them to rebuild their lives and reconcile the past.Evelyn and Catherine are young women ready to live life to the full. Their independence has been hard won and, with little knowledge of the cost of their freedom, they are ready to face new challenges side by side.Can they define their own future and open their hearts to the prospect of finding love? Will the summer of 1920 be a turning point for these new friends? As the body of the Unknown Warrior is returned, can the nation find a way forward?'..it is a beautiful book, expertly written, emotive and warm..'
618 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2018
43 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Paul Marriner
9 books21 followersPaul grew up in a west London suburb and now lives in Berkshire. Married with two children, he is passionate about music, sport and, most of all, writing, on which he now concentrates full-time. Paul has written six novels and a collection of short stories and his primary literary ambition is that you enjoy reading them while he is hard at work on the next one (but still finding time to play drums).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
September 2, 2018
Melancholy and pain. That's what The Blue Bench left me feeling. Horrors of war, the devastation and long lasting effects it had on those who fought and those left at home. It's not an easy book to read. But it's a book that draws you in and holds your attention. Beautiful.
The Blue Bench is told in a gentle and compelling way. Beautifully written, told from multiple points of view, it's a book to be savoured.
Paul Marriner wrote a story that's engaging and emotive and if you're a historical fiction reader, it's a must-read.
The Blue Bench is told in a gentle and compelling way. Beautifully written, told from multiple points of view, it's a book to be savoured.
Paul Marriner wrote a story that's engaging and emotive and if you're a historical fiction reader, it's a must-read.
April 11, 2021
WOW this really impressed me. I am a very demanding reader when it comes to historical fiction. Well actually, this is true of all the books I read! If the First World War interests you, don’t miss this book. It is about the consequences of the First World War on the psyche of those who lived through it, those who survived, with a primary focus on those in Britain.
The book is long. It unwinds slowly. It is a slow burner. It provides multiple character studies. Bit by bit the reader learns about Edward Thompson, the “lucky lieutenant”, and his close friend, sergeant William Burrslow. They fought side by side at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. Both were bodily and psychologically damaged in the battle. Edward more seriously, half of his face was blown away.
The book opens in 1940 in London on the day of Neville Chamberlain’s funeral. A young Patrick meets up with two women in their forties. Patrick has enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers and will be going off to war, another war, this time the Second World War! The women, Evelyn and Catherine, are in London on their annual pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a pilgrimage they have taken every year for the last twenty years. Then the story flips back to Vimy Ridge, France, April 1917, and then to Margate, Kent, England, July 1920, at which point the story moves forward a day or two at a time until November 11, 1920, and the interment of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey, and then a few days more. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier holds an unidentified British soldier killed on a European battlefield during the First World War. This one soldier represents the many who died but never laid to rest. He is buried for them. Now, at the end of the novel, after all that has been read, the significance of this bowls the reader over.
Character studies are drawn for the five I have spoken of and others too. Men and women of different ages and temperaments. Th impact of the war was not the same for all. Each character is different one from the other. Every character felt very real to me. At the start you know nothing. At the end you understand fully and feel as though you have been part of their world day by day from July to November 1920. At the interment of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 1920, you are one of the many there at Westminster Abbey. You are there heart and soul. At book’s end, there has grown a great feeling of compassion and understanding of what those who lived through the First World War felt and continued to suffer even after the war had come to a close.
Dialogues ring true.
Historical details are engagingly woven into the tale--the songs sung, the books characters are reading, names of events and places. One example is the Tin Noses Shop at Wandsworth, London where Edward’s facial mask was made. See this link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-l... You will hear of Francis Derwent Wood as you read the story.
Colleen MacMahon narrates the audiobook. She does a very good job. There is a hint of a lisp when Edward talks, just as there should be, but it is not exaggerated. She captures the different characters’ personalities well. There are those that are loquacious and others that are contemplative, reserved, those that are somber and others fun-loving, bubbling with youth and energy. Each speaks as you imagine they would. The narration I have given four stars.
Why have I come to enjoy this book as much as I have? I have come close to the characters. I have felt the impending weight of their war experiences. I have come to understand why the characters behave as they do. This is a very, very good book.
The book is long. It unwinds slowly. It is a slow burner. It provides multiple character studies. Bit by bit the reader learns about Edward Thompson, the “lucky lieutenant”, and his close friend, sergeant William Burrslow. They fought side by side at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. Both were bodily and psychologically damaged in the battle. Edward more seriously, half of his face was blown away.
The book opens in 1940 in London on the day of Neville Chamberlain’s funeral. A young Patrick meets up with two women in their forties. Patrick has enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers and will be going off to war, another war, this time the Second World War! The women, Evelyn and Catherine, are in London on their annual pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a pilgrimage they have taken every year for the last twenty years. Then the story flips back to Vimy Ridge, France, April 1917, and then to Margate, Kent, England, July 1920, at which point the story moves forward a day or two at a time until November 11, 1920, and the interment of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey, and then a few days more. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier holds an unidentified British soldier killed on a European battlefield during the First World War. This one soldier represents the many who died but never laid to rest. He is buried for them. Now, at the end of the novel, after all that has been read, the significance of this bowls the reader over.
Character studies are drawn for the five I have spoken of and others too. Men and women of different ages and temperaments. Th impact of the war was not the same for all. Each character is different one from the other. Every character felt very real to me. At the start you know nothing. At the end you understand fully and feel as though you have been part of their world day by day from July to November 1920. At the interment of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 1920, you are one of the many there at Westminster Abbey. You are there heart and soul. At book’s end, there has grown a great feeling of compassion and understanding of what those who lived through the First World War felt and continued to suffer even after the war had come to a close.
Dialogues ring true.
Historical details are engagingly woven into the tale--the songs sung, the books characters are reading, names of events and places. One example is the Tin Noses Shop at Wandsworth, London where Edward’s facial mask was made. See this link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-l... You will hear of Francis Derwent Wood as you read the story.
Colleen MacMahon narrates the audiobook. She does a very good job. There is a hint of a lisp when Edward talks, just as there should be, but it is not exaggerated. She captures the different characters’ personalities well. There are those that are loquacious and others that are contemplative, reserved, those that are somber and others fun-loving, bubbling with youth and energy. Each speaks as you imagine they would. The narration I have given four stars.
Why have I come to enjoy this book as much as I have? I have come close to the characters. I have felt the impending weight of their war experiences. I have come to understand why the characters behave as they do. This is a very, very good book.
May 20, 2019
The Blue Bench by Paul Marriner is no lighthearted, fun read. What it is instead is a beautifully written book depicting the long-lasting horrors of war. Long after the last shot is fired, the damage blasts on and on through the lives of the soldiers and their families.
This book radiates warmth and friendship and portrays how friends can be a light at the end of the darkest tunnel. While the post war setting is drowning in sorrow and pain, there is also a hopeful feel because of the loyalty of the characters and their willingness to support each other.
At times I thought the pace was slow, but on reflection at the end of the book I wouldn’t have changed a thing. That meandering pace allows you to really get into the heart and souls of the characters and to experience their highs and lows with them.
The four characters are all so different but I have a soft spot in my heart for all of them. Edward badly maimed in the trenches, and in constant pain made me want to (very gently) hug him. Evelyn, the preachers daughter, feels huge empathy for Edward and really sees the man behind the horrific injuries. Catherine is full of life and I enjoyed her passion for fun and living. And William is a diamond in the rough, and a wheeler dealer but I couldn’t help but like him. Especially for his softer moments.
Honestly, these characters feel unforgettable, and I have a hunch they will haunt me for a long time to come.
I listened to the audiobook, and loved the narration by Colleen MacMahon. Her gentle voice brought the characters to life, and really helped transport me into the setting.
This book radiates warmth and friendship and portrays how friends can be a light at the end of the darkest tunnel. While the post war setting is drowning in sorrow and pain, there is also a hopeful feel because of the loyalty of the characters and their willingness to support each other.
At times I thought the pace was slow, but on reflection at the end of the book I wouldn’t have changed a thing. That meandering pace allows you to really get into the heart and souls of the characters and to experience their highs and lows with them.
The four characters are all so different but I have a soft spot in my heart for all of them. Edward badly maimed in the trenches, and in constant pain made me want to (very gently) hug him. Evelyn, the preachers daughter, feels huge empathy for Edward and really sees the man behind the horrific injuries. Catherine is full of life and I enjoyed her passion for fun and living. And William is a diamond in the rough, and a wheeler dealer but I couldn’t help but like him. Especially for his softer moments.
Honestly, these characters feel unforgettable, and I have a hunch they will haunt me for a long time to come.
I listened to the audiobook, and loved the narration by Colleen MacMahon. Her gentle voice brought the characters to life, and really helped transport me into the setting.
September 29, 2022
I really wanted to like this book. It's deep-hitting historical fiction with a philosophical bent, so how could I not? There certainly are aspects of The Blue Bench that I enjoyed, and others that I appreciated even though I did not enjoy actually reading them, but as a whole...the negatives outweighed the positives for me.
Let's start with the good: The Blue Bench takes a long, hard look at the time between WWI and WWII. I've read an abundance of WWII fiction, but very little WWI fiction and even less from the years in between, so I was eager to learn. I did learn a bit about the culture and atmosphere of the time, and I really like how so many veterans are portrayed in different ways. A vast array of physical and psychological wounds are displayed, some directly and others subtly, as well as a variety of responses to returning to civilian life. People from this era are sometimes called "the lost generation," and I believe the author integrated many of the historical and cultural aspects which made this moniker appropriate. There is a pervasive longing for meaning, uncertainty about the way of the world, and almost subconscious self-doubt hanging over the Western world which also plays out in many of the characters. The characters really are fascinating, from the obviously scarred Edward to the inconsolable Alastair to the loquacious Beatrice, each is unique and mysterious. Also, there were mentions of Hemingway as an outrageous American author, which made me smile.
Now for the not-so-good: Ultimately, this book finds no answer for the meaning of anything. The pages are filled with futile attempts to find meaning in a job, relationship, or social status, but you don't have to read many books to know that these things will never be enough. An example: there is a side plot where our protagonist, Edward, is always searching for the family of a man who served in his platoon and died while under his command. The search proceeds fruitlessly until a breakthrough finally leads Edward to their home. Unfortunately, Edward is pretty sick at this point and ends up not able to tell them anything. Instead, he sits and smokes with the man's father, and they say nothing. This scene is like a microcosm of the entire book: they sit, doing something they think ought to be enjoyable but really they're just passing time without learning anything or making any progress on anything of true substance. This likely was the reality for many people in this time, but doesn't make for much of a book.
Furthermore, the frequency with which drugs, alcohol, smoking, and vulgarity show up on the pages is overwhelming. I'm sure it is intentionally placed: as the characters succumb to poor health and old injuries, they rely more on things which might numb the effects, but these substances become less and less effective, leading to an even greater indulgence. Additionally, as they explore this new post-war world and how it is changing, they question the standards they have been taught and begin to push the limits. I know that history must not be "cleaned up" for fiction, but some stories are more worth telling than others, and some aspects of a story are not necessary. As much as possible I am careful about what I allow into my mind, especially through any sort of entertainment, and the vulgarity and disinterest towards drug and alcohol use in this novel cross the line of what is acceptable. There is way too much detail, despite the fact that I found the romance side of the story to be lacking.
The Blue Bench truly is a mixed bag. I loved learning about the creation of the British Tomb of the Unknown Solier, and the writing is very good. However, the flagrant sexuality, over-reliance on unprescribed drugs and alcohol, and overhanging sense of worthlessness make it not worth it to me. If I could edit out these things and just pass along the core of the story with a more hopeful message (because there actually is a place to find meaning and a reason to have hope when the world is almost literally falling apart around you, even when you're not sure if you have actually survived or not), I would be thrilled. But I can't do that. So, I finish this review as I finished the book: with a heavy sigh, in part glad that I read the book but in part wishing I had not. The Blue Bench joins a short list of books which I appreciate for their historical and philosophical content, but largely did not enjoy and do not wish to recommend except in very particular circumstances.
This review was originally posted on Reviews From the Stacks.
Let's start with the good: The Blue Bench takes a long, hard look at the time between WWI and WWII. I've read an abundance of WWII fiction, but very little WWI fiction and even less from the years in between, so I was eager to learn. I did learn a bit about the culture and atmosphere of the time, and I really like how so many veterans are portrayed in different ways. A vast array of physical and psychological wounds are displayed, some directly and others subtly, as well as a variety of responses to returning to civilian life. People from this era are sometimes called "the lost generation," and I believe the author integrated many of the historical and cultural aspects which made this moniker appropriate. There is a pervasive longing for meaning, uncertainty about the way of the world, and almost subconscious self-doubt hanging over the Western world which also plays out in many of the characters. The characters really are fascinating, from the obviously scarred Edward to the inconsolable Alastair to the loquacious Beatrice, each is unique and mysterious. Also, there were mentions of Hemingway as an outrageous American author, which made me smile.
Now for the not-so-good: Ultimately, this book finds no answer for the meaning of anything. The pages are filled with futile attempts to find meaning in a job, relationship, or social status, but you don't have to read many books to know that these things will never be enough. An example: there is a side plot where our protagonist, Edward, is always searching for the family of a man who served in his platoon and died while under his command. The search proceeds fruitlessly until a breakthrough finally leads Edward to their home. Unfortunately, Edward is pretty sick at this point and ends up not able to tell them anything. Instead, he sits and smokes with the man's father, and they say nothing. This scene is like a microcosm of the entire book: they sit, doing something they think ought to be enjoyable but really they're just passing time without learning anything or making any progress on anything of true substance. This likely was the reality for many people in this time, but doesn't make for much of a book.
Furthermore, the frequency with which drugs, alcohol, smoking, and vulgarity show up on the pages is overwhelming. I'm sure it is intentionally placed: as the characters succumb to poor health and old injuries, they rely more on things which might numb the effects, but these substances become less and less effective, leading to an even greater indulgence. Additionally, as they explore this new post-war world and how it is changing, they question the standards they have been taught and begin to push the limits. I know that history must not be "cleaned up" for fiction, but some stories are more worth telling than others, and some aspects of a story are not necessary. As much as possible I am careful about what I allow into my mind, especially through any sort of entertainment, and the vulgarity and disinterest towards drug and alcohol use in this novel cross the line of what is acceptable. There is way too much detail, despite the fact that I found the romance side of the story to be lacking.
The Blue Bench truly is a mixed bag. I loved learning about the creation of the British Tomb of the Unknown Solier, and the writing is very good. However, the flagrant sexuality, over-reliance on unprescribed drugs and alcohol, and overhanging sense of worthlessness make it not worth it to me. If I could edit out these things and just pass along the core of the story with a more hopeful message (because there actually is a place to find meaning and a reason to have hope when the world is almost literally falling apart around you, even when you're not sure if you have actually survived or not), I would be thrilled. But I can't do that. So, I finish this review as I finished the book: with a heavy sigh, in part glad that I read the book but in part wishing I had not. The Blue Bench joins a short list of books which I appreciate for their historical and philosophical content, but largely did not enjoy and do not wish to recommend except in very particular circumstances.
This review was originally posted on Reviews From the Stacks.
May 20, 2019
This was a very well written tale from the perspectives of people who survived the World Wars, it considers their lives, the effects and the possible ramifications of the war, and pushes us to consider how war effects those left behind after.
This is a masterfully written story which interweaves fact and fiction. I found myself eager to not only discover what would befall the individuals, but also to learn more about the society of the time.
There are several Characters within the story, and although this may put some off I would urge you mot to let it. The Characters are introduced gradually so that you get to know the individuals, their quirks, likes, dislikes, worries and individual personalities in general. Their introductions rather than being rushed, are done perfectly so that you feel as if you really have met them, and walked with them through the situations.
Within this, we then get a variety of relationships and resulting situations, and this gives a deeper understanding of them as individuals and further insights into joys and struggles of life at the time.
The storyline itself is by turn heartwarming and heart wrenching, and is beautifully and devastatingly true to events of the time whilst also being a thoroughly engrossing read. There are a multitude of interesting and brilliant facts to be gleaned from the tale, as well as a stunning fiction of the lives and times of the population.
This is a story in which the Author has very clearly put a lot of time, effort and resources into ensuring research before embarking on the task of writing the tale, in order to give a true representation of the time, peoples lives, attitudes and situations and much consideration to the society of the time.
The effects of war have been accurately and honestly recreated in a tale that could very easily become Iconic! A brilliant read whether new to the Genre, or one who reads Historical Fiction generally.
This is a masterfully written story which interweaves fact and fiction. I found myself eager to not only discover what would befall the individuals, but also to learn more about the society of the time.
There are several Characters within the story, and although this may put some off I would urge you mot to let it. The Characters are introduced gradually so that you get to know the individuals, their quirks, likes, dislikes, worries and individual personalities in general. Their introductions rather than being rushed, are done perfectly so that you feel as if you really have met them, and walked with them through the situations.
Within this, we then get a variety of relationships and resulting situations, and this gives a deeper understanding of them as individuals and further insights into joys and struggles of life at the time.
The storyline itself is by turn heartwarming and heart wrenching, and is beautifully and devastatingly true to events of the time whilst also being a thoroughly engrossing read. There are a multitude of interesting and brilliant facts to be gleaned from the tale, as well as a stunning fiction of the lives and times of the population.
This is a story in which the Author has very clearly put a lot of time, effort and resources into ensuring research before embarking on the task of writing the tale, in order to give a true representation of the time, peoples lives, attitudes and situations and much consideration to the society of the time.
The effects of war have been accurately and honestly recreated in a tale that could very easily become Iconic! A brilliant read whether new to the Genre, or one who reads Historical Fiction generally.
August 8, 2018
This is a book to savour. A real book in the sense it deserves considered reading- armchair and no distractions. I was drawn in and held captive after the first few pages. I read the Kindle edition and the first impression I gained was that the book was unfinished, not quite ready for publication and in need of a final close edit.
That said, the quality of the writing is mesmeric. His mastery of the period with its social foibles, and manners is superb. This is a complicated, but not a complex book. I do believe Paul Marriner has written what could easily become a classic. The care he has taken in choosing his words and assembling them into sentences to convey the precise emotion or sentiment coming out of the page is masterful.
An uplifting experience for me that rekindled memories of a childhood excursion with my grand parents on a paddle steamer to Margate .(Golden Eagle, 1947)
The characters are full and alive. Considerable research - social, historical, military, geographical and medical - has gone into producing what is an important book, and a sheer joy to read.
I could write for hours about this book, it has affected me deeply, but to do so will reveal elements of the plot: and that I decline to do.
The story is fiction, but seamlessly woven into fact. Yes, Embassy cigarettes were available in 1920.
The Blue Bench has informed, entertained and educated me, leaving its powerful moral in my mind as its legacy. I learned that the profit of war is long-lasting pain, sorrow and distress. I never knew before that the holy water used at baptisms has a unique name – but I do now.
In simple prose the author explains the meaning of the grave of the Unknown Soldier – and that it is there for all who have suffered as a result of war.
Notwithstanding the few, minor editorial problems I found in the e-book edition, it fully deserves the 5-stars I have given it.
This is a book that I will read again, I will buy a hard copy to put on the top shelf of my bookcase with my other literary treasures.
That said, the quality of the writing is mesmeric. His mastery of the period with its social foibles, and manners is superb. This is a complicated, but not a complex book. I do believe Paul Marriner has written what could easily become a classic. The care he has taken in choosing his words and assembling them into sentences to convey the precise emotion or sentiment coming out of the page is masterful.
An uplifting experience for me that rekindled memories of a childhood excursion with my grand parents on a paddle steamer to Margate .(Golden Eagle, 1947)
The characters are full and alive. Considerable research - social, historical, military, geographical and medical - has gone into producing what is an important book, and a sheer joy to read.
I could write for hours about this book, it has affected me deeply, but to do so will reveal elements of the plot: and that I decline to do.
The story is fiction, but seamlessly woven into fact. Yes, Embassy cigarettes were available in 1920.
The Blue Bench has informed, entertained and educated me, leaving its powerful moral in my mind as its legacy. I learned that the profit of war is long-lasting pain, sorrow and distress. I never knew before that the holy water used at baptisms has a unique name – but I do now.
In simple prose the author explains the meaning of the grave of the Unknown Soldier – and that it is there for all who have suffered as a result of war.
Notwithstanding the few, minor editorial problems I found in the e-book edition, it fully deserves the 5-stars I have given it.
This is a book that I will read again, I will buy a hard copy to put on the top shelf of my bookcase with my other literary treasures.
September 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this portrait of English life in the aftermath of WWI. Although it's a long book it's divided into short chapters which makes it easy to read. I love this period and found myself getting drawn into the lives of Edward, William, Evelyn and Catherine as they tried to make the adjustment from their wartime experiences to their new lives in 1920 and would highly recommend it to other readers of inter-war fiction
July 17, 2020
An enjoyable book about the mental and physical damage to those servicemen who survived the 1st World War and their difficulties adjusting to civilian life afterwards; the pain and anguish of the parents/families whose sons didn't survive and had no known/marked grave; and some factual history of the origins of and the rationalisation for the Grave of The Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey.
August 28, 2018
A fascinating read that focuses on the lives of a few young adults in post World War Two England. The horrors and long lasting effects of the war are keenly felt in this novel, which does not hide the pain and damage that still existed two years after peace was declared. Whilst the novel seems at first glance to be about a summer holiday in a seaside town and a war veteran building his music career, there is so much more going on under the surface. From poverty, physical war wounds, psychological damage, to love and relationships - this novel covers many important aspects of life at that time. Once again, this is an important book to read as often people focus on the war years themselves, and forget how long it takes for the wounds to heal. I enjoyed this read and highly recommend it.
August 28, 2018
At first I found this book really hard to get into and it seemed so long.
Yet as I progressed through the pages, my attention was being held.
The book is steeped with history: pioneer surgery after the first world war, those hidden heroes who helped so many.
Whilst reading this book I eagerly searched the internet for information on the characters named throughout the book.
The barriers to love, moving on and life in Kent spilled through the pages. Personal family ties to Sidcup intrigued me more.
I'm so glad I persevered with this book and if you enjoy reading modern history you'll love this book.
Yet as I progressed through the pages, my attention was being held.
The book is steeped with history: pioneer surgery after the first world war, those hidden heroes who helped so many.
Whilst reading this book I eagerly searched the internet for information on the characters named throughout the book.
The barriers to love, moving on and life in Kent spilled through the pages. Personal family ties to Sidcup intrigued me more.
I'm so glad I persevered with this book and if you enjoy reading modern history you'll love this book.
November 15, 2020
This was a well written historical book. I really enjoyed it. One of the best books I have read so far
December 16, 2018
One of my top reads of the year. I've just finished it and handed my copy straight to my ex soldier husband. It's such a gentle, readable book yet it deals with such harsh, gritty, difficult subjects. Even though my own husband fought in a war, I don’t think I'd realised until I read this the depth of the effects on survivors. Or understood the full significance of the grave of the Unknown Warrior. I think I'll be ready with the tissues when my husband reads it. And it took me a very long time to work out the significance of the title, an ongoing theme throughout the book that only becomes clear towards the end.
If I could give this 6* I would.
If I could give this 6* I would.
January 18, 2019
I received a kindle copy from the goodreads giveaways. The Blue Bench takes place in 1920 in England. right after world war one. focuses on two soldiers, Edward who was severely injured and wears a tin mask on half of his face. he is in constant pain. William another soldier, and two women they meet Evelyn, and Catherine. It is about aftermath of the war and what the two soldiers are going through. Edward is a talented pianist and is trying to get a career going. the other characters have their stories as well. A nicely written book.
August 16, 2019
I really tried to get into this book but it was so slow and bleak that it just couldn't hold my attention. I was surprised- I find this period of history fascinating.
April 21, 2019
Historical fiction is a genre I don’t read very often, but I had heard good things about this book so decided to give it a try and I am so pleased that I did. If I could award more than 5 stars then I would!
The book is set in 1920, just a couple of years after WW1 and is the story of William and Edward, two ex soldiers, and two young ladies, Catherine and Evelyn, and is mostly set in Margate. It is written in the third person, mainly from the viewpoint of either Evelyn or Edward.
This is a long book. I listened to the Audible version and it lasted 19 ½ hours, but I didn’t want it to end. It is a book to be savoured and I became totally immersed in the lives of all the main characters, who were all totally believable. The relationship between Evelyn and Edward is beautifully written, and I was rooting for them throughout the book, even though I knew it probably wouldn’t end well. I loved all the little details of life in a 1920s seaside town which made the book come alive.
Paul Marriner skillfully weaves real people into a work of fiction and I learned so much about the history of the time because of his meticulous research, and after I had finished the book I felt compelled to go online and do my own little bit of research to find out more about Major Gillies and his work with disfigured soldiers, and why the benches were painted blue. It was also interesting to learn about how the grave of the Unknown Soldier came to be in Westminster Abbey.
When I got to the end of the book my heart was broken, but this is a book I will always remember. I received a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review, but I have just purchased the kindle book as I feel that I will want to read the book again at some point.
The Audible version was narrated by Colleen MacMahon and her voice was just right for this book, and her sublime narration added to my enjoyment of the book.
The book is set in 1920, just a couple of years after WW1 and is the story of William and Edward, two ex soldiers, and two young ladies, Catherine and Evelyn, and is mostly set in Margate. It is written in the third person, mainly from the viewpoint of either Evelyn or Edward.
This is a long book. I listened to the Audible version and it lasted 19 ½ hours, but I didn’t want it to end. It is a book to be savoured and I became totally immersed in the lives of all the main characters, who were all totally believable. The relationship between Evelyn and Edward is beautifully written, and I was rooting for them throughout the book, even though I knew it probably wouldn’t end well. I loved all the little details of life in a 1920s seaside town which made the book come alive.
Paul Marriner skillfully weaves real people into a work of fiction and I learned so much about the history of the time because of his meticulous research, and after I had finished the book I felt compelled to go online and do my own little bit of research to find out more about Major Gillies and his work with disfigured soldiers, and why the benches were painted blue. It was also interesting to learn about how the grave of the Unknown Soldier came to be in Westminster Abbey.
When I got to the end of the book my heart was broken, but this is a book I will always remember. I received a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review, but I have just purchased the kindle book as I feel that I will want to read the book again at some point.
The Audible version was narrated by Colleen MacMahon and her voice was just right for this book, and her sublime narration added to my enjoyment of the book.
October 30, 2018
This was one of those books that got better as I read more of it.
It is one of those stories that tells the events that occur day to day in the lives of a group of people and how they are affected by it.
The setting is just after the great war. Edward and William were injured in the war, and are in Margate to get back to some semblance of regular life.
Having to wear a tin mask after losing half his face, Edward is in constant pain and only medication and his piano music and dreams of going back to music college sustain him. Evelyn and Catherine are two young women who get drawn to both of these men and as they spend more time together, they realize that some experiences can never be recovered from.
The struggle of getting on with life after all the horrific things witnessed during war, losing people who fought by your side and sustaining grievous injuries that cause you to appear scary are what the focus is on.
Those who lost loved ones in the war have their own struggles and anger to get through. Should they try to get over the grief and restart life or would that be forgetting the ones who never came home?
And for the young women, it is a time of not knowing what future they have ahead of them. With many of the men gone and those returned not really in a position to form new relationships, they need to find their new place in the changed world.
A tale of the aftermath of a war that never really got over for many.
It is one of those stories that tells the events that occur day to day in the lives of a group of people and how they are affected by it.
The setting is just after the great war. Edward and William were injured in the war, and are in Margate to get back to some semblance of regular life.
Having to wear a tin mask after losing half his face, Edward is in constant pain and only medication and his piano music and dreams of going back to music college sustain him. Evelyn and Catherine are two young women who get drawn to both of these men and as they spend more time together, they realize that some experiences can never be recovered from.
The struggle of getting on with life after all the horrific things witnessed during war, losing people who fought by your side and sustaining grievous injuries that cause you to appear scary are what the focus is on.
Those who lost loved ones in the war have their own struggles and anger to get through. Should they try to get over the grief and restart life or would that be forgetting the ones who never came home?
And for the young women, it is a time of not knowing what future they have ahead of them. With many of the men gone and those returned not really in a position to form new relationships, they need to find their new place in the changed world.
A tale of the aftermath of a war that never really got over for many.
June 4, 2019
This is told from several points of view, Edward, badly wounded in battle, Evelyn, a wonderfully empathetic soul, Catherine, full of life and a passion for fun and just being alive, and William, a bit of a loveable rogue.
It tells of the horrors of war, its effect on those fighting, those left at home and the constant fear and worry. It also tells of the emotional and physical struggles faced by everyone, once the war is over and those that survived return home back to a ‘normal’ life.
This is not a fast paced read, but slow and melancholy, something to lose yourself in, beautifully written and full of characters that will touch your heart a little and will stay with you for a long time. A heartbreaking and also heartwarming epic of historical fiction. A stunning read.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
It tells of the horrors of war, its effect on those fighting, those left at home and the constant fear and worry. It also tells of the emotional and physical struggles faced by everyone, once the war is over and those that survived return home back to a ‘normal’ life.
This is not a fast paced read, but slow and melancholy, something to lose yourself in, beautifully written and full of characters that will touch your heart a little and will stay with you for a long time. A heartbreaking and also heartwarming epic of historical fiction. A stunning read.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
October 13, 2020
I loved the blend of historical narrative and fiction in a story that probes the aftermath of one of the bloodiest periods of history the world has ever seen. Each time I picked up the book- finishing it in a very short number of days - I was transported back to Margate, 1920 and I both saw and heard the people there as if I was passing them on a street instead of reading about them in the pages of a book. Paul Marriner has done a beautiful, commendable job of evoking a time, place and people long gone by. He has not forgotten them - neither should we, and I certainly won't forget this story or the Unknown Warrior for a long time to come. I would recommend this very highly, even though I disliked the ending. It's well worth the read!
June 4, 2019
The Blue Bench is a novel following four characters in the aftermath of the first world war. Edward and William have returned from the front but they are forever changed by what they have been through. Catherine and Evelyn are two young women keen to get on with their lives. The book is about their journeys as they each try to look to the future. The novel is predominantly told from the perspectives of Edward and Evelyn but all four of these characters feature all the way through.
The Blue Bench opens with a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which for the people concerned is an annual pilgrimage. The book then goes back in time to 1920 when we meet Edward, William, Catherine and Evelyn. It is such a beautiful and moving novel. It is a melancholy book but there are moments of lightness to balance the dark. It’s a meandering story that follows these four characters as they each try to build a life for themselves in the new world they find themselves in post war.
Edward was the character I was most fascinated by. He has suffered an horrendous facial injury in the war and has to wear an uncomfortable tin mask. He suffers great pain and requires more and more painkillers to get any kind of relief and this leads to him procuring these medications by whatever means necessary. I felt such sympathy for him as he struggles. I have no idea what it is to go to war but I do know what it’s like to have an obvious disability and to suffer with chronic pain, Paul Marriner captures this so well. Edward is a wonderful pianist, he enjoys playing piano and it seems to take him out of his real life for a while. People really enjoy his playing but it still is shocking to some of his audiences when they see his face; it’s as if the beauty of his playing is somehow cancelled out for people by the injury to his face. There is always something of a distance around Edward, even when his closest friend William is with him, it’s as if he can no longer allow himself to fully engage with people and life. I could feel his loneliness even when he was with people. I was rooting for him all the way through the novel and was hoping that he would beat the odds and find some happiness and calm in his life.
William is different to Edward, he’s more outgoing and a bit of a ladies’ man but he does have a caring side to him. He looks out for Edward, and tries to keep his mood buoyed up. Catherine and Evelyn are great characters too. I loved their friendship and the way they supported and encouraged each other. It’s so wonderful to find a novel where there are female characters who have each other’s backs, I really enjoyed reading about their growing friendship and seeing where life took them.
I very much appreciated how real events and people were interwoven into this novel, particularly the way the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier came to be. I found these parts of the novel incredibly moving. I knew about the unknown soldier but to see the story of this brought to life in this story gave me goosebumps. It’s a real gift to write a work of fiction but to bring in real elements of history and make you feel as if you were there, to give you a new understanding of just how much something mattered.
I listened to The Blue Bench on audio book and the narrater, Colleen MacMahon, is wonderful. The pacing of the book was just right and she struck the right tone for the nature of the novel. She really made this book a joy to listen to and I will definitely be looking out for more audio books narrated by her. The audio is nineteen and a half hours long but it was one of those books that I was loving so much that I just didn’t want it to end.
I felt really quite bereft on finishing this novel. I loved every minute that I spent listening to it and I miss the characters. I still find myself wondering about them, they became so real to me. The Blue Bench is an incredible novel and one I won’t forget. It is a melancholy read, there is pain and sadness running through it but there is also fun and laughter and love – the novel may be set just after the Great War but the themes are universal and timeless in many respects. It’s a true reflection on how life is and I adored it beyond words. This will be one of those rare books that I will re-read in the future because I loved it so very much. I recommend this to everyone, it really is a stunning novel!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
The Blue Bench opens with a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which for the people concerned is an annual pilgrimage. The book then goes back in time to 1920 when we meet Edward, William, Catherine and Evelyn. It is such a beautiful and moving novel. It is a melancholy book but there are moments of lightness to balance the dark. It’s a meandering story that follows these four characters as they each try to build a life for themselves in the new world they find themselves in post war.
Edward was the character I was most fascinated by. He has suffered an horrendous facial injury in the war and has to wear an uncomfortable tin mask. He suffers great pain and requires more and more painkillers to get any kind of relief and this leads to him procuring these medications by whatever means necessary. I felt such sympathy for him as he struggles. I have no idea what it is to go to war but I do know what it’s like to have an obvious disability and to suffer with chronic pain, Paul Marriner captures this so well. Edward is a wonderful pianist, he enjoys playing piano and it seems to take him out of his real life for a while. People really enjoy his playing but it still is shocking to some of his audiences when they see his face; it’s as if the beauty of his playing is somehow cancelled out for people by the injury to his face. There is always something of a distance around Edward, even when his closest friend William is with him, it’s as if he can no longer allow himself to fully engage with people and life. I could feel his loneliness even when he was with people. I was rooting for him all the way through the novel and was hoping that he would beat the odds and find some happiness and calm in his life.
William is different to Edward, he’s more outgoing and a bit of a ladies’ man but he does have a caring side to him. He looks out for Edward, and tries to keep his mood buoyed up. Catherine and Evelyn are great characters too. I loved their friendship and the way they supported and encouraged each other. It’s so wonderful to find a novel where there are female characters who have each other’s backs, I really enjoyed reading about their growing friendship and seeing where life took them.
I very much appreciated how real events and people were interwoven into this novel, particularly the way the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier came to be. I found these parts of the novel incredibly moving. I knew about the unknown soldier but to see the story of this brought to life in this story gave me goosebumps. It’s a real gift to write a work of fiction but to bring in real elements of history and make you feel as if you were there, to give you a new understanding of just how much something mattered.
I listened to The Blue Bench on audio book and the narrater, Colleen MacMahon, is wonderful. The pacing of the book was just right and she struck the right tone for the nature of the novel. She really made this book a joy to listen to and I will definitely be looking out for more audio books narrated by her. The audio is nineteen and a half hours long but it was one of those books that I was loving so much that I just didn’t want it to end.
I felt really quite bereft on finishing this novel. I loved every minute that I spent listening to it and I miss the characters. I still find myself wondering about them, they became so real to me. The Blue Bench is an incredible novel and one I won’t forget. It is a melancholy read, there is pain and sadness running through it but there is also fun and laughter and love – the novel may be set just after the Great War but the themes are universal and timeless in many respects. It’s a true reflection on how life is and I adored it beyond words. This will be one of those rare books that I will re-read in the future because I loved it so very much. I recommend this to everyone, it really is a stunning novel!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
April 16, 2019
A beautifully written book following the lives of four friends in the period after the First World War. The story reflects the emotional torment of those who served, survived and saw many die and who are trying to lead as normal a life as possible. There is much reference to the grave of the unknown soldier and the importance of the symbol for the families of those lost or broken is clearly depicted.
The lives of characters in the book have become important to me over the last few days. The ending, although suspected was absolutely devastating - I am heartbroken.
The lives of characters in the book have become important to me over the last few days. The ending, although suspected was absolutely devastating - I am heartbroken.
October 12, 2020
What a soulful, meaningful book. I loved it. It’s a tale of people and a country in mourning post WW1 and the Spanish Flu Pandemic and covers a few months of the summer season in Margate. Four people meet and this is the story of those few months with each trying to find a way forward. The author weaves their stories and backgrounds seemlessly into a story of friendship, understated love and change. It flows very well and I found myself unable to put it down.
August 8, 2018
A very enjoyable read. The author has clearly done a lot of homework so that his characters are set, convincingly, in their time with of the period references woven in, many of which are so familiar but we might not have recognised their presence as of this period. The people draw us in to their stories and through them we get to explore what life might have been like after the First World War; hope for many, despair for many; those who have and have not; societies proprieties and its distortions.
Primarily though, it’s about the people and their stories and it is they that make this such an engaging read.
Primarily though, it’s about the people and their stories and it is they that make this such an engaging read.
April 11, 2019
So let me start by saying this is not my normal type of audio book but honestly I’m so glad I gave this a listen. The book is heartbreakingly honest and painful at times and the author writes in a way that feels so honest to the life and feelings of the country when the war was finally over. It felt so real to listen to and my heart was broken by the end of the book if not a little bit hopeful.
September 12, 2021
There was some interesting historical information regarding the institution of a Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminister Abbey at the conclusion of WW1 1 but I felt the novel was long-winded and didn't engage me as it should have.
August 27, 2018
A wonderful story about two young men returned from World War 1, changed by all they have seen and the changes caused by injury. This book is full of real events and people woven into a story about fictional people , their relationships, heart breaks and the changes happening in 1920.
I learnt so much more about these times as well as enjoying meeting these charecters. A well written enjoyable book.
I learnt so much more about these times as well as enjoying meeting these charecters. A well written enjoyable book.
August 24, 2018
Being from the US and not really knowing WWI history as much as I should, I truly enjoyed this book. It was well written and wonderful. The characters are developed so well and I felt like they were telling me their story privately. Every character taught me something about themselves and how they interplay. I learned about how devastating WWI was to the UK and its citizens. I learned how they lived in the 1920's and how society behaved. I highly recommend this read to everyone.
May 7, 2019
This truly is a book to relish. From the start I just wanted to spend time with it and leave the world to do ‘its thing’.
I listened to this as an audiobook with a superb narrative by Colleen MacMahon.
The writing is top drawer The author has such a knowledge of the time period warts and all. I felt I was there with all the wonderful well rounded characters.
It was so tragic in parts…the sadness and changed lives of heroes who returned and the way society rejected them all over again calling them monsters with their facial disfigurements.
The Great war was over for those who took their armies there. However for those whose lives were blighted suffered in silence meaning that the true reality of the damage caused was not realised.
I thank Mr Marriner for enriching my education with his wonderful words bringing the meaning of the Unknown Soldier’s grave to life. It is such a symbol for all those who have endured.
I cannot recommend this enough.
I can see myself rereading in the future but for now I have wonderful memories and a serious book hangover.
I listened to this as an audiobook with a superb narrative by Colleen MacMahon.
The writing is top drawer The author has such a knowledge of the time period warts and all. I felt I was there with all the wonderful well rounded characters.
It was so tragic in parts…the sadness and changed lives of heroes who returned and the way society rejected them all over again calling them monsters with their facial disfigurements.
The Great war was over for those who took their armies there. However for those whose lives were blighted suffered in silence meaning that the true reality of the damage caused was not realised.
I thank Mr Marriner for enriching my education with his wonderful words bringing the meaning of the Unknown Soldier’s grave to life. It is such a symbol for all those who have endured.
I cannot recommend this enough.
I can see myself rereading in the future but for now I have wonderful memories and a serious book hangover.
August 12, 2018
I was kindly sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review..
When I went into this book I really didn’t know what to expect, historical fiction isn’t a genre I pick up very often.
This was so well written, the story was beautiful, serious but not too heavy.
I loved all the characters and the way they were all introduced slowly, so you got to know the characters before more were brought in.
Evelyn was by far my favourite, she was so kind and caring, but without being overbearing.
There were so many levels & intricate details and relationships in this book, each one so different.
A truly heartwarming story that will stay with me for a while.
Thank you Paul
When I went into this book I really didn’t know what to expect, historical fiction isn’t a genre I pick up very often.
This was so well written, the story was beautiful, serious but not too heavy.
I loved all the characters and the way they were all introduced slowly, so you got to know the characters before more were brought in.
Evelyn was by far my favourite, she was so kind and caring, but without being overbearing.
There were so many levels & intricate details and relationships in this book, each one so different.
A truly heartwarming story that will stay with me for a while.
Thank you Paul
December 23, 2020
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book and what can I say? This book was absolutely beautiful. I was really scared at first with how big it was, but it was an absolute pleasure to read. I loved the characters- particularly Edward and Evelyn who narrate most of the book from their points of view.
I have definitely found a new love for this historical fiction genre and have recommended it to several of my book friends and clubs.
100% enjoyable read.
I have definitely found a new love for this historical fiction genre and have recommended it to several of my book friends and clubs.
100% enjoyable read.
May 27, 2019
At first glance this could be a novel of the First World War, and in a way it is, though it is mainly set in 1920. Rather than the anger or despair of the actual battlefields, or even harrowing details of soldiers’ experiences, this is a book of the aftermath, of those who are trying to capture or recapture their lives. Featuring two young men who have shared fighting life, and have been left with different dreams and problems, and two young women who seem to be heading for unmarried lives, this is an important and revealing novel. The style is meticulous, divided into carefully dated sections which focus on a particular event or reaction sometimes from two different points of view on the same day. While each character is described from outside, the author has been sufficiently skilled that the reader understands what they are feeling at any one time. The supporting cast includes a heart broken couple whose son did not return, a small boy who is going to frame the action, his mother and a kindly but determined clergyman. Strong women, challenging men and the way people perceive events all contribute to a tale in which the stories of people are so carefully realised, this seems like a slice of real life. The research is so successful that a real feeling of the period emerges as the songs, the fashions and even the cigarettes convince the reader that this is an impressive picture of immediate postwar life. I was so pleased to be given the opportunity to read and review a copy of this book.
The novel opens with a young man, Patrick, meeting two older ladies in London. It is November 1940, as the Blitz of the Second World War is beginning to affect daily life, and the women, Evelyn and Catherine are almost revelling in their adventure, and thrilled to see Patrick, a young man who they have obviously been very fond of for years. They appear to own their own hotels and tea shops, and be very much together “the same height”, wearing the same colour and “They were often taken for sisters”. Patrick narrates their meeting, reveals that he had been on a ship rescuing soldiers at Dunkirk, drops in references to Edward, and later discusses with the women William, Georgette and Isabella. These are merely names at this stage, but the reader learns that these are people of significance; how much will emerge later in the book. On the brink of another conflict shadows of the past intrude, these people have left their marks, and just how close these two world changing wars were together.
The main bulk of the novel is the story of Edward, mysterious musician, who was seen as the “Lucky Lieutenant” during the hardest of battles. His undoubted talent has brought him to Margate to play the piano at the Winter Gardens, a prestigious venue for classical music concerts. He has travelled with William, who is a chancer, his manager, and operates by a dubious moral code. As they wade into a violent dispute between a tobacconist and a disabled war veteran, it almost descends into farce with prosthetic limbs being used as weapons. It emerges that Edward is memorable for his facial covering, a metal plate which covers one side of his face including an eye. This mask is a significant theme, as they meet Evelyn who tries to be sympathetic but not patronising. A vicar’s daughter from London, she is in Margate to help a friend of her father’s, Alastair, a painter who owns a tea shop with his wife, Alice. Alice is pregnant, and deeply saddened by the loss of their son Curtis in the War. Catherine appears as a staunch friend to all, brought up by Beatrice, a strong woman who values her independence.
As the narrative progresses during 1920, we see the friends coping with challenges and changes, as death, birth, relationships, music and painting all contribute to a rich and detailed story. This is an intensely detailed book, hardly fast moving but overwhelmingly powerful in its careful description of life. I appreciated the reality of the characters, the background of grief and loss, and yet the satisfaction and humour of real life. This is a saga, a huge read, and I recommend it as a subtle picture of the immediate aftermath of war, and what will contribute to the almost temporary peace before the plunge into the Second World War. It is an undertaking of love, with impeccable research and genuine feeling.
The novel opens with a young man, Patrick, meeting two older ladies in London. It is November 1940, as the Blitz of the Second World War is beginning to affect daily life, and the women, Evelyn and Catherine are almost revelling in their adventure, and thrilled to see Patrick, a young man who they have obviously been very fond of for years. They appear to own their own hotels and tea shops, and be very much together “the same height”, wearing the same colour and “They were often taken for sisters”. Patrick narrates their meeting, reveals that he had been on a ship rescuing soldiers at Dunkirk, drops in references to Edward, and later discusses with the women William, Georgette and Isabella. These are merely names at this stage, but the reader learns that these are people of significance; how much will emerge later in the book. On the brink of another conflict shadows of the past intrude, these people have left their marks, and just how close these two world changing wars were together.
The main bulk of the novel is the story of Edward, mysterious musician, who was seen as the “Lucky Lieutenant” during the hardest of battles. His undoubted talent has brought him to Margate to play the piano at the Winter Gardens, a prestigious venue for classical music concerts. He has travelled with William, who is a chancer, his manager, and operates by a dubious moral code. As they wade into a violent dispute between a tobacconist and a disabled war veteran, it almost descends into farce with prosthetic limbs being used as weapons. It emerges that Edward is memorable for his facial covering, a metal plate which covers one side of his face including an eye. This mask is a significant theme, as they meet Evelyn who tries to be sympathetic but not patronising. A vicar’s daughter from London, she is in Margate to help a friend of her father’s, Alastair, a painter who owns a tea shop with his wife, Alice. Alice is pregnant, and deeply saddened by the loss of their son Curtis in the War. Catherine appears as a staunch friend to all, brought up by Beatrice, a strong woman who values her independence.
As the narrative progresses during 1920, we see the friends coping with challenges and changes, as death, birth, relationships, music and painting all contribute to a rich and detailed story. This is an intensely detailed book, hardly fast moving but overwhelmingly powerful in its careful description of life. I appreciated the reality of the characters, the background of grief and loss, and yet the satisfaction and humour of real life. This is a saga, a huge read, and I recommend it as a subtle picture of the immediate aftermath of war, and what will contribute to the almost temporary peace before the plunge into the Second World War. It is an undertaking of love, with impeccable research and genuine feeling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews