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Beneath the Alders #2
The Beleaguered
A Toronto Star and Globe and MailBestseller!
On an August afternoon in 1914, the Stephens family acknowledged what most Canadians knew: Canada was at war. They acknowledged it without knowing the innocence they would lose; the beleaguered state they would assume. Welcome to the world of Jessie Stephens, an inquisitive girl about to become a modern woman; her brother who vied for the Mann Cup in Vancouver and military victory in Greece; her sister whose chance for love was put asunder by bigotry. Written by the great-niece of the real-life Jessie, The Beleaguered follows the Stephens family at home in Brampton, to the war effort far beyond.
On an August afternoon in 1914, the Stephens family acknowledged what most Canadians knew: Canada was at war. They acknowledged it without knowing the innocence they would lose; the beleaguered state they would assume. Welcome to the world of Jessie Stephens, an inquisitive girl about to become a modern woman; her brother who vied for the Mann Cup in Vancouver and military victory in Greece; her sister whose chance for love was put asunder by bigotry. Written by the great-niece of the real-life Jessie, The Beleaguered follows the Stephens family at home in Brampton, to the war effort far beyond.
384 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2019
About the author
Lynne Golding
7 books16 followersLynne Golding was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Victoria College at the University of Toronto before studying law at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. She is a senior partner at the international law firm Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP where she leads their health law practice group. Lynne lives in Brampton, Ontario. She is married to Tony Clement. They have three grown children. Winner of the 2018 Ontario Book Publishers Organization “What’s Your Story Short Prose and Poetry Competition,” Lynne is preparing for the release of her debut novel, The Innocent.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 6, 2019
I loved the first book. The second book in the Beneath the Alders series does not disappoint! I appreciate being invited back into Jessie’s memories. The story arc is gripping and I love how accurate the historical details are. But now I am dying for the third book so that I can see the end of the arc. I need to know what happens with these characters – and of course I want to know the answer to the mystery of the church! That said, even if you haven’t read the first book, you will still love this book. A great glimpse into the personal stories of “our boys” who happily marched off to war in WW1 for King and Country.
October 21, 2019
We rejoin Jessie Stephens and her family in Brampton just before the outbreak of The Great War.
What is refreshing about this book (and the first one too for that matter) is how the story is told - from Jessie's viewpoint aged 11 years old. She sees and interprets things in a different manner than an adult would. Great writing from Ms Golding that captures the child's viewpoint and opinions.
I read many parts of this book with Google Earth open alongside to search streets and places. To my great delight I found both the homes of the Stephens and the Darlings. I would like to see the map and some of the photos on the author's website in the book too.
The Author's Note is brilliant too, separating the fact from the fiction in the book.
A poignant read. Having it based on true events and people makes it just that much more special.
I can't wait for the next installment to see what happens next and if the reason why the Stephens family may not enter the Presbyterian church is resolved.
As this is the second book in a series, I would recommend reading the first book before this one as there is knowledge in the first book essential to the second book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read this book.
What is refreshing about this book (and the first one too for that matter) is how the story is told - from Jessie's viewpoint aged 11 years old. She sees and interprets things in a different manner than an adult would. Great writing from Ms Golding that captures the child's viewpoint and opinions.
I read many parts of this book with Google Earth open alongside to search streets and places. To my great delight I found both the homes of the Stephens and the Darlings. I would like to see the map and some of the photos on the author's website in the book too.
The Author's Note is brilliant too, separating the fact from the fiction in the book.
A poignant read. Having it based on true events and people makes it just that much more special.
I can't wait for the next installment to see what happens next and if the reason why the Stephens family may not enter the Presbyterian church is resolved.
As this is the second book in a series, I would recommend reading the first book before this one as there is knowledge in the first book essential to the second book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read this book.
April 4, 2020
I laughed, I cried, I sobbed, I read straight through the night unable to put this book down, I learned a lot about WWI-era Brampton, Etobicoke and Canada... I cannot wait for Book Three to be released!
August 16, 2022
Really enjoyed!
Not disappointed! Starting The Mending as soon as I write this review. Having lived in Brampton and in the 80 & 90's, I can recall alot of the places & names. Highly recommend
Not disappointed! Starting The Mending as soon as I write this review. Having lived in Brampton and in the 80 & 90's, I can recall alot of the places & names. Highly recommend
July 13, 2021
Wonderfully researched, characters are engaging. Great read
October 17, 2023
I enjoyed this book. There's a lot of shit bunkum said about war and especially about The Great War and WWII, with a national hysteria that they are glorious adventures and participants are heroes, etc. See any church around Toronto that was built/decorated in the early part of the 20th century for the glory of the soldiers, nurses and all the participants (St Aidan's in the Beach is one that come to mind).
The Beleaguered takes an unsentimental view of family life in small town Canada, Brampton in this case, where the Great War touches lives every day with a constant dread of a telegram arriving about a family member, neighbour or friend. The story told of endless activities to knit socks, make blankets, collect money, find scrap metal, all for the war effort with everybody's life in some sort of holding pattern until the war might end. And there's a good extended interlude that describes the inflicted hardships on a series of Austrian families living in the area.
This is a book to read when we start forgetting what war does to a society. It should be required reading in the lead up to Remembrance Day (ANZAC Day for me) to truly remember what was happening at the time.
The Beleaguered takes an unsentimental view of family life in small town Canada, Brampton in this case, where the Great War touches lives every day with a constant dread of a telegram arriving about a family member, neighbour or friend. The story told of endless activities to knit socks, make blankets, collect money, find scrap metal, all for the war effort with everybody's life in some sort of holding pattern until the war might end. And there's a good extended interlude that describes the inflicted hardships on a series of Austrian families living in the area.
This is a book to read when we start forgetting what war does to a society. It should be required reading in the lead up to Remembrance Day (ANZAC Day for me) to truly remember what was happening at the time.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews