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The Bride of Almond Tree
World War II is over and Hiroshima lies in a heap of poisoned rubble when young Quaker Wesley Cunningham returns home to Almond Tree. He served as a stretcher-bearer; he’s seen his fair share of horror. Now he intends to build beautiful houses and to marry, having fallen in love with his neighbour’s daughter Beth Hardy.
Beth has other plans. An ardent socialist, she is convinced the Party and Stalin’s Soviet Union hold the answers to all the world’s evils. She doesn’t believe in marriage, and in any case her devotion is to the cause. Beth’s ideals will exact a ruinously high price. But Wes will not stop loving her. This is the story of their journey through the catastrophic mid-twentieth century—from summer in Almond Tree to Moscow’s bitter winter and back again—to find a way of being together.
Beth has other plans. An ardent socialist, she is convinced the Party and Stalin’s Soviet Union hold the answers to all the world’s evils. She doesn’t believe in marriage, and in any case her devotion is to the cause. Beth’s ideals will exact a ruinously high price. But Wes will not stop loving her. This is the story of their journey through the catastrophic mid-twentieth century—from summer in Almond Tree to Moscow’s bitter winter and back again—to find a way of being together.
368 pages, Paperback
Published July 2, 2021
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317 people want to read
About the author
Robert Hillman
35 books145 followersRobert Hillman is a Melbourne-based writer of fiction and biography. His autobiography THE BOY IN THE GREEN SUIT won the Australian National Biography Award for 2005. His critically acclaimed MY LIFE AS A TRAITOR (written with Zarha Ghahramani) was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction in 2008 and was published widely overseas.
After many years of teaching in high schools and university, Robert Hillman now works as a full-time writer. He has three children and lives in Warburton, in Victoria's Yarra Valley.
After many years of teaching in high schools and university, Robert Hillman now works as a full-time writer. He has three children and lives in Warburton, in Victoria's Yarra Valley.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 12, 2022
A solid 4 stars for a story of tragedy. loneliness, and love set in Australia, Japan and the Soviet Union. There are 3 main characters:
Patty, who becomes a nurse during WWII, ministering to soldiers and ends up in Hiroshima after the nuclear bomb has devastated the city.
Wes, a Quaker who served as a stretcher bearer during the war.
Beth, a naive woman who has taken up the cause of Socialism and believes that the USSR is perfect case of a Socialist state.
How they interact and find love after severe hardships is a heartwarming story. I have read 1 previous book by the author and enjoyed that one also. See my review of The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
One quote: "They were known, the Quakers, more for painstaking carpentry and care of the land than for their peculiar doctrines. Their fences were split rail instead of barbed wire, each joint fitting perfectly, the posts fashioned into hexagons with an adze and sanded as smooth as a table surface."
#TheBrideofAlmondTree #NetGalley
Thanks to Text Publishing for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
Patty, who becomes a nurse during WWII, ministering to soldiers and ends up in Hiroshima after the nuclear bomb has devastated the city.
Wes, a Quaker who served as a stretcher bearer during the war.
Beth, a naive woman who has taken up the cause of Socialism and believes that the USSR is perfect case of a Socialist state.
How they interact and find love after severe hardships is a heartwarming story. I have read 1 previous book by the author and enjoyed that one also. See my review of The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
One quote: "They were known, the Quakers, more for painstaking carpentry and care of the land than for their peculiar doctrines. Their fences were split rail instead of barbed wire, each joint fitting perfectly, the posts fashioned into hexagons with an adze and sanded as smooth as a table surface."
#TheBrideofAlmondTree #NetGalley
Thanks to Text Publishing for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
July 10, 2022
Real Rating: 3.5* of five, rounded down because a main character being an abuser bugs me
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: Believing in A Cause has some costs. Patty and Wes Cunningham, Quaker siblings, are raised to believe their god has a purpose for them. When that purpose is made manifest, it is the organizing principle of the entirety of their lives from then on. World War II is the driver of Patty's purpose, as she serves Humanity in nursing its broken and abused; this takes her to Hiroshima and its almost unbearably damaged people, and her path in life is set for good. It leads her to the tender regard of a Japanese doctor, and Patty is sorted.
Wes, who serves in the war as a stretcher bearer, is wounded and realizes he wants one thing: to go home to Almond Tree, build a house, marry and raise kids who won't fight in wars. It isn't until this purpose in life is revealed to him that he begins to think about the party of the second part to this contract with god: mother/wife. When he sees his childhood friend Beth, everything clicks into place and he knows who he is to husband for his lifetime.
Elizabeth Hardy is a woman on fire. She ends World War II with an unquenchable Marxist faith, a belief that the Soviet Union is a Utopia, and that she must serve the Party however she can there in Australia. Wes, sweet and solid, isn't likely to assist her in any way getting the Revolution exported. His declaration of devotion is, well...not important to her. She says, "what about my sister? she'll do all that stuff for and with you!" but Wes, Quaker to his core, knows god wants him to serve Beth so he does.
Despite the devotion she does nothing to deserve and the huge amount of practical assistance she gets from Wes, Beth remains a loyal Communist to the point of being sent to prison over it. Beth's wildness is, it's clear, addictive to Wes and resonates with his own "must serve god's will" faith, so I was unsurprised by his eventual reward. Beth's passion leads her into ugly places and enables a user's streak in her. That she isn't perfect is, I admit, a relief but her imperfections are consistent throughout and clearly march along Wes's lines. After Beth becomes acquainted with the realities of Soviet Russia, she learns how far ideology can fall from reality. In the end, faithful, loyal Wes softens her landing and the life they lead can now begin.
Australia in the Cold War wasn't at terrible risk of falling into the Soviet orbit but there were many True Believers whose attempts to nudge the country there weren't successful. It's like all faiths to me, is Marxism. Unappealing, bringing out the worst in people, and making the world's most vile behavior Okay when it's for the cause. Wes and Patty's religious faith is presented as a contrast to Beth's political faith, but is equally gross. They're taught to be self-sacrificing for god's sake, not because it's the right thing to do. Wes doesn't even do the right thing! He enables an abuser and gets the back of her hand for it for far too long.
As historical fiction, I enjoyed the light shone on ordinary Australians' lives in the upheaval of WWII and its aftermath. As a novel, I wanted to shake Wes and shove him into Fanny Hardy's arms with a stern injunction to forget that crappy sister-in-law of his. And Beth needed to rot in the Soviet jail for her selfish, self-centered antics that could easily have cost her innocent family so much more.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: Believing in A Cause has some costs. Patty and Wes Cunningham, Quaker siblings, are raised to believe their god has a purpose for them. When that purpose is made manifest, it is the organizing principle of the entirety of their lives from then on. World War II is the driver of Patty's purpose, as she serves Humanity in nursing its broken and abused; this takes her to Hiroshima and its almost unbearably damaged people, and her path in life is set for good. It leads her to the tender regard of a Japanese doctor, and Patty is sorted.
Wes, who serves in the war as a stretcher bearer, is wounded and realizes he wants one thing: to go home to Almond Tree, build a house, marry and raise kids who won't fight in wars. It isn't until this purpose in life is revealed to him that he begins to think about the party of the second part to this contract with god: mother/wife. When he sees his childhood friend Beth, everything clicks into place and he knows who he is to husband for his lifetime.
Elizabeth Hardy is a woman on fire. She ends World War II with an unquenchable Marxist faith, a belief that the Soviet Union is a Utopia, and that she must serve the Party however she can there in Australia. Wes, sweet and solid, isn't likely to assist her in any way getting the Revolution exported. His declaration of devotion is, well...not important to her. She says, "what about my sister? she'll do all that stuff for and with you!" but Wes, Quaker to his core, knows god wants him to serve Beth so he does.
Despite the devotion she does nothing to deserve and the huge amount of practical assistance she gets from Wes, Beth remains a loyal Communist to the point of being sent to prison over it. Beth's wildness is, it's clear, addictive to Wes and resonates with his own "must serve god's will" faith, so I was unsurprised by his eventual reward. Beth's passion leads her into ugly places and enables a user's streak in her. That she isn't perfect is, I admit, a relief but her imperfections are consistent throughout and clearly march along Wes's lines. After Beth becomes acquainted with the realities of Soviet Russia, she learns how far ideology can fall from reality. In the end, faithful, loyal Wes softens her landing and the life they lead can now begin.
Australia in the Cold War wasn't at terrible risk of falling into the Soviet orbit but there were many True Believers whose attempts to nudge the country there weren't successful. It's like all faiths to me, is Marxism. Unappealing, bringing out the worst in people, and making the world's most vile behavior Okay when it's for the cause. Wes and Patty's religious faith is presented as a contrast to Beth's political faith, but is equally gross. They're taught to be self-sacrificing for god's sake, not because it's the right thing to do. Wes doesn't even do the right thing! He enables an abuser and gets the back of her hand for it for far too long.
As historical fiction, I enjoyed the light shone on ordinary Australians' lives in the upheaval of WWII and its aftermath. As a novel, I wanted to shake Wes and shove him into Fanny Hardy's arms with a stern injunction to forget that crappy sister-in-law of his. And Beth needed to rot in the Soviet jail for her selfish, self-centered antics that could easily have cost her innocent family so much more.
August 31, 2021
This historical novel is set in the two decades post World War II, mostly in a rural Victorian town called Almond Tree but also Moscow and Hiroshima. The main characters are Wes Cunningham, a Quaker, now a builder, and was a soldier in New Guinea. His sister Patty was a nurse during the war and postwar is working in Hiroshima. The devastation and long term effects of radiation is explored and yes, made me cry. Wes falls in love with Beth from another Almond Tree family(not Quaker). Beth is smart, and a dedicated Communist, she goes to uni in Melbourne. The story follows their lives up to the early 60s. I found all the various aspects in this novel really interesting and enjoyed it way more than I expected to. Great characters and well written.
June 29, 2021
The Bride of Almond Tree is a novel by Australian author, Robert Hillman. Wesley Cunningham was raised as a Quaker, so when the war came, he volunteered for a non-combative role. It didn’t stop him getting shot, but now he’s home in Almond Tree, all he wants is to build a house on the block he has purchased, “marry, raise children and avoid battlefields.” And when he spots his childhood friend, Beth, all grown up, he knows she’s the one.
Elizabeth Hardy’s family accepts her declaration of fervour for Marxism with somewhat puzzled amusement. When Wes turns up with a bunch of flowers for Beth, she gently explains “I’m going to university in the city. I’d barely see you. And in all honesty, I don’t want a boyfriend. I have politics. The Eureka Youth League takes up all of my spare hours. Do you see? You’d be wasting your time.”
She later suggests he marry her sister Franny, who will provide all he wants and more. Wes takes the rejection calmly and pledges his everlasting friendship: he will always care about Beth. But the attentions of Franny, and women of the Quaker community, do not move him.
Meanwhile, Wesley’s older sister, Patty serves as a nurse in New Guinea during the war, then extends her service into Hiroshima, helping the sick and dying in that devastated place. “But she’s also in Hiroshima because of God. Quakers believe that God gives each Quaker a task in life and once he or she understands the task, it’s permanent. Patty believes that God wants her to help the people of Hiroshima. She can never escape that task.”
A talented mason and carpenter, Wes is kept busy with construction in Almond Tree while Beth is at Uni, but is always available for whatever task she needs done, be it servicing an old printer for posters, or driving a fifteen-hundred-mile trek into South Australia. Beth begins to see that: “She had only ever conceived of loyalty as a loyalty to the people, to the program. But she had to concede that loyalty could also be loyalty to an individual person. Wes was loyal to her. Wasn’t this worth something?”
Sent to London and Moscow, Beth realises she is being groomed as an agent for the Party, and willingly, if naively, undertakes a rather clumsy espionage assignment, with unfortunate consequences. Sitting in a cell, Beth realises she has: “barely grasped life in its complexity and danger before Pentridge. She had seen only the smugness of the bourgeoisie, never the heartache, the desperate struggle to keep a life going.”
And if serving time in an Australian prison isn’t terribly onerous, her situation soon changes when the British Government gets involved. Nonetheless, Beth remains wedded to the Soviet communist cause, until her new situation makes it clear that it might be a very different prospect to the Marxist ideal. Thereafter, her idealistic actions endanger her freedom and, ultimately, her life. Throughout, Wes remains steadfast, unwavering in his support of his cause: Beth.
The story meanders along over some twenty years of the mid-twentieth century; Hillman’s characters are ordinary people trying to live good lives according to their firm beliefs and convictions during dynamic times. It is not difficult to be moved by their plights, to cheer them on and hope for favourable outcomes. Some scenes are bound to cause a lump in the throat or a tear in the eye. Hillman easily evokes the setting and the era, and his descriptive prose is often wonderful. A moving and thought-provoking read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Text Publishing.
Elizabeth Hardy’s family accepts her declaration of fervour for Marxism with somewhat puzzled amusement. When Wes turns up with a bunch of flowers for Beth, she gently explains “I’m going to university in the city. I’d barely see you. And in all honesty, I don’t want a boyfriend. I have politics. The Eureka Youth League takes up all of my spare hours. Do you see? You’d be wasting your time.”
She later suggests he marry her sister Franny, who will provide all he wants and more. Wes takes the rejection calmly and pledges his everlasting friendship: he will always care about Beth. But the attentions of Franny, and women of the Quaker community, do not move him.
Meanwhile, Wesley’s older sister, Patty serves as a nurse in New Guinea during the war, then extends her service into Hiroshima, helping the sick and dying in that devastated place. “But she’s also in Hiroshima because of God. Quakers believe that God gives each Quaker a task in life and once he or she understands the task, it’s permanent. Patty believes that God wants her to help the people of Hiroshima. She can never escape that task.”
A talented mason and carpenter, Wes is kept busy with construction in Almond Tree while Beth is at Uni, but is always available for whatever task she needs done, be it servicing an old printer for posters, or driving a fifteen-hundred-mile trek into South Australia. Beth begins to see that: “She had only ever conceived of loyalty as a loyalty to the people, to the program. But she had to concede that loyalty could also be loyalty to an individual person. Wes was loyal to her. Wasn’t this worth something?”
Sent to London and Moscow, Beth realises she is being groomed as an agent for the Party, and willingly, if naively, undertakes a rather clumsy espionage assignment, with unfortunate consequences. Sitting in a cell, Beth realises she has: “barely grasped life in its complexity and danger before Pentridge. She had seen only the smugness of the bourgeoisie, never the heartache, the desperate struggle to keep a life going.”
And if serving time in an Australian prison isn’t terribly onerous, her situation soon changes when the British Government gets involved. Nonetheless, Beth remains wedded to the Soviet communist cause, until her new situation makes it clear that it might be a very different prospect to the Marxist ideal. Thereafter, her idealistic actions endanger her freedom and, ultimately, her life. Throughout, Wes remains steadfast, unwavering in his support of his cause: Beth.
The story meanders along over some twenty years of the mid-twentieth century; Hillman’s characters are ordinary people trying to live good lives according to their firm beliefs and convictions during dynamic times. It is not difficult to be moved by their plights, to cheer them on and hope for favourable outcomes. Some scenes are bound to cause a lump in the throat or a tear in the eye. Hillman easily evokes the setting and the era, and his descriptive prose is often wonderful. A moving and thought-provoking read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Text Publishing.
September 6, 2021
The Bride of Almond Tree is a novel by Australian author, Robert Hillman. The audio version is expertly narrated by Casey Withoos. Wesley Cunningham was raised as a Quaker, so when the war came, he volunteered for a non-combative role. It didn’t stop him getting shot, but now he’s home in Almond Tree, all he wants is to build a house on the block he has purchased, “marry, raise children and avoid battlefields.” And when he spots his childhood friend, Beth, all grown up, he knows she’s the one.
Elizabeth Hardy’s family accepts her declaration of fervour for Marxism with somewhat puzzled amusement. When Wes turns up with a bunch of flowers for Beth, she gently explains “I’m going to university in the city. I’d barely see you. And in all honesty, I don’t want a boyfriend. I have politics. The Eureka Youth League takes up all of my spare hours. Do you see? You’d be wasting your time.”
She later suggests he marry her sister Franny, who will provide all he wants and more. Wes takes the rejection calmly and pledges his everlasting friendship: he will always care about Beth. But the attentions of Franny, and women of the Quaker community, do not move him.
Meanwhile, Wesley’s older sister, Patty serves as a nurse in New Guinea during the war, then extends her service into Hiroshima, helping the sick and dying in that devastated place. “But she’s also in Hiroshima because of God. Quakers believe that God gives each Quaker a task in life and once he or she understands the task, it’s permanent. Patty believes that God wants her to help the people of Hiroshima. She can never escape that task.”
A talented mason and carpenter, Wes is kept busy with construction in Almond Tree while Beth is at Uni, but is always available for whatever task she needs done, be it servicing an old printer for posters, or driving a fifteen-hundred-mile trek into South Australia. Beth begins to see that: “She had only ever conceived of loyalty as a loyalty to the people, to the program. But she had to concede that loyalty could also be loyalty to an individual person. Wes was loyal to her. Wasn’t this worth something?”
Sent to London and Moscow, Beth realises she is being groomed as an agent for the Party, and willingly, if naively, undertakes a rather clumsy espionage assignment, with unfortunate consequences. Sitting in a cell, Beth realises she has: “barely grasped life in its complexity and danger before Pentridge. She had seen only the smugness of the bourgeoisie, never the heartache, the desperate struggle to keep a life going.”
And if serving time in an Australian prison isn’t terribly onerous, her situation soon changes when the British Government gets involved. Nonetheless, Beth remains wedded to the Soviet communist cause, until her new situation makes it clear that it might be a very different prospect to the Marxist ideal. Thereafter, her idealistic actions endanger her freedom and, ultimately, her life. Throughout, Wes remains steadfast, unwavering in his support of his cause: Beth.
The story meanders along over some twenty years of the mid-twentieth century; Hillman’s characters are ordinary people trying to live good lives according to their firm beliefs and convictions during dynamic times. It is not difficult to be moved by their plights, to cheer them on and hope for favourable outcomes. Some scenes are bound to cause a lump in the throat or a tear in the eye. Hillman easily evokes the setting and the era, and his descriptive prose is often wonderful. A moving and thought-provoking read.
Elizabeth Hardy’s family accepts her declaration of fervour for Marxism with somewhat puzzled amusement. When Wes turns up with a bunch of flowers for Beth, she gently explains “I’m going to university in the city. I’d barely see you. And in all honesty, I don’t want a boyfriend. I have politics. The Eureka Youth League takes up all of my spare hours. Do you see? You’d be wasting your time.”
She later suggests he marry her sister Franny, who will provide all he wants and more. Wes takes the rejection calmly and pledges his everlasting friendship: he will always care about Beth. But the attentions of Franny, and women of the Quaker community, do not move him.
Meanwhile, Wesley’s older sister, Patty serves as a nurse in New Guinea during the war, then extends her service into Hiroshima, helping the sick and dying in that devastated place. “But she’s also in Hiroshima because of God. Quakers believe that God gives each Quaker a task in life and once he or she understands the task, it’s permanent. Patty believes that God wants her to help the people of Hiroshima. She can never escape that task.”
A talented mason and carpenter, Wes is kept busy with construction in Almond Tree while Beth is at Uni, but is always available for whatever task she needs done, be it servicing an old printer for posters, or driving a fifteen-hundred-mile trek into South Australia. Beth begins to see that: “She had only ever conceived of loyalty as a loyalty to the people, to the program. But she had to concede that loyalty could also be loyalty to an individual person. Wes was loyal to her. Wasn’t this worth something?”
Sent to London and Moscow, Beth realises she is being groomed as an agent for the Party, and willingly, if naively, undertakes a rather clumsy espionage assignment, with unfortunate consequences. Sitting in a cell, Beth realises she has: “barely grasped life in its complexity and danger before Pentridge. She had seen only the smugness of the bourgeoisie, never the heartache, the desperate struggle to keep a life going.”
And if serving time in an Australian prison isn’t terribly onerous, her situation soon changes when the British Government gets involved. Nonetheless, Beth remains wedded to the Soviet communist cause, until her new situation makes it clear that it might be a very different prospect to the Marxist ideal. Thereafter, her idealistic actions endanger her freedom and, ultimately, her life. Throughout, Wes remains steadfast, unwavering in his support of his cause: Beth.
The story meanders along over some twenty years of the mid-twentieth century; Hillman’s characters are ordinary people trying to live good lives according to their firm beliefs and convictions during dynamic times. It is not difficult to be moved by their plights, to cheer them on and hope for favourable outcomes. Some scenes are bound to cause a lump in the throat or a tear in the eye. Hillman easily evokes the setting and the era, and his descriptive prose is often wonderful. A moving and thought-provoking read.
July 10, 2021
Having returned to the rural Australian town of Almond Tree after serving in WWII, Quaker Wes sets his heart on marrying and having a family. Beth is the young woman Wes plans to marry, but Beth is caught up in the ideals of socialism and is devoted to the cause and Stalin’s Soviet Union. While Wes remains hopeful his dreams will come true, Beth’s stubborn beliefs have dire consequences.
This is mid-20th Century historical fiction, that covers post-war Australia, the communist Soviet Union and the devastation in post-war Hiroshima, Japan.
Politics, religion, love and faith are strong themes throughout and I learnt a lot about this period of time that is rich fodder for story telling.
Beth was a fierce and driven character, but I often felt frustrated with her actions and the strain it put on her loved ones. I would have loved a deeper exploration of Wes’ character, what made him tick and what drove him to keep the faith with Beth.
I really enjoyed the Hiroshima storyline that’s woven into the story. The relationship between Patty and Kado was beautifully subtle but had such heart.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, this interesting time period and the settings, though I never quite emotionally connected with the story of Wes & Beth until quite late in the book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is mid-20th Century historical fiction, that covers post-war Australia, the communist Soviet Union and the devastation in post-war Hiroshima, Japan.
Politics, religion, love and faith are strong themes throughout and I learnt a lot about this period of time that is rich fodder for story telling.
Beth was a fierce and driven character, but I often felt frustrated with her actions and the strain it put on her loved ones. I would have loved a deeper exploration of Wes’ character, what made him tick and what drove him to keep the faith with Beth.
I really enjoyed the Hiroshima storyline that’s woven into the story. The relationship between Patty and Kado was beautifully subtle but had such heart.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, this interesting time period and the settings, though I never quite emotionally connected with the story of Wes & Beth until quite late in the book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2021
Sadly had to DNF this one at around 50 pages. I was intrigued by the storyline but just wasn’t clicking with me sadly! I think I will pass this on to a family member who I think will enjoy it more!
October 22, 2022
The sensitivities of this book are one of a gentle and feminine nature. This is a lovely read.
Wes, a Quaker, has returned from war where, although not a fighting soldier, assisted in the areas where many pacifists and those of non violence religious practices did their duty. His sister, Patty went to Hiroshima after her own war stint and confronted scenes that were so devastating she could not bring herself to write about them fully to family back home. Wes has returned with the strong desire to marry Beth, a neighbour he has grown up with, not a Quaker but an emerging Communist, probably best described today as a femminist, although an older lecturer called her Sapphic, for which she denies. Sadly, for Wes she has no desire to marry anyone, her Communist leanings and university are her life.
Almond Tree is a country town like many in Australia at that time, truly isolated; the impact of war while a tragedy for the loss of mostly menfolk accepted this in stoicism and continued on in everyday life. They built memorials and dutifully attended annual commemorations (for which continues today) but dealing with the ever changing environmental conditions in these isolated rural towns took up most of their energies.
Beth takes up her naive Communist beliefs with gusto seeing her travelling back and forth to England and Russia (no mean feat given the flight times of this era) as well as onto the proposed British atomic site of Maralinga to take photos where she finds herself caught in a spy trap for which in Australia at that time, as treason, hanging was possible. However, worse was to happen to her, traded for Russian spies she ends up in a Russian prison. In the meantime, Wes, while still hanging onto his dream to marry Beth has her amorous sister throwing herself at him, he is unmoved, he visits Beth in prison in Australia and finally under much financial strain to Russia where he is totally unprepared for the brutality of the Communist regime at that time, the weather and the corrupt guards that he has to pay in order to see Beth for just a short period of time. Beth by now has the reality check of her ignorance, her Communism beliefs whilst protected in a rich free country is in stark contrast to the poverty and controlled lives of Russians and in prison she experiences extreme brutality for which shocks Wes to his core when he sees her.
Finally Beth is released and with Wes beside her recovers in hospital in England. By this time, she has come to see the real value in this dear gentle Quaker (although Wes did admit that shooting a gun was exhilarating) and decides that she wants to marry him after all. Returning to Australia the everyday lives of those of Almond Tree continue on, Patty returns to Australia, marries her Japanese doctor and returns yet again to Hiroshima only to return yet again to her home town, her story equally engaging as that of Wes and Beth.
Wes, a Quaker, has returned from war where, although not a fighting soldier, assisted in the areas where many pacifists and those of non violence religious practices did their duty. His sister, Patty went to Hiroshima after her own war stint and confronted scenes that were so devastating she could not bring herself to write about them fully to family back home. Wes has returned with the strong desire to marry Beth, a neighbour he has grown up with, not a Quaker but an emerging Communist, probably best described today as a femminist, although an older lecturer called her Sapphic, for which she denies. Sadly, for Wes she has no desire to marry anyone, her Communist leanings and university are her life.
Almond Tree is a country town like many in Australia at that time, truly isolated; the impact of war while a tragedy for the loss of mostly menfolk accepted this in stoicism and continued on in everyday life. They built memorials and dutifully attended annual commemorations (for which continues today) but dealing with the ever changing environmental conditions in these isolated rural towns took up most of their energies.
Beth takes up her naive Communist beliefs with gusto seeing her travelling back and forth to England and Russia (no mean feat given the flight times of this era) as well as onto the proposed British atomic site of Maralinga to take photos where she finds herself caught in a spy trap for which in Australia at that time, as treason, hanging was possible. However, worse was to happen to her, traded for Russian spies she ends up in a Russian prison. In the meantime, Wes, while still hanging onto his dream to marry Beth has her amorous sister throwing herself at him, he is unmoved, he visits Beth in prison in Australia and finally under much financial strain to Russia where he is totally unprepared for the brutality of the Communist regime at that time, the weather and the corrupt guards that he has to pay in order to see Beth for just a short period of time. Beth by now has the reality check of her ignorance, her Communism beliefs whilst protected in a rich free country is in stark contrast to the poverty and controlled lives of Russians and in prison she experiences extreme brutality for which shocks Wes to his core when he sees her.
Finally Beth is released and with Wes beside her recovers in hospital in England. By this time, she has come to see the real value in this dear gentle Quaker (although Wes did admit that shooting a gun was exhilarating) and decides that she wants to marry him after all. Returning to Australia the everyday lives of those of Almond Tree continue on, Patty returns to Australia, marries her Japanese doctor and returns yet again to Hiroshima only to return yet again to her home town, her story equally engaging as that of Wes and Beth.
July 20, 2021
This is a great story of a place, a time, and a family. But mostly about a boy and a girl. A girl who wanted to make the world a better place and a Quaker boy who has seen the horrors of war. This book follows their journey through life but also follows in pieces the lives of the family members and especially the town of Almond Tree.
I love that this story showed the naivety of human nature, the hardships of the lives of those who went against the grain, the meanness of the people of the Soviet Union and other countries like Japan and America who used war and bombs to wipe out life and places.
This book pulled me in to a world which on one hand was idealic, even paradise yet on the other hand was sad, horrific and dangerous. The story took me on a rollercoaster ride of happiness, sadness, horror, scariness and danger that I would never want to experience in life but I know people of the times would have had to experience everyday.
Although a book of fiction you know that similar things did happen before, during and after the wars so you do get emotional and feel for the characters in the book. And speaking of characters, they all had a place in this book, they were all part of the story and they fit in well with how the story flowed. But the main characters, Wes and Beth, frustrated me while also making me think that human nature can and usually is kind and caring.
I loved this book and anyone who loves historical fiction should give it a go.
The Bride of Almond Tree
Robert Hillman
I love that this story showed the naivety of human nature, the hardships of the lives of those who went against the grain, the meanness of the people of the Soviet Union and other countries like Japan and America who used war and bombs to wipe out life and places.
This book pulled me in to a world which on one hand was idealic, even paradise yet on the other hand was sad, horrific and dangerous. The story took me on a rollercoaster ride of happiness, sadness, horror, scariness and danger that I would never want to experience in life but I know people of the times would have had to experience everyday.
Although a book of fiction you know that similar things did happen before, during and after the wars so you do get emotional and feel for the characters in the book. And speaking of characters, they all had a place in this book, they were all part of the story and they fit in well with how the story flowed. But the main characters, Wes and Beth, frustrated me while also making me think that human nature can and usually is kind and caring.
I loved this book and anyone who loves historical fiction should give it a go.
The Bride of Almond Tree
Robert Hillman
August 7, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.
This is the second Robert Hillman book I have read and I just love his writing. His characters are beautifully written (Wes is delightful) and always slightly (but realistically) damaged.
This is the second Robert Hillman book I have read and I just love his writing. His characters are beautifully written (Wes is delightful) and always slightly (but realistically) damaged.
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October 15, 2021The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of The Bride of Almond Tree
‘Vivid and moving.’
SMH/Age
‘Vivid and moving.’
SMH/Age
August 13, 2021
This novel explores the times after World War Two. Beth's Marxist idealism sets the stage for a situation where your ideals come at a high price. Concurrently, there is Patty who ends up nursing in Hiroshima and finding love with a Japanese doctor. I enjoyed reading about their relationship and struggles with the aftermath of the bombs. At times, Beth annoyed me with the way she expected people to put themselves out for her. I liked Wes, and would have liked more development of his character, other than devotion to Beth. All in all, an enjoyable read, that was plausible about ideas and times that are quite different to today, but still addressing the main issue of what it is to be human.
September 20, 2021
This book covers a period of time in Australia’s history they seems now a long long time ago !
A time of recovery after WWII , a time of change for many women , a time of growth , a time of fear with Communism a real “threat “ , a time for families .
I liked the historical references to the Hiroshima aftermath with links thru Patty & her doctor husband . The struggles & health issues for Japanese community a long term legacy after wars end .
I liked the weaving into the book the plight of the new migrant population Italians , Greeks etc & their exploitation during the early formation days of the Union movement .
The author has given us a great read regards this time in our country’s history .
The imprisonment and treatment of our main character Beth in the bitter winters & barbaric living conditions in Moscow is graphic & believable .
Wesley an almost perfect male a little hard to warm too .. These two together unfortunately a total mismatch to me !!
A good interesting read .. a book most of which I enjoyed !!
A time of recovery after WWII , a time of change for many women , a time of growth , a time of fear with Communism a real “threat “ , a time for families .
I liked the historical references to the Hiroshima aftermath with links thru Patty & her doctor husband . The struggles & health issues for Japanese community a long term legacy after wars end .
I liked the weaving into the book the plight of the new migrant population Italians , Greeks etc & their exploitation during the early formation days of the Union movement .
The author has given us a great read regards this time in our country’s history .
The imprisonment and treatment of our main character Beth in the bitter winters & barbaric living conditions in Moscow is graphic & believable .
Wesley an almost perfect male a little hard to warm too .. These two together unfortunately a total mismatch to me !!
A good interesting read .. a book most of which I enjoyed !!
August 4, 2022
Rural. Australia in the 1950s is beautifully created in this love story between two unlikely protagonists. The first time I have read Hillman and I will seek out others by this author.
November 9, 2021
I received an e-ARC version of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.
“The Bride of Almond Tree” by Robert Hillman tells the stories of two siblings - Wes and Patty. Both are Quakers, but both decided to work in/with the military - Wes as a soldier (probably more of a search/rescue type) and Patty as a nurse in post-bombed Hiroshima. Wes falls in love with neighbor Beth, who is a fierce Communist, and most of the story focuses on their relationship - exploring love, family, religion/faith, devotion to ideals, loyalty, and beliefs. Patty’s story, secondary in this novel, focuses on the many aspects of the bombing of Hiroshima, including the effects of radiation. This book takes place mainly in Australia, but large portions also take place in Russia and Japan.
I found Patty’s story to be the more calm and interesting one. Patty and Kado’s relationship seemed genuine, with shared interests. I also loved the character of “the master” and loved his wisdom and humor. I found Wes and Beth’s story to be interesting, but at times Beth’s stubbornness and “blinders on” outlook of life for lack of a better phrase, exhausted me. I did not expect this book to have so many religious discussions (Quaker, obviously, but also faith in general). I also felt that, at times, this book needed to advance the plot - it was more direct writing, opposed to moving writing. I did feel that the writing was better for Patty’s story opposed to fire-brand Beth’s sections.
If you like books set in Australia, reading about post-WWII, or reading more about history when “the Red Scare” was occurring, you may find this book interesting.
This book, for me, is somewhere between two and three stars, but keeping with Goodread's rating system of "2 is okay, 3 is liked," for me this book was more in the "it's okay" category.
“The Bride of Almond Tree” by Robert Hillman tells the stories of two siblings - Wes and Patty. Both are Quakers, but both decided to work in/with the military - Wes as a soldier (probably more of a search/rescue type) and Patty as a nurse in post-bombed Hiroshima. Wes falls in love with neighbor Beth, who is a fierce Communist, and most of the story focuses on their relationship - exploring love, family, religion/faith, devotion to ideals, loyalty, and beliefs. Patty’s story, secondary in this novel, focuses on the many aspects of the bombing of Hiroshima, including the effects of radiation. This book takes place mainly in Australia, but large portions also take place in Russia and Japan.
I found Patty’s story to be the more calm and interesting one. Patty and Kado’s relationship seemed genuine, with shared interests. I also loved the character of “the master” and loved his wisdom and humor. I found Wes and Beth’s story to be interesting, but at times Beth’s stubbornness and “blinders on” outlook of life for lack of a better phrase, exhausted me. I did not expect this book to have so many religious discussions (Quaker, obviously, but also faith in general). I also felt that, at times, this book needed to advance the plot - it was more direct writing, opposed to moving writing. I did feel that the writing was better for Patty’s story opposed to fire-brand Beth’s sections.
If you like books set in Australia, reading about post-WWII, or reading more about history when “the Red Scare” was occurring, you may find this book interesting.
This book, for me, is somewhere between two and three stars, but keeping with Goodread's rating system of "2 is okay, 3 is liked," for me this book was more in the "it's okay" category.
July 27, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to read this book. I love historical fiction and WWII books. This takes place in Australia, Japan and Russia. So this sounded like a unique book.
Briefly, this book follows Wes, who is a Quaker in a town called Almond Tree. He has loved his neighbor Beth for years. He went away to war but has since returned. Beth is an activist that is heavily involved with Communism. Her entire life is to support the cause.
Wes also has a sister Patty who is a nurse in Japan. She is dealing with the aftermath of people who have survived the bombing and are very sick with radiation.
I pushed myself to finish this book so that I could leave a full review. If not for that I would not have finished this book. I found it very boring to read. I think part of that had to do with the writing style, which just wasn't for me. I also did not care about any of the characters. Beth was awful from beginning to end. I just did not care about any of the things that happened to her. She was horrible to her sisters, who were also not very great people. She ruined the book for me.
I also did not care for the subject matter. Most of the book centered around Beth and the consequences she faced because of her actions. Beth has a sister Fanny that is also very unlikeable. She likes Wes but he is waiting for Beth. Fanny ends up pregnant and her decision surrounding that did not set well with me either.
Overall, this book was just not for me.
I was so excited to read this book. I love historical fiction and WWII books. This takes place in Australia, Japan and Russia. So this sounded like a unique book.
Briefly, this book follows Wes, who is a Quaker in a town called Almond Tree. He has loved his neighbor Beth for years. He went away to war but has since returned. Beth is an activist that is heavily involved with Communism. Her entire life is to support the cause.
Wes also has a sister Patty who is a nurse in Japan. She is dealing with the aftermath of people who have survived the bombing and are very sick with radiation.
I pushed myself to finish this book so that I could leave a full review. If not for that I would not have finished this book. I found it very boring to read. I think part of that had to do with the writing style, which just wasn't for me. I also did not care about any of the characters. Beth was awful from beginning to end. I just did not care about any of the things that happened to her. She was horrible to her sisters, who were also not very great people. She ruined the book for me.
I also did not care for the subject matter. Most of the book centered around Beth and the consequences she faced because of her actions. Beth has a sister Fanny that is also very unlikeable. She likes Wes but he is waiting for Beth. Fanny ends up pregnant and her decision surrounding that did not set well with me either.
Overall, this book was just not for me.
June 6, 2021
★★☆☆☆
I think this is a well put together romance, however it just wasn’t for me. I hadn’t realised how much religion would impact the novel, and so I wasn’t particularly interested in Robert Hillman’s musings on God, nor reading about the intricacies of the soviet union.
Plot: Wes Cunningham, a quaker returning from combat of World War ll, finds his home town of almond tree changed. Even Beth Hardy, his neighbour who he has always dreamt of marrying, has moved on, committing herself to the communist party. Wes still hopes to pursue his dream despite the odds..
I also wasn’t a fan of the female characters. they were very two dimensional, either baby-crazy housewives, or part of the communist party supporting Stalin.. not much wiggle room there. While Beth insists throughout the novel she will not marry, of course *spoiler* she ends up marrying Wes Cunningham.
Wes is also terribly patronising to beth, as are all the men in Almond Tree. I didn’t find the writing to be particularly moving, it was quite stagnant and direct. It felt more suited to something non-fiction than fiction.
However, you might enjoy this if you like:
- Reading about post-World War ll
- Unexpected romances
- Books set in australia
**Thank you for sending me this gifted ARC faber books!
The Bride of Almond Tree is available from July 1st.
I think this is a well put together romance, however it just wasn’t for me. I hadn’t realised how much religion would impact the novel, and so I wasn’t particularly interested in Robert Hillman’s musings on God, nor reading about the intricacies of the soviet union.
Plot: Wes Cunningham, a quaker returning from combat of World War ll, finds his home town of almond tree changed. Even Beth Hardy, his neighbour who he has always dreamt of marrying, has moved on, committing herself to the communist party. Wes still hopes to pursue his dream despite the odds..
I also wasn’t a fan of the female characters. they were very two dimensional, either baby-crazy housewives, or part of the communist party supporting Stalin.. not much wiggle room there. While Beth insists throughout the novel she will not marry, of course *spoiler* she ends up marrying Wes Cunningham.
Wes is also terribly patronising to beth, as are all the men in Almond Tree. I didn’t find the writing to be particularly moving, it was quite stagnant and direct. It felt more suited to something non-fiction than fiction.
However, you might enjoy this if you like:
- Reading about post-World War ll
- Unexpected romances
- Books set in australia
**Thank you for sending me this gifted ARC faber books!
The Bride of Almond Tree is available from July 1st.
December 29, 2021
The Bride of Almond Tree is a mild section between the pool of communism and nonviolence. The protagonist Beth Hardy is a strong-willed and independent woman who believes in the benefits of communism and fights with all her might for the rights of those who practice these politics. The Bride of Almond Tree is written by fiction and biography writer Robert Hillman.
Wes Cunningham, a quaker from Almond Tree, has just returned from World War II. He sees Beth Hardy walking down the road and immediately falls in love with her. Beth is a well-known as hard-working woman but she is also a communist with no interest in being married or keeping a household. She immediately lets Wes know this when he approaches her. Beth continues her communist activities and eventually ends up being put into a local prison where West visits her regularly. While Beth is in prison she sent to Russia in an exchange between Russia and the Australian government. Beth takes up a dissident cause in Russia and she is sent to a Russian prison where she is expected to die. Eventually she is released from prison in Russia but she is very traumatized because of the treatment she received while incarcerated. Wes nurses her back to health. Beth and Wes are married but they still must deal with the conflict between Beth‘s propensity towards communism and Wes‘s willingness to live the life of a quaker.
The story is interesting but at times a little bit quiet and boring. There’s not much action other than overriding concern for Beth. The story is primarily a love story between Wes and Beth who are very different people but unavoidably attracted to each other. The development of the stories of the Quakers and the communists is quite interesting. The author often uses parallels in some of their beliefs to show how the two are not so different.
The character of Beth is very compelling because she is a very determined woman who fights for the rights of communism. Even after she becomes disillusioned by Russia she maintains her communist principles. This makes her quite an interesting. I also enjoy the auxiliary characters who add interest to the story.
I recommend this book to people that love an emotional love story of commitment through adversity. I give the book 3 on 5 primarily because it’s not in my interest area but it well written. I want to thank NetGalley and the Text Publishing Company for providing me with a digital copy of this book. I provide this review voluntarily.
Wes Cunningham, a quaker from Almond Tree, has just returned from World War II. He sees Beth Hardy walking down the road and immediately falls in love with her. Beth is a well-known as hard-working woman but she is also a communist with no interest in being married or keeping a household. She immediately lets Wes know this when he approaches her. Beth continues her communist activities and eventually ends up being put into a local prison where West visits her regularly. While Beth is in prison she sent to Russia in an exchange between Russia and the Australian government. Beth takes up a dissident cause in Russia and she is sent to a Russian prison where she is expected to die. Eventually she is released from prison in Russia but she is very traumatized because of the treatment she received while incarcerated. Wes nurses her back to health. Beth and Wes are married but they still must deal with the conflict between Beth‘s propensity towards communism and Wes‘s willingness to live the life of a quaker.
The story is interesting but at times a little bit quiet and boring. There’s not much action other than overriding concern for Beth. The story is primarily a love story between Wes and Beth who are very different people but unavoidably attracted to each other. The development of the stories of the Quakers and the communists is quite interesting. The author often uses parallels in some of their beliefs to show how the two are not so different.
The character of Beth is very compelling because she is a very determined woman who fights for the rights of communism. Even after she becomes disillusioned by Russia she maintains her communist principles. This makes her quite an interesting. I also enjoy the auxiliary characters who add interest to the story.
I recommend this book to people that love an emotional love story of commitment through adversity. I give the book 3 on 5 primarily because it’s not in my interest area but it well written. I want to thank NetGalley and the Text Publishing Company for providing me with a digital copy of this book. I provide this review voluntarily.
October 10, 2021
(3.5)
Robert Hillman’s beautiful “The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted” captured my heart with his two vulnerable characters and the trust and love that grew between them. I did not feel as touched by Wes Cunningham or Beth Hardy, despite their sharing some of the same characteristics of devotion, loyalty, and vulnerability and despite the author’s similarly meticulous portrait of rural life in Australia. Nonetheless, Hillman skilfully journeyed through the middle years of the 20th century, exploring the impact of its disasters on the ideals of dedicated men and women from Almond Tree whose beliefs were tested at home and abroad.
Quite credibly, Hillman connected the lives of Wes Cunningham, a Quaker, with Beth Hardy, a strident socialist initially blinded by the promises of Communism in Russia, with Patty Cunningham, a nurse dedicated to giving care to the Japanese victims of the nuclear bomb in Hiroshima. The dedication of these three characters to their chosen beliefs and, particularly, to each other, created a somewhat melodramatic narrative. However, Hillman’s astute observations of human behaviour, especially in crisis, were impressive.
The historical backdrop of the novel also added intensity to the love story that was at its centre. Included in Hillman’s narrative were the perceived threats of Communism in Australia, the surveillance of Beth’s affiliation with Russian interests and her incarceration in Moscow, and the development of the Union movement in Australia and its fight for justice for workers. Hillman’s characters were idealists involved in living for their causes and willing to pay the costs that this required.
Robert Hillman’s beautiful “The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted” captured my heart with his two vulnerable characters and the trust and love that grew between them. I did not feel as touched by Wes Cunningham or Beth Hardy, despite their sharing some of the same characteristics of devotion, loyalty, and vulnerability and despite the author’s similarly meticulous portrait of rural life in Australia. Nonetheless, Hillman skilfully journeyed through the middle years of the 20th century, exploring the impact of its disasters on the ideals of dedicated men and women from Almond Tree whose beliefs were tested at home and abroad.
Quite credibly, Hillman connected the lives of Wes Cunningham, a Quaker, with Beth Hardy, a strident socialist initially blinded by the promises of Communism in Russia, with Patty Cunningham, a nurse dedicated to giving care to the Japanese victims of the nuclear bomb in Hiroshima. The dedication of these three characters to their chosen beliefs and, particularly, to each other, created a somewhat melodramatic narrative. However, Hillman’s astute observations of human behaviour, especially in crisis, were impressive.
The historical backdrop of the novel also added intensity to the love story that was at its centre. Included in Hillman’s narrative were the perceived threats of Communism in Australia, the surveillance of Beth’s affiliation with Russian interests and her incarceration in Moscow, and the development of the Union movement in Australia and its fight for justice for workers. Hillman’s characters were idealists involved in living for their causes and willing to pay the costs that this required.
February 11, 2022
I mostly read this book while my kids were watching Bluey so my mind had no trouble narrating in an Australian accent.
I thought this was a beautifully written book that explored many concepts surrounding post-WWII. Beth and Wes are from the same small town. He's Quaker who was a noncombatant soldier in WWII. She's a young idealist who has embraced communism and Soviet ideals wholeheartedly. Wes loves her from the very beginning of the book when he returns from the war and sees her again for the first time. Beth loves politics and Communism and Stalin and doesn't have time or desire for a romantic relationship. Beth as a character is a bit exasperating but Wes is good and sympathetic and you can't help but root for them because you want HIM to have a happy ending.
A side storyline is that of Patty, Wes' sister who is a nurse in Hiroshima, taking care of victims of the bomb. Her story was more compelling and sympathetic to me. Her mission to help as many people as she could and her struggle with her decision to have children or not knowing that they likely would be affected by radiation were beautiful, and at times hard to read (I definitely had tears in my eyes at some points). Her character was also sort of fun and irreverent and down to earth, despite the solemnity and import of her mission.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I've never read Hillman before but it was beautifully written, the characters were well developed into real and flawed people, and the ending was appropriate for Wes and Beth's story.
I received this book as an advanced copy from the publisher.
I thought this was a beautifully written book that explored many concepts surrounding post-WWII. Beth and Wes are from the same small town. He's Quaker who was a noncombatant soldier in WWII. She's a young idealist who has embraced communism and Soviet ideals wholeheartedly. Wes loves her from the very beginning of the book when he returns from the war and sees her again for the first time. Beth loves politics and Communism and Stalin and doesn't have time or desire for a romantic relationship. Beth as a character is a bit exasperating but Wes is good and sympathetic and you can't help but root for them because you want HIM to have a happy ending.
A side storyline is that of Patty, Wes' sister who is a nurse in Hiroshima, taking care of victims of the bomb. Her story was more compelling and sympathetic to me. Her mission to help as many people as she could and her struggle with her decision to have children or not knowing that they likely would be affected by radiation were beautiful, and at times hard to read (I definitely had tears in my eyes at some points). Her character was also sort of fun and irreverent and down to earth, despite the solemnity and import of her mission.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I've never read Hillman before but it was beautifully written, the characters were well developed into real and flawed people, and the ending was appropriate for Wes and Beth's story.
I received this book as an advanced copy from the publisher.
October 28, 2023
Title: "The Bride of Almond Tree" by Robert Hillman - A Heartfelt Tale with a Dash of Mystery
Rating: ★★★☆☆
"The Bride of Almond Tree" by Robert Hillman is a narrative that tugs at the heartstrings and adds a hint of mystery to the mix, earning it a respectable three-star rating.
Set against the backdrop of a charming village, the story follows the life of Elise, a young woman with a gentle spirit and a deep connection to the local almond trees. Her impending marriage to a man named Robert appears to be a simple and joyous occasion, but there's an undercurrent of mystery lurking in the shadows. As the story unfolds, secrets from the past resurface, and the bonds of friendship and love are put to the test.
Hillman's prose is filled with vivid descriptions that capture the essence of the small village and its inhabitants. The characters are well-drawn and exhibit genuine emotions, making it easy for readers to connect with their struggles and triumphs. The mystery element adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, although it may not be as intricately woven as some readers might prefer.
While "The Bride of Almond Tree" weaves a compelling tale, it does have some pacing issues, and the plot occasionally meanders. Despite these minor flaws, the novel delivers a heartfelt story with moments of genuine poignancy. It may not be a flawless masterpiece, but it offers a satisfying reading experience for those who appreciate a mix of romance and mystery in a charming, small-town setting.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
"The Bride of Almond Tree" by Robert Hillman is a narrative that tugs at the heartstrings and adds a hint of mystery to the mix, earning it a respectable three-star rating.
Set against the backdrop of a charming village, the story follows the life of Elise, a young woman with a gentle spirit and a deep connection to the local almond trees. Her impending marriage to a man named Robert appears to be a simple and joyous occasion, but there's an undercurrent of mystery lurking in the shadows. As the story unfolds, secrets from the past resurface, and the bonds of friendship and love are put to the test.
Hillman's prose is filled with vivid descriptions that capture the essence of the small village and its inhabitants. The characters are well-drawn and exhibit genuine emotions, making it easy for readers to connect with their struggles and triumphs. The mystery element adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, although it may not be as intricately woven as some readers might prefer.
While "The Bride of Almond Tree" weaves a compelling tale, it does have some pacing issues, and the plot occasionally meanders. Despite these minor flaws, the novel delivers a heartfelt story with moments of genuine poignancy. It may not be a flawless masterpiece, but it offers a satisfying reading experience for those who appreciate a mix of romance and mystery in a charming, small-town setting.
April 1, 2022
Wes is a Quaker from Almond Tree,, who has has just returned from war. . He falls in love with Beth, who has no interest in being married. She is a communist, and is interested in her politics - not in being a wife. She ends up in jail for her activities, and Wes sticks by her and visits her. She is then sent to Russia, and is again jailed. She is traumatized by her treatment, and Wes is still there for her.
The writing is beautiful, and so it the story. It tells of a love that can overcome so many obstacles. And we see Beth's personal growth, while still holding true to her ideals. I was rooting for them - mainly because I was rooting for Wes.
However..... sigh.... I was a little bored. I found myself skimming here and there.
This book is like those Sunday drives my parents used to make us all take. They would meander and get lost, and appreciate the scenery and I was in the backseat bored and wanting it to be over. The people that love those Sunday drives will love this book. I just found it too slow for my personal taste - I had no appreciation for the journey. .
I do want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.
3.5 stars rounded down to 3 - and I am pretty sure I will be in the minority with this.
The writing is beautiful, and so it the story. It tells of a love that can overcome so many obstacles. And we see Beth's personal growth, while still holding true to her ideals. I was rooting for them - mainly because I was rooting for Wes.
However..... sigh.... I was a little bored. I found myself skimming here and there.
This book is like those Sunday drives my parents used to make us all take. They would meander and get lost, and appreciate the scenery and I was in the backseat bored and wanting it to be over. The people that love those Sunday drives will love this book. I just found it too slow for my personal taste - I had no appreciation for the journey. .
I do want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.
3.5 stars rounded down to 3 - and I am pretty sure I will be in the minority with this.
October 13, 2021
This is a well written book which just misses being chic lit. Robert Hillman is a superb writer, but seems to like writing love stories and this is one hell of a love story. Wes Cunningham returns to his Quaker community in Almond Tree, Australia right at the end of WWII and spots pretty Beth Hardy out working on her farm and falls in love. But Beth has other ideas. She is a communist and wants to help the Soviets build up their country after the war. This is easier said than done something Beth learns the hard way. She is sent to Russia by the party and there learns the truth about Stalin and the thousands of people he has killed. She remains a communist but is no longer in love with Russia and proves herself by helping a young woman smuggle her poetry out of Russia and is traded by the Australian government to Russia where she is imprisoned, tortured, beaten until it is thought she will die. All this time, Wes stands by her, helping her, worrying about her, visiting her in prison in Russia and loving her. All the secondary characters in this story are part of it and very important in the plot. I found this a fascinating look at life in Australia right after the war and at Hiroshima where Wes's sister takes on work at a hospital.
August 17, 2021
Set in the aftermath of WWII, mostly in the 1950's and 1960's, in Almond Tree Australia, Hiroshima and Moscow, we get to know and follow the lives of Beth, Wesley and his sister Patty.
Wesley, a member of the small Quaker community of Almond Tree, just came back home from the war and hopes to marry Beth, the headstrong, 100% dedicated communist girl from Almond Tree, and finally his sister Patty who' after working as a nurse during the war decides to volunteer in Hiroshima and gets to see firsthand the devastation of the city and the lingering side effects of the radiation on the population.
Each of the characters live their live fulfilling their beliefs at their fullest, even if it means hardship and harsh circumstances, for Beth prison, exile to Moscow and torture, for Patty the heartache of widowhood and her baby daughter physical deformation because of radiation and for Wes, the heartache of unresponsive love and rejection.
At times raw and hard to read this book brings to live characters that resonate with the reader.
Wesley, a member of the small Quaker community of Almond Tree, just came back home from the war and hopes to marry Beth, the headstrong, 100% dedicated communist girl from Almond Tree, and finally his sister Patty who' after working as a nurse during the war decides to volunteer in Hiroshima and gets to see firsthand the devastation of the city and the lingering side effects of the radiation on the population.
Each of the characters live their live fulfilling their beliefs at their fullest, even if it means hardship and harsh circumstances, for Beth prison, exile to Moscow and torture, for Patty the heartache of widowhood and her baby daughter physical deformation because of radiation and for Wes, the heartache of unresponsive love and rejection.
At times raw and hard to read this book brings to live characters that resonate with the reader.
January 20, 2024
First off, I don't think I've ever read a book similar to this, so the newness of characters, places, and situations drew me in. Taking place after the end of WWII and centering on three individuals, the book takes us on a journey into the early 60's.
Wes is a Quaker in Australia who had volunteered in a non-combat capacity during the war; his sister Patty is a nurse who after the war volunteers to help the people of Hiroshima; and Beth, a young idealist who supports communism. Wes only has eyes for Beth who is so involved with her party work she has made it plain that she does not plan to marry. Over the years, Wes has become a leader in his church and his community. Patty falls in love with a Japanese doctor but they have to work out whether having children after having spent so much time exposed to radiation is a good idea.
Meanwhile, Beth ends up in the Soviet Union and over time realizes that their form of communism isn't a positive thing. Even with all the hardships that they all endure, I found this a very heartwarming story and didn't want to put it down.
Wes is a Quaker in Australia who had volunteered in a non-combat capacity during the war; his sister Patty is a nurse who after the war volunteers to help the people of Hiroshima; and Beth, a young idealist who supports communism. Wes only has eyes for Beth who is so involved with her party work she has made it plain that she does not plan to marry. Over the years, Wes has become a leader in his church and his community. Patty falls in love with a Japanese doctor but they have to work out whether having children after having spent so much time exposed to radiation is a good idea.
Meanwhile, Beth ends up in the Soviet Union and over time realizes that their form of communism isn't a positive thing. Even with all the hardships that they all endure, I found this a very heartwarming story and didn't want to put it down.
February 6, 2022
This was a gem of a story. I so enjoyed it. I have read many WWII books, but I have not had the privilege of finding a story so informational of the years after the war. Wes was one of kind and Beth at first was a self-centered rather obnoxious young lady but during the years she developed into a wonderful woman. I learned about Australia, the Quakers and about the conditions in Soviet Union with Communism and socialism.
Patty was also a most interesting character with the story of Hiroshima. The storyline flowed well and the research was excellent. I listed to this via VoiceView and backed up so many times just to make sure I did not miss something. I highly recommend. It is a heartfelt story filled lots of love and devotion.
I personally thank the publisher for the privilege to be offered this ARC from Text Publishing and NetGalley for my unbiased review – This one comes in with high 5 stars.
Patty was also a most interesting character with the story of Hiroshima. The storyline flowed well and the research was excellent. I listed to this via VoiceView and backed up so many times just to make sure I did not miss something. I highly recommend. It is a heartfelt story filled lots of love and devotion.
I personally thank the publisher for the privilege to be offered this ARC from Text Publishing and NetGalley for my unbiased review – This one comes in with high 5 stars.
July 6, 2022
Well, this was just wasn’t for me. The synopsis made it sound intriguing and it could have been, just didn’t hit the spot for me
What I Liked:
🌸the characters were probably my favorite part of the book. This book is told from the POV of Wes, Beth and Patty and they are all very passionate about what they believe in.
🌸I liked the concept of the book
What I didn’t like:
🌸the plot was very empty. We were exploring a female communist who was very passionate about the cause, a man who loved a woman who was not interested in marriage and a nurse fighting for the lives of those affected by the bomb in Hiroshima- all interesting plots right ?? Well none of them were executed to the point where I was emotionally attached enough to care.
🌸the ending was not an ending- it just kinda ended without notice… very incomplete.
Overall, just ok. If any of the plot lines would have been explored more deeply, I think it would have been much better.
August 27, 2021
The Bride of Almond tree written by Australian author Robert Hillman is a novel of hope as well as the despair of war , atomic bombs and Russian brutality.
The author takes the reader on a journey from Almond Tree in Australia , to Hiroshima in Japan , as well as Moscow and briefly to England , as he highlights a number of the issues in the world of the mid-twentieth century.
The story is centered around 2 families in Almond Tree , the Hardy's and Cunningham's , but there are numerous other characters which add flavour and texture to the book . The historical facts were skillfully woven into the story and I enjoyed learning more about the Quaker community.
An excellent read , the text is crisp and concise and anyone who enjoys a historical novel will find this a worthwhile read , I will certainly be on the look out for more books by this author .
The author takes the reader on a journey from Almond Tree in Australia , to Hiroshima in Japan , as well as Moscow and briefly to England , as he highlights a number of the issues in the world of the mid-twentieth century.
The story is centered around 2 families in Almond Tree , the Hardy's and Cunningham's , but there are numerous other characters which add flavour and texture to the book . The historical facts were skillfully woven into the story and I enjoyed learning more about the Quaker community.
An excellent read , the text is crisp and concise and anyone who enjoys a historical novel will find this a worthwhile read , I will certainly be on the look out for more books by this author .
October 25, 2021
Home from WW2 in a non-combat role because of his Quaker faith, Wes returns to the bucolic setting of Almond Tree. In love with Beth, the youngest daughter of a neighbouring family, Wes soon makes his intentions clear. However Beth is adamant that nothing will deter her from promoting her communist beliefs, including any attachment to Wes; a cause that will nearly destroy them both. An ambitious narrative that takes The Reader from Almond Tree to London, Moscow and Japan. Hillman doesn’t hide from Soviet atrocities, nor the complacent sentimental attitude of colonial Australia towards the U.K.
Meanwhile, Wes’ sister, Patty is in Hiroshima in the aftermath of the bomb, as a nurse tending to men, women and children who will soon die. Her Quaker faith will demand sacrifices that would defeat most people.
It’s a brave author who tackles politics in an Australian novel, and a talented one that succeeds as Hillman does.
Meanwhile, Wes’ sister, Patty is in Hiroshima in the aftermath of the bomb, as a nurse tending to men, women and children who will soon die. Her Quaker faith will demand sacrifices that would defeat most people.
It’s a brave author who tackles politics in an Australian novel, and a talented one that succeeds as Hillman does.
January 5, 2022
I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and I am also a fan of Robert Hillman, so I was doubly thrilled when I received an advanced copy of The Bride of Almond Tree to review.
Wes Cunningham ana Beth Hardy grew up together in Almond Tree (Australia). He was from a Quaker family and she was Catholic. No one from Almond Tree would ever anticipate the possibility of the two marrying, even more so because Beth was a communist. Wes was NOT interested in politics (as would be expected for a Quaker), but he had a very soft spot for Beth. He was always prepared to help her out. Beth believed so much in the commist way of life, and there was no way she was going to change for any one. There was no risk she was not willing to take, figuring the worst that could happen would be that she would land up in the clinker. And that she did. But, being behind bars in Australia is one thing. And she was sentenced. But, Beth was not.a petty criminal, she was a communist, and little did she ever imagine what could happen to her.. I love this story of Wes and Beth.
This book, however, is also about Wes and Beth's families, and, about the Bride Tree community. Wes' sister Patty was a nurse during the war, and post war, is working in hospitals in Hiroshima that treat people that are mostly suffering from the consequences of the radiation on their bodies.
There are even more subplots in the book, and all of them are so interesting. Each story and all the characters grabbed my heart. I remain, after reading Bride of the Almond Tree, a huge fan of Robert Hillman and look forward to reading whatever he writes next.
Thank you #netgalley and @textpublishingcompany for my copy of #thebrideofthealmondtree in return for my honest review. 5 stars.
Wes Cunningham ana Beth Hardy grew up together in Almond Tree (Australia). He was from a Quaker family and she was Catholic. No one from Almond Tree would ever anticipate the possibility of the two marrying, even more so because Beth was a communist. Wes was NOT interested in politics (as would be expected for a Quaker), but he had a very soft spot for Beth. He was always prepared to help her out. Beth believed so much in the commist way of life, and there was no way she was going to change for any one. There was no risk she was not willing to take, figuring the worst that could happen would be that she would land up in the clinker. And that she did. But, being behind bars in Australia is one thing. And she was sentenced. But, Beth was not.a petty criminal, she was a communist, and little did she ever imagine what could happen to her.. I love this story of Wes and Beth.
This book, however, is also about Wes and Beth's families, and, about the Bride Tree community. Wes' sister Patty was a nurse during the war, and post war, is working in hospitals in Hiroshima that treat people that are mostly suffering from the consequences of the radiation on their bodies.
There are even more subplots in the book, and all of them are so interesting. Each story and all the characters grabbed my heart. I remain, after reading Bride of the Almond Tree, a huge fan of Robert Hillman and look forward to reading whatever he writes next.
Thank you #netgalley and @textpublishingcompany for my copy of #thebrideofthealmondtree in return for my honest review. 5 stars.
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