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Bread and Buttermilk
Escape into the deceptively tranquil world that is North Wales in 1922.
The rural community of Carreg-y-Bedd, accustomed to the comforting familiarity of chapel traditions and the cyclical rhythms of farming life, is stunned by a shocking, unexplained death.
In the shadows cast by World War One, three siblings, all with hidden motivations, struggle for independence: Tŵm, dependable and sensible, determined to uncover the truth about his friend’s death; Bethan, steely and practical, pursuing a husband with dogged persistence; Caron, romantic and naïve, engulfed in a passionate love affair that threatens to splinter her family.
Will they have the courage to pursue and fulfil their ambitions or will family loyalties and social pressures prevent them from following their chosen paths?
The rural community of Carreg-y-Bedd, accustomed to the comforting familiarity of chapel traditions and the cyclical rhythms of farming life, is stunned by a shocking, unexplained death.
In the shadows cast by World War One, three siblings, all with hidden motivations, struggle for independence: Tŵm, dependable and sensible, determined to uncover the truth about his friend’s death; Bethan, steely and practical, pursuing a husband with dogged persistence; Caron, romantic and naïve, engulfed in a passionate love affair that threatens to splinter her family.
Will they have the courage to pursue and fulfil their ambitions or will family loyalties and social pressures prevent them from following their chosen paths?
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2021
495 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 1, 2022
A Gripping Novel!
I really enjoyed this one! I read a lot and the way it flows kept me engaged throughout. Is there a part two? A continuation of this family? I hope so, I like this author so much!
I really enjoyed this one! I read a lot and the way it flows kept me engaged throughout. Is there a part two? A continuation of this family? I hope so, I like this author so much!
January 7, 2023
Beautifully written and thoroughly engrossing. A wonderful glimpse into a Welsh farm family at the end of WWI, with all the complexities of the time. Strong, believable and well developed characters. I am hopeful that Helen Payton is working on a second novel, for she has a talent!
November 8, 2022
Take a step back in time
This story of a post WWI Welsh farm family gently pulled me in and wouldn't let go. So nicely written I felt right there.
This story of a post WWI Welsh farm family gently pulled me in and wouldn't let go. So nicely written I felt right there.
November 2, 2022
I loved reading this. Probably the first novel I've read set in Wales. I wish I could have pronounced the Welsh words, but that didn't take away from the story, of course. This begs for a sequel - I hate
having to make up my own!
having to make up my own!
April 7, 2023
This story takes place in North Wales just after WWI. Many war veterans are returning home broken from the horrors they have endured. The Welsh language is one of the harder ones to learn, so it was a little challenge trying to figure out what words meant, but there is a short dictionary at the end of the book. lol. This is a story of a rural farmer's family and the neighbors, villagers and gypsies that interplay with the family. The farmer's household is ruled by an iron-handed Mam and no one dares to go against her. However life happens and the old ways are slowly giving way to the "Roaring 20s".
The village is affected by the death of a young man, a modernistic doctor, a strange clergy, a naive daughter, who finds herself pregnant and an oldest son who doesn't want the farm's legacy. I found at first that maybe I chose the wrong book, but was pleasantly surprised as the story developed. I was reading it whenever I could sneak in a few pages throughout the day. I loved learning about a country you don't hear too much from. I wonder if this will lead to a sequel?
The village is affected by the death of a young man, a modernistic doctor, a strange clergy, a naive daughter, who finds herself pregnant and an oldest son who doesn't want the farm's legacy. I found at first that maybe I chose the wrong book, but was pleasantly surprised as the story developed. I was reading it whenever I could sneak in a few pages throughout the day. I loved learning about a country you don't hear too much from. I wonder if this will lead to a sequel?
November 13, 2022
A Look at the Harsh Realities of Life in Wales in the 1920's
Life was not easy, even for what I presume might be considered an upper middle class farming family. WW1 took its tragic toll on rural Welsh families that depended upon it's children and in particular, its sons, to carry out the family's livelihood. The book follows the life, of one such family whose lives are made even more difficult, by a cold, unfeeling mother. Her inability to love, helps drive two of her children away and almost kills a third. There is a mystery interwoven through the story, that haunts the main character. I only wish there was a second book that tells us all the things we want to know, about how the family members ended up. In shorr, its a great read.
Life was not easy, even for what I presume might be considered an upper middle class farming family. WW1 took its tragic toll on rural Welsh families that depended upon it's children and in particular, its sons, to carry out the family's livelihood. The book follows the life, of one such family whose lives are made even more difficult, by a cold, unfeeling mother. Her inability to love, helps drive two of her children away and almost kills a third. There is a mystery interwoven through the story, that haunts the main character. I only wish there was a second book that tells us all the things we want to know, about how the family members ended up. In shorr, its a great read.
March 7, 2023
Wow!
I do not like this story. It is the tale of a family living in the aftermath of WWI. In a small village, the matriarch of the Tudor family and her daughter couldn’t be more different. Nain is kind and loving, Mali a holier-than-thou person interested only in how life affects her and people’s opinion of her. Mail has two girls, one just like her, the other innocent and like her Nain. The plot is centered around these women with a subplot focusing on the family’s oldest son and his struggles to find his place in the world. The vicious tongue of the mother made me think it to be a horrid tale. Then I realized the excellence of the writing. Helen Payton has done a masterful job creating characters about whom the reader will feel quite emotional.
I do not like this story. It is the tale of a family living in the aftermath of WWI. In a small village, the matriarch of the Tudor family and her daughter couldn’t be more different. Nain is kind and loving, Mali a holier-than-thou person interested only in how life affects her and people’s opinion of her. Mail has two girls, one just like her, the other innocent and like her Nain. The plot is centered around these women with a subplot focusing on the family’s oldest son and his struggles to find his place in the world. The vicious tongue of the mother made me think it to be a horrid tale. Then I realized the excellence of the writing. Helen Payton has done a masterful job creating characters about whom the reader will feel quite emotional.
February 7, 2023
Fascinating book about a Welsh village reeling from the unexplained death of a young man who recently returned from WWI. I found it difficult to get into, but as the story evolved, I was hooked. I hadn’t guessed the end, so that was great. Much better second half than first. I’m very glad I stuck with it.
Something I discovered after finishing - there is a “dictionary” of Welsh words and places , as well as an explanation of characters at the end of the book. Wish I’d known that at the beginning.
Something I discovered after finishing - there is a “dictionary” of Welsh words and places , as well as an explanation of characters at the end of the book. Wish I’d known that at the beginning.
November 13, 2022
Family Life
This book follows the Tudor family over a year. They are a farming family with a domineering mother. The main story follows the eldest three siblings as they try to fulfill the path they want. Although the story starts with a death it is not the main story, but is referred to throughout and how they died is revealed at the end.
This book follows the Tudor family over a year. They are a farming family with a domineering mother. The main story follows the eldest three siblings as they try to fulfill the path they want. Although the story starts with a death it is not the main story, but is referred to throughout and how they died is revealed at the end.
November 28, 2022
The family tyrant
Although the Welch tale has interesting characters there is little to uplift the reader. Often more detail than I wanted I did scan over parts. The end showed the courage of a brother and sister but the reader is subjected to some gruesome descriptions of war before getting to the end.
Although the Welch tale has interesting characters there is little to uplift the reader. Often more detail than I wanted I did scan over parts. The end showed the courage of a brother and sister but the reader is subjected to some gruesome descriptions of war before getting to the end.
December 4, 2022
Set in maybe early 1900's in Great Britain (Wales?). Centers around a young girl whose life has been planned out by her very domineering/strict mother falls in love with a gypsy and becomes pregnant. Also, side plot of mysterious death of one of her brother's best friends. Keeps your interest, but not very exciting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2023
Wonderful
Welsh historical fiction. The war hit many families, and this Welsh family, while not loosing a family member, is greatly affected. Mali is the Matriarch with an iron tongue. Even her own mother fears conflict with her. Tradition must be kept, societal appearance held so no scrimmage come upon them. What happens when conflict happens?
Welsh historical fiction. The war hit many families, and this Welsh family, while not loosing a family member, is greatly affected. Mali is the Matriarch with an iron tongue. Even her own mother fears conflict with her. Tradition must be kept, societal appearance held so no scrimmage come upon them. What happens when conflict happens?
September 20, 2024
This book was really engaging. There is a mild mystery, though it’s more of a subplot. But for heaven’s sake, HIRE A PROOFREADER!! There were a few typos and misspellings but the greatest issue is that the writer apparently has no idea how to use commas. It’s very distracting and detracts from an otherwise decent book.
November 1, 2022
very well written
Written up as a murder mystery, it’s really more a soap opera. But the characters are wonderfully written and believable. Some of the events are unlikely to the point of incredulity, but it’s still interesting for all that.Recommended.
Written up as a murder mystery, it’s really more a soap opera. But the characters are wonderfully written and believable. Some of the events are unlikely to the point of incredulity, but it’s still interesting for all that.Recommended.
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November 1, 2022A burden to read.
STOP with all the adjectives already. These make it a burden to read and really don't add to the story line. I was ready to put it down after the first few paragraphs and probably should have.
STOP with all the adjectives already. These make it a burden to read and really don't add to the story line. I was ready to put it down after the first few paragraphs and probably should have.
January 9, 2023
I on l y read a short way into this story. It was OK by I had difficulty following the story as there were too many characters to remember. Also, I've come to the conclusion that historical novels are no longer 'my thing'. So I can't really judge the novel as a whole.
March 24, 2023
Struggled with this book
Twice I tried to read this book by I have up. Had no interest in characters or the lives lived by them. Unable the empathise with anyone. Just did not interest me at all.
Twice I tried to read this book by I have up. Had no interest in characters or the lives lived by them. Unable the empathise with anyone. Just did not interest me at all.
March 30, 2023
This definitely would have been an easier read if I had known that there were common Welsh phrases at the end of the book. A post WW1 story of a Welsh village trying to cope with post war issues. The last sentence was not expected whatsoever. (Now don’t peek if you read this book!)
May 27, 2023
Loved it
Kindle books are not always wonderful, some are not good at all. Therefore, I rarely write reviews. Bread and Buttermilk is an exception. It was enjoyable all the way through and make sure you read it all the way to the end.
Kindle books are not always wonderful, some are not good at all. Therefore, I rarely write reviews. Bread and Buttermilk is an exception. It was enjoyable all the way through and make sure you read it all the way to the end.
November 1, 2022
My review
Wow! I just have to say what a great mother I had. Mali is one horrid woman! To have such control over her family. I'll need to read the next story.
Wow! I just have to say what a great mother I had. Mali is one horrid woman! To have such control over her family. I'll need to read the next story.
November 10, 2022
Interesting book
Good character development. Truly a look into human feelings and how we compartmentalize our own internal issues. I enjoyed the book and look forward to more.
Good character development. Truly a look into human feelings and how we compartmentalize our own internal issues. I enjoyed the book and look forward to more.
December 26, 2022
Enjoyed the setting and the harshness of that time. Not much said about the pandemic during those years. Loved the surprise ending.
January 13, 2023
Really loved this! Beautifully told
April 1, 2023
Very obviously the first of a series.
July 7, 2023
An interesting read with a few surprises.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews