Picknick im Schatten. Roman.

by Judith Lennox

On the eve of World War I, Alix's two-year-old cousin Charlie disappears while in her care and is never seen again. Years later, Alix is haunted by the loss of her baby cousin. As the world descends into the horrors of war once more, the question will Charlie Lanchbury ever be found?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Aka Judith Lennox-Smith

Judith Lennox lives in Cambridgeshire, England with her husband and three sons.

Reviews

[Littlebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the eve of the First World War, fourteen year old Alix Gregory is holidaying in France with her wealthy relatives, the Lanchburys. The holiday takes a dark turn, however, when her two year old cousin, Charlie, goes missing during a family outing; Alix blamed for the tragedy. Once the war is over, Alix endeavours to forge a new life for herself; the story charting the ups and downs, loves and losses of her life thereafter. However, amidst it all Charlie’s disappearance forever lingers in the shadows of her mind; will the truth of what happened all those years before ever come to light?

From the very first chapter, depicting an idyllic picnic that quickly turns into a nightmare when Charlie Lanchbury disappears, I found myself totally immersed in this book. Alix is an engaging central character; resilient and resourceful, yet always somewhat haunted, never quite able to shrug off her past.

Lennox weaves an intricate story with a host of characters, whose lives intersect in often unexpected and complicated ways. I think my favourite of all was Derry, always the life and soul, drawing people in with his charm, yet so many insecurities bubbling beneath the surface; and I loved the way he loved Alix.

Quite often in Lennox’s books, she takes quite big leaps in time, her stories multi-generational; whilst The Shadow Child does still span across over twenty years, the jumps in this book were not so vast and I think this allowed the central characters and relationships to be more fully explored.

I loved the secluded setting of Owlscote, Alix’s sanctuary, and also the brief period she spent in the desert. As always Lennox’s attention to period detail is incredible, and I particularly liked her depictions of the wild parties of the 1920s.

A bitter-sweet story, with moments of aching poignancy, a beautiful central romance and also an intriguing mystery of a young child’s disappearance at its heart, this is a book to lose oneself in.

[Rima · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ dramatisch
⭐️ romantisch
⭐️ herzergreifend
⭐️ unerwartetes, aber schönes Ende

[Kim andrea Brofeldt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interessant nok historie, der strækker sig over mere end 20 år. Kan normalt rigtigt godt lide slægtsromaner, men denne mangler noget opstramning: plot, der stikker i alle retninger, og ikke særligt tydelige personer. Sproget er sådan lidt romansbladsagtigt.
Så - ikke stor litteratur, men fængende nok, når der ikke er andet at læse

[Christina Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to #NetGalley for my advance copy of #TheShadowChildby #RachelHancox
This is a book of love and loss, misunderstandings and forgiveness
Emma is 18 when she walks away from her home, her parents and her life. Overwhelmed with everything that had happened in the last year she couldn’t see a way forward. Her parents Jim and Cath carry on as best they can hoping every day Emma will re enter their lives.
An emotional rollercoaster of a book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lynda Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story set in France & England in the period from the first to the second World War with many twists and turns to the plot. A toddler disappears while on a family picnic just as the German army is advancing on France. The resulting consequences deeply affects the lives of everyone in the family. A tale of loss and love that is at times heart wrenching but avoids being overly sentimental.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed reading this book. It was a wonderful family saga, the sort you get completely immersed in and realise that time has just whizzed past whilst you were reading. It was very well written with interesting characters, a bit of a mystery to keep you guessing, and I just didn't want to put it down. A definite five stars.

[Katia Valadeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting on the cusp of WW1 this book ends on the beaches of Dunkirk. Sweeping themes of family, loss and pride. A roller coaster of emotions and a wide array of vulnerable and endearing characters. This made for a gorgeous read.

[Norma Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I really enjoyed this book, the characters and story where beautifully written. The thought of a child going missing is the nightmare of every parent, or is it?

[Diane Gail Burgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story

Quite interesting but a little long winded with the latter part of the book being the most interesting. Could have been a bit more gripping

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all of her books, this was a great read. Could not put it down and am now reading 'Written on Glass' which I started yesterday.

[Charlie Simoes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down, wonderful characters and well written

[Issac · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good book over all just not my cup of tea

[Steffi Mehta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das erste mal habe ich es im Mai 2010 auf Korsika gelesen. Eine schöne Liebesgeschichte.

[Lea Stelzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

1 Stern Abzug wegen des offenen Endes… ansonsten grandios, ein sprachliches Meisterwerk!

[HediBähren · Rating 3 out of 5]

England von 1914 - 1945. Familiengeschichte-tragisch, spannend, gut zu lesen

[Anja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meine Meinung:

Das Buch habe ich schon mehrmals gelesen und es halt mich immer wieder in seinen Bann gezogen. Wenn man es das erste mal liest ist man wirklich ständig am überlegen wie es denn ausgehen könnte, es gibt so viele Wege und doch kann man das Ende nicht vorrausahnen. Man ist ständig am nachdenken und grübeln weil das Buch einen so mitnimmt. Ich fand es auch sehr interessant zu lesen wie es nach so einem Schicksal in der Familie weitergeht, in welche Richtungen sich die Charaktere entwickeln usw.

Das Buch liest sich durchweg flüssig und hält auch einige Wirrungen und Überraschungen bereit, Taschentücher bitte nicht zu weit weglegen!!!

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fully prepared to give this book five stars, right up until Alix's baby died. That was so bleak and depressing. But everything else I loved! And I mean everything. The story, the characters -- I couldn't choose a favourite (but Polly would be a strong contender) -- the setting, even the mystery of what happened to Charlie was done brilliantly (and then resolved!). Normally I hate books that span decades, because I think GET TO THE POINT ALREADY, but not this one.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a great fan of Judith Lennox and this book didn't disappoint, probably one of my favourites so far. I very much liked Alix the central character who the story is built around. Lots of other characters, fun, sadness, love, overwhelming grief, hatred, deceit - this book has it all. My one small criticism, is I felt the ending was a little rushed, otherwise a good read. Now are there anymore books by Judith Lennox I haven't yet read.....................

[Nina C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It wasn't what I expected but in a totally good way. I was afraid that it might have similarities to a book I recently read (that I loved btw but nonetheless) but I was surprised in such a beautiful way.
This book is well written, the characters are perfectly human and the storyline was cute, sad, romantic, tragic and unexpected. I didn't see that ending coming until the author wanted me to. Can only recommend!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

💕 An interesting storyline with lots of wonderful characters. Spanning over several years, the story developed well, however it seemed a bit long winded at times as the descriptions were sometimes unnecessarily lengthy. This is the first book I have read by this author and on the whole, I found it well researched and enjoyable so I am keen to read more of her work.

[Rooserd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gelezen : vertaald naar het nederlands.
"Schaduwkind"

Alix past als 14jarige op haar neefje. Maar tijdens een uitje verdwijnt hij en wordt hij niet meer teruggevonden. Dit feit bepaalt het verdere leven van vele mensen en in het bijzonder van Alix.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book..a great read and I liked that I had a history lesson as well.

[Cafe Three-zero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ecellent. Full of emotion and lifes troubles

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lang geleden gelezen als hardcover

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story, easy reading.