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Suffolk #2
The Homecoming
HISTORICAL NOVEL BOOK
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 29, 2016
This is the continuing saga of the house, Knight's Acre, and the Tallboys family residents and associated Intake farmers/ shepherds of its surround.
Honestly, this one is the most authentic to the times of the War of the Roses in economics and in each class nuance that I have ever read. This is not an easy era to be human in England. It's not just the politics or the class conflict or the biologic reality either. Entire economic structure is also changing. This is so real in detail and yet gets the glory of the good times for reunion, an ecstasy. Those who were forever lost for nearly a decade, found. And at the same time fully exposes all the true darkness of choices and outcomes for the remaining days of these lives. Medical issues. Diet availability and process, dire. Path to a "work" that pays or includes some avenue to not just profit but a lodging! All of these coupled with trying to land on the "correct" side of overlords' hierarchies.
The story of Sir Godfrey and his wife, separated for nine years, and now reunited! Plus the addition of his female savior from the Moorish mines and his slavery. And still the Suffolk crowd, reduced now, in all kinds of flux upon his return! The entire story just encompassed and put me into the 15th century real. Especially upon Sir Godfrey's final decision to return to the upcoming fray and complete his purpose.
This is dark and this is real. No fairy Godmothers or endowing foreigners to rescue. Aging as it become actual, and SO quickly. Far, far more quickly than just a couple of centuries later. Turning over of generations in both the healthy and whole as well as to the degenerate and impaired, for what's "left" or cleared for use.
This Suffolk tale goes on the grandchildren and the changing of the land to other crops and different methods of husbandry with the sheep. But there are huge changes beyond that too. Entire systems of knighthood itself and serfdom are ending or gone. Those trained and fitted for them, left bereft of purpose or skill.
One of Norah Lofts best. And one in which we often don't understand what truly "happened" until reaction of later years within the thoughts of the survivors. There are murders here never given that name or deed. Much, much as it would have been.
Cannot wait to begin #3 The Lonely Furrow to see where the Tallboys and Knight's Acre proceed. Will there be additions as there was in this one for "the pavilion"? Or will the decay and fall ins begin. 4 brothers and of such different modes and mindsets. Will Henry be able to hold the core? Is that boring stodginess and resilience enough! Or will the learned Richard of pen and duplicity of purposes prevail! And we can't forget that grandchild being spoiled by the neighboring Lord's inheritance either.
Lastly, this also has a tremendous depth to the stories of the servants and not just after their arrivals or placements to Knight's Acre either. 4.5 stars
Honestly, this one is the most authentic to the times of the War of the Roses in economics and in each class nuance that I have ever read. This is not an easy era to be human in England. It's not just the politics or the class conflict or the biologic reality either. Entire economic structure is also changing. This is so real in detail and yet gets the glory of the good times for reunion, an ecstasy. Those who were forever lost for nearly a decade, found. And at the same time fully exposes all the true darkness of choices and outcomes for the remaining days of these lives. Medical issues. Diet availability and process, dire. Path to a "work" that pays or includes some avenue to not just profit but a lodging! All of these coupled with trying to land on the "correct" side of overlords' hierarchies.
The story of Sir Godfrey and his wife, separated for nine years, and now reunited! Plus the addition of his female savior from the Moorish mines and his slavery. And still the Suffolk crowd, reduced now, in all kinds of flux upon his return! The entire story just encompassed and put me into the 15th century real. Especially upon Sir Godfrey's final decision to return to the upcoming fray and complete his purpose.
This is dark and this is real. No fairy Godmothers or endowing foreigners to rescue. Aging as it become actual, and SO quickly. Far, far more quickly than just a couple of centuries later. Turning over of generations in both the healthy and whole as well as to the degenerate and impaired, for what's "left" or cleared for use.
This Suffolk tale goes on the grandchildren and the changing of the land to other crops and different methods of husbandry with the sheep. But there are huge changes beyond that too. Entire systems of knighthood itself and serfdom are ending or gone. Those trained and fitted for them, left bereft of purpose or skill.
One of Norah Lofts best. And one in which we often don't understand what truly "happened" until reaction of later years within the thoughts of the survivors. There are murders here never given that name or deed. Much, much as it would have been.
Cannot wait to begin #3 The Lonely Furrow to see where the Tallboys and Knight's Acre proceed. Will there be additions as there was in this one for "the pavilion"? Or will the decay and fall ins begin. 4 brothers and of such different modes and mindsets. Will Henry be able to hold the core? Is that boring stodginess and resilience enough! Or will the learned Richard of pen and duplicity of purposes prevail! And we can't forget that grandchild being spoiled by the neighboring Lord's inheritance either.
Lastly, this also has a tremendous depth to the stories of the servants and not just after their arrivals or placements to Knight's Acre either. 4.5 stars
August 30, 2020
Wonderful!
As usual Norah Lofts has written a best seller. It is a real page turner and makes the reader want to know more.
As usual Norah Lofts has written a best seller. It is a real page turner and makes the reader want to know more.
November 25, 2023
Takes off where Knights Acre ended. Is a surprisingly depressing, but really engrossing book. Absolutely nothing good or nice happens to any of the characters, but it was still a compelling read. I thoroughly enjoy period family sagas, and Norah Lofts is a great author of this genre.
August 17, 2012
As always, I adore the way Lofts writes: spare, delicate vignettes that paint a rich and evocative picture.
July 14, 2018
An oldie but a goodie!
January 15, 2022
Re-reading old favorites. Like putting on stretchy pants and wooly slippers at the end of the day, Norah Lofts doesn't disappoint. I'd already read Knight's Acre, but The Homecoming and The Lonely Furrow were new to me. Readers who enjoy the setting of medieval life in England for their family sagas, look no further.
While Lofts does try to include enough background from Knight's Acre for a reader to pick up the second and third books in the trilogy and get the gist of what's happening, I wouldn't recommend it. Give yourself the full stretchy pants and wooly slippers treatment by enjoying them in order.
While Lofts does try to include enough background from Knight's Acre for a reader to pick up the second and third books in the trilogy and get the gist of what's happening, I wouldn't recommend it. Give yourself the full stretchy pants and wooly slippers treatment by enjoying them in order.
November 14, 2022
The Homecoming (Suffolk #2) by Norah Lofts (2022 Book 87)
Sir Godfrey’s homecoming and the subsequent relationships is the focus of this book, but it wasn’t nearly as compelling as the previous story. Unfortunately, the story falls flat after some main characters depart, and the remaining are just not interesting enough to keep me truly invested… still, I kept reading to book 3 because there were still questions unresolved and I wanted to know what would happen with the family.
Sir Godfrey’s homecoming and the subsequent relationships is the focus of this book, but it wasn’t nearly as compelling as the previous story. Unfortunately, the story falls flat after some main characters depart, and the remaining are just not interesting enough to keep me truly invested… still, I kept reading to book 3 because there were still questions unresolved and I wanted to know what would happen with the family.
August 7, 2020
Another downer
This whole trilogy of which this is the final novel is disjointed, parallel stories, characters that are never fully understood as to where they end and the whole ending abruptly as if the author got tired of writing. I'm sorry I stuck through all three novels and wasted my time. I'm bitterly disappointed insofar as I have been an avid admirer of this author.
This whole trilogy of which this is the final novel is disjointed, parallel stories, characters that are never fully understood as to where they end and the whole ending abruptly as if the author got tired of writing. I'm sorry I stuck through all three novels and wasted my time. I'm bitterly disappointed insofar as I have been an avid admirer of this author.
February 6, 2018
"'Ale would be very acceptable,' the Bishop said graciously. Henry fetched it himself. Not good ale; very thin and sour."
Sums up the story.
After a first book that promised scope this mean second book offers characters you don't like and a story of drudgery.
Sums up the story.
After a first book that promised scope this mean second book offers characters you don't like and a story of drudgery.
April 15, 2018
Worth reading.
January 19, 2022
The second in the trilogy, it continues the story very well.
May 20, 2022
Good as an in-between book of the trilogy.
February 4, 2025
I blame my OCD for wanting to finish this! Most boring and confusing thing I've ever read!
June 10, 2014
Brilliance and oddities in one book. This book had a dark tone, and the characters were often on the edge of disaster. The men in The Homecoming were fantastically characterised and unique, very endearing in their hardships and always dignified, despite their apparent single-mindedness and illiteracy. All the woman, however, were either mad, bad, cruel or too forward, which I found a little annoying. I liked Sybilla and Lady Emma. I think Henry was my favourite character. He leapt off the pages. An odd book, worth a read for a patient reader
January 27, 2011
Good sequel to Knight's Acre.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews