He sits on the crowded train, his kitbag on his knee, and tries not to think. All around him is the noise and celebration, peace and homecoming, but he feels as though he has left a part of himself behind on a muddy field in France, a part of himself that he will never get back...
***
The Blurb
1914: Anticipating a long summer of freedom at her friend's family estate in Cambridge, Grace Villiers is disappointed by an unexpected addition to their party. Then the new arrival offers to teach Grace to swim, and she is forced to see there is more to Algernon Lake than his reputation. But, with war brewing across Europe, this will be a summer that changes everything.
1997: Following her father’s sudden death, Barbara finds herself living with her mother in a house that is, literally, falling down around them. As she tries to put their new home in order, she discovers a photograph of her grandfather as a young man with his friend – two soldiers at the start of the First World War. Setting aside her grief, Barbara becomes determined to uncover their story, hoping it will bring her closer to the family she feels slipping away.
But when her search for answers opens up truths she isn’t prepared for, Barbara will come to realise, some secrets may be best left alone.
My Review
I am always so pleased when a blog tour comes around and I am offered the opportunity to read a book by an author that I already love. That is precisely what happened with this book as I had previously read The Butterfly Garden and The Tearoom on the Bay.
I love a dual time line narrative when it is well done, as it definitely has been in this book. The author has created two very distinct voices in Grace and Barbara. Grace's part of the story begins just before the commencement of World War One, and Barbara's is set in the present day.
Set in Cambridge, the book focuses on the effects of the First World War upon those away at war and those left behind. However, the book looks beyond then to the time following the war and the repercussions on the mental health of the soldiers.
The atmosphere the author has created was fabulous. The book is initially set during the summer immediately prior to the war. I got a real sense of the freedom that they were enjoying whilst anticipating that the male characters, good friends Bertie, Will and Algernon would probably all be going off to fight in the war. They felt a certain excitement about this. After all 'it would probably all be over by Christmas!'
In the present day, Barbara's mother, Genevieve, and her daughter Penny, are clearing out a house when they discover a trunk in the basement. It belonged to Algernon and contains his poetry, letters and his violin. This discovery has a significant impact on them all and has huge impact upon the story.
It is a heartfelt and powerful story. It touches on themes of loss, mental health and love. It was a highly engaging story and I was keen to see how the two timelines connected.
It was an engaging novel and I was gripped throughout. I enjoyed observing the inner strength of the characters and I appreciated the difficulties of the time period in which they lived. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Book Details
ISBN: 978 1835338049
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Formats: e-book, audio, hardback and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)
No. of Pages: 336 (paperback)
Purchase Links
About the Author
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Rachel Burton is the bestselling author of historical timeslip novels and romantic comedies. Rachel was born in Cambridge and studied Classics and English Literature before starting a career in law. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband, a variety of cats and far too many books.
You can also find Rachel at:
(ARC and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)
(all opinions are my own)
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