Scan barcode
pandasekh's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
patsmith139's review against another edition
5.0
The second volume of this series concentrates, for the most part, on the three adolescent girls of the family. Elizabeth Jane Howard captures their characters beautifully and just what it was like to be stuck at home trying to carry on with life when the world was descending into chaos. Frustration, fear and mundanity are the dominant themes. But also how are they going to make their way in the world? There are many secrets that lead to some heartbreaking misunderstandings. We also get glimpses into the lives of the other characters, family, extended family, friends and servants; their worries and concerns and the many secrets here too. Everything is beautifully observed and written. Can't wait to get onto the next instalment.
amelia_pj's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Utterly engrossing, the characters come to feel completely real. My favourite books of all time!
jmsr418's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
librariesandlabradors's review against another edition
4.0
Second book in the Cazalet Chronicles done! Not quite as good as the first one but still very enjoyable. A lot of heart-wrenching scenes and very wise lines in this. I really loved Polly & Clary’s relationship, but I CAN’T stand Louise. Loved all the WW2 history woven in too. I’m eager to see what goes down with this family in the next one.
cphilipson's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
haleyflan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
applehawk's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sungmemoonstruck's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A family saga that feels both sprawling and intimate, a portrait of war-time England, and a wonderfully moving depiction of loss and love. Each and every one of these characters is so richly developed, all the way down to the youngest children, and Howard is a master at third-person POV. I felt like I knew and sympathized with every character deeply. I was also really struck by how precisely it captures the ordinariness of living in extraordinary times and the resilience we're capable of. Despite its length, the pages practically flew by.
readingoverbreathing's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Elizabeth Jane Howard has created the most charming cast of characters here (except Edward whom I hate) and weaves beautifully between each's perspective. This is such a female-focused family saga, with the women by far taking up most of the page time. Howard presents such a rich portrait of womanhood across every stage that for a woman makes for simply wonderful, though often heavy, reading.
Only a couple of minor complaints — I was pretty put off by Louise for most of this. I think Howard affords her way too much page time and tries to make up for it with how much Polly and Clary complain about her elsewhere. But I do appreciate (even if I don't necessarily feel fully comfortable with) her portrayal of Louise's romantic relationships so far. A man would never believe that a woman could hold herself at a distance from anything more than sexual interest and attraction.
My only other issue was the ongoing lack of communication between Hugh and Sybil. While it might have been somewhat sweet in this previous book, it really reached some highly concerning heights here, and I am just so over it.
However, overall, this was such a lovely reading experience, and I really feel like I have my footing, my favorites, and my least favorites (Edward) within the series now. Looking forward to the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Infidelity, and Dementia
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, and War
Minor: Ableism, Rape, Medical content, Abortion, and Pregnancy