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41st out of 60 books
—
208 voters
Love in the Years of Lunacy
by
Mandy Sayer
A moving, tender and compelling story of forbidden love set amid the devastation of war from the award-winning author of Dreamtime Alice.
Sydney, 1942. Pearl is eighteen, beautiful and impetuous. She plays saxophone in an all-girl jazz band at the Trocadero and occasionally sits in on underground gigs with her twin brother Martin, who also plays the sax. On one such evening...more
Sydney, 1942. Pearl is eighteen, beautiful and impetuous. She plays saxophone in an all-girl jazz band at the Trocadero and occasionally sits in on underground gigs with her twin brother Martin, who also plays the sax. On one such evening...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
May 1st 2011
by Atria Books
(first published January 1st 2011)
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I admit historical romance is not something you’d expect me to read but I’m all for literary exploration, so I thought I would give this Australian novel a go. Love in the Years of Lunacy is a typical story of forbidden love, set in war time Sydney. Eighteen year old Pearl is an alto sax player in an all girl jazz band that one day meets African American and jazz legend James Washington and quickly fall in love. While Australia didn’t have any laws to prevent them from falling in love or marryin...more
I read this for our ABC Radio bookclub - and chose it because I love all of Mandy Sayer's stories. She writes with style and places the reader right in the action. I know Kings Cross because of Mandy Sayer. Knowledgelost asked if the Townsville reference I mentioned saves the book - I believe it is the whole point of the book.
Most people can't suspend their disbelief about Pearl disguising herself as a man to go to New Guinea. I believe that shouldn't be read literally, but with a view on being...more
Most people can't suspend their disbelief about Pearl disguising herself as a man to go to New Guinea. I believe that shouldn't be read literally, but with a view on being...more
A famous (and fictional) Indigenous crime writer has discovered a series of biographical tape recordings made by his favourite aunt, who died one year ago. Pearl paved the way for Australian jazz, and in her time she was lauded as a revolutionary musician – both for introducing the blues to Aussie shores, and for being a formidable female saxophone player.
The writer presses play on her recorded memoirs, and is transported back to Sydney in 1942...
American GI’s are in Sydney, helping to guard aga...more
The writer presses play on her recorded memoirs, and is transported back to Sydney in 1942...
American GI’s are in Sydney, helping to guard aga...more
1 like · like · see review
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Matters of the Heart
When Pearl, a white female jazz saxophonist, and James, a black American GI, begin a love affair in war gripped Sydney in the 1940s, one already knows this is going to be a hard fought love story. In the midst of dealing with the times and a budding forbidden love, James is shipped off to fight in New Guinea, and Pearl is determined to reunite with her love.
Mandy Sayer’s “Love in the Years of Lunacy” was an intensely interesting love story that will tug at your heart. The li...more
When Pearl, a white female jazz saxophonist, and James, a black American GI, begin a love affair in war gripped Sydney in the 1940s, one already knows this is going to be a hard fought love story. In the midst of dealing with the times and a budding forbidden love, James is shipped off to fight in New Guinea, and Pearl is determined to reunite with her love.
Mandy Sayer’s “Love in the Years of Lunacy” was an intensely interesting love story that will tug at your heart. The li...more
This was so phenomenal I think it has to have 5 stars. I loved everything about it. The way it was framed as a man listening to tapes recorded by his deceased aunt, the way her story built and changed like a jazz song (she was a jazz musician), the exploration of American vs. Australian racism (plus being black in America vs. Australia and the nature of interracial relationships), seeing World War II from the Australian perspective and what it was like fighting in Pacific jungles, the treatment...more
The novel had a great start. It moved a good pace and the characters were interesting and engaging. And the lyricism was lovely when the author described music and playing the sax. Halfway through the book, however, things started to slow down and there came a point when the reading became arduous. Then after all the ordeal the protagonist went through, the ending was a terrible disappointment. Also, I wasn't totally convinced about the way the author framed the story (with the 'nephew' listenin...more
A beautiful story of a love affair between a young Australian woman and an African American soldier stationed in Sydney during World War II. The first half was brilliant, the second half was highly improbable, and I would have preferred the main character Pearl's story to have been told in first person. But overall, I enjoyed it immensely and would love to see it made into a feature film.
Interesting take on WWII in Sydney Australia in 1942. Pearl plays saxophone in a an all girl band and also plays underground gigs with her brother who to plays the sax. Pearl meets a black GI and falls in love. I think you kind of have to expand your imagination but all in all a good read.
Love in the Years of Lunacy is the story of a young white Australian woman, Pearl Willis, who plays alto saxophone in the all-girl big band at the Trocadero night club, and her love for James Washington, a black American GI and a hugely talented musician. Read full review here: http://newtownreviewofbooks.com/2012/...
I recommend reading this book to my friends - my book cover was different then what shows on this website - but anytime I can read from a author who is from another continent I am also learning their language and their history!
A wonderful book that portrays the WW2 years in Sydney. What a twist at the end!
A breathtaking story of love. And of strength. And of prejudice. And of war.
Nov 22, 2012
ebook
marked it as to-read
Australia, fict, ww2
Very silly, but I liked it.
Feb 15, 2013
Beatrice
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
australia,
new-guinea
Really sweet story!
This was a surprising book - but that's what you read for I guess. Mandy Sayer certainly evoked a Sydney of the past and a main character I found I kept liking more as I read on.
Not great literature, but a good story and quite engaging. A different slant on the WWII stuff I've been reading a lot of. Stretching the verisimilitude here but still exciting reading.
I really enjoyed this book, the characterization and events did not disappoint.
I have many things to say about this book. I'll need some time to organize my thoughts.
Jun 01, 2013
Caitlin Williams
marked it as to-read
May 24, 2013
Lauren
marked it as to-read
May 15, 2013
Janel
marked it as to-read
May 13, 2013
Bianca Klas
marked it as to-read
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