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Do Not Forget Me Quite
John Hemingby is a loving husband and father, a musician, teacher and a man of peace. But when the Great War breaks out, trapping him and his family in France, John can no longer be at peace with himself. He feels strongly that he must help his country and his fellow man, but he will not kill. Do Not Forget Me Quite tells of the effects of war on John's extended family, in London and abroad, after he decides to volunteer for service in the Medical Corps. His beloved artistic daughter, six-year-old Dorothy, is deeply distressed at his departure. She recalls, in old age, her unsettled early life. In the hell of the trenches, John undergoes shattering experiences beyond his these include crucial encounters with the wounded poet and composer Ivor Gurney, whose brilliant, unstable isolation is to find a profound echo in John's future. Gurney's bi-polar disorder, unknown and incurable at the time, is vividly presented. While Dorothy grows to a troubled womanhood, the separation and trauma of the times act on the Hemingby family, with results that mirror the tragic breaking of two generations in the war and its aftermath... Do Not Forget Me Quite is a compelling work of literary historical fiction that will appeal to anyone interested in the First World War, family life during times of conflict, and peace, and fans of Ivor Gurney. Author Richard's writing style has been compared to David Almond, and Richard also takes inspiration from the work of Jude Morgan.
490 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 9, 2014
3.5 stars if I could.
The is the excruciating, heartbreaking story of what the devastation of war and one man’s decision does to his British family. John Hemingby believes he's doing the right thing and it is his duty by God to do his part in the war and serve as a medic in WW I, since he will not kill . As he does this, it seems he is a abandoning his responsibilities to his family. He resigns his job and leaves his pregnant wife Emily and children 6 year Dorothy and 15 month old son Rowley . They are forced to leave their home since the little cottage they lived in came with his schoolmaster's job
It was hard for me to think a lot of John at this time in the story. Did he have to volunteer and leave his family in dire straights? Emily gives birth to their third child. He comes home on leave and Em gets pregnant again and is left to care for four children on her own. He mistakenly thought the conflict would be over in a few months . It was not. It is when he is in training that it occurs to him "what had he let himself in for ?"
There are alternating narratives- John’s story at the front is told in the third person and , we see the toll the war is talking on him and on the young soldiers – loss of limbs , shrapnel wounds , loss of minds and loss of life . The duties of a medic are more than gut wrenching and the toll that this takes on John is heartbreaking. It is in this narrative that we read Em’s letters and can what she is going through. The other narrative is Dorothy and her story of how she missed her beloved father will break your heart.
In some ways, John’s story is reminiscent of the novel Stoner . They do what they think is the right and honorable thing at the expense of family. John , a broken man, returns to his broken family and nothing is the same.
Thanks to Troubador Publishing Ltd and NetGalley.
.
The is the excruciating, heartbreaking story of what the devastation of war and one man’s decision does to his British family. John Hemingby believes he's doing the right thing and it is his duty by God to do his part in the war and serve as a medic in WW I, since he will not kill . As he does this, it seems he is a abandoning his responsibilities to his family. He resigns his job and leaves his pregnant wife Emily and children 6 year Dorothy and 15 month old son Rowley . They are forced to leave their home since the little cottage they lived in came with his schoolmaster's job
It was hard for me to think a lot of John at this time in the story. Did he have to volunteer and leave his family in dire straights? Emily gives birth to their third child. He comes home on leave and Em gets pregnant again and is left to care for four children on her own. He mistakenly thought the conflict would be over in a few months . It was not. It is when he is in training that it occurs to him "what had he let himself in for ?"
There are alternating narratives- John’s story at the front is told in the third person and , we see the toll the war is talking on him and on the young soldiers – loss of limbs , shrapnel wounds , loss of minds and loss of life . The duties of a medic are more than gut wrenching and the toll that this takes on John is heartbreaking. It is in this narrative that we read Em’s letters and can what she is going through. The other narrative is Dorothy and her story of how she missed her beloved father will break your heart.
In some ways, John’s story is reminiscent of the novel Stoner . They do what they think is the right and honorable thing at the expense of family. John , a broken man, returns to his broken family and nothing is the same.
Thanks to Troubador Publishing Ltd and NetGalley.
.
November 3, 2014
Reviewed for the Historical Novel Association Indie Reviews
Do Not Forget Me Quite spans nearly twenty years of a family’s life, starting on the eve of WWI. The main focus is on the father, John, who feels morally obliged to enlist in the medical corps as hostilities commence. His wife Emma resents this, and in part the book explores the ensuing personal and family distress that follows for the couple and their children. The most evocative section is when John is invalided home before the end of the war, and John and Emma are forced to confront the consequences of their choices. Towards the end of the book Emma fades out, and their eldest daughter replaces her as a female protagonist.
Readers should be aware that the book is, and feels, very long. The focus shifts between several family members, and intersects with the life of Ivor Gurney, a significant musician and poet of the time. I found myself wondering whether it would have been more effective for Richard to split the ideas between two or more books? The apparent coincidences bridging the different scenes were not easy to follow, and did feel very contrived.
Technically the book has been well proofread and presented, with chapter and section breaks clearly signalled with year indicators where appropriate. Cream paper rather than the white used is more relaxing for the eye, however. I wondered about occasional turns of phrase which seemed too modern, but mostly Richard uses variations of dialect to suggest the home areas in England of characters.
The book will be enjoyed by readers who like exploring the land battles of WWI from the perspective of comparatively unimportant participants who have no possibility of making significant change to the setting or the system.
Do Not Forget Me Quite spans nearly twenty years of a family’s life, starting on the eve of WWI. The main focus is on the father, John, who feels morally obliged to enlist in the medical corps as hostilities commence. His wife Emma resents this, and in part the book explores the ensuing personal and family distress that follows for the couple and their children. The most evocative section is when John is invalided home before the end of the war, and John and Emma are forced to confront the consequences of their choices. Towards the end of the book Emma fades out, and their eldest daughter replaces her as a female protagonist.
Readers should be aware that the book is, and feels, very long. The focus shifts between several family members, and intersects with the life of Ivor Gurney, a significant musician and poet of the time. I found myself wondering whether it would have been more effective for Richard to split the ideas between two or more books? The apparent coincidences bridging the different scenes were not easy to follow, and did feel very contrived.
Technically the book has been well proofread and presented, with chapter and section breaks clearly signalled with year indicators where appropriate. Cream paper rather than the white used is more relaxing for the eye, however. I wondered about occasional turns of phrase which seemed too modern, but mostly Richard uses variations of dialect to suggest the home areas in England of characters.
The book will be enjoyed by readers who like exploring the land battles of WWI from the perspective of comparatively unimportant participants who have no possibility of making significant change to the setting or the system.
July 23, 2014
I really wanted to enjoy this book as it had a strong premise. Sadly I found it utterly depressing and it did not fulfill its promise, other than being nicely written and evocative. I had no sympathy for the main character John, as his actions were entirely selfish and put his family under immense pressure.
Dorothy was charming although questioned things more than a six year old would and was wise beyond her years, A good book but just not for me, sorry.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a free preview copy.
Dorothy was charming although questioned things more than a six year old would and was wise beyond her years, A good book but just not for me, sorry.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a free preview copy.
August 1, 2015
Excellent book about the effects of World War 1 on a man and his family and what happened after the war to them. Both my partner and I really liked this book and that is unusual unless a book is really good. The war scenes give a fresh perspective for even those who have read other fiction and non-fiction about this period.
Also examines the social conventions of the time and gender roles without being "heavy".
I would really recommend.
Also examines the social conventions of the time and gender roles without being "heavy".
I would really recommend.
March 5, 2016
While this book did provide interesting glimpses into war and the effects of war, both for the soldiers and their loved ones back home, it felt really long and drawn out to me. And, sadly, I didn't really connect with any of the characters emotionally. It was an okay read. If you like war novels, you will probably like this one as well.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews