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The Iron Necklace
The magical wedding of Thomas, an idealistic German architect, and Irene, an English artist, brings together the Curtius and Benson families. But their peace is soon shattered by the outbreak of war in Europe. While Irene struggles to survive in a country where she is the enemy, her sister Sophia faces the war as a nurse on the Western Front.
448 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2015
8 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Giles Waterfield
22 books6 followersGiles Waterfield was an independent curator and writer, Director of Royal Collection Studies and Associate Lecturer at the Courtauld Institute of Art. He was formerly Director of Dulwich Picture Gallery. He was a trustee of the Charleston Trust and a member of the National Trust Arts Panel and the Advisory Panel of the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Giles curated exhibitions including Art Treasures of England and The Artist’s Studio. His publications include Soane and After, Palaces of Art, Art for the People, and Art Treasures of England. He delivered the Paul Mellon Lectures on regional museums in Victorian Britain in 2007 and his book The People's Galleries will be published in 2015. He published four novels.
Giles curated exhibitions including Art Treasures of England and The Artist’s Studio. His publications include Soane and After, Palaces of Art, Art for the People, and Art Treasures of England. He delivered the Paul Mellon Lectures on regional museums in Victorian Britain in 2007 and his book The People's Galleries will be published in 2015. He published four novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 9, 2015
Two and a half stars. I loved the cover of this book and thought the concept of a family with both German and English members should make for an interesting read. Irene, an English artist marries Thomas, a German architect. Both families are happy. That is until World War 1 intervenes.
This had all the ingredients of what should have been an engrossing family story filled with tension. Yet I never really felt involved with the characters. Right from the beginning I struggled to maintain interest in this novel. That I started it several times and then put it aside and diverted into reading other books instead before coming back to it and trying again, probably says it all. It never had me it itching to get back and read it. I always felt I was being told about the characters. I wasn’t actually in there feeling their experiences with them and I never felt I really got to know them at all. Part of the problem could have been that as a reader I was never allowed to settle down with any one character long enough to relate to them. I also thought it could have been cut in places. It felt too long.
It was okay but it never grabbed me and never involved me. Maybe it was a case of, after reading a couple of brilliant novels recently, this just didn’t measure up? Or maybe it was just the wrong book for this reader? It’ll be interesting to hear how others respond to it.
With thanks to The Reading Room and Allen&Unwin for my copy to read and review.
This had all the ingredients of what should have been an engrossing family story filled with tension. Yet I never really felt involved with the characters. Right from the beginning I struggled to maintain interest in this novel. That I started it several times and then put it aside and diverted into reading other books instead before coming back to it and trying again, probably says it all. It never had me it itching to get back and read it. I always felt I was being told about the characters. I wasn’t actually in there feeling their experiences with them and I never felt I really got to know them at all. Part of the problem could have been that as a reader I was never allowed to settle down with any one character long enough to relate to them. I also thought it could have been cut in places. It felt too long.
It was okay but it never grabbed me and never involved me. Maybe it was a case of, after reading a couple of brilliant novels recently, this just didn’t measure up? Or maybe it was just the wrong book for this reader? It’ll be interesting to hear how others respond to it.
With thanks to The Reading Room and Allen&Unwin for my copy to read and review.
May 27, 2015
The Iron Necklace is a sweeping family saga that takes us between England and Germany through WW1 and beyond.
It’s not a story about the war itself but about the lives of those at home, being it England or Germany, everyone suffered and life was altered forever.
The Benson and Curtius families invited me into their homes and their lives. I was privy to their inner most thoughts. I instantly liked the Benson family. Their lives weren’t busy, dramatic or extraordinary but they were interesting in their ordinariness, which made it all more believable.
The story is told in two different time frames but it is easy to adapt to the changes as the writing style changes with the different eras. It was quite daring telling a story in the past also intermingled with a story in the present reminiscing on the past. While the descendants of Irene are reminiscing small amounts of information are given out that reflect on the main story. This did not put me off, it just made me more eager to read on.
I initially thought I would drag through the 400+ pages but I wanted more, more of Sophia, her husband and her family, more of Irene.
With spies, betrayals and jaw dropping secrets, this war time family saga is not to be missed.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected proof copy to read and review.
It’s not a story about the war itself but about the lives of those at home, being it England or Germany, everyone suffered and life was altered forever.
The Benson and Curtius families invited me into their homes and their lives. I was privy to their inner most thoughts. I instantly liked the Benson family. Their lives weren’t busy, dramatic or extraordinary but they were interesting in their ordinariness, which made it all more believable.
The story is told in two different time frames but it is easy to adapt to the changes as the writing style changes with the different eras. It was quite daring telling a story in the past also intermingled with a story in the present reminiscing on the past. While the descendants of Irene are reminiscing small amounts of information are given out that reflect on the main story. This did not put me off, it just made me more eager to read on.
I initially thought I would drag through the 400+ pages but I wanted more, more of Sophia, her husband and her family, more of Irene.
With spies, betrayals and jaw dropping secrets, this war time family saga is not to be missed.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected proof copy to read and review.
March 8, 2015
I have very mixed feelings about this story which opens in 1910 at the wedding of Irene and Thomas.
I found it quite hard-going at times and struggled to read it, I didn't really care for any of the characters, except maybe Irene. I thought they were all quite secretive, I didn't know what they were thinking for most of the story and I couldn't get to know them.
Their conversations consisted mainly of the war and politics, not surprising I suppose, but it did get boring at times and I wished they would talk of other topics. Also, I don't know why the characters spoke so much in German without any English translation .... I found this very frustrating.
Though I did enjoy the storyline overall, it was interesting to see how Irene was treated during the war, living in Germany and unable to travel back to England. And I enjoyed reading the descriptions of Berlin.
But I'm afraid that I wouldn't read any more of this author's other works, they are not for me, unfortunately.
From Carole's Book Corner
I found it quite hard-going at times and struggled to read it, I didn't really care for any of the characters, except maybe Irene. I thought they were all quite secretive, I didn't know what they were thinking for most of the story and I couldn't get to know them.
Their conversations consisted mainly of the war and politics, not surprising I suppose, but it did get boring at times and I wished they would talk of other topics. Also, I don't know why the characters spoke so much in German without any English translation .... I found this very frustrating.
Though I did enjoy the storyline overall, it was interesting to see how Irene was treated during the war, living in Germany and unable to travel back to England. And I enjoyed reading the descriptions of Berlin.
But I'm afraid that I wouldn't read any more of this author's other works, they are not for me, unfortunately.
From Carole's Book Corner
February 1, 2015
The book opens gently at a wedding between an English and German family pre WW1. The scene is set like a fly on the wall commentry dropping in and out of the different groups to introduce the reader. A quick snapshot of the type of people we are to read about. After setting the scene the book continues with very short chapters on each of the three main protaginists as they navigate their lives and loves against the backdrop of a World War that sets their families on opposite sides.
This was the main problem for me. The writer has a lovely style but just as you were getting into the story of one character you were ripped away to read about another and then again and again....
If this was a short novel this may have worked but it is very long and to expect the reader to keep up with such a fragmented story and to remain interested is too much. It is a shame as Waterfield has a great deal of talent as a writer but its almost like he has a tiger by the tail and lost control. Either that or showing off his own cleverness.The plot, while not incredibly complicated , just irritated me that at the start of each short chapter you have to remember what the next character was up to two chapters ago. At one point i did seriously consider skipping chapters about the nurse to get to the ones about Irene , the artist and Mark, the diplomat. But even that is difficult as one characters story is shown through alternating letters. I am exhausted just thinking about it.
On the positive side and from a psychological viewpoint it is fascinating. The English woman in Germany when at war, family and friends who find themselves on opposite sides. Also more personal struggles are touched on.
I feel it was overly ambitious and should have been shortened and not so bitty. A shame as I really should have enjoyed it a lot more. It would have been good for a bookgroup to discuss if it wasn't so long.
This was the main problem for me. The writer has a lovely style but just as you were getting into the story of one character you were ripped away to read about another and then again and again....
If this was a short novel this may have worked but it is very long and to expect the reader to keep up with such a fragmented story and to remain interested is too much. It is a shame as Waterfield has a great deal of talent as a writer but its almost like he has a tiger by the tail and lost control. Either that or showing off his own cleverness.The plot, while not incredibly complicated , just irritated me that at the start of each short chapter you have to remember what the next character was up to two chapters ago. At one point i did seriously consider skipping chapters about the nurse to get to the ones about Irene , the artist and Mark, the diplomat. But even that is difficult as one characters story is shown through alternating letters. I am exhausted just thinking about it.
On the positive side and from a psychological viewpoint it is fascinating. The English woman in Germany when at war, family and friends who find themselves on opposite sides. Also more personal struggles are touched on.
I feel it was overly ambitious and should have been shortened and not so bitty. A shame as I really should have enjoyed it a lot more. It would have been good for a bookgroup to discuss if it wasn't so long.
February 10, 2015
I won this book through a Goodreads giftaway, and I was totally thrilled.
I found I was unable to put this book down and I read until finished.
The style of the story is interesting with differing types to show the two time periods and the letters written.
The story moves smoothly through time and I enjoyed the development of the characters, and their interactions with each other.
Any negatives - I don't speak or read German, so the use of German language was a bit of a deterrent, but not enough to cause me to loose the plot or put me off the book.
A must read.
I found I was unable to put this book down and I read until finished.
The style of the story is interesting with differing types to show the two time periods and the letters written.
The story moves smoothly through time and I enjoyed the development of the characters, and their interactions with each other.
Any negatives - I don't speak or read German, so the use of German language was a bit of a deterrent, but not enough to cause me to loose the plot or put me off the book.
A must read.
May 19, 2015
They say never judge a book by its cover!! That is the case for me with this book - awesome cover, not so awesome book!!! Wanted to like it and there were a few ok moments in the book, but not many. Didn't make any connections with the characters, didn't feel the desperation of war time either. Sorry .....
February 4, 2018
This book was such a disappointment from page one.
The short chapters were unfortunately the book's downfall, not only was there little chance to get to know a character, it put a halt to any real flow to the book.
There wasn't a single character that grabbed my attention and I felt, even by the end of the book, the reader knew very little about each character.
I kept reading hoping the story line would climax at some stage, but by the time I got to the end I was still waiting for that memorable moment.
Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend this book to any historical fiction lovers.
The short chapters were unfortunately the book's downfall, not only was there little chance to get to know a character, it put a halt to any real flow to the book.
There wasn't a single character that grabbed my attention and I felt, even by the end of the book, the reader knew very little about each character.
I kept reading hoping the story line would climax at some stage, but by the time I got to the end I was still waiting for that memorable moment.
Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend this book to any historical fiction lovers.
February 21, 2015
Drat. SO I won this in a goodreads contest but I just couldn't get into it. I really wanted to like it and it had great cover art, but I think my current binge of reading New Adult has tainted me on real books!
I'm going to pass this onto another goodread buddy for their read and review :) Sharing the love!
I'm going to pass this onto another goodread buddy for their read and review :) Sharing the love!
March 16, 2024
The read revolves around the times of WW1 with a lead up to WW2 and of the English and German families that it affected. The relationship between these two countries has been strange, as one from today may find, strained at times but due to the close ties of past royal families on each side, one that has brought the two countries together. (eg English, Queen Victoria's and Prince Albert's [also German] daughter married Prince Frederick of Prussia). This read very aptly gives a clear picture of such relationships with a young well to do English woman, Irene marrying an up and coming German architect, Thomas. Irene moves to Germany and with her German in-laws becomes fully ensconced into their lifestyle. For the main part of the war she remained in Germany but had to leave Berlin for the countryside and to a small house built on land owned by Thomas's family. With the two countries at war, Irene hidden in the German countryside fortunately, lives relatively well and the pact between her and Thomas who is often away not to talk of the war helps to hold the marriage together until much later when it is revealed she had spied on him for her brother who was in the diplomatic service, this changes Thomas and he signs up with the Nazis in the early days of WW2.
The English family have to come to terms with the changes from the war on their privileged way of life and to grieve the deaths of family members and friends while still being concerned about their daughter in Germany. Sophie, the rebel daughter, signs up for service which brings about great changes in her particularly when she sits by a dying German soldier she had adored as a friend when visiting Germany before the war.
Another element introduced is present day where a granddaughter and grandniece investigates for the purpose of a biography, the life of Irene who had become a well known artist. However, this part is not well defined.
The read rambles on far too much at times and becomes bogged down in too much trivia. The use of German unless one is well versed in the language having to use a translator becomes tedious. (I have an understanding of basic German but still used a translator).
The English family have to come to terms with the changes from the war on their privileged way of life and to grieve the deaths of family members and friends while still being concerned about their daughter in Germany. Sophie, the rebel daughter, signs up for service which brings about great changes in her particularly when she sits by a dying German soldier she had adored as a friend when visiting Germany before the war.
Another element introduced is present day where a granddaughter and grandniece investigates for the purpose of a biography, the life of Irene who had become a well known artist. However, this part is not well defined.
The read rambles on far too much at times and becomes bogged down in too much trivia. The use of German unless one is well versed in the language having to use a translator becomes tedious. (I have an understanding of basic German but still used a translator).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2015
The book opens in 1910, with the wedding of Irene Benson, an English artist and Thomas Curtius, a German architect. We are introduced to their families and siblings. Irene and Thomas go to live in Berlin, and she tries to make a life for herself in a foreign country.
In a parallel story, set in the 1960’s, Dorothea (Irene’s daughter), and Pandora (her daughter) are sorting through Irene’s papers and letters, and it is through these letters, and the narrative that the story of the various family members evolve.
The book is a series of short chapters, and letters, each focussing on a character. This approach works very well, and you quickly become involved with their lives.
With the advent of WW1, loyalties are tested, and the family members are challenged in various ways, Irene’s sister becomes a nurse, men join the British and German armies, older people struggle at home. After the war, people try to recover, and rebuild their lives.
The story is very gentle, even the horrors of the war are not overtly stated, and maybe it is more powerful for that. Even the revelation of the big family secret is low-key.
I found the book had an air of melancholy, and unfulfilled ambitions, where compromises are made in order to survive.
It ended unexpectedly, and left me wanting to know more about the characters, always a good sign!
My only complaint was the use of German at various points and French once. My German is rudimentary, so I skipped those sections, but may have missed something important. This use didn’t enhance the book in any way.
Thanks to RealReaders for my pre-publication copy.
January 29, 2015
Set in Europe before the start of the First World War, The Iron Necklace is a story of sadness, sorrow, longing and love. The book follows two families, one English and one German who come together for the marriage of Thomas and Irene, who in peace time already struggle with their new marriage, which is placed under even greater strain when the war begins and sides must be picked. The book is also peppered with the happenings from post Second World War, involving the descendants of Thomas and Irene.
Duty, honour and courage are strong themes in the book, and make the characters all the more believeable. The one thing I did struggle with was the sheer amount of German in the book, I don't speak German, I nutted most of it out, but without the English translantion I felt a bit adrift and that I was missing important converstions. The book takes one back to an earlier more genteel time but this does not make their individual struggles any less real.
This book is a great read, but it took me a while longer than normal to get through it, but I enjoyed it immensely. I would like to thank The Reading Room and Allen and Unwin for my free advanced reading copy.
Duty, honour and courage are strong themes in the book, and make the characters all the more believeable. The one thing I did struggle with was the sheer amount of German in the book, I don't speak German, I nutted most of it out, but without the English translantion I felt a bit adrift and that I was missing important converstions. The book takes one back to an earlier more genteel time but this does not make their individual struggles any less real.
This book is a great read, but it took me a while longer than normal to get through it, but I enjoyed it immensely. I would like to thank The Reading Room and Allen and Unwin for my free advanced reading copy.
February 17, 2015
A beautifully written family drama set during World War I. It begins with the wedding of a young and wealthy English woman to a German architect in 1910. The story follows them through their lives and their respective families' lives as they learn to cope with the advent of the war and its aftermath.
I really enjoyed the style of writing and how the tale is told. The chapters are all quite short, which I think kept the momentum of the story going. It was very interesting to read about the ordinary person's life on both sides of the fence in England and Germany. It's very much a character based narrative, all of whom I thought were realistic and totally believable.
This is not a fast paced novel. It's a gentle, sympathetic, intuitive and absorbing tale about people and their foibles. It's about loyalty and patriotism, but most of all it's about family. I loved it!
Many thanks to Real Readers for giving me the opportunity to read and review The Iron Necklace. I look forward to reading more by Giles Waterfield. Will there be a sequel, please?
I really enjoyed the style of writing and how the tale is told. The chapters are all quite short, which I think kept the momentum of the story going. It was very interesting to read about the ordinary person's life on both sides of the fence in England and Germany. It's very much a character based narrative, all of whom I thought were realistic and totally believable.
This is not a fast paced novel. It's a gentle, sympathetic, intuitive and absorbing tale about people and their foibles. It's about loyalty and patriotism, but most of all it's about family. I loved it!
Many thanks to Real Readers for giving me the opportunity to read and review The Iron Necklace. I look forward to reading more by Giles Waterfield. Will there be a sequel, please?
January 30, 2015
An English girl,Irene,marries a German man,Thomas and they move to Berlin. Irene is generally welcomed by her new German relations. However with the outbreak of World War 1 only a few years later,Irene finds she has divided loyalties between the country of her birth and her adopted country and her husband.The novel looks at the nature of loyalty and the different forms of love.The war affects Irene ,Thomas and their families as they struggle to find their place in the new post war world.
I enjoyed the description of wartime Germany.It is an entertaining novel with credible characters.I would liked to have known more about Julian, Irene's first love
I enjoyed the description of wartime Germany.It is an entertaining novel with credible characters.I would liked to have known more about Julian, Irene's first love
December 18, 2014
A genteel novel. Very English. Full of sadness but a beautiful read.
June 25, 2019
Note - this is not a Kindle edition - it is the hardback book.
I liked the story as it was an unusual setting of a german marrying an english lady just before the first world war. You could tell a lot of work had gone into research to really try to create an authentic background, Where it was weak though was the plot had too many minor characters that were not fully developed. The beginning of the book was very confusing as all these characters were thrown together without much history or guidance to the reader. In one aspect the book could perhaps have been twice its length to really develop into a full fledged family saga. Yet on the other hand the book seemed overly long. So a reasonable read, but not a great novel.
I liked the story as it was an unusual setting of a german marrying an english lady just before the first world war. You could tell a lot of work had gone into research to really try to create an authentic background, Where it was weak though was the plot had too many minor characters that were not fully developed. The beginning of the book was very confusing as all these characters were thrown together without much history or guidance to the reader. In one aspect the book could perhaps have been twice its length to really develop into a full fledged family saga. Yet on the other hand the book seemed overly long. So a reasonable read, but not a great novel.
March 9, 2018
An interesting but not compelling story set from pre WW1 until the start of the rise of Nazi Germany. An artistic English girl marries a straightlaced German man which obviously leads to conflicts. I didn’t really get the significance of the iron necklace which was brought up in the story a couple of times. There is a problem with historical fiction in that you know what is going to happen. An English -German marriage in 2010 is obviously going to run into problems, their Jewish friends are going to run into problems. The level of suspense when you can’t make everything up is difficult to maintain.
August 27, 2025
Oh dear, what have I just read? 433 pages and I'm still not sure. I didn't get to know any of the characters (apart from Irene maybe). Sometimes I wasn't even sure who was talking or what the conversation was relating to. Some important parts were all in German so I had no idea what was going on as there was no English translation. I didn't mind the short chapters, or the letters - it enabled me to flick through the pages quicker in my attempt to finish the book! Maybe I should steer clear of male authors? Not for me I'm afraid.
January 17, 2024
It wasn't great but it wasn't bad either. I often enjoy war style books but the constant changing of character point of views just didn't work well in this book. I found that none of the characters stood out. Overall the book was decent but not likely to read again.
April 29, 2018
Good story but I didn't read the grandaughter's sections.The ending was a bit disappointing too.
June 3, 2018
I just LOVED this book, such great characters, their pictures painted so well by the author, and at such an interesting time too. I was sorry to put it down!
May 19, 2020
I found it very hard to get into to start... but wasnt a bad read in the end
March 30, 2022
I love this book.
April 23, 2015
Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, the Benson family from England and the Curtius family from Germany come together to celebrate the wedding of Irene Benson, an artist and Thomas Curtius, an architect. The couple’s happy union is soon overshadowed by the looming threat of war between their two counties, England and Germany. It is Irene that feels the pressure the most, living in her new adopted home of Berlin, she is soon viewed as an enemy in the eyes of the German people. The Iron Necklace is the story of the Benson and Curtius families during a time of great change in Europe. It explores their relationships, loyalties, courage and strength under the backdrop of World War I.
The Iron Necklace is a sweeping tale that contrasts two families, from two countries that were enemies during the Great War. I admire Waterfield for taking on this subject, it is an ambitious and but highly interesting perspective to write about. I found Irene, the English artist’s point of view highly absorbing. Her experiences of being an English wife to a German man in Berlin was a fascinating account of the political and social attitudes of the time. It is these historical details that Waterfield makes which highlights his strength as a historical fiction writer. The Benson family in general make for interesting reading. Irene’s brother Mark is a diplomat and his struggles to deal with his sexuality at a time of zero acceptance was compelling. Irene’s sister Sophia is by far the shining star of the book. At times I felt I could easily read just about Sophia. Observing Sophia come of age into an independent young nurse on the Western front was my favourite part of the novel. It is a shame that this character was not explored in depth by Waterfield, there are also some loose ends regarding her character and a contemporary thread in the novel. Perhaps as this is a family saga, I did question if Waterfield had a sequel in the works. While this book had moments where I was enthralled unfortunately there were periods where the book would lapse. This is mostly due to the structure of the novel. The length of the book did not bother so much but rather the use of short chapters which jumped from time period to character. The book as a whole lack a sense of cohesion, which also resulted in the reader feeling unable to completely connect with any one character. I do applaud Waterfield for taking on a great idea, I personally have not read a book about the First World War that examines the perspective of an English native living in Germany, essentially enemy territory. A challenging but timely book that reminds us of the scale of the First World War, as the centenary of the Great War is celebrated across the world.
*Thank you to The Reading Room and Allen & Unwin for providing a copy of this book for review.
The Iron Necklace is a sweeping tale that contrasts two families, from two countries that were enemies during the Great War. I admire Waterfield for taking on this subject, it is an ambitious and but highly interesting perspective to write about. I found Irene, the English artist’s point of view highly absorbing. Her experiences of being an English wife to a German man in Berlin was a fascinating account of the political and social attitudes of the time. It is these historical details that Waterfield makes which highlights his strength as a historical fiction writer. The Benson family in general make for interesting reading. Irene’s brother Mark is a diplomat and his struggles to deal with his sexuality at a time of zero acceptance was compelling. Irene’s sister Sophia is by far the shining star of the book. At times I felt I could easily read just about Sophia. Observing Sophia come of age into an independent young nurse on the Western front was my favourite part of the novel. It is a shame that this character was not explored in depth by Waterfield, there are also some loose ends regarding her character and a contemporary thread in the novel. Perhaps as this is a family saga, I did question if Waterfield had a sequel in the works. While this book had moments where I was enthralled unfortunately there were periods where the book would lapse. This is mostly due to the structure of the novel. The length of the book did not bother so much but rather the use of short chapters which jumped from time period to character. The book as a whole lack a sense of cohesion, which also resulted in the reader feeling unable to completely connect with any one character. I do applaud Waterfield for taking on a great idea, I personally have not read a book about the First World War that examines the perspective of an English native living in Germany, essentially enemy territory. A challenging but timely book that reminds us of the scale of the First World War, as the centenary of the Great War is celebrated across the world.
*Thank you to The Reading Room and Allen & Unwin for providing a copy of this book for review.
March 26, 2015
What a wonderful story, so skilfully told by Giles Waterfield, an author with whom I’m not familiar, but who I will be seeking out in future. I was grateful to be sent a proof copy by Realreaders.. From the first atmospheric chapter describing the smart London wedding of 1910 which joined together two families, one English and one German, one is immersed in the atmosphere and spirit of the time and of upper middle class life.. This book is so appropriate as we remember the outbreak of the First World War. This war is shown from a completely different perspective. It’s an unusual look at it’s effects on a privileged, wealthy class of people from both sides of the conflict.
Irene Benson, a young English artist marries Thomas Cutius, a German architect and they set up home in Berlin. We get to know the characters in both families. The story shifts between London and Berlin, and includes other minor locations as well. From time to time we visit the near present day as Irene’s daughter Dorothy and her daughter Pandora go through Irene’s photographs and letters. We see the story as it happens and in retrospective. This device enables the reader to enjoy the tale as it unfolds, and it allows the characters real feelings and emotions behind the events already told to be revealed.
There is a problem for Irene and Thomas, almost from the outset of the marriage. He sees her as a traditional stay at home German wife, there to enhance his image and welfare in a pre war mould. She is determined to carry on her creative life through her painting. Early on she wonders how she could use the room her husband has set aside as his study as a studio. She is unintentionally looking forward to a post war image of her role. But constantly Irene feels the need to do her duty. People of her class at that time had been educated to do their duty to their country and the British Empire. Where did her duty lie? To the country where she had grown up or to the country that she had married into? The strain is to cause problems as time goes by, and combined with the effects of the war, their lives take paths that hey did not envisage at the outset of their marriage.
Giles Waterfield has a great skill with words. He can describe the grand occasion so well that his reader is transported there with an economy of language. The wedding, the court ball, even the Sunday lunch with the German in Laws. A big book with short chapters, it is an easy and compelling read. There is much here for a book club to discuss, especially at this centenary of the First World War.. I shall definitely be looking for the three previous novels by this author.
Irene Benson, a young English artist marries Thomas Cutius, a German architect and they set up home in Berlin. We get to know the characters in both families. The story shifts between London and Berlin, and includes other minor locations as well. From time to time we visit the near present day as Irene’s daughter Dorothy and her daughter Pandora go through Irene’s photographs and letters. We see the story as it happens and in retrospective. This device enables the reader to enjoy the tale as it unfolds, and it allows the characters real feelings and emotions behind the events already told to be revealed.
There is a problem for Irene and Thomas, almost from the outset of the marriage. He sees her as a traditional stay at home German wife, there to enhance his image and welfare in a pre war mould. She is determined to carry on her creative life through her painting. Early on she wonders how she could use the room her husband has set aside as his study as a studio. She is unintentionally looking forward to a post war image of her role. But constantly Irene feels the need to do her duty. People of her class at that time had been educated to do their duty to their country and the British Empire. Where did her duty lie? To the country where she had grown up or to the country that she had married into? The strain is to cause problems as time goes by, and combined with the effects of the war, their lives take paths that hey did not envisage at the outset of their marriage.
Giles Waterfield has a great skill with words. He can describe the grand occasion so well that his reader is transported there with an economy of language. The wedding, the court ball, even the Sunday lunch with the German in Laws. A big book with short chapters, it is an easy and compelling read. There is much here for a book club to discuss, especially at this centenary of the First World War.. I shall definitely be looking for the three previous novels by this author.
March 25, 2015
Giles Waterfield knows a lot about history. This is particularly evident in the independent curator and writer’s fourth novel and historic fiction book, The Iron Necklace. The author of The Long Afternoon has had some excellent ideas while developing this novel but the finished product is let-down by his method of execution as the chapters (while short) are slow, nuanced and occasionally boring.
The story is about a British family and a German family who are brought together by a marriage. After the First World War is declared this sends members of the two clans into a kind of disarray (like the rest of the world). English artist, Irene Benson is forced to grapple with being an enemy in her newly adopted home of Berlin while her brother Mark is a diplomat who is struggling to come to terms with his own sexuality.
Waterfield frequently switches between characters and periods with lots of short chapters but this often makes things rather confusing. A lot of the characters (especially the ancestors in the modern day) are not fully explained or realised. This then makes it hard for the reader to become engaged in the story or to genuinely warm to the storytellers.
Irene’s sister, Sophia is perhaps the most interesting individual but her narrative plays second fiddle to Irene and her husband, Thomas’ one. This is a shame because Sophia is an intriguing, independent woman who is working hard as a nurse on the Western front. Her relationship with her suitor and her parents is one of many to be tested in the chaos that is World War I.
The biggest problem with The Iron Necklace is the frequent use of German dialogue for the characters from this country. This shouldn’t be a problem except that absolutely no English translation is offered. So it’s then left up to the reader to either find their own translation (which means that we may not get the author’s true intentions) or we skip entire paragraphs (which could take important elements out of the story).
The Iron Necklace is a great idea that was letdown by too many characters, points in time and chapters. It means that this book is drowning in detail and fails to be the entertaining family drama or insightful historic narrative it could have been. In short, this is one for people who are fans of World War I and who don’t mind a novel that is presented in a challenging way.
The story is about a British family and a German family who are brought together by a marriage. After the First World War is declared this sends members of the two clans into a kind of disarray (like the rest of the world). English artist, Irene Benson is forced to grapple with being an enemy in her newly adopted home of Berlin while her brother Mark is a diplomat who is struggling to come to terms with his own sexuality.
Waterfield frequently switches between characters and periods with lots of short chapters but this often makes things rather confusing. A lot of the characters (especially the ancestors in the modern day) are not fully explained or realised. This then makes it hard for the reader to become engaged in the story or to genuinely warm to the storytellers.
Irene’s sister, Sophia is perhaps the most interesting individual but her narrative plays second fiddle to Irene and her husband, Thomas’ one. This is a shame because Sophia is an intriguing, independent woman who is working hard as a nurse on the Western front. Her relationship with her suitor and her parents is one of many to be tested in the chaos that is World War I.
The biggest problem with The Iron Necklace is the frequent use of German dialogue for the characters from this country. This shouldn’t be a problem except that absolutely no English translation is offered. So it’s then left up to the reader to either find their own translation (which means that we may not get the author’s true intentions) or we skip entire paragraphs (which could take important elements out of the story).
The Iron Necklace is a great idea that was letdown by too many characters, points in time and chapters. It means that this book is drowning in detail and fails to be the entertaining family drama or insightful historic narrative it could have been. In short, this is one for people who are fans of World War I and who don’t mind a novel that is presented in a challenging way.
January 26, 2015
The Iron Necklace – Giles Waterfield
This was one of those rare novels where you were swiftly sucked into the narrative almost from the very first word. I’ve often wondered what the conditions are for this to happen as some novels take several pages, even chapters. to truly ‘get into’ it. It isn’t down to any particular writer or style I don’t think, it just seems to be ‘one of those things’. A fusion between the psyche of writer and reader for that particular piece of work, if you will. I love it when it happens and of course it bodes well for the entire story.
I so enjoyed this book. The writer is a known art expert so it was no surprise that art was almost an extra character within the story without being overly dominant.
The First World War is very much in peoples’ minds from last year’s centenary and it’s almost a brave move to publish a book after that event so to speak. But what is interesting to me here is to question whether the events of this fiction are directly as a result of a war between two nations or the actual personalities and makeup of the people involved. I guess you could argue that there’s a bit of both and therein lies the strength of this novel. It is more than just a WWI story; it’d more than just a family saga. If Thomas and Irene had both been British would their ultimate situation have been the same and vice versa, if they were both German. One can only conjecture.
It’s a beautifully paced novel with a flowing narrative and the writer entrusts his readers with enough savvy to learn about his characters before the characters themselves do! I think particularly of Mark Benson, here.
If I have any beef with the book it is the decision to change fonts when the time scale changed. Because there it felt that the readers; integrity was underestimated. It was as if the writer had assumed that his poor reader could not possible figure out for themselves that we had a different time scale and a different generation commenting. But it’s a small beef and possibly can be entered into the category of nit picking. And really, this book doesn’t deserve it. I really, really enjoyed it.
This was one of those rare novels where you were swiftly sucked into the narrative almost from the very first word. I’ve often wondered what the conditions are for this to happen as some novels take several pages, even chapters. to truly ‘get into’ it. It isn’t down to any particular writer or style I don’t think, it just seems to be ‘one of those things’. A fusion between the psyche of writer and reader for that particular piece of work, if you will. I love it when it happens and of course it bodes well for the entire story.
I so enjoyed this book. The writer is a known art expert so it was no surprise that art was almost an extra character within the story without being overly dominant.
The First World War is very much in peoples’ minds from last year’s centenary and it’s almost a brave move to publish a book after that event so to speak. But what is interesting to me here is to question whether the events of this fiction are directly as a result of a war between two nations or the actual personalities and makeup of the people involved. I guess you could argue that there’s a bit of both and therein lies the strength of this novel. It is more than just a WWI story; it’d more than just a family saga. If Thomas and Irene had both been British would their ultimate situation have been the same and vice versa, if they were both German. One can only conjecture.
It’s a beautifully paced novel with a flowing narrative and the writer entrusts his readers with enough savvy to learn about his characters before the characters themselves do! I think particularly of Mark Benson, here.
If I have any beef with the book it is the decision to change fonts when the time scale changed. Because there it felt that the readers; integrity was underestimated. It was as if the writer had assumed that his poor reader could not possible figure out for themselves that we had a different time scale and a different generation commenting. But it’s a small beef and possibly can be entered into the category of nit picking. And really, this book doesn’t deserve it. I really, really enjoyed it.
May 7, 2016
How difficult it must be to have to choose an allegiance between your country of birth and that of your spouse. In "The Iron Necklace", by author Giles Waterfield, Irene Benson, a young British woman, marries Thomas Curtius, a German, and goes to live in Berlin. The year is 1910 and war clouds have been gathering for years. Irene, an artist, comes from a largish family; her father is a judge and her mother is a social climber. Thomas comes from the same milieu and the families get along at the wedding in London. When Irene goes to Berlin, she is warmly received by her in-laws, particularly her mother-in-law, who presents Irene with an iron necklace as a token of her esteem. However, as the years pass, Irene realises that she is caught between two warring worlds, and the lives of members on both sides of the family are fiercely effected by forces of history.
The story is told in several voices. Irene's daughter, Dorothea, and her daughter, Pandora, begin the book by looking over Irene's letters and paintings. Pandora wants to write a biography of her by-then famous artist grandmother, but Dorothea is cautious. She is the product of the rocky marriage of Irene and Thomas and has spent her life going between her mother's England and her father's Germany. But she knows most of the "players" in both families and gives her own daughter the inside story on how the two families survived those years.
"The Iron Necklace" is not "War and Peace", and author Giles Waterfield is not Leo Tolstoy. But then, who is? Waterfield juggles quite nicely the many characters - though I'm not exactly sure who Henry was - and mostly gives them their own "stories". His descriptions of war-time WW1 - both at home and on the battlefield - and the 1920's and the rise of Hitler is excellent. "Iron Necklace" is an interesting look at families with dual allegiances.
The story is told in several voices. Irene's daughter, Dorothea, and her daughter, Pandora, begin the book by looking over Irene's letters and paintings. Pandora wants to write a biography of her by-then famous artist grandmother, but Dorothea is cautious. She is the product of the rocky marriage of Irene and Thomas and has spent her life going between her mother's England and her father's Germany. But she knows most of the "players" in both families and gives her own daughter the inside story on how the two families survived those years.
"The Iron Necklace" is not "War and Peace", and author Giles Waterfield is not Leo Tolstoy. But then, who is? Waterfield juggles quite nicely the many characters - though I'm not exactly sure who Henry was - and mostly gives them their own "stories". His descriptions of war-time WW1 - both at home and on the battlefield - and the 1920's and the rise of Hitler is excellent. "Iron Necklace" is an interesting look at families with dual allegiances.
March 8, 2016
The book covers the period between 1910 and 1933 and tells the story of a German and English family united by a marriage between the respective son Thomas a German architect and the daughter Irene an artist from England. The story goes on to describe the outbreak of the First World War and its effect on the relationship between the couple and their parents. The war and its aftermath make them question their duties and leave them wondering where their loyalties should lie. It also tells the story of Sophia, Irene’s sister who becomes a nurse on the western front and is confronted with the casualties of war while Mark her brother works for the diplomatic services and at the same time struggles with his sexuality
The book describes an interesting period in history. It was fascinating to read about the war from a German perspective as this is not very common. It gives you a good insight into what it would have been like for an English woman to live in Germany during that time.
My only issue with the book was that it was more of a historical document than a novel. The characters were not really described in great details which made it difficult to empathise with them. The book is divided into lots of short chapters alternating between characters which made it more difficult to be captivated and to get involved with the characters.
Overall this is an interesting story from a historical perspective. If you enjoy historical fiction and like to get more of an insight into life during and after the First World War from a German perspective than this book is for you.
The book describes an interesting period in history. It was fascinating to read about the war from a German perspective as this is not very common. It gives you a good insight into what it would have been like for an English woman to live in Germany during that time.
My only issue with the book was that it was more of a historical document than a novel. The characters were not really described in great details which made it difficult to empathise with them. The book is divided into lots of short chapters alternating between characters which made it more difficult to be captivated and to get involved with the characters.
Overall this is an interesting story from a historical perspective. If you enjoy historical fiction and like to get more of an insight into life during and after the First World War from a German perspective than this book is for you.
March 7, 2015
Having read the first page I knew I was going to enjoy this book. By the end of the first chapter I was hooked.
The premise of a German family and an English family being joined by marriage was inspired, especially as the time span covers the two world wars (more particularly centres around the first world war).
The opening chapter is the wedding between the English bride and the German groom - the protagonists. We are fortunate to meet their parents, siblings and other family members.
This is a character driven novel where the characters are believably human with their various foibles and nuances - we understand their motivations, fears and prejudices.
Through the author's talent we feel the awfulness of war, the death and suffering, the privations, the destruction and above all the futility of war.
The Iron Necklace is a 1000 page novel packed into 430 pages. This is due to the skill of Giles Waterfield who has managed to cover so many themes in such a wonderful all encompassing story - the short chapters work extremely well as does the inclusion of many letters exchanged by the characters.
I would highly recommend this book.
All I can say to Giles Waterfield is BRAVO!!!!!!!!
The premise of a German family and an English family being joined by marriage was inspired, especially as the time span covers the two world wars (more particularly centres around the first world war).
The opening chapter is the wedding between the English bride and the German groom - the protagonists. We are fortunate to meet their parents, siblings and other family members.
This is a character driven novel where the characters are believably human with their various foibles and nuances - we understand their motivations, fears and prejudices.
Through the author's talent we feel the awfulness of war, the death and suffering, the privations, the destruction and above all the futility of war.
The Iron Necklace is a 1000 page novel packed into 430 pages. This is due to the skill of Giles Waterfield who has managed to cover so many themes in such a wonderful all encompassing story - the short chapters work extremely well as does the inclusion of many letters exchanged by the characters.
I would highly recommend this book.
All I can say to Giles Waterfield is BRAVO!!!!!!!!
February 18, 2015
The Iron Necklace set in England and Germany starting before the First World War and ending in present day. The main characters are Irene, Mark and Sophia Benson. It starts with the marriage of Irene to German Thomas Curtius and follows their lives in Germany. When WW1 starts Irene has to choose between leaving her husband in Germany and returning to her parents in London. She chooses to stay. Meanwhile her brother has joined the Diplomatic Corps and her young sister Sophia becomes a nurse in France. We follow their lives which intermingle with the action set in Germany and England. We follow the ups and downs of life for them during both Wars.
The only character I liked was Sophia, I found the others wooden and I really felt nothing for them. I wanted to finish the book after the 2nd chapter but carried on and it did go on and on. Having read Ken Follet's Century Trilogy which also covered the same periods but for me was a better read. I had not heard of Giles Waterfield before this book but I wouldn't bother reading another by this author. A final point I know a lot of the characters are german but do we have to see whole sentences written in German.
The only character I liked was Sophia, I found the others wooden and I really felt nothing for them. I wanted to finish the book after the 2nd chapter but carried on and it did go on and on. Having read Ken Follet's Century Trilogy which also covered the same periods but for me was a better read. I had not heard of Giles Waterfield before this book but I wouldn't bother reading another by this author. A final point I know a lot of the characters are german but do we have to see whole sentences written in German.
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