Pebbles on the Beach

by Evelyn Hood

Book by Hood, Evelyn

378 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Pen name is Louise James, Eve Houston.

Reviews

[Mookie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well. Considering I bought this at the dollarama because I couldn't bear the thought of a two hour transit ride sitting alone with my thoughts, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Very much your generic dime-store story, it kept me engaged and wanting to read more and more. It's no classic, but it's entertaining. Author could have addressed the aunt's issues with Elspeth a bit more, and frankly I was more interested in Lachlan's story than her seemingly easy success stories. She was a bit too perfect and fortunate at times. The introduction of her father felt murky and unnecessary. Some aspects felt unrealistic, such as the downfall of Thomas' wife.

I'm surprised that Elspeth and Thomas ended up together, at least I think they did. Thomas barely looked at her that way throughout the novel, then suddenly bing bam boom she's dictating their future together while he's still mourning his wife? I mean, I believe that he was into her to some degree, but it would have been nice to see more of that before she started making plans for them, and then suddenly it was The End.

I always like me a good rise-up-the-ladder story from a woman with a good head on her shoulders, and while nothing to write home about, this book fulfilled it.

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make no mistake, the cover of "Pebbles on the Beach", written by Scottish author Evelyn Hood, looks like a love story for a purely female audience, but it is not that at all. In fact, this is the first book I give five stars this year, putting it right at the top of my top ten.

It is about a Scottish family at the time, but mostly in the aftermath of the First World War. Mother Flora, father Henry, sons Thomas and Lachlan, daughters Rachel and Mattie. Flora's niece dies, so she takes care of her daughter Elspeth. Elspeth is the main character in this book and we follow her from the age of 13 to 19 years old.

The war is in full swing and Thomas and Lachlan are drafted. They travel to France and Belgium to fight. Fortunately, they both come back, but Lachlan has shell shock and both he and the rest of the McDonald family have to deal with it. Thomas starts working as a gardener and driver for a wealthy family, whose youngest daughter falls in love with him. Rachel, meanwhile, marries private Bob, and has domestic problems over the course of the book.

Mattie wants to become a teacher and goes to study in Glasgow. Because there is not enough money, Elspeth has to stay at home and go to work, even though she would like to become a teacher or work in an office, because she takes evening classes in typing and bookkeeping. But no, Flora sends her to a sewing room. Fortunately, she gets a few opportunities to show her skills and get ahead in life.

The different storylines flow seamlessly into each other. We get to see each character's disappointments and achievements. Elspeth remains the rock where everyone can find something to hold on to. It is a beautiful book, easy to read, of course with themes such as family, war, love, the gap between rich and poor, but also about emancipation, women's rights and respect. I was really pleasantly surprised by this book, the style of which reminded me of Terri Nixon's books. The only thing you have to get used to is the Scottish accent that most people speak (eg "If ye havenae won mebbe it means ye've no' tried all that hard.") Fortunately, Elspeth speaks normal English.

[Angela Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

First World War, Scotland. Elsbeth, an orphan, is told by her cousin that they are like pebbles on the beach; poor people who are not seen individually. She is determined to make her way successfully and works hard towards that goal. Her guardian is strict and resentful, against Elsbeth's efforts to better herself.

[Northern Light · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tells the story of Elspeth who is brought up by her mother's cousin after her mother dies and her father leaves. She is an independent young woman who goes against her family to succeed against all the odds.

Set against the back-drop of WWI which makes it very topical and shows how people were affected both home and overseas.


Although a likeable and enjoyable read it was rather implausable at times and hard to believe she could have achieved the things she did.

My favourite character was Lachlan the brother changed forever by the war.

The ending was also unsatisfactory and the hoped for relationship with Thomas seems wrong as although not related they were brought up together as brother and sister

[Angela Macdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

hard to put down, good to read as it was set near to where I am now living.