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The Farmer's Daughter
June, 1944. Since her father's stroke, Jean has been trying to run her parents' small farm almost single-handedly and is in desperate need of help. Karl, a German prisoner of war captured when the Allies invade France in 1944, turns out to be just what she needs. He is polite, hardworking and homesick, but is he more than that?
Fraternisation between the prisoners and the local population is forbidden, but as the weeks and months pass, Jean and Karl become closer – much to the dismay of Jean’s family and Karl’s compatriots. Can their love have a future when it seems every hand is against them?
Fraternisation between the prisoners and the local population is forbidden, but as the weeks and months pass, Jean and Karl become closer – much to the dismay of Jean’s family and Karl’s compatriots. Can their love have a future when it seems every hand is against them?
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2016
5 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Mary Nichols
176 books44 followersBorn in Singapore to a Dutch-South African father and an English mother, Mary Nichols came to England when she was three and considers herself totally English. Her father, like many people who learn English as a second language, would have no sloppiness, either spoken or written, and Mary puts her love of the language down to him. He was also a great reader and there were always books in the house so that Mary learned to read at a very early age. She read anything that came to hand, whether it was suitable or not! By the time she was nine or ten, her one ambition was to be a writer.
Her first novel, handwritten in several school exercise books, was completed when she was fifteen. Not having any idea of how to go about finding a publisher, she wrapped it up and sent it to the editor of the woman's monthly magazine to which her mother subscribed. It says a great deal for that editor that she took the trouble to read it and sent Mary a long and very encouraging letter, which put her ambition into overdrive.
Finishing her education and finding a job took over in the next few years, followed by an early marriage and a family. When her children were all at school she joined her local writers' circle. Publication of articles and stories in a variety of periodicals and magazines followed, but the ambition to be a novelist never wavered and throughout the time she was writing and selling short pieces she was working on her novels.
Mary joined the Romantic Novelists Association in the 1960s. Her first novel was a contemporary one published by Robert Hale in 1981 and that was followed by nine more. Mary sent her first historical romance to Mills and Boon in 1985 and was delighted when a telephone call three weeks later told her it had been accepted. Since then she has been a regular writer for the historical series. Among these is a miniseries about a group of gentleman in the mid-eighteenth century who form a club to track down criminals, a sort of private detective agency, which naturally leads each of them into romance.
She is also the author of family sagas, published by Allison and Busby. She has also written a biography of her grandmother, entitled The Mother of Necton, who was the midwife and nurse in the village of Necton in Norfolk from 1910 until the advent of the National Health Service in 1948.
Apart from when her children were small, Mary always had a 'day job', being a school secretary, an editor of a house journal and an information manager for a database of open learning courses. Now writing full time, Mary spends part of every day at her computer producing her novels and divides the rest of the time between reading and research and gardening. Occasionally she gives talks about her writing to groups and societies. “Writing for me is an addiction,” Mary says. “I am not happy if I haven't got a book on the go and if my readers enjoy what I have written, then that is an added bonus.”
Her first novel, handwritten in several school exercise books, was completed when she was fifteen. Not having any idea of how to go about finding a publisher, she wrapped it up and sent it to the editor of the woman's monthly magazine to which her mother subscribed. It says a great deal for that editor that she took the trouble to read it and sent Mary a long and very encouraging letter, which put her ambition into overdrive.
Finishing her education and finding a job took over in the next few years, followed by an early marriage and a family. When her children were all at school she joined her local writers' circle. Publication of articles and stories in a variety of periodicals and magazines followed, but the ambition to be a novelist never wavered and throughout the time she was writing and selling short pieces she was working on her novels.
Mary joined the Romantic Novelists Association in the 1960s. Her first novel was a contemporary one published by Robert Hale in 1981 and that was followed by nine more. Mary sent her first historical romance to Mills and Boon in 1985 and was delighted when a telephone call three weeks later told her it had been accepted. Since then she has been a regular writer for the historical series. Among these is a miniseries about a group of gentleman in the mid-eighteenth century who form a club to track down criminals, a sort of private detective agency, which naturally leads each of them into romance.
She is also the author of family sagas, published by Allison and Busby. She has also written a biography of her grandmother, entitled The Mother of Necton, who was the midwife and nurse in the village of Necton in Norfolk from 1910 until the advent of the National Health Service in 1948.
Apart from when her children were small, Mary always had a 'day job', being a school secretary, an editor of a house journal and an information manager for a database of open learning courses. Now writing full time, Mary spends part of every day at her computer producing her novels and divides the rest of the time between reading and research and gardening. Occasionally she gives talks about her writing to groups and societies. “Writing for me is an addiction,” Mary says. “I am not happy if I haven't got a book on the go and if my readers enjoy what I have written, then that is an added bonus.”
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 3, 2017
Three and a half stars
The novel starts in June 1944. World War 2 is in progress and has been going on longer than anyone anticipated. Things are looking grim with so many men away, rationing and, for Jean, trying to keep the farm going. A lot falls to her since her brother is away at war and her father has had a stroke. Nearby are a number of German prisoners of war in a camp. Some, who are classified as not too much of a threat, are allowed out to work on the farms under supervision. One man, named Karl comes to Jean’s family’s farm. He is a hard worker and a great help. But not everyone is happy with the situation. That includes Jean’s father and also her boyfriend Bill. Others in town have similar feelings. But Jean cannot fault Karl as a worker. As they learn more about each other she comes to think of him as more than just a worker.
This is an enjoyable story that evoked the hardships and attitudes of the times. However I never fully engaged emotionally with the characters. In my case, perhaps this novel suffered from being read too close to another story about relationship in and after World War 2. In that one the characters seemed more complex and the story held more nuances and layers. Although this story had a good plot, the characters stuck me as rather one dimensional. Often reading can be influenced by the books we have read around it. So as I say, it could be just a case of bad timing on my parting influencing my reaction. So, best idea is read it yourself and make up your own mind. If you like historical novels set around war time you may well enjoy it even more than I did.
The novel starts in June 1944. World War 2 is in progress and has been going on longer than anyone anticipated. Things are looking grim with so many men away, rationing and, for Jean, trying to keep the farm going. A lot falls to her since her brother is away at war and her father has had a stroke. Nearby are a number of German prisoners of war in a camp. Some, who are classified as not too much of a threat, are allowed out to work on the farms under supervision. One man, named Karl comes to Jean’s family’s farm. He is a hard worker and a great help. But not everyone is happy with the situation. That includes Jean’s father and also her boyfriend Bill. Others in town have similar feelings. But Jean cannot fault Karl as a worker. As they learn more about each other she comes to think of him as more than just a worker.
This is an enjoyable story that evoked the hardships and attitudes of the times. However I never fully engaged emotionally with the characters. In my case, perhaps this novel suffered from being read too close to another story about relationship in and after World War 2. In that one the characters seemed more complex and the story held more nuances and layers. Although this story had a good plot, the characters stuck me as rather one dimensional. Often reading can be influenced by the books we have read around it. So as I say, it could be just a case of bad timing on my parting influencing my reaction. So, best idea is read it yourself and make up your own mind. If you like historical novels set around war time you may well enjoy it even more than I did.
August 1, 2018
My first book of Mary Nichols. An easy read but quite long. A story of an English woman and a German POW. Set during WWII in an English village. The country scenes are just beautiful.
Another historical novel that I love.
Another historical novel that I love.
August 30, 2017
I Loved This Book & Couldn't Put It Down. I've Really Fallen In Love With Historical Fiction Lately, Mainly WWI & WWII And This Was A Side I Haven't Read About Previously. Characters That I Connected And Empathised With. This One Will Stay With Me For A Long Time
November 29, 2019
I was torn about whether to give this three or four stars, but while it was pleasant to read, I felt like the mood of the writing and the pacing let it down.
Karl, a German POW, comes to work at Jean's family's farm. They fall in love. They have to work out how to be together - and if it's worth it - after the war.
The setting is well described and, both at the home farm and in Germany, I could feel the atmosphere. The characters are also great, although many of the background characters (other prisoners, Rosie, Bill, Elizabeth) were flat.
The mood of the writing was strangely emotionless. It seemed like Nichols was trying to write in a matter-of-fact way, almost as if reporting a historical narrative, rather than creating the fiction. Characters expressed emotions, but their inner lives and the description of them send strangely dry. Jean and Karl's falling in love was almost abrupt, and while we were told of his struggles in deciding to leave home, the mood of the writing didn't seem to match.
The other issue I had was the pacing. We spent quite a long time with Gordon, in the middle, but he was a secondary character before and after in the attention that was paid. Karl's journey home, which should have been dramatic and would have made a fantastic background to inner turmoil, was briefly described. A whole year after the peace seemed to disappear in a matter of pages, as if the writer made it through three quarters of the book and then had to rush to finish. At points I was sure the characters would not be reunited because there couldn't possibly be space to do it.
Karl, a German POW, comes to work at Jean's family's farm. They fall in love. They have to work out how to be together - and if it's worth it - after the war.
The setting is well described and, both at the home farm and in Germany, I could feel the atmosphere. The characters are also great, although many of the background characters (other prisoners, Rosie, Bill, Elizabeth) were flat.
The mood of the writing was strangely emotionless. It seemed like Nichols was trying to write in a matter-of-fact way, almost as if reporting a historical narrative, rather than creating the fiction. Characters expressed emotions, but their inner lives and the description of them send strangely dry. Jean and Karl's falling in love was almost abrupt, and while we were told of his struggles in deciding to leave home, the mood of the writing didn't seem to match.
The other issue I had was the pacing. We spent quite a long time with Gordon, in the middle, but he was a secondary character before and after in the attention that was paid. Karl's journey home, which should have been dramatic and would have made a fantastic background to inner turmoil, was briefly described. A whole year after the peace seemed to disappear in a matter of pages, as if the writer made it through three quarters of the book and then had to rush to finish. At points I was sure the characters would not be reunited because there couldn't possibly be space to do it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2019
This is a difficult review to write as I really enjoyed the story but felt wanting at the end. Whilst I understood Jean’s character, Karl was more difficult to get a handle on. As for the local boyfriend, he was a bit wooden to be honest.
That said, the reality was there. The nasty behaviour and attitudes of neighbours and her brother; the desperation of some of the POWs and the brutal dedication of others; the use of women in wartime but their disregard when men returned; all this and more coalesce into an excellent novel (despite the deficiencies). Recommended to read.
That said, the reality was there. The nasty behaviour and attitudes of neighbours and her brother; the desperation of some of the POWs and the brutal dedication of others; the use of women in wartime but their disregard when men returned; all this and more coalesce into an excellent novel (despite the deficiencies). Recommended to read.
October 1, 2024
Very well-researched, realistic historical fiction, focusing on German POWs held in England during World War II, and the many impacts on the local population and the POWs themselves. Jean Coleman is trying to run her father's farm in the place of her brother, Gordon, a POW in Germany. We see the desolate realities of war-time life through Jean's eyes, and through the eyes of of German POW Karl Muller who is assigned as a farm worker to Jean, and through Gordon's eyes as well.
Nichols captures the grim realities well, as well as the often paternalistic/misogynistic attitudes of the times.
Nichols captures the grim realities well, as well as the often paternalistic/misogynistic attitudes of the times.
June 22, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed this one. It was an easy read and was a rather heartwarming story. I dropped it to 3 stars because I felt the ending was a little rushed in comparison to the rest of the novel which felt rather drawn out in parts. In addition, some of the characters fell a little flat and had abrupt character changes rather than steady character development.
Still an enjoyable read!
I enjoyed this one. It was an easy read and was a rather heartwarming story. I dropped it to 3 stars because I felt the ending was a little rushed in comparison to the rest of the novel which felt rather drawn out in parts. In addition, some of the characters fell a little flat and had abrupt character changes rather than steady character development.
Still an enjoyable read!
January 22, 2020
I liked this book and couldn’t put it down. It was gripping.
Although 3/4 of the way through it goes a bit flat and you keep reading because you have got so far and want to find out what happens at the end.
I wish it went on longer though.
Easy read.
I liked it.
Although 3/4 of the way through it goes a bit flat and you keep reading because you have got so far and want to find out what happens at the end.
I wish it went on longer though.
Easy read.
I liked it.
July 21, 2017
Dreadful
December 7, 2017
really lovely book, easy read and enjoyable. definitely recommend it
February 1, 2021
The last few chapters felt rushed, but such a good story.
March 10, 2016
First I have to say I'm a big fan of Mary Nichols books and think I have nearly all of them now.
I really enjoyed this book. One of my favourite eras is WW2.
This is about an English girl and a German POW who fall in love and the trials they go through.
Karl comes to work on the farm Jean is running herself while her brother Gordon is a German POW. They fall in love quite quickly even though it is unacknowledged for some time. Her parents live at the farm but her father is an invalid. Everything is going to plan. Karl is happy working there. Jean works hard and they are surviving. Jean has a 'sort of' boyfriend, Bill, who she's known all her life. Of course this causes problems.
At this stage the village accept the Germans who work on the local farms. But then the Germans plan an escape and Karl warns Jean. Things go badly wrong and Karl gets beaten up, badly, by his fellow prisoners.
When the war ends, Gordon comes home, minus a leg and proceeds to take it out on all and sundry.
It then continues with Gordon treating Karl badly. He eventually sorts himself out.
Karl goes back to Germany to find his family and Jean hopes he will come back to her.
This was a great read. I finished it in just over a day. I had to grit my teeth at times, reading about the way women were treated. Jean had been running the farm successfully for all the war, yet as soon as Gordon came back everything had to be run by him first, even though he was less than useless at the time and had no interest. As soon as he was back he was trying to marry Jean off to Bill even though she didn't want it. The male chauvinism of the time was incredible. And it's hard to take. But Jean was a strong character and wasn't being pushed into anything.
It's a well researched novel with insights into amputations and false limbs very well written about. If you're interested in this period of history, especially the home front at this time you'll love it.
I really enjoyed this book. One of my favourite eras is WW2.
This is about an English girl and a German POW who fall in love and the trials they go through.
Karl comes to work on the farm Jean is running herself while her brother Gordon is a German POW. They fall in love quite quickly even though it is unacknowledged for some time. Her parents live at the farm but her father is an invalid. Everything is going to plan. Karl is happy working there. Jean works hard and they are surviving. Jean has a 'sort of' boyfriend, Bill, who she's known all her life. Of course this causes problems.
At this stage the village accept the Germans who work on the local farms. But then the Germans plan an escape and Karl warns Jean. Things go badly wrong and Karl gets beaten up, badly, by his fellow prisoners.
When the war ends, Gordon comes home, minus a leg and proceeds to take it out on all and sundry.
It then continues with Gordon treating Karl badly. He eventually sorts himself out.
Karl goes back to Germany to find his family and Jean hopes he will come back to her.
This was a great read. I finished it in just over a day. I had to grit my teeth at times, reading about the way women were treated. Jean had been running the farm successfully for all the war, yet as soon as Gordon came back everything had to be run by him first, even though he was less than useless at the time and had no interest. As soon as he was back he was trying to marry Jean off to Bill even though she didn't want it. The male chauvinism of the time was incredible. And it's hard to take. But Jean was a strong character and wasn't being pushed into anything.
It's a well researched novel with insights into amputations and false limbs very well written about. If you're interested in this period of history, especially the home front at this time you'll love it.
November 16, 2016
Despite it’s somewhat underwhelming title, this turned out to be a fascinating book, covering as it did rural life post 1944. Young Jean Coleman is desperately trying to run the family farm in Norfolk after her father has had a stroke. With her older brother, Gordon, in a POW camp somewhere in Germany, she is forced to ask for the assistance of a German POW. When Karl Muller reports for duty, she finds him eager and willing to help and, as time passes, the two become close. Through Karl’s point of view, we learn much of what goes on in the POW camp and this was obviously well-researched. As is the section, when Gordon comes home and has to learn to adopt to life minus a leg. When Karl is repatriated to Germany, he has to travel through the Russian zone secretly to try and locate his parents. The scenes in Germany, I found particularly moving. This was sadly Mary’s last novel before her death in February 2016.
November 7, 2016
If you like books set in WW2 then this is a book for you .
The book was well written with a good story line. A good insight into what life was like for German prisoners in this country.
The book was well written with a good story line. A good insight into what life was like for German prisoners in this country.
January 2, 2017
this book was a bit slow to start but was still a good read
April 21, 2017
I was disappointed that i didn't enjoy this book. I thought it has soo much potential. But I just couldn't get into it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews