Devotion

My Dear I Wanted to Tell You #3

by Louisa Young

For Tom and Kitty Locke, children of the damaged WW1 generation, visiting their cousin Nenna in Rome is a pure joy. For their adoptive parents Nadine and Riley, though, the ground is still shifting underfoot. Nobody knew in 1919 that the children they were bearing would be ripe for the next war in 1939; nobody knew, in 1935, the implications of an Italian Jewish family supporting Mussolini. Meanwhile Peter Locke and Mabel Zachary have found each other again together in London, a city reborn but riddled with its own intolerances. As the heat rises across Europe, everyone must decide what should bring them together, and what must drive them apart.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, British Literature, War, Italy, Literary Fiction

510 pages, Hardcover

First published June 2, 2016

About the author

Louisa Young is a history graduate, and worked as a journalist for British national newspapers and magazines for some years. Her first book was A Great Task of Happiness (1995), the life of Kathleen Bruce, her grandmother, the sculptor and wife of Scott of the Antarctic. She followed that with her Egyptian trilogy of novels: Baby Love (which was listed for the Orange Prize), Desiring Cairo and Tree of Pearls. They were followed by The Book of the Heart, a cultural history of our most symbolic organ. She has also published the Lionboy trilogy of children’s novels, written with her then ten-year-old daughter under the pseudonym Zizou Corder and two further children's novels, Lee Raven Boy Thief and Halo. .
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Her 2011 bestseller My Dear, I Wanted to Tell You, which was shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award 2011 and the Wellcome Book Prize, was a Richard and Judy Book Club choice, and the first ever winner of the Galaxy Audiobook of the Year. It was followed by two sequels, The Heroes' Welcome and Devotion, and a memoir, You Left Early: A True Story of Love and Alcohol, about her relationship with the composer Robert Lockhart.

Her most recent book is a novel, Twelve Months and a Day.

She lives in London.

http://www.louisayoung.co.uk/about.html

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The second novel I've abandoned this year. There's no mention on the jacket of this book that it's the third part of a trilogy so I went into it assuming I was starting a story from scratch. Quickly I was having a job identifying who all the characters were. However, the author writes really well about Italy and I was still onside. Until the mother decides her Italian cousin's admiration of Mussolini is a viable reason to stop holidaying in Italy. Now a new character entered the story - a black American singer - and we get lots of backstory about slavery and Navaho Indians and the novel strayed off onto a completely new and incongruous canvas. The author clearly shares an intimacy with Italy; the same can't be said for her relationship with black American culture. I was bored silly with this character. A novel that was already rambling a bit and short of narrative drive broke down for me.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book – I knew I would because I loved Louisa Young's previous two novels. As soon as you start reading, the history and events of 'My Dear I Wanted To Tell You' and 'The Heroes Welcome' come flooding back. Meeting these characters again is like returning home after a long trip away.

Full of vivid descriptions of hot summers spent in Italy in the 20's and 30's. You can see the lake glimmer and taste the sunshine in the air. But it's the calm before the storm. The children our well loved characters have born and raised will soon face the horrors for World War Two. Louisa Young has done a wonderful job of re-creating the sense of unease, the simmering tensions and the growing fractions that led to this point in time. With the cliff hanger ending I am expecting (hoping) for another book, I love these characters, they feel like friends and I am already excited about meeting them again. More please!

[Helen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series of books. Nadine and Riley are characters I have come to care about along with the others who intertwine with them. In this novel the children Tom and Kitty are eager to meet their Italian cousins and it seems like a permanent summer holiday. That is until the 1930s when Mussolini gains power and suddenly being Italian and Jewish is not a possibility.

Young develops the lives of the characters beautifully. Peter is trying to save his life - build some sort of relationship with his children and his new lover. Nadine and Riley are simply trying to keep their unusual family safe. The building of fascism and the tension it brings is done brilliantly. It is so believable that things change gradually, you believe the best of people right up until the moment when your life is in danger.

This is the third book. Read all of them.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters are unfamiliar in this rather lengthy sequel. Although maybe that is the point; war has changed them and there’s another imminent.

An interesting setting and time period to explore, it is a shame the different storylines chop and change before they really develop, making it difficult for a reader to invest in them.

[April Andruszko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting read . It covered an aspect of history of which I knew little - namely the rise of fascism in Italy. It was great to continue with the story of Nadine and Riley.

[Maggie Kensington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book the 3rd in the series
Highly recommend reading them start at number 1 to meet your the characters
Such great books

[Angela Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a couple of Louisa Young's books already on my bookshelf but had not gotten around to reading them. I wish I had as they were the prequels to this story and I think having read them first it might have given me more connection to this story as it involves characters from her two previous books "My Dear I wanted To Tell You" and the second book "The Heroes Welcome"

For the first few pages, I wasn't sure if I was going to stick with the book but I continued because I liked her style of writing and the subject matter/settings/time period were right up my alley. I had a little trouble connecting to the characters at first (that was because I didn't know about the other two books at the time) However, I soon became invested in the story and what was happening to the people involved.

The story is set ten years after the end of WW1, those who lived it and fought in it are still coming to terms with the physical and mental costs of what they gave to that first conflict. Nadine and Riley are a childless couple who have taken on raising the children of a friend (Peter) who submerged himself in drink to deal with the horrors of the war and the death of his wife. He starts to get his life back on track but realizes he has missed out on the best years of his son and daughter (Kitty & Tom)

Nadine starts taking the children to Italy on yearly summer vacations to visit her Italian cousins who are Jewish fascists and the head of that family (Aldo) is blindly devoted to Mussolini, closing his eyes to the dangers as each year progresses and the shadow of WW2 looms ahead. Peter's son Tom and Aldo's Daughter, Nenna form an attachment which grows to love, but her love of her father and his belief in their leader often leaves them at odds and Tom is desperate to save her as life becomes harder and harder for the Jewish population.

This book can be read as a standalone, I read it as one, but like I said it was harder to connect with the characters at the beginning because I was missing a big chunk of what came before. All this aside I was still up reading this at 1am last night, wanting to know how it ended. I get the feeling there is a fourth book planned by the way it ended. (I hope so!)

[Megan Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom and Kitty Locke are the children of Peter and Julia but are looked after by their friends Nadine and Riley. The characters are all from Young's previous books 'My Dear I Wanted To Tell You' and 'The Heroes Welcome'. The story picks up in 1928 with Tom and Kitty growing up and Nadine taking them to Italy to meet their Italian Jewish family. People did not know the children they would have would have to fight another war and that families would be torn apart. People did not know the consequences of an Italian Jewish family supporting Mussolini. Tom falls for Neena but Neena loves her father who is an Italian Jew supporting Mussolini. Back in London Peter re-acquaints himself with Mabel Zachary. However storm clouds are brewing and soon the country will be at war once more.
To enjoy this you have to have read the previous two books to fully appreciate the characters and what they have been through. I was overjoyed to see another book by Young and thoroughly enjoyed that this focuses on Tom and Kitty and what the changing world means for them. Of course the older characters are prominent as well and it was interesting to see their take on history repeating itself and the fear and memories that it evokes.
Young's skill lies with her excellent characters and ability to set the scene. As the book went on more and more I felt as if I was there with the characters and I could really capture the atmosphere. I do think this was a bit too long and the middle section was a bit laborious but by pushing through this you get to be thrown into the world of the characters and feel their story with them.
'Devotion' is another fantastic read and I only hope Young continues the story.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to TBC for allowing me to read this in exchange for my review.
I found this hard to rate at only a 3* but for me it couldn't match up to Louisa Young's first book "My dear I wanted to tell you" which I absolutely loved. I would defintely recommned reading both of her first books before starting this one as it involves characters from them.
Set after WWI, this tells the continuing story of Nadine, Riley and Peter. Nadine takes the children on a holiday to stay with family in Italy, the head of the family Aldo is eccentric and obbsessed with Mussolini. Aldo's daughter Nenna and Tom soon spark up a love interest and Tom really wants to save her as life becomes hard in Italy. I found this book sadly a little too long, too much history and not enough grit or substance to draw me into the story. So sorry to only be able to leave 3* for this talented author on this occasion.

[Katy Chessum-Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is the third in the "My Dear, I Wanted to Tell You" trilogy and it was wonderful to be reunited with Riley, Nadine and Peter again. This time, the younger generation are the focus of the story - Peter's children, Tom and Kitty, taking us from the trenches and recovery after WW1, to the lead up to the next war. I usually steer clear of WW2 novels (not sure why - perhaps from reading Goodnight Mister Tom too many times as a child?!) but because I had read the first two I thought I'd better finish the series. SO glad I did! The narrative takes us to Italy, rather than Germany, through Nadine's mother's side of the family and being reunited with an Italian cousin. From the late 1920s Nadine and her 'adopted' children (it's complicated - read the other two books before this one) take their summer holidays in Rome, where Tom and Nenna strike a deep and lasting friendship. However, as the years roll on, her father's blind devotion to the rise of Mussolini and Fascism makes him blind to the dangers they are being exposed to...

I loved the development of the children into young adults, the next generation to face war on a scale never seen before. This is historical fiction that I enjoy most - characters that develop into people you care about and an explanation of how the politics affect real people. I also liked that Riley, Nadine and Peter's stories continued and they weren't pushed into the background for the sake of the new storylines.

I would love to know what happens next for these characters - I can imagine Kitty using WW2 to finally throw off the shackles of school bullies and being overlooked by everyone and finally coming into her own, much like Emmy Lake or Bunty in the Dear Mrs Bird novels! Sadly, it doesn't look as though Young has any intentions of publishing another installment so I might have to just stick with my imaginings...

Perfect for fans of multi-generational historical fiction such as The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this third novel in the Riley Purefoy saga Louisa Young grapples with themes of racism and difference affecting what surely must be the most cosmopolitan of extended families in the thirties. In my view this is a flawed novel in which the themes overhear the content, plot and character. There is too much telling and this at times becomes didactic and threatens the mechanism of the novel. There is little of the lyrical realism of the previous two novels and the multi-faceted character driven plot creaks at times with stereotypes. Though fascinating the portrait of Mabel the jazz singer is stereotypical and in a way does a disservice to the real lives of black women and men living in Britain in the thirties who did not sing Begin the Beguine languorously in shady nightclubs dressed in slinky or sequinned satin with oiled hair.

A disappointing third outing but much in it to enjoy and despite the heavy handed didacticism some very interesting facts included about for example the "fascist Jews" and the island to which homosexuals were banished and formed a homosexual colony until the end of the war.

I will read the next.

[Snoakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third instalment of Louisa Young's family saga sees Tom and Kitty grow up. They meet and are enchanted by their (or rather Nadine's) Italian cousins. Meanwhile Peter starts to find his own peace and happiness with Mabel, but all the while Europe is moving slowly but inexorably towards another war.
If you've been following the story of Riley Purefoy and his extended family, then you are certain to enjoy Devotion. If you haven't, then it would stand on it's own, but I'd recommend starting at the beginning with My Dear, I Wanted to Tell You. I think you need to spend some time with the characters and understand their pasts to truly appreciate this part of their story.
This is definitely a novel that sets the scene for the next in the series. Throughout WWII is coming menacingly closer, the tension mounting - and now we have to wait for Louisa to publish its sequel to find out what happens.

[Cara Jepsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a feeling going into this one that I wasn't going to love it. So I don't know if I went in biased, looking to be disappointed or that it was just a let down of a book. I really enjoyed the first two of this series and found Riley's story incredibly moving. But when I saw that this third book would focus more on Tom and Kitty I had my hesitations. But, trilogy. Must finish the trilogy, right? I don't know what the whole point of this was. The "love" between Tom and Nenna was awkward and flat. Riley and Nadine were in the background. Peter's continuing story was just so random. And the focus on pre-WWII Italy and Fascism... it just didn't hit any good notes for me. By the end I just didn't care about anyone anymore and she left it wide open for a fourth book by absolutely no resolution for anyone's storyline. And I don't think there's a fourth book planned?? Sad way to end the time with these characters.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I wasn't sure about this third book in the My Dear I Wanted To Tell You trilogy, but it grew on me. I thought Louisa Young went off at a bit of a tangent with the 'long lost relative in Italy' storyline and it seemed as if she was desperate to shoehorn in that particular bit of history (Mussolini and Fascism). Her love of Italy shone through, but sometimes the info dump got in the way of the story, which was frustrating and I didn't feel as if there was enough development of earlier characters (Peter Locke and Rily Purefoy). However, the pace picked up from the middle of the book onwards and I became more absorbed in the characters and their stories. I didn't, however, find the book as moving as My Dear I Wanted To Tell You.

[Kate Neyts · Rating 2 out of 5]

With a heavy heart - I stopped reading. I would love to know how Riley and Nadine's story ends but I felt my knowledge of post-war Italy, Mussolini and fascism was insufficient to make sense of the book, which must be the case for most casual readers? It didn't read very fluently and I had a hard time relating to the newly introduced characters. Nadine and Riley disappeared into the background and the story felt a little too much "all over the place" to keep investing.

Too bad, because Louisa Young knows how to set a scene, but I couldn't quite keep motivating myself to continue in the story.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this book started as a 3 and ended as 5. I found it difficult to get into but it was worth persevering. It starts in 1928 and ends at the outbreak of war in 1939 and follows the lives of the major characters from the first two books, plus the next generation. I felt it was a bit lengthy but by the time I reached the end all the characters had become so real I wanted to know what became of them during the war years, so in contrast the ending felt a bit abrupt and rushed. Another book seems likely, at least I hope so.

[Lesley Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before You Go

This is the third in the series and is very powerful, including a huge amount of research on Italian Fascism. The writing and descriptions are beautiful and the book becomes, after a time, unputdownable. I do recommend it, but also recommend reading the others in the series first. In particular the first, My Dear I Wanted To Tell You. I have only awarded it 3 stars because there is a little too much tell and huge amounts of unbroken narrative. It is nonetheless, beautifully written.

[Robin Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading novels like this I have to stop myself from wishing I could turn back time. Would one really have wanted to live through the inter-war years with one huge tragedy inevitably leading to another?
This is a beautifully written character-driven story set in the context of Hitler's rise to power and the hero-worship of Mussolini. It is poignant and engaging and evocative of a time when morals and faith still had significance in people's every day lives.
An important record of the Fascist onslaught against the Jews (and anyone else they didn't like!)

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was educational as well as being a cracking read. The third in a trilogy, this being set between the two world wars, Devotion can be read as a stand alone. The part where Nenna stands up to her father at last, speaking truth to power, is masterfully written. I suppose we shall never know what becomes of them?

[Elisa Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating it as a three may not really be fair.
I didn't enjoy it - it wasn't my sort of book/story.

But - I started to read it so I needed to complete it.

You could sense the struggle people went through at times - and the blinkered / stubbornness that people can show.

I wasn't surprised by the ending.

[Kathryn Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realise this was part of a saga but it didn't take away from the story as a stand alone story. Yes, I wasn't aware of the back stories and previous events of the characters, but I still enjoyed the characters, came to really like them and the setting for the story.

Definately want to read the two books previously now!

[Phil Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original and engaging

This is a very good book which has clearly involved a lot of research and a love of Rome. There are a couple of short sections where the writing is not up to the standard of the rest but it is generally excellently written.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Longer than I thought since reading book 1 and 2; should have re-read since I did not remember all the back story. Nevertheless a meaty, tension-filled tale of politics, family lies and coming to terms with what is not immediately apparent and what ought to have been said earlier.

[Judy Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first two novels in this trilogy. I thought this novel tedious and too heavy in political detail. I honestly don’t know why I abandoned it but just couldn’t keep on going . I am sure others would not feel like me.

[Labyrns · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Slower start than the first two books but continues the story with the next generation from 1928-1939. Once it picks up, it’s hard to put down as several stories and families are closely intertwined. Good characters with complex relationships. Cliff hanger ending so where is book four???

[Dawn O'brien · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.... didn’t realize this was the third of a trilogy and got completely lost with the characters and backgrounds

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read, very touching. The personalisation draws you in to the lives and difficulties of the individuals.

[Jane Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alls well that ends well 3/3

[Bill Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I came to this book I didn't realise that it was the third in a trilogy, so I'm working backwards. Still, it was possible to work out some elements of the backstory.

We are in the thirties, with the shadow of Italian fascism growing ever stronger on this multinational family. The book makes clear the enduring impact of the damage suffered in the first war, so it makes for a poignant empathy with the junior members of the family, who you know are going to have to go through it too.

Louisa Young is great at getting into the mind of her characters. Strongly recommended.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devotion is the third in a series of books featuring Riley & Nadine Purefoy and Peter Locke. The first was one of my favourite books about WW1, My Dear I Wanted to Tell You, and the second was The Heroes Welcome. You can read this as a stand alone book though it will be a richer experience if you have read the previous two. And they are both excellent books so you really should just read them! Devotion takes the story from 1928 up to 1939 looking at post-war Britain still in recovery and moving through the 30s as the threat of war begins to loom once more in Europe.

Devotion is told from the viewpoints of many characters: Riley and Nadine of course and Peter as he begins to emerge from his post-war depression, Peter's children Tom and Kitty, Peter's friend Mabel and her daughter Iris, and Nadine's Italian Jewish family. Through these characters we see all kinds of Devotion. Riley and Nadine are the great love story and focus of the previous books and their love continues to shine throughout the novel. Tom is quite taken by his Italian family and in particular Nenna. They meet as children but as they grow they discover they are developing stronger feelings for each other and their love story was a central theme of this book. Nenna's family have another devotion, to the cause of fascism and I felt irritation and sorrow in equal measure for Nenna's father Aldo. He could not - or would not - see the growing threats to Jewish people as Mussolini began to adopt more of Hitler's policies in Italy. Like so many people, he refused to accept that his family who had lived in Italy for 2000 years could be affected by such policies. His blinkered devotion to fascism and refusal to consider leaving put his family in great danger.

Devotion is a wonderful novel, a story I was completely immersed in. It has the feel of an epic love story even though it only covers slightly more than a decade. The themes of racism and fascism are honestly explored and despite the events in Europe, there is a lot of hope in the story particularly for Peter Locke as he overcomes his demons. Louisa Young's writing is just beautiful throughout making this a 5* read for me. I really hope that this isn't the last time we meet these characters as I want to know more about how their lives are affected by World War Two.

My thanks to the publishers and THE Book Club on Facebook for my review copy of this book.