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Das Haus in den Wolken
Irrwege, Wunden und Bande, die alles überstehen
Der reiche Frauenschwarm Richard verliebt sich 1909 in Isabel, eine junge Frau aus kleinen Verhältnissen. Gegen alle Konventionen werden die beiden ein Paar und bekommen vier Kinder.
Doch Isabel liegt ein dunkes Geheimnis auf der Seele, eine falsche Entscheidung, die sie vor Jahren traf und nicht vergessen kann. Und die sie und ihre Liebsten eines Tages einholen wird...
Der reiche Frauenschwarm Richard verliebt sich 1909 in Isabel, eine junge Frau aus kleinen Verhältnissen. Gegen alle Konventionen werden die beiden ein Paar und bekommen vier Kinder.
Doch Isabel liegt ein dunkes Geheimnis auf der Seele, eine falsche Entscheidung, die sie vor Jahren traf und nicht vergessen kann. Und die sie und ihre Liebsten eines Tages einholen wird...
588 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
88 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Judith Lennox
28 books151 followersAka Judith Lennox-Smith
Judith Lennox lives in Cambridgeshire, England with her husband and three sons.
Judith Lennox lives in Cambridgeshire, England with her husband and three sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 30, 2022
Me ha encantado.
March 31, 2024
Una historia que se convierte en un viaje, con varias historias que se entremezclan.
Isabel una muchacha humilde ñerl de gran belleza, quien cuidaba a un hombre mayor en un pueblo, se queda de repente sin trabajo y por esas cosas del destino Richard, un empresario joven no soltero queda prendado de su belleza.
Conquistarla no es tarea fácil, sin embargo lo logra y comienza una historia q se desarrolla en medio de 2 guerras y en la que seguimos la historia tanto de la pareja como de los hijos que tienen en común.
Buena narrativa, con varias historias que te van atrapando a lo largo de la lectura.
Me atrevería a darle 4.5 de puntuación
Isabel una muchacha humilde ñerl de gran belleza, quien cuidaba a un hombre mayor en un pueblo, se queda de repente sin trabajo y por esas cosas del destino Richard, un empresario joven no soltero queda prendado de su belleza.
Conquistarla no es tarea fácil, sin embargo lo logra y comienza una historia q se desarrolla en medio de 2 guerras y en la que seguimos la historia tanto de la pareja como de los hijos que tienen en común.
Buena narrativa, con varias historias que te van atrapando a lo largo de la lectura.
Me atrevería a darle 4.5 de puntuación
April 6, 2025
A fabulous story from Judith. This grabbed me from the first page and being quite a long book I really got into it. Now I've finished it I feel lost and want to start it at the beginning again. Set in 1903 it goes all the way through tothes cond world war focussing on a family and how they live their lives.
June 30, 2015
Before the Storm follows the Finborough family, starting from one autumn day in 1909, when Richard Finborough, findng himself marooned in Devon, catches sight of Isabel Zeale by the harbour at Lynmouth. Richard is captivated by her from the very beginning, however, Isabel is not an easy woman to pursue. The village is rife with gossip about her mysterious past, and as such Isabel keeps herself to herself, shunning Richard's attempts to become better acquainted with her; Richard however is not a man to back down easily. Indeed his persistence pays off and Isabel agrees to marry him; the story then following their lives and those of their 3 children through the turbulent years ahead. However, will Isabel's old secrets come back to haunt her; and can she keep her family together through all the upheavals that come their way?
This is a multi-generational story and one that crosses over three decades, spanning across 2 world wars; there are a myriad of characters and multiple story threads, all of which are woven intricately together. Indeed Lennox does an incredible job of entwining the various strands of the story, and linking the narrative, bringing everything neatly together by the end. Though she often changes between the different characters' perspectives, I always found the story easy to follow; and loved the different layers to the story.
The book is divided into 4 sections; the first of these focusing on Richard and Isabel and centred mostly around their courtship and early days of marriage. I loved the parts set in Devon and have to say I was so engrossed in their story, that I did at first find it a little jarring to then find that the second part of the book had moved on by a good decade or so. However, I soon started to find myself growing attached to the new generation of Finboroughs and the continuing story. I would say though that so many of the individual sub-plots were so engaging within themselves, that sometimes I did wish they could have been fleshed out more; however, that simply wouldn't have been possible in a book juggling so many characters and plots and that already stretched to over 600 pages.
Richard and Isabel remain central characters throughout; their relationship a passionate but stormy one, especially when old secrets emerge. Though both of them have their faults, I always found myself rooting for them, willing them to get through the storms. I felt invested in all their childrens' stories, though I think Theo was my favourite of the three; and I also liked Ruby (their foster daughter of sorts) and found the sub-plot of the mysterious disappearance of her father engaging (certainly wouldn't have guessed the ending). Indeed I have to say that unlike a lot of similar books, the story was often unpredictable, with characters suddenly taking a path one wouldn't necessarily have expected. Often new characters were introduced into the mix, changing things up, with some interesting dynamics. Even a lot of the lesser characters were well portrayed, for instance lonely Edward or awkward Gill.
Lennox also does a splendid job of capturing the era that she writes in, showing the changing times; and I thought she especially rendered the second world war very well, not just the effects in Britain but across Europe. One of the characters, Anton, is Austrian, and I thought she really explored his story quite well; both the backstory of what was happening in Austria, as well as what it was like to be an immigrant at the time and branded as an 'enemy alien.' Certainly I found aspects of the book informative and enjoyed the historical detail.
Overall this is a sweeping old-fashioned family saga to be savoured; with a host of memorable characters who'll linger in the mind long after the pages are turned, and a story that will transport you back to a bygone era.
This is a multi-generational story and one that crosses over three decades, spanning across 2 world wars; there are a myriad of characters and multiple story threads, all of which are woven intricately together. Indeed Lennox does an incredible job of entwining the various strands of the story, and linking the narrative, bringing everything neatly together by the end. Though she often changes between the different characters' perspectives, I always found the story easy to follow; and loved the different layers to the story.
The book is divided into 4 sections; the first of these focusing on Richard and Isabel and centred mostly around their courtship and early days of marriage. I loved the parts set in Devon and have to say I was so engrossed in their story, that I did at first find it a little jarring to then find that the second part of the book had moved on by a good decade or so. However, I soon started to find myself growing attached to the new generation of Finboroughs and the continuing story. I would say though that so many of the individual sub-plots were so engaging within themselves, that sometimes I did wish they could have been fleshed out more; however, that simply wouldn't have been possible in a book juggling so many characters and plots and that already stretched to over 600 pages.
Richard and Isabel remain central characters throughout; their relationship a passionate but stormy one, especially when old secrets emerge. Though both of them have their faults, I always found myself rooting for them, willing them to get through the storms. I felt invested in all their childrens' stories, though I think Theo was my favourite of the three; and I also liked Ruby (their foster daughter of sorts) and found the sub-plot of the mysterious disappearance of her father engaging (certainly wouldn't have guessed the ending). Indeed I have to say that unlike a lot of similar books, the story was often unpredictable, with characters suddenly taking a path one wouldn't necessarily have expected. Often new characters were introduced into the mix, changing things up, with some interesting dynamics. Even a lot of the lesser characters were well portrayed, for instance lonely Edward or awkward Gill.
Lennox also does a splendid job of capturing the era that she writes in, showing the changing times; and I thought she especially rendered the second world war very well, not just the effects in Britain but across Europe. One of the characters, Anton, is Austrian, and I thought she really explored his story quite well; both the backstory of what was happening in Austria, as well as what it was like to be an immigrant at the time and branded as an 'enemy alien.' Certainly I found aspects of the book informative and enjoyed the historical detail.
Overall this is a sweeping old-fashioned family saga to be savoured; with a host of memorable characters who'll linger in the mind long after the pages are turned, and a story that will transport you back to a bygone era.
July 17, 2014
I read this book two months ago, and I'm going to read it again. I gave it three stars because while I enjoyed reading the book, I thought there were too many viewpoints, too many characters, and too many storylines - although a couple of them were compelling.
What I loved about this book, and the reason I'm reading it again - the characters. They are numerous and all are flawed in very compelling ways. In particular, the two main characters, Richard Finborough and the woman he marries, Isabel Zeale. In spite of their flaws (or maybe because of them), I really found myself rooting for them, to get through the bad spots. They occupy headspace even after the book is finished, and to me, that marks great characterization and upgraded the book from "meh" to "good".
What I loved about this book, and the reason I'm reading it again - the characters. They are numerous and all are flawed in very compelling ways. In particular, the two main characters, Richard Finborough and the woman he marries, Isabel Zeale. In spite of their flaws (or maybe because of them), I really found myself rooting for them, to get through the bad spots. They occupy headspace even after the book is finished, and to me, that marks great characterization and upgraded the book from "meh" to "good".
December 12, 2020
Eine schöne und spannende Geschichte. Das Ende etwas abrupt und unspektakulär, aber ansonsten absolut lesenswert. Die Charaktere sind sympathisch, man fühlt mit ihnen mit. Die Geschichte ist kurzweilig, nicht in die Länge gezogen. Die Autorin schreibt fesselnd, man will stets wissen, wie sich die Dinge entwickeln.
June 29, 2018
A page turner
Really enjoyed the twisted story. All loose ends were tied up satisfactory. I felt sad when I had finished the book.
Really enjoyed the twisted story. All loose ends were tied up satisfactory. I felt sad when I had finished the book.
May 23, 2023
Ein Buch, welches ich wahrscheinlich nie gekauft hätte, aber in einer Bücherkiste zum Verschenken gefunden habe.
Ich hatte etwas anderes erwartet und wurde dennoch nicht enttäuscht.
Die Charaktere sind vielschichtig und lassen einen wirklich sehr mitfühlen. Sie sind mal beneidenswert, liebenswürdig oder aber wirklich unsympathisch.
Die Familie Finborough ist einzigartig, der temperamentvolle Richard und seine eher in sich gekehrte Frau Isabel, die drei Kinder Philip, der seinem Vater sehr ähnelt, der eigenbrötlerische Theo und die wunderschöne, liebe Sara. Hinzu kommt noch die von der Familie aufgenommene Ruby, die ihren Platz in der Welt sucht.
Zu Beginn dachte ich, die Geschichte würde nur in den jungen Jahren der Ehe spielen, aber weit gefehlt, die Geschichte erstreckt sich vom Kennenlernen der Eltern bis zum Erwachsensein der Kinder. Und das hat mich positiv überrascht und sehr gefreut, weil die Leben der erwachsenen Kinder um einiges spannender waren.
Die Wege der einzelnen Charaktere waren mit Abzweigungen und Stolpersteinen durchsetzt, endeten jedoch für mich einfach auf wirklich wunderschöne Weise und ich war sehr glücklich damit, vor allem weil nichts auserzählt ist und man sich selbst noch seinen eigenen Teil denken kann.
Der Schreibstil hatte eine unfassbar gute Dynamik, da die Geschichte aus sehr vielen Sichtweisen geschrieben war und es einzelne Szenen gab, die man sehr detailliert erlebt hat und andere in denen Wochen oder sogar Monate übersprungen wurden. Durch diesen wunderbaren Schreibstil und die wirklich schön ausgearbeiteten Charaktere konnte ich das Buch gar nicht aus der Hand legen und wollte unbedingt wissen, wie es mit den mir liebgewonnenen Charakteren weitergeht.
Ich hatte etwas anderes erwartet und wurde dennoch nicht enttäuscht.
Die Charaktere sind vielschichtig und lassen einen wirklich sehr mitfühlen. Sie sind mal beneidenswert, liebenswürdig oder aber wirklich unsympathisch.
Die Familie Finborough ist einzigartig, der temperamentvolle Richard und seine eher in sich gekehrte Frau Isabel, die drei Kinder Philip, der seinem Vater sehr ähnelt, der eigenbrötlerische Theo und die wunderschöne, liebe Sara. Hinzu kommt noch die von der Familie aufgenommene Ruby, die ihren Platz in der Welt sucht.
Zu Beginn dachte ich, die Geschichte würde nur in den jungen Jahren der Ehe spielen, aber weit gefehlt, die Geschichte erstreckt sich vom Kennenlernen der Eltern bis zum Erwachsensein der Kinder. Und das hat mich positiv überrascht und sehr gefreut, weil die Leben der erwachsenen Kinder um einiges spannender waren.
Die Wege der einzelnen Charaktere waren mit Abzweigungen und Stolpersteinen durchsetzt, endeten jedoch für mich einfach auf wirklich wunderschöne Weise und ich war sehr glücklich damit, vor allem weil nichts auserzählt ist und man sich selbst noch seinen eigenen Teil denken kann.
Der Schreibstil hatte eine unfassbar gute Dynamik, da die Geschichte aus sehr vielen Sichtweisen geschrieben war und es einzelne Szenen gab, die man sehr detailliert erlebt hat und andere in denen Wochen oder sogar Monate übersprungen wurden. Durch diesen wunderbaren Schreibstil und die wirklich schön ausgearbeiteten Charaktere konnte ich das Buch gar nicht aus der Hand legen und wollte unbedingt wissen, wie es mit den mir liebgewonnenen Charakteren weitergeht.
February 14, 2019
I very much liked this book -- a romantic story involving different characters and circumstances. Notwithstanding the genre fiction, the story line is believable! Certainly a highly recommended read!
کتاب قبل از طوفان نوشته جودیث لنوکس یکی از رمان های زیبای
رمانتیک هست که من توی یکی دو سال اخیر خوندم. ژانر این کتاب کاملا خیلی هست اما داستان انقدر زیبا و واقع گرایانه جلو میره که کاملا برای خواننده کتاب باورپذیر میشه. داستان سال 1909 در انگلیس رو به تصویر میکشه و از اونجایی شروع میشه که یه فرد تاجر عاشق دختر ی میشه که به لحاظ شرایط اقتصادی و اجتماعی تفاوت های زیادی با او داره. یکی دیگه از زیباییهای کتاب درگیر شدن زمان صلح و جنگ در این کتاب هست که کاراکترها و موقعیت های مختلف توی داستات خلق میشن و همچنان میشه با اونها ارتباط برقرار کرد و باورشان کرد. پیشنهاد می کنم این کتاب رو بخونید
کتاب قبل از طوفان نوشته جودیث لنوکس یکی از رمان های زیبای
رمانتیک هست که من توی یکی دو سال اخیر خوندم. ژانر این کتاب کاملا خیلی هست اما داستان انقدر زیبا و واقع گرایانه جلو میره که کاملا برای خواننده کتاب باورپذیر میشه. داستان سال 1909 در انگلیس رو به تصویر میکشه و از اونجایی شروع میشه که یه فرد تاجر عاشق دختر ی میشه که به لحاظ شرایط اقتصادی و اجتماعی تفاوت های زیادی با او داره. یکی دیگه از زیباییهای کتاب درگیر شدن زمان صلح و جنگ در این کتاب هست که کاراکترها و موقعیت های مختلف توی داستات خلق میشن و همچنان میشه با اونها ارتباط برقرار کرد و باورشان کرد. پیشنهاد می کنم این کتاب رو بخونید
March 5, 2020
This....
I hope it's not a fairytale as it ended with a happily ever after. Unlike the life I have seen so far in reality.... It was a beautiful story I must say..it did had the upside down turns that the life gives you. But above all if this story is what happens at the end it means that love has some qualities... That love has the habit of sacrificing, understanding, giving and above all it has the quality of waiting.. Waiting for what we call ages.... Waiting patiently... Even not for ages but for whole life.... And it has the quality of coming back when ever it is required... Needed.... Love is being there for someone.. Literally FOREVER.....
I hope it's not a fairytale as it ended with a happily ever after. Unlike the life I have seen so far in reality.... It was a beautiful story I must say..it did had the upside down turns that the life gives you. But above all if this story is what happens at the end it means that love has some qualities... That love has the habit of sacrificing, understanding, giving and above all it has the quality of waiting.. Waiting for what we call ages.... Waiting patiently... Even not for ages but for whole life.... And it has the quality of coming back when ever it is required... Needed.... Love is being there for someone.. Literally FOREVER.....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2017
"It's not for anything, my dear. It's a journey."
We live life focused on the destination and in the process we miss the entire journey.
Life is a series of twists and turns, dead ends, beginings and endings. A decision made today may haunt is in the future but that shouldn't stop us from living. All we can do is the best with what we have.
And enjoy the journey. Take the hidden paths. Try the unconventional. Dare to live when most are not even brave enough to breathe.
We live life focused on the destination and in the process we miss the entire journey.
Life is a series of twists and turns, dead ends, beginings and endings. A decision made today may haunt is in the future but that shouldn't stop us from living. All we can do is the best with what we have.
And enjoy the journey. Take the hidden paths. Try the unconventional. Dare to live when most are not even brave enough to breathe.
November 12, 2018
This is a great book if you love a good family saga like I do. This novel deserves 4.5 stars as I thought it was a really interesting story which follows the Finborough family in England from 1909 until the mid 1940s. There is a fair share of love, loss,and war, as well some intrigue and mystery. I've read several books by this English author and have enjoyed them all!
April 8, 2023
Me gusto mas de lo que pensaba, tenia 0 expectativas.
Libro pasatista, facil de leer. Vida de una familia, con distintos personajes. No se hizo pesado a pesar de ser largo.
No es mega atrapante, porque no tiene un nudo claro que quieras terminar, pero si vas siguiendo a los personajes y se hace llevadero.
Libro pasatista, facil de leer. Vida de una familia, con distintos personajes. No se hizo pesado a pesar de ser largo.
No es mega atrapante, porque no tiene un nudo claro que quieras terminar, pero si vas siguiendo a los personajes y se hace llevadero.
October 14, 2018
This was a well written book, lots of different stories over several decades spanning over the first and second world wars. It was nice to read about life in that era, and also how people used to live back then. Several love stories in the book, and lots of conflicts.
December 11, 2022
Picked it up cos didn't have anything else to read. Couldn't put it down. Kind of a guilty secret Mills and boon type book with some enjoyable characters, clunky historic brush strokes and a ripping good family yarn. Thoroughly enjoyable.
February 7, 2018
I got bored I am afraid.There seemed to be toomany disjointed threads.I usually like family sagas but
This was not for me.
This was not for me.
October 19, 2018
I loved this book and have kept it to read again some day...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2020
3.5 stars. The story was good throughout the book but the ending felt a little rushed.
March 28, 2021
Pretty dire
November 3, 2024
I struggled to finish this book as it dragged a lot
September 16, 2025
love love loveeeeeee it hehe das mystery am ende MWAH
theo my beloved
theo my beloved
July 20, 2020
Amazing story. Coverage of the Blitz and WWII incredible.
August 10, 2010
The best way I can describe this book is as a good summer read. Although the 600+ pages might seem daunting, this is an easy read and I plowed through it in three days. A great historical blockbuster that spans two generations of a family from the turn of the twentieth century until the end of WWII, this is perfect is you like romance, family sagas or historical settings. I'll admit that Lennox didn't exactly delve deep into the emotions of the characters - difficult with such a large cast - and I didn't always feel terribly connected to them, but she was fantastic at capturing the setting and the period. There was so much drama going on in this book, which made it difficult to put down, but I felt that it was quite sad in places. No one seemed to get what they wanted until near the end of the novel and there were so many broken and dysfunctional relationships - which I suppose is realistic for such families where marriages are made for social and financial reasons rather than love. All in all, a compelling, light summer read although nothing new or original. 7/10
January 31, 2010
Bei einer Autopanne begegnet der Frauenschwarm Richard der jungen Isabel, einer Frau aus eher kleinen Verhältnissen. Umso erstaunter ist der Gutsbesitzersohn, als sie ihn zurückweist. Dennoch verliebt er sich in sie - eine Liebe, die chancenlos scheint und trotzdem in eine Ehe mündet, die viele Stürme des Schicksals überdauern soll. Doch Isabel verpasst den Zeitpunkt, um ihrem Mann von ihrer Vergangenheit zu erzählen. Denn es gibt ein Geheimnis, das sie und diejenigen, die sie am meisten liebt, eines Tages einholen wird ... Mit feinem menschlichem Gespür erzählt Judith Lennox in ihrem mitreißenden Roman von Liebe, Loyalität und der Stärke einer Familie
July 19, 2012
Eine historische Liebesgeschichte
... die über einen langen Zeitraum geht. Vom zarten Kennenlernen bis zur Ehe und mehr. Eine ganz normale junge Frau zog gerade in ein neues Haus ein und lernt dort ein Mann kennen, der sie von Anfang an sehr in seinen Bann zieht. Noch ahnt sie nicht, dass er von einem höheren Stand ist. Doch das stört die beiden Verliebten letztendlich wenig.
Insgesamt eine wunderschöne historische Liebesgeschichte, wo nicht immer alles Friede, Freude, Eierkuchen ist, sondern die alle Höhen und Tiefen des Lebens miterlebt. Daher gebe ich diesem Buch 4 von 5 Sternen.
... die über einen langen Zeitraum geht. Vom zarten Kennenlernen bis zur Ehe und mehr. Eine ganz normale junge Frau zog gerade in ein neues Haus ein und lernt dort ein Mann kennen, der sie von Anfang an sehr in seinen Bann zieht. Noch ahnt sie nicht, dass er von einem höheren Stand ist. Doch das stört die beiden Verliebten letztendlich wenig.
Insgesamt eine wunderschöne historische Liebesgeschichte, wo nicht immer alles Friede, Freude, Eierkuchen ist, sondern die alle Höhen und Tiefen des Lebens miterlebt. Daher gebe ich diesem Buch 4 von 5 Sternen.
September 9, 2013
Judith Lennox er en blanding af Danielle Steel og Kate Morton tilsat en smule Ken Follett. Floden og havet er egentlig en OK bog, men det er ligesom om Lennox har svært ved at vælge om hun skriver en slægtsbog eller en kærlighedsfortælling og hen mod den sidste del af bogen bliver der så også tilsat en masse historie da 2. verdenskrig rammer og Lennox (i modsætning til 1. verdenskrig som også indgår i bogen) fletter en masse historiske facts ind.
Men på trods af stilforvirringen er det en fin historie som afgjort er værd at læse.
Men på trods af stilforvirringen er det en fin historie som afgjort er værd at læse.
November 25, 2015
Set in Cornwall and London, this story is follows the life and loves of a family and their extended family members.
Interestingly for me, there is a character called Anton Wolff, spelt the same way we spell our surname, quite unusual; another character who is a bigamist, also of interest to me from a historical family perspective. My family will understand my interest in this strand.
The ending was a little too neatly packaged for me, but this was an enjoyable read all the same.
I looked forward to reading it every night, but couldn't quite give it four stars in the end.
Interestingly for me, there is a character called Anton Wolff, spelt the same way we spell our surname, quite unusual; another character who is a bigamist, also of interest to me from a historical family perspective. My family will understand my interest in this strand.
The ending was a little too neatly packaged for me, but this was an enjoyable read all the same.
I looked forward to reading it every night, but couldn't quite give it four stars in the end.
January 25, 2010
Probably a good holiday read. I found parts of this book very annoying as it seemed to skip over events. Perhpas because of this I didn't feel the story started properly until about the middle of the book when the family had grown up.
If I could have given it 2.5 rather than 3 stars I would have done so.
If I could have given it 2.5 rather than 3 stars I would have done so.
August 31, 2016
I enjoyed the author brought in enough characters that the plot wasn't always obvious. The flip side being is some of these characters I felt didn't get enough development.
Also the end I felt was left with some characters not getting enough closure.(review 2011)
Update-reread August 2016 I nearly forgot everything fromteh first time I read it. I enjoyed it more the second time around.
Also the end I felt was left with some characters not getting enough closure.(review 2011)
Update-reread August 2016 I nearly forgot everything fromteh first time I read it. I enjoyed it more the second time around.
July 29, 2011
I did enjoy this book, but found on occasions that it jumped around quite a bit. I also found that the author went into great depth as to how Phillip and Elaine got together, then you didnt hear anyhting else about them apart from an odd mention. However, all this aside, its a great family saga, and well worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews