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There's never been a D.E. Stevenson book I haven't liked and will readily admit that even her less satisfying stories tend to be far and away much better reading than most contemporary novels. However, I will say that in this story all the Ayrton adults (both parents and the aunt) are truly reprehensible humans and hard to take page after page; their selfishness, narrowness, arrogance, and negligence are astounding. What saves the book from a complete fall into the morass of family dysfunction a
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D.E. Stevenson doing what she does best in this warm, kind book. While the story begins with two self-absorbed adults who are deeply flawed parents, their 5 children are all the closer for it. And it’s the children’s stories from young ages into adulthood that form the heart of Amberwell.
The war causes several of the siblings really to come into their own, just as Stevenson (IMO) wrote some of her best work during that trying period. The book does include some harrowing and sad moments, but DES ...more
The war causes several of the siblings really to come into their own, just as Stevenson (IMO) wrote some of her best work during that trying period. The book does include some harrowing and sad moments, but DES ...more
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The novel begins with five children being brought up on the family estate of Amberwell. Their life seems idyllic, but as time goes on we see how terribly neglected they are by their parents and how hungry they all are for love. As World War II arrives, each goes their own way. Some make poor choices and some suffer through no fault of their own. All of them grow. In spite of the episodes of heartache, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed this book so much and flew right through it!
I had read this book once before but hadn't reviewed it.
'Amberwell' is the title and the theme of this novel set in England that includes the years of the Second World War. The estate, Amberwell, is written about nostalgically and the children who grow up there never stop longing to return 'home to Amberwell'.
And yet, although the house and gardens of Amberwell are such a draw, the family relationships there are a mix at best. The two younges ...more
I had read this book once before but hadn't reviewed it.
'Amberwell' is the title and the theme of this novel set in England that includes the years of the Second World War. The estate, Amberwell, is written about nostalgically and the children who grow up there never stop longing to return 'home to Amberwell'.
And yet, although the house and gardens of Amberwell are such a draw, the family relationships there are a mix at best. The two younges ...more
This book has left me feeling a bit melancholy. Between the sad results of terribly indifferent parents on their children, WWII, and a somewhat abrupt ending, it was not exactly the cozy reading experience I’ve come to expect from the author. It is still a very well written book. I’m just glad there is a sequel that will hopefully give everyone a more rounded (and possibly happier) ending.
Just as good (or better) as the first time I read it! The author cleverly portrays the life of an English family before and during the second world war (although the war itself is given a minor place in the story). The reader is drawn into their lives and story with realistic relationship struggles taking center stage. A satisfying comfort read.
Mar 11, 2017
Tessiebear
added it
Nov 07, 2017
Robyn Bray
marked it as to-read
