The Summer Before the War in Around the World in 80 Books

Jul 03, 2025 Susan rated it liked it

Typical British characters and their reactions to WWI, parades, stiff upper lip, the glory of wartime exploits, etc. I did enjoy reading it but was glad when it ended (LONG novel). Character driven for sure, with no major happenings until almost the end. Women were barely considered citizens with any rights in this era, some very annoying incidents taking place.

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Aug 28, 2016 Andy Plonka rated it really liked it

Shelves: src

This one starts slowly but from about halfway it picks up speed and interest. It is a good look at WWI from behind the lines and though the eyes of someone other than career soldiers.

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Mar 02, 2017 Jen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: british-literature, popular-fiction

Well this book had my name stamped all over it. Small English villages undergoing big change is the hallmark of a great British novel and I loved these characters and how war changed them and their ideals. I will say this book was supremely predictable, obviously as it's a World War I novel set in Britain, people are going to die and it was obvious right from the start who that would be. Maybe because of that I didn't feel the same sense of emotional turmoil that I think was meant by that moment ...more

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Mar 01, 2016 Tammy AZ rated it liked it

Shelves: genre-hf

While I liked the book overall, it felt like a bit of a slog. Too long and too many characters lacking distinguishing traits or actions. A strong editor could have made this a much better book, which is unfortunate because the arc of the story, from prewar giddiness to the brutal truth about war was generally pretty good.

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