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I found this novel rather patchy, but very readable. To my mind, the best part is the opening section, a slow-building tale of a young Englishman, Stephen, working at a textile factory in France before the First World War, who falls in love with the slightly older wife of his boss. I found all the characters in this part convincing and was pulled in by the love story, though I found the sex scenes somewhat overwritten and also there are a few patches of purplish prose, especially descriptions of
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This book was not really my style, so it was a very slow read for me. I learned a lot about the conditions of WW1, probably more than I really wanted to know. The ending was also not as satisfying as I woulc have hoped.
Haunting and lovely in that remote, shell-shocked way that all the best novels of this period are (see also: Jacqueline Winspear). I dock a star only because Part 1, while necessary for the setup, seems unmoored from the rest; otherwise, a beautiful and echoing portrait of a world gone mad.
I really enjoyed this book - very readable and beautiful. The characters are full and dynamic and the descriptions of war are intense and heart felt. I really recommend this book .
Aug 20, 2009
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