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scarpuccia's review against another edition
4.0
This was Elizabeth Taylor's first novel and is my least favourite of the books of hers I've read. There was both too much and not enough going on for me. A young family move into a stranger's house on the English coast because of the husband's RAF posting (it's towards the end of the war though this barely features). It was hard for me to sympathise with any of the adult characters. The best theme of the book was how adults through selfishness, immaturity and emotional cowardice can derail the lives of children. This was dramatized really well through the friendship of young Oliver and Felicity. The book's major failure for me was the character of Eleanor, a spinster, who flirts with a clandestine group of communists. It's very much a man's world Taylor depicts where the women struggle to find any independent voice and the children suffer. I'd give it about 3.5 stars.
giovannnaz's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful writing and observations. I liked very much how Oliver (the young son) is described, his child world. Looking forward to reading more of Taylor!
catebutler's review against another edition
3.0
Elizabeth Taylor Reading Project - August 2018
Favorite Quotes: “The exquisite relief of Sunday morning was like slipping into a deep hot bath.” (pg. 170)
sar_p's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't get what I needed from this novel (post-war trauma), but I really enjoyed it.
kit_d's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
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