Reviews

Marking Time by Elizabeth Jane Howard

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Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)
Format: Audible/Physical copy

I honestly wish this centered more on the Rupert Cazalet family - I love him, Zoe, Clary, Neville and anybody by extension (like Archie, Roddy and even Juliet). But given that as we get along the series, we'll be focusing more and more on the kids, does it mean we won't see more of Rupert and Zoe later?

lucyblack's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Number 2 in the Cazalet Chronicles. Howard drops the reader thick into a family dealing with war, focusing on the young adult girls. Marking Time is full of unhappy characters telling themselves at least they’re not being bombed directly, at least they’re not dead. It sounds like a drudge but it’s still a great read and interesting coming of age. I can’t wait to read the next one.

ronjaslibrary's review against another edition

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emotional reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

readingfar's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

berenilde's review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

kduhy's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was a better read than The Light Years as it felt more developed and focussed however, having read the first book I had already begun to have some understanding of these characters and wanted to find out more.

Set between 1939-41. Hitler has invaded Poland. The Cazalet family has retreated to their Sussex summer home. We view the everyday life of all the family, friends and servants.

Howard has focussed on the three teenage daughters of the brothers; Polly, Clary and Louise. They are funny, honest, real, worried, questioning and feel that the war has stopped them moving forward and making plans. They are ‘Marking Time’.

Each girl gets two chapters and the other three cover the family and home place.

Covers: Loss, Love, Secrets, Death, Birth, Adultery, War, Shortages and Restrictions