Wednesday 2 November 2016

If you go away - Adele Parks

1914. Vivian, a young, impassioned debutante is hurried into a pedestrian marriage to cover a scandal. War breaks out on her wedding day -- domestically and across Europe. Quick to escape the disappointment of matrimony, her traditionalist husband immediately enlists and Vivian has no alternative than to take up the management and running of his estate -- after all, everyone is required to do their bit. Even pretty, inadequately-educated young wives.

Howard, a brilliant young playwright rushes to the front to see for himself the best and the worst of humanity; he cannot imagine what the horror might be. In March 1916, when conscription becomes law, it is no longer enough for him to report on the War, it's a legal requirement that he joins the ranks. Howard refuses, becoming one of the most notorious conscientious objectors of the time. Disarmingly handsome, famous, articulate and informed, he's a threat to the government. Narrowly escaping a death sentence by agreeing to take essential work on Vivian's farm, it's only then Howard understands what is worth fighting for. 

My thoughts:
Vivian is loving the season, she has a great man on the hook, but things change and she marries Aubrey....who is really dull. But then she was just a pretty face anyway.

Marriage. World War 1, and her being sent to live alone in the country. This is where the book started to remind me of another book *checks old review* Ok not that similar, just the bad marriage, alone and was going on part, and the new guy *ahem*.

Vivian really grows as a person. She learns that there is more than pretty dresses and dances. You have to work hard, war takes a lot, and she forms opinions of her own.

And Aubrey was a bore.

Then there is Howard, he and Vivian has alternate chapters, I did find his chapters boring until they met. He was just boring. He goes to report on the war. He sees that it's hell. He decides not to join, and he is sent to prison to get executed cos that is what they do with cowards. But he was no coward, he just found it stupid that hundreds of thousands are sent to be cannon fodder.

Anyone who reads the blurb gets that they will meet and something will happen.....

Conclusion:
It was a good book, sure some Howard chapters were a bit meh, but read them fast and get to the good bits.

Cover
meh

Hardcover, 496 pages
Published June 4th 2015 by Headline Review
Historical fiction
Library

47 comments:

  1. This does sound like other WWI novels but I'd still give it a shot.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You really didn't sound thrilled with this one! lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was really good, just not all parts equally

      Delete
  3. I haven't read this author and while this probably isn't my type of book, I'm glad you enjoyed most of it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ummm... no thanks. But great review!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I read one kind of like this but it was sent in WWII/ Lately historicals have failed to impress so I am passing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. prob not something I would pick up o.o lots of boring people in this

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm surprised you still liked it. I was expecting either boring or dnf.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was really good, I just skimmed some of his parts untl they got good

      Delete
  8. Sounds a bit like 'Atonement' (but without that marriage bit). Overall I would give it a chance ;p

    ReplyDelete
  9. Past the halfway mark on the week!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. War time books are just not my thing, even though Vivian and Howard do sound like they might be interesting together.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love this era so adding it to my TBR list. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Historical fiction! Love the era, too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Let's hope Vivian makes him more interesting...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very interesting. The story probably isn't for me, but I like the historical setting. Haven't read too many books that take place in the WWI era.

    ~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I tend to like them more than the WWII ones

      Delete
  15. Glad the book picked up when they met :D

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sounds like it had its good points and if heroine grew that's a draw card.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It makes sense she was the way she was first, but she grows

      Delete
  17. As long as good outweighs meh. :D

    ReplyDelete
  18. I might try this if library has it..

    ReplyDelete
  19. It's always interestingto have such a setting

    ReplyDelete
  20. The cover is meh to me, too. But this is interesting. I wonder if the bookshop has it? Or might buy it on Kindle?

    ReplyDelete
  21. I like the cover and the storyline sounds appealing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I recently watched the movie Testament of Youth, which is also about the war and features a conscientious objector. Absolutely loved it, so I may need to check out this book based on the similarities!

    ReplyDelete

Contributors

Copyright © 2008-2020 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell All Rights Reserved. Proudly powered by Blogger

  © Blogger template Starry by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008 Modified by Lea

Back to TOP