tucker68511's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Car accident and Pregnancy
byashleylamar's review
2.0
I wanted to love The Poppy Field but I just couldn't get into it. I finished it but there were more than a couple of times I wanted to quit. It started off rough and forced for at least the first 2 - 3 chapters. The writing felt wooden and stale. There were moments in the book when the author contradicted herself which I found really annoying. There are also two times I noticed that the author referred to the character by the wrong name (confusing the two male leads) and putting the character in the wrong timeline.
I also found that I enjoyed reading Alice's story much, much more than Gemma's so I started simply skimming Gemma's. I got the point but I didn't care about the details as much.
This is a great idea and a potentially beautiful narrative but there were too many inconsistencies and stilted writing for me to love it.
Spoiler
Once she mentions a character has 6 children - 5 boys and 1 girl - but just a few pages later he has 5 children - 4 boys and 1 girl. Another time a character sees another character has a prosthetic leg while he's climbing a ladder but later she says she never would have known if he didn't tell her.I also found that I enjoyed reading Alice's story much, much more than Gemma's so I started simply skimming Gemma's. I got the point but I didn't care about the details as much.
This is a great idea and a potentially beautiful narrative but there were too many inconsistencies and stilted writing for me to love it.
dopexthrone's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
maitaylor01's review
5.0
The Poppy Field is a poignant story of the parallels between two women living 100 years apart, who find themselves drawn to the same building in France. The book shifts between the present day and the latter half of the First World War, as Gemma, our modern day nurse, unravels the tale of Alice’s war, whilst searching for her own sense of peace.
World War One, the Great War, was supposed to be the war to end all wars, but the world we live in today sometimes seems to be headed full circle, as reflected by Tom’s experiences in Kabul, and even by the injuries witnessed by Gemma working in a UK trauma centre.
Whilst I enjoyed Gemma’s part of the story as she tried to settle her personal demons whilst renovating the old farmhouse, it was Alice’s story that really got under my skin, and lit a fire under my inner war historian. Whilst the true horrors of the casualty clearing stations where VADs like Alice spent their war are just unthinkable, Deborah Carr’s writing brought them to life through her sensitive characterisation of the varied patients that passed through them. I was intrigued to see mention of the “casualty dogs” as this was not something that I had come across before, but have since read up on further. I had no idea that dogs were used in this way during the war.
There were a number of times when reading this book when my emotions got the better of me, but there is one particular scene about a quarter of the way in that really got to me, and which I hope Deborah won’t mind me pinpointing (don’t worry, it doesn’t give anything away). In this particular scene there is a conversation between two of the soldiers at the casualty clearing station who are wondering if anyone would remember the soldiers who fought and all the men who died in a hundred years time. Even writing about this now brings a tear to my eye, because as we approach this hundred year mark, yes, we do remember and we will continue to do so.
World War One, the Great War, was supposed to be the war to end all wars, but the world we live in today sometimes seems to be headed full circle, as reflected by Tom’s experiences in Kabul, and even by the injuries witnessed by Gemma working in a UK trauma centre.
Whilst I enjoyed Gemma’s part of the story as she tried to settle her personal demons whilst renovating the old farmhouse, it was Alice’s story that really got under my skin, and lit a fire under my inner war historian. Whilst the true horrors of the casualty clearing stations where VADs like Alice spent their war are just unthinkable, Deborah Carr’s writing brought them to life through her sensitive characterisation of the varied patients that passed through them. I was intrigued to see mention of the “casualty dogs” as this was not something that I had come across before, but have since read up on further. I had no idea that dogs were used in this way during the war.
There were a number of times when reading this book when my emotions got the better of me, but there is one particular scene about a quarter of the way in that really got to me, and which I hope Deborah won’t mind me pinpointing (don’t worry, it doesn’t give anything away). In this particular scene there is a conversation between two of the soldiers at the casualty clearing station who are wondering if anyone would remember the soldiers who fought and all the men who died in a hundred years time. Even writing about this now brings a tear to my eye, because as we approach this hundred year mark, yes, we do remember and we will continue to do so.
suntnicoleb's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
This book was good but I personally could have done without Gemma. I found her character very basic and boring, nothing really happens to her. I found myself skimming through her chapters rather quickly. All the action and in my opinion plot development etc is within Alice’s chapters which are much more fascinating. Overall, it was a pretty good read.
burrowsi1's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kimmerthebooknerd's review
3.0
World War Two, France, love and war. When one thinks of historical fiction, these items must be on the checklist.
I adored the story of Alice and Ed. Gemma and Tom were definitely pinpointed in the beginning. You knew the outcome before it presented itself. I feel Alice was the more prominent character and story line. Quick read and it kept my interest.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read for an honest review.
I adored the story of Alice and Ed. Gemma and Tom were definitely pinpointed in the beginning. You knew the outcome before it presented itself. I feel Alice was the more prominent character and story line. Quick read and it kept my interest.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read for an honest review.
eweidl's review
4.0
Alice and Ed had spent time here, in this very room, doing exactly what she and Tom were about to do and she was excited to be walking in their footsteps.
This is another adorable historical fiction book that is perfect for a cold and rainy day inside. It follows alternating timelines set about 100 years apart.
In 2018, Gemma is tasked with renovating her family’s farmhouse in Doullens (near the Somme). While she’s there, she discovers bundles of old letters chronicling a WWI volunteer nurse’s love story with one of her patients. Through these letters, the reader is transported back to Alice’s life in a casualty clearing station.
As usual, I found myself enjoying the historical timeline many times more than the present-day story. All in all though, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a super quick read!
Having lived in Northern France a couple of years ago, I personally loved the descriptions of the setting. I absolutely loved being able to picture exactly what the fields looked like and pretending that the bakery they were describing was the one we stopped at on the way to work almost every day.
Highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a quick, transportive read. It is already out so you can go snap it up!
Thank you so much to Edelweiss and HarperCollins Canada for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is another adorable historical fiction book that is perfect for a cold and rainy day inside. It follows alternating timelines set about 100 years apart.
In 2018, Gemma is tasked with renovating her family’s farmhouse in Doullens (near the Somme). While she’s there, she discovers bundles of old letters chronicling a WWI volunteer nurse’s love story with one of her patients. Through these letters, the reader is transported back to Alice’s life in a casualty clearing station.
As usual, I found myself enjoying the historical timeline many times more than the present-day story. All in all though, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a super quick read!
Having lived in Northern France a couple of years ago, I personally loved the descriptions of the setting. I absolutely loved being able to picture exactly what the fields looked like and pretending that the bakery they were describing was the one we stopped at on the way to work almost every day.
Highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a quick, transportive read. It is already out so you can go snap it up!
Thank you so much to Edelweiss and HarperCollins Canada for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
alexsbooksandsocks's review
4.0
Een veld vol klaprozen - Deborah Carr (HarperCollins)
Twee eeuwen. Twee liefdes. Een verborgen geschiedenis.
De jonge verpleegster Gemma worstelt met trauma's die ze door haar baan in de zorg heeft opgelopen. Om hieraan te ontsnappen besluit ze te helpen met de renovatie van een vervallen boerderij in Doullens, een klein stadje in de buurt van de Somme, Frankrijk.
Op een van de eerste dagen vindt Gemma in een dichtgetimmerde kast een blik, omwikkeld in oude kranten. Het blik bevat een schat aan geheime brieven, die vertellen over het liefdesverdriet van de jonge verpleegster Alice Le Breton, vrijwilliger bij een meldpunt voor oorlogsslachtoffers vlak bij de frontlinie in de Eerste Wereldoorlog.
Zowel in het heden als tijdens de gruwelijke oorlogsjaren vinden beide vrouwen de kracht en moed om zich zelfs in de moeilijkste tijden staande te houden. Uiteindelijk zijn het de woorden en de onvoorwaardelijke liefde van Alice voor haar minnaar aan het front die Gemma weer kracht geven en haar laten inzien wat het ware leven betekent.
De cover is zo een cover waardoor je duidelijk weet welk boek je in handen hebt en zal gaan lezen. Alle elementen die je gaat tegenkomen zijn aanwezig en de sfeer die de cover uitstraalt is ook exact wat je krijgt.
De schrijfstijl is ongewoon vlot, je vliegt door het boek. Hem wegleggen is daardoor quasi onmogelijk. Ik begon in de vroege avond en als ik de mogelijkheid had gehad was hij diezelfde avond absoluut uit geweest.
Het verhaal is opgedeeld in twee delen. Een deel met Gemma haar verhaallijn, die struggled zichzelf door leven en neemt tijd om te beslissen wat ze nu wil met en in haar leven, en een deel met Alice haar verhaal wiens brieven Gemma gevonden heeft.
Ik moet eerlijk zijn, Gemma haar verhaallijn had voor mij zelfs niet zo uitgebreid moeten zijn. Het verhaal van Alice is namelijk zo sterk en mooi om te lezen dat de storyline van Gomma niet echt een meerwaarde is. Op sommige momenten stoorde de switch naar Gemma het verhaal zelf even.
Dit is gewoon een heerlijk mooi boek om te lezen, niet meer en niet minder. Een absolute ontspannende lees die je meeneemt doorheen de oorlogsjaren van Alice en de zoektocht van Gemma. Ik geef hem een 4/5 omdat ik zo ontspannen werd van deze lees en daardoor zo genoten heb van dit verhaal.
Twee eeuwen. Twee liefdes. Een verborgen geschiedenis.
De jonge verpleegster Gemma worstelt met trauma's die ze door haar baan in de zorg heeft opgelopen. Om hieraan te ontsnappen besluit ze te helpen met de renovatie van een vervallen boerderij in Doullens, een klein stadje in de buurt van de Somme, Frankrijk.
Op een van de eerste dagen vindt Gemma in een dichtgetimmerde kast een blik, omwikkeld in oude kranten. Het blik bevat een schat aan geheime brieven, die vertellen over het liefdesverdriet van de jonge verpleegster Alice Le Breton, vrijwilliger bij een meldpunt voor oorlogsslachtoffers vlak bij de frontlinie in de Eerste Wereldoorlog.
Zowel in het heden als tijdens de gruwelijke oorlogsjaren vinden beide vrouwen de kracht en moed om zich zelfs in de moeilijkste tijden staande te houden. Uiteindelijk zijn het de woorden en de onvoorwaardelijke liefde van Alice voor haar minnaar aan het front die Gemma weer kracht geven en haar laten inzien wat het ware leven betekent.
De cover is zo een cover waardoor je duidelijk weet welk boek je in handen hebt en zal gaan lezen. Alle elementen die je gaat tegenkomen zijn aanwezig en de sfeer die de cover uitstraalt is ook exact wat je krijgt.
De schrijfstijl is ongewoon vlot, je vliegt door het boek. Hem wegleggen is daardoor quasi onmogelijk. Ik begon in de vroege avond en als ik de mogelijkheid had gehad was hij diezelfde avond absoluut uit geweest.
Het verhaal is opgedeeld in twee delen. Een deel met Gemma haar verhaallijn, die struggled zichzelf door leven en neemt tijd om te beslissen wat ze nu wil met en in haar leven, en een deel met Alice haar verhaal wiens brieven Gemma gevonden heeft.
Ik moet eerlijk zijn, Gemma haar verhaallijn had voor mij zelfs niet zo uitgebreid moeten zijn. Het verhaal van Alice is namelijk zo sterk en mooi om te lezen dat de storyline van Gomma niet echt een meerwaarde is. Op sommige momenten stoorde de switch naar Gemma het verhaal zelf even.
Dit is gewoon een heerlijk mooi boek om te lezen, niet meer en niet minder. Een absolute ontspannende lees die je meeneemt doorheen de oorlogsjaren van Alice en de zoektocht van Gemma. Ik geef hem een 4/5 omdat ik zo ontspannen werd van deze lees en daardoor zo genoten heb van dit verhaal.