phillysaurus's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Nice enough read, but not the most exciting plot. Could have done with more characters or more events. I understand the rest of the series will develop the children, but I don't know if I'm invested enough to read another.
jsaint2002's review against another edition
4.0
I was torn between 3 or 4 stars. Ultimately I have a soft spot for historical fiction, especially when it’s chalk full of interesting characters, descriptive and well researched.
ma1's review against another edition
This was my favorite series when I was in high school. Not really sure why, now.
dashausfrau's review against another edition
2.0
Long & dramatic. Sort of Thornbirds?
Meh.
It's worth noting that this author didn't think the industrial revolution did anyone any good. Factory towns are sort of idealized in the US, not in bucolic England.
Meh.
It's worth noting that this author didn't think the industrial revolution did anyone any good. Factory towns are sort of idealized in the US, not in bucolic England.
lnatal's review against another edition
5.0
Just arrived from USA through BM.
This is the first volume of the Swann Family Saga series in the period of 1857 to 1866.
After returning from the wars in the Crimea and India, Adam Swann decided to leave the army and started his own business - "Swann-on-Wheels". The company's name was suggested by Henrietta Rawlinson, daughter of a local mill owner, who will become his beloved wife.
Their life will change drastically after a train crash. By coincidence or not, the Swann's family just met the famous British writer Charles Dickens who was already well known at that time.
The title of this book comes from Adam's returning to England after a very painful period of his life, in the quay of Calais, "where he saw every other ship flew the British flag and quays were piled with packing cases, some of them stenciled with names he recognized." (page 781)
A lot of British writers are mentioned along this book in addition to Charles Dickens, such as Charlotte Bronte, George Eliot, Charlotte Mary Yonge, Wilkie Collins. However, a special attention is given to East Lynne by Mrs. Henry Wood with is cited several times along the narrative and was mostly related to Henrietta character while the firs ones were related to their children's education.
This saga continues with Theirs Was the Kingdom and Give Us This Day.
This is the first volume of the Swann Family Saga series in the period of 1857 to 1866.
After returning from the wars in the Crimea and India, Adam Swann decided to leave the army and started his own business - "Swann-on-Wheels". The company's name was suggested by Henrietta Rawlinson, daughter of a local mill owner, who will become his beloved wife.
Their life will change drastically after a train crash. By coincidence or not, the Swann's family just met the famous British writer Charles Dickens who was already well known at that time.
The title of this book comes from Adam's returning to England after a very painful period of his life, in the quay of Calais, "where he saw every other ship flew the British flag and quays were piled with packing cases, some of them stenciled with names he recognized." (page 781)
A lot of British writers are mentioned along this book in addition to Charles Dickens, such as Charlotte Bronte, George Eliot, Charlotte Mary Yonge, Wilkie Collins. However, a special attention is given to East Lynne by Mrs. Henry Wood with is cited several times along the narrative and was mostly related to Henrietta character while the firs ones were related to their children's education.
This saga continues with Theirs Was the Kingdom and Give Us This Day.
raehink's review against another edition
4.0
Adam Swann returns from Army service in the Crimea to found a business of freight-hauling coaches. He also marries Henrietta Rawlinson, daughter of a local mill owner. The novel depicts Victorian England with some local history. The sequels to this are Theirs Was the Kindom and Give Us This Day.
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