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katebyroade's review against another edition
4.0
This is a prequel to the Grantchester mysteries, but is not a mystery story. It’s an origin story for the characters, but mostly a World War II story and the story of a man becoming committed to his faith.
I enjoyed it, and it’s very well written, but it’s a serious, thoughtful, read and prospective readers should know that beforehand.
I enjoyed it, and it’s very well written, but it’s a serious, thoughtful, read and prospective readers should know that beforehand.
mickymac's review against another edition
5.0
Deep and meaningful prequel
The backstory of the Anglican Father Brown is an amusing and refreshingly honest account of a sceptical man finding faith. Delving into the complexity and ambiguity of war, love and faith,this is much richer fare to digest than the cosy tv series
The backstory of the Anglican Father Brown is an amusing and refreshingly honest account of a sceptical man finding faith. Delving into the complexity and ambiguity of war, love and faith,this is much richer fare to digest than the cosy tv series
piepieb's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks, Netgalley, for this arc.
I'm a big fan of the Grantchester TV series - after a recent rewatch, I still think I prefer the show over the books. At some parts this "prequel" was slow and dragged; the first third of the book took place on the WWII battlefields, so if you're not immune to reading about warfare, you might want to skip over it. All the same, it was interesting to see Sidney's journey from soldier to priest.
I'm a big fan of the Grantchester TV series - after a recent rewatch, I still think I prefer the show over the books. At some parts this "prequel" was slow and dragged; the first third of the book took place on the WWII battlefields, so if you're not immune to reading about warfare, you might want to skip over it. All the same, it was interesting to see Sidney's journey from soldier to priest.
gretel7's review against another edition
3.0
I received this from Netgalley.com for a review.
This book is a prequel to The Grantchester Mysteries Series books. I was first introduced to Sidney on the TV series 'Grantchester'. On one hand, it was good to understand how Sidney came to be who he is in the series, but having known the characters in a 3 dimensional world, this book was a bit of a let down.
3☆
This book is a prequel to The Grantchester Mysteries Series books. I was first introduced to Sidney on the TV series 'Grantchester'. On one hand, it was good to understand how Sidney came to be who he is in the series, but having known the characters in a 3 dimensional world, this book was a bit of a let down.
3☆
tericarol21's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I haven't watched any Grantchester, nor read any novels...I knew this was a prequel but knew basically nothing of the storyline it was setting up. So....
I was not really prepared for like half the book to be fairly graphic war, and then the second half to be the personal fallout from war. So what I thought was going to be a light read actually turned out to be pretty heavy.
It was good though, and I would read the other parts of the series -- but according to the jacket they are mysteries and this was definitely NOT a mystery. This is setting up characters for what must be upcoming arcs.
I was not really prepared for like half the book to be fairly graphic war, and then the second half to be the personal fallout from war. So what I thought was going to be a light read actually turned out to be pretty heavy.
It was good though, and I would read the other parts of the series -- but according to the jacket they are mysteries and this was definitely NOT a mystery. This is setting up characters for what must be upcoming arcs.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
backpackingbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I requested this book because I thought it would provide context about Sidney Chambers prior to reading/watching the Grantchester series. The book did certainly do this, however I feel it's intended audience is those that are already familiar with the Grantchester characters and sequels as this book provided a background and not much more. There wasn't much of a plot and I read it more like a memoir than a fictional story.
The book begins in 1938, right before Sidney heads off to war with fellow friends and comrades. He is then followed throughout the battles and harrowing conditions, watching too many soldiers die and waking up every day believing it will be his last. 7 years later he returns to London and struggles to slot himself back into society after everything he has been subjected to. When trying to figure out where he is meant to go next, something niggles at the back of his mind and grows steadily stronger every day - the call from God. Sidney can't see himself being worthy of any other career and embarks on a journey to priesthood.
I do find myself drawn to books set in the war and this was no exception. The visuals were strong and the camaraderie amongst the men kept me involved in the reading. However, in the post-war story, I found myself a little bored and didn't think there was much plot, apart from the scene with Freddie, Henry and Frank. I'm not particularly religious so wasn't overly interested in the parts dedicated to Sidney's calling. I do think I would have enjoyed the book more if I had more knowledge in the series and therefore do recommend to fans of Grantchester.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book begins in 1938, right before Sidney heads off to war with fellow friends and comrades. He is then followed throughout the battles and harrowing conditions, watching too many soldiers die and waking up every day believing it will be his last. 7 years later he returns to London and struggles to slot himself back into society after everything he has been subjected to. When trying to figure out where he is meant to go next, something niggles at the back of his mind and grows steadily stronger every day - the call from God. Sidney can't see himself being worthy of any other career and embarks on a journey to priesthood.
I do find myself drawn to books set in the war and this was no exception. The visuals were strong and the camaraderie amongst the men kept me involved in the reading. However, in the post-war story, I found myself a little bored and didn't think there was much plot, apart from the scene with Freddie, Henry and Frank. I'm not particularly religious so wasn't overly interested in the parts dedicated to Sidney's calling. I do think I would have enjoyed the book more if I had more knowledge in the series and therefore do recommend to fans of Grantchester.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.