bookpossum's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as "Tulip Fever", but still an enjoyable read.
dreamer4ever's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up at the library on a whim, I thought it sounded good. This must just not be for me, I see all the stellar reviews and quite honestly, I found it a bit boring.
your_true_shelf's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyable. I found the characters believable & cared about them. Quite easy to read, but not shallow or superficial. My first Deborah Moggach but I think not my last.
canadianbookworm's review
4.0
This tale set in Southwark during World War II, is of a teenage boy and his mother, running a rooming house. The father has been killed in the war, and the two are struggling to make ends meet, especially after the rationing begins. The maid, Winnie, is from the country, and acts like an older sister to the boy, Ralph. The local butcher, Neville Turk, is attracted to the mother and woos her by "helping out", sending her nice cuts of meat, and arranging delivery of coal when they run low. This strategy works, and as he marries Eithne and moves into the house, he begins making changes, starting with the addition of electricity. Ralph rebels by becoming a vegetarian and befriends one of the tenants, who is blind. Winnie also befriends Alwyne, reading to him in the evening. As the war continues, Turk continues his plans for the property and shows little regard for others' feelings. Ralph continues his transition to adulthood and Alwyne turns out to be aware of more than others think. An interesting story, told with subtlety and humour.
restlessunicorn's review
2.0
I am pretty sure this book was accidentally taken from my wife's read pile. Even so, I kept with it - if only because I've been on a bit of a World War I kick with [book:Fall of Giants|7315573] and the final season of Downton Abbey.
I was never drawn into the story, despite a few interesting twists and turns. In the end, there was only one character I had any empathy for - Winnie, the knocked up housemaid. This book was firmly in the 'meh' category, earning 2.5 stars. (I'm rounding it down to 2 stars because Goodreads doesn't allow partial ratings.)
I was never drawn into the story, despite a few interesting twists and turns. In the end, there was only one character I had any empathy for - Winnie, the knocked up housemaid. This book was firmly in the 'meh' category, earning 2.5 stars. (I'm rounding it down to 2 stars because Goodreads doesn't allow partial ratings.)
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