cnorbury's review
4.0
If you enjoyed "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah, you might like "Eleanor's Wars." Similar setting, WW II, but from the perspective of an American woman, Eleanor Sutton, who drove an ambulance in WW I and now has to deal with three children coming of age during the war, maintaining a relationship with her distant in spirit husband, and dealing with the haunting memories of a lost love in WW I.
The book takes a bit of work to get into because the author has chosen to write in third-person present tense, which is rare to see in literature. But after a few chapters, this reader didn't mind. The family is well-to-do and somewhat formal and stiff, which the author portrays well with very proper dialogue. (Although some might say the dialogue is too stuffy--or maybe unrealistic--but if one accepts that well-to-do society was much more rigid and proper in those days, the author's decision about style works.
The author displays a high level of craft and has penned a cohesive, interesting story that unfolds nicely, even though the ending is a bit predictable. Overall, an enjoyable read.
The book takes a bit of work to get into because the author has chosen to write in third-person present tense, which is rare to see in literature. But after a few chapters, this reader didn't mind. The family is well-to-do and somewhat formal and stiff, which the author portrays well with very proper dialogue. (Although some might say the dialogue is too stuffy--or maybe unrealistic--but if one accepts that well-to-do society was much more rigid and proper in those days, the author's decision about style works.
The author displays a high level of craft and has penned a cohesive, interesting story that unfolds nicely, even though the ending is a bit predictable. Overall, an enjoyable read.
chelz286's review against another edition
4.0
Very good read about WWII from a prominent family living in the USA. Interesting perspective of what war life was like here and how they did everything they could to contribute to the war effort.
margarettelfer's review
5.0
I loved this book - could not put it down! It is a compelling story of a great love lost and the woman who went on to build a good life - until all pretenses had to be dropped. It's about the corrosiveness of lies and the redemption of family life. It is a gripping story, with characters who are fully developed and became part of my life as I read. The book provides an excellent portrait of life in America during WWII - how that war and the previous one affected ordinary lives. I wasn't alive then - but I feel I've lived through it and learned something about the human capacity for love.
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