valparaiso45's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a departure for me from my dominant reading tastes, but an enjoyable one nonetheless because of my enjoyment of the Masterpiece mystery series “Grantchester” for which this book is the “prequel”. Here we find the backstory of the show’s central character—Sidney Chambers, a young, English war survivor who decides to become a Vicar in the Church of England after he returns from fighting with the Scots Guards on the Western Front of WWII. He fought in Italy, lost his best friend Robert Kendall, and returns to the friendship of Robert’s sister Amanda, to wrestle with a host of questions about the meaning of his life, his relationship with his guilt, his hope for the future, including Amanda, and his role as a survivor in the face of so much senseless loss.
I find James Runcie’s use of the present tense both unfamiliar and appealing in its immediacy. Runcie also weaves a series of subtle spiritual insights into his narrative which I appreciated for their resonance with questions I have asked about life. I do wish he would have given more depth to the characters, though. They all seem a little flat. Overall it was an enjoyable intro to the series which has a richness to it missing from this “prequel”. The book is somewhat disconnected from the premise of the show, deliberately to be sure, which is focused on an episodic murder mystery while developing the backstory of these characters.
Favorite Quotes:
"You mustn’t dwell. It makes you moody." -Sidney Chambers' mother (5/2/21)
I find James Runcie’s use of the present tense both unfamiliar and appealing in its immediacy. Runcie also weaves a series of subtle spiritual insights into his narrative which I appreciated for their resonance with questions I have asked about life. I do wish he would have given more depth to the characters, though. They all seem a little flat. Overall it was an enjoyable intro to the series which has a richness to it missing from this “prequel”. The book is somewhat disconnected from the premise of the show, deliberately to be sure, which is focused on an episodic murder mystery while developing the backstory of these characters.
Favorite Quotes:
"You mustn’t dwell. It makes you moody." -Sidney Chambers' mother (5/2/21)
ann_reads22's review against another edition
4.0
They look on human existence with a sad and loving amusement, patrolling the borders between life and death, believing that the best way to behave is with dignity and grace. Grace, that was the word. This is what Sydney wants. How can he learn to have grace?
Since I am a fan of the Masterpiece Mystery TV series, Grantchester, I started reading this novel a whim, more out of curiosity than anything else. This book is a prequel, written after the initial mystery series had been published. The story begins with the main character, Sidney Chambers, serving in the Scots Guard during WWII. There are some graphic descriptions of battle scenes but much of the story focuses on the psychological effects of war, continuing on into peacetime. Readers are given glimpses into the factors leading up to Sidney finally making the decision to become a clergyman, including one horrible event that happens during a battle, and his ongoing discussions with Reverend (Rev) Nev. It was also interesting to learn about Sydney's family members, who don't play much of a role in the TV series.
It was difficult not to insert mental images and voices of actors from the tv series into the story, so I just let them be part of the characters in the book. I am also not sure how much my enjoyment of the TV series played into my rating of the book, but it doesn't really matter. I am not usually a big reader of mysteries (although I enjoy some mystery TV shows) but I did like this novel and the way it was written.
Since I am a fan of the Masterpiece Mystery TV series, Grantchester, I started reading this novel a whim, more out of curiosity than anything else. This book is a prequel, written after the initial mystery series had been published. The story begins with the main character, Sidney Chambers, serving in the Scots Guard during WWII. There are some graphic descriptions of battle scenes but much of the story focuses on the psychological effects of war, continuing on into peacetime. Readers are given glimpses into the factors leading up to Sidney finally making the decision to become a clergyman, including one horrible event that happens during a battle, and his ongoing discussions with Reverend (Rev) Nev. It was also interesting to learn about Sydney's family members, who don't play much of a role in the TV series.
It was difficult not to insert mental images and voices of actors from the tv series into the story, so I just let them be part of the characters in the book. I am also not sure how much my enjoyment of the TV series played into my rating of the book, but it doesn't really matter. I am not usually a big reader of mysteries (although I enjoy some mystery TV shows) but I did like this novel and the way it was written.
verityw's review against another edition
3.0
I found this a really interesting read - but it is completely different in tone from the series that it is a prequel to. There is no mystery here - it's a character development piece - as you watch Sidney go through the things that you have seen referenced in the book. I enjoyed it - although I wanted a bit more actual action - but then I guess that's what I'm used to in the series proper.
***Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review******
***Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review******
paging_snidget's review against another edition
2.0
Very slow moving. Never really got attached to the characters or really engaged with the narrative. Very nearly put it down half way through.
teepland's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
annikavo's review against another edition
4.0
Wat een mooie aanvulling op de serie Grantchester. Vooral het eerste deel over de Tweede wereldoorlog is erg indrukwekkend.
Het heeft een andere indeling als de andere boeken, dat zijn steeds losse verhalen die toch samenhangen. Dit is de reis van de jonge man Sidney naar Dominee Sidney. Een mooie reis om over te lezen.
Het heeft een andere indeling als de andere boeken, dat zijn steeds losse verhalen die toch samenhangen. Dit is de reis van de jonge man Sidney naar Dominee Sidney. Een mooie reis om over te lezen.
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☆