Bought in Waterstone's today.


The lives of two very different couples are irrevocably intertwined and forever changed in this stunning World War I epic of love and war.

From the day in 1907 that eleven-year-old Riley Purefoy meets Nadine Waveney, daughter of a well-known orchestral conductor, he takes in the difference between their two families: his, working-class; hers, "posh" and artistic. Just a few years later, romance and these differences erupt simultaneously with the war in Europe. In a fit of fury and boyish pride, Riley enlists in the army and finds himself involved in the transformative nightmare of the twentieth century.

While Riley and his commanding officer, Peter Locke, fight for their country and their survival in the trenches of Flanders, Peter's lovely and naive wife, Julia, and his cousin Rose eagerly await his return. But the sullen, distant man who arrives home on leave is not the Peter they knew. Worried that her husband is slipping away, Julia is left alone with her fears when Rose joins the nursing corps to work with a pioneering plastic surgeon treating wounded and disfigured soldiers.

Only eighteen at the outbreak of the war, Nadine and Riley want to make promises to each other--but how can they when their future is out of their hands? Youthful passion is on their side, but then their loyalty is tested by terrible injury, and even more so by the necessarily imperfect rehabilitation that follows.

Moving among Ypres, London, and Paris, this emotionally rich and evocative novel is both a powerful exploration of the lasting effects of war on those who fight--and those who don't--and a poignant testament to the power of enduring love

Just as described on the cover by the Observer, this book is 'Deeply moving'. Although it is written in an unusual style which is difficult to get into at first, I soon found myself rattling along and caring deeply for all the characters.

It covers the years of the First World War and has obviously been well researched. It paints a vivid picture of what people went through and the hardships they had to endure. The battlefield scenes are heartbreaking.

I have offered it as a ring but there is only one taker so far so it's going to her today. The others are missing an excellent read.


UPDATE ON BOOKRING:
Inver - Scotland
Edwardstreet - NZ
Blue_berry - UK
Starrdust - Canada

This book is on its way to Aberdeen to be enjoyed (hopefully) by Inver, the only bookcrosser to take an interest in my ring. There's no hurry Inver - take your time and enjoy it and I'll let you know if anyone else wants to read it.

Sorry to hear I am the only one taking up your offer of this bookring. I was looking at it yesterday in Waterstones and something trigged the back of my mind and said 'no don't buy this one or put it on your wishlist' and here I am today opening up a package from you.I knew there was something telling me it was on its way...lol.

Thank you for sending it on (and for my first Christmas card of the year). I look forward to reading this, eventually!

Just to let you know I will now be starting this book.

14/1/13.....over half way now.

Well....what can I say. After a slow start with this book and getting used to the way it was written, I loved it. It took a wee while to get to know all the characters, but then it took off, once the scene was set. First World War is always a difficult subject to write about without it being a bit gruesome given the subject matter, but all the characters have their own tale to tell and how they deal with the harshness and heartbreaks of it all. Riley being promoted and not knowing why, I had to feel for him stuck in the middle of good and bad.

I thought this book had been well researched and can imagine it being a bit overwhelming at times for the author while going through hospital procedures etc during WW1 era. but it was dealt with in a very detailed and sensitive manner, as it to be within those chapters.

I have to say Chapter 25 was the most touching for me, but I won't say why, you will maybe understand when you have read it.

I really hope more people will sign up for this bookring and thank you for the opportunity to read it.

This is slowly winging its way to fellow bookcrosser 'Edwardstreet' in New Zealand...enjoy.

In my letter box, will read asap and then back to Blue_berry in the UK.Thank you from sunny, warm Wellington New Zealand.

Posting to the next person in the ring Blue_Berry, just waiting for address to be advised,

Strong portrayal of the horrors of trench warfare and the effect on the men who came back so damaged.

Thanks for the opportunity to particpate in this ring.

Received yesterday with thanks! Will start as soon as I've finished my current book.

This was an easy read. There were no surprises, quite a conventional story. I liked Riley's character, he had more depth than the others. Well written, but a bit tired in topic and themes.

Sending off to next reader as part of bookray.

This book was waiting for me when I got home from work tonight, picked up at the Post Office by my husband today. Looking forward to reading this one and happy to be included in this bookring!

This book is very powerful and I'm so glad that I've had the opportunity to read it as part of this book ring (thanks madmadge). I had just finished reading "The Walnut Tree" which is a story that also takes place during WWI, and then moved along into this story so I found it easy to get into as my mindset was already in the 1914-1918 era.

I really connected with the characters of Riley and Nadine, but also felt drawn to other characters who brought the reality of World War I into the heart and mind of the reader. I definitely learned things that I didn't know before and appreciate the author's attention to detail with historical facts but also with the social climate of the time and the emotional upheaval this war had on all who were involved both directly and indirectly. Some of the chapters were very difficult for me to read and I needed to skim over them to just get a sense of the story but couldn't always bring myself to read the actual words - - still, these chapters reflect history and reality, and have added to the depth of the story as well as to my own enhanced understanding of what the soldiers and medical staff faced at the time.

I agree with Inver that chapter 25 was a special one.

Thanks again, madmadge - - it appears I am the last in this book ring so I will send you a pm to get your address and send this book back to you.

madmadge has confirmed that she doesn't want this book returned, so I'm passing it on as a controlled release to davethetech.

Controlled release for the 2013 Never Judge a Book By Its Cover! Challenge
Week 14: A repeat of the week 12 cover - theme: Double letters in one word of the title

Thanks for passing this book on to me, starrdust.