This saga novel opens with Judith, an independent and sensible girl in her teens, preparing to go to boarding school as her parents depart to work abroad. We see the world through her eyes, and quickly come to know her various relatives and their friends. She settles fairly well into life with her aunt until tragedy strikes, and she must uproot again.

Judith makes some close friends at school, including one who adopts her almost as a sister and gives her a standing invitation to their home. As Judith has no permanent home of her own, she is attracted to the family lifestyle of her friend, and enjoys spending time with her friend’s brothers.

When she leaves school, she travels with her career, becoming more responsible and mature, yet always longing deep in her heart for somewhere she can call ‘home’. How her longing is resolved, and the various sub-plots come to conclusion, is the topic of this superb book which takes us to the heart of Britain in war-time. Perhaps a little slow-moving to start with, this book soon became exciting and un-put-down-able.

Rosamunde Pilcher has a way of making the readers totally sympathetic with her main characters, who are realistic and caring, with a human share of faults. As Judith grows up and learns - sometimes painfully - about life and other people, we share her hopes and fears. For those who do not live in the UK, this book should provide a little insight into life in the upper-middle classes during the years of World War II.




Recommended: Yes