This is a gentle and evocative novel set in the 1930s. A coming of age of sorts, although the protagonist is 39 at the beginning of the book – it is more a birthing and childhood of an era – post war, with so many young men killed, that women have had to take up roles previously denied them and society is forced to change attitudes towards what females are capable of.
*SPOILERS*
The main character, whose fiancé died in the war is carrying on an affair with a married man whose wife is suffering with mental health issues brought on by grief over the death of their own son in the war.
There are themes of grief and guilt and breaking free from societal shackles. I liked the period vibe of the book which was kind of like an Agatha Christie novel with village greens and tweed skirts and tea with the vicar, and on the whole I enjoyed the story. Not my favourite Tracy Chevalier though.
Sarah Wray Writer 