The Summer Before the War - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0812983203 ISBN 13: 9780812983203

Synopsis

Set in the idyllic beauty of a late Edwardian summer in the country, where the passionate pursuit of unexpected love and the village outrage over the arrival of a female Latin teacher will all be swept away by the onset of a war no one could imagine. East Sussex, 1914. It's the end of an idyllic summer and Hugh Grange, down from his medical studies, is visiting his Aunt Agatha in the pretty coastal town of Rye. Casting aside the recent sabre rattling over the Balkans, Agatha has more immediate concerns; she has just risked her carefully built reputation by pushing for the appointment of a woman to replace the Latin master. When Beatrice Nash arrives, it is clear she is significantly more free thinking - and attractive - than anyone believes a Latin teacher should be. For her part, mourning the death of her beloved father who has left her penniless, Beatrice simply wants to be left alone to pursue her teaching and writing. But just as Beatrice comes alive to the beauty of the Sussex landscape, and the colourful characters that populate Rye, the perfect summer is about to end. For despite Agatha's reassurances, the unimaginable is coming. Soon, everything will be tested as this small Sussex town and its inhabitants go to war.

About this title

Review:

Advance praise for "The Summer Before the War"
At once haunting and effervescent, "The Summer Before the War" demonstrates the sure hand of a master. Helen Simonson s characters enchant us, her English countryside beguiles us, and her historical intelligence keeps us at the edge of our seats. This luminous story of a family, a town, and a world in their final moments of innocence is as lingering and lovely as a long summer sunset. Annie Barrows, author of "The Truth According to Us" and co-author of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"
""
Helen Simonson has outdone herself in this radiant follow-up to "Major Pettigrew s Last Stand." The provincial town of Rye, East Sussex, in the days just before and after the Great War is so vividly drawn it fairly vibrates. The depth and sensitivity with which she weighs the steep costs and delicate bonds of wartime and not just for the young men in the trenches, but for every changed life and heart reveal the full mastery of her storytelling. Simonson is like a Jane Austen for our day and age she is that good and "The Summer Before the War" is nothing short of a treasure. Paula McLain, author of "The Paris Wife "and" Circling the Sun
"
A bright confection of a book morphs into a story of dignity and backbone. . . . This book is beautifully plotted and morally astute. "Kirkus Reviews"(starred review)
This novel is just the ticket for fans of Simonson s debut, "Major Pettigrew s Last Stand, "and for any reader who enjoys leisurely fiction steeped in the British past. " Booklist"

"From the Hardcover edition.""

A novel to cure your "Downton Abbey" withdrawal . . . a delightful story about nontraditional romantic relationships, class snobbery and the everybody-knows-everybody complications of living in a small community. "The Washington Post"
""
What begins as a study of a small-town society becomes a compelling account of war and its aftermath. "Woman s Day"
This witty character study of how a small English town reacts to the 1914 arrival of its first female teacher offers gentle humor wrapped in a hauntingly detailed story. "Good Housekeeping"
Perfect for readers in a post "Downton Abbey" slump . . . The gently teasing banter between two kindred spirits edging slowly into love is as delicately crafted as a bone-china teacup. . . . More than a high-toned romantic reverie for Anglophiles though it serves the latter purpose, too. "The Seattle Times"
[Helen Simonson s] characters are so vivid, it s as if a PBS series has come to life. There s scandal, star-crossed love and fear, but at its heart, "The Summer Before the War "is about loyalty, love and family. "AARP: The Magazine"
At once haunting and effervescent, "The Summer Before the War" demonstrates the sure hand of a master. Helen Simonson s characters enchant us, her English countryside beguiles us, and her historical intelligence keeps us at the edge of our seats. This luminous story of a family, a town, and a world in their final moments of innocence is as lingering and lovely as a long summer sunset. Annie Barrows, author of "The Truth According to Us" and co-author of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"
""
Helen Simonson has outdone herself in this radiant follow-up to "Major Pettigrew s Last Stand." The provincial town of Rye, East Sussex, in the days just before and after the Great War is so vividly drawn it fairly vibrates. The depth and sensitivity with which she weighs the steep costs and delicate bonds of wartime and not just for the young men in the trenches, but for every changed life and heart reveal the full mastery of her storytelling. Simonson is like a Jane Austen for our day and age she is that good and "The Summer Before the War" is nothing short of a treasure. Paula McLain, author of "The Paris Wife "and" Circling the Sun
"
A bright confection of a book morphs into a story of dignity and backbone. . . . This book is beautifully plotted and morally astute. "Kirkus Reviews"(starred review)
Simonson s second novel paints a sensitive, witty, luminous portrait of England at the outbreak of World War I. "Shelf Awareness"
This novel is just the ticket for fans of Simonson s debut, "Major Pettigrew s Last Stand, "and for any reader who enjoys leisurely fiction steeped in the British past. " Booklist"

"From the Hardcover edition.""

A novel to cure your Downton Abbey withdrawal . . . a delightful story about nontraditional romantic relationships, class snobbery and the everybody-knows-everybody complications of living in a small community. The Washington Post

What begins as a study of a small-town society becomes a compelling account of war and its aftermath. Woman s Day
This witty character study of how a small English town reacts to the 1914 arrival of its first female teacher offers gentle humor wrapped in a hauntingly detailed story. Good Housekeeping

Perfect for readers in a post Downton Abbey slump . . . The gently teasing banter between two kindred spirits edging slowly into love is as delicately crafted as a bone-china teacup. . . . More than a high-toned romantic reverie for Anglophiles though it serves the latter purpose, too. The Seattle Times
[Helen Simonson s] characters are so vivid, it s as if a PBS series has come to life. There s scandal, star-crossed love and fear, but at its heart, The Summer Before the War is about loyalty, love and family. AARP: The Magazine
At once haunting and effervescent, The Summer Before the War demonstrates the sure hand of a master. Helen Simonson s characters enchant us, her English countryside beguiles us, and her historical intelligence keeps us at the edge of our seats. This luminous story of a family, a town, and a world in their final moments of innocence is as lingering and lovely as a long summer sunset. Annie Barrows, author of The Truth According to Us and co-author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Helen Simonson has outdone herself in this radiant follow-up to Major Pettigrew s Last Stand. The provincial town of Rye, East Sussex, in the days just before and after the Great War is so vividly drawn it fairly vibrates. The depth and sensitivity with which she weighs the steep costs and delicate bonds of wartime and not just for the young men in the trenches, but for every changed life and heart reveal the full mastery of her storytelling. Simonson is like a Jane Austen for our day and age she is that good and The Summer Before the War is nothing short of a treasure. Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun

A bright confection of a book morphs into a story of dignity and backbone. . . . This book is beautifully plotted and morally astute. Kirkus Reviews(starred review)
Simonson s second novel paints a sensitive, witty, luminous portrait of England at the outbreak of World War I. Shelf Awareness
This novel is just the ticket for fans of Simonson s debut, Major Pettigrew s Last Stand, and for any reader who enjoys leisurely fiction steeped in the British past. Booklist

From the Hardcover edition."

-A novel to cure your Downton Abbey withdrawal . . . a delightful story about nontraditional romantic relationships, class snobbery and the everybody-knows-everybody complications of living in a small community.---The Washington Post

-What begins as a study of a small-town society becomes a compelling account of war and its aftermath.---Woman's Day
-This witty character study of how a small English town reacts to the 1914 arrival of its first female teacher offers gentle humor wrapped in a hauntingly detailed story.---Good Housekeeping

-Perfect for readers in a post-Downton Abbey slump . . . The gently teasing banter between two kindred spirits edging slowly into love is as delicately crafted as a bone-china teacup. . . . More than a high-toned romantic reverie for Anglophiles--though it serves the latter purpose, too.---The Seattle Times
-[Helen Simonson's] characters are so vivid, it's as if a PBS series has come to life. There's scandal, star-crossed love and fear, but at its heart, The Summer Before the War is about loyalty, love and family.---AARP: The Magazine
-At once haunting and effervescent, The Summer Before the War demonstrates the sure hand of a master. Helen Simonson's characters enchant us, her English countryside beguiles us, and her historical intelligence keeps us at the edge of our seats. This luminous story of a family, a town, and a world in their final moments of innocence is as lingering and lovely as a long summer sunset.---Annie Barrows, author of The Truth According to Us and co-author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

-Helen Simonson has outdone herself in this radiant follow-up to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. The provincial town of Rye, East Sussex, in the days just before and after the Great War is so vividly drawn it fairly vibrates. The depth and sensitivity with which she weighs the steep costs and delicate bonds of wartime--and not just for the young men in the trenches, but for every changed life and heart--reveal the full mastery of her storytelling. Simonson is like a Jane Austen for our day and age--she is that good--and The Summer Before the War is nothing short of a treasure.---Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun

-A bright confection of a book morphs into a story of dignity and backbone. . . . This book is beautifully plotted and morally astute.---Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
-Simonson's second novel paints a sensitive, witty, luminous portrait of England at the outbreak of World War I.---Shelf Awareness
-This novel is just the ticket for fans of Simonson's debut, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, and for any reader who enjoys leisurely fiction steeped in the British past.---Booklist

From the Hardcover edition.

"A novel to cure your Downton Abbey withdrawal . . . a delightful story about nontraditional romantic relationships, class snobbery and the everybody-knows-everybody complications of living in a small community."--The Washington Post

"What begins as a study of a small-town society becomes a compelling account of war and its aftermath."--Woman's Day

"This witty character study of how a small English town reacts to the 1914 arrival of its first female teacher offers gentle humor wrapped in a hauntingly detailed story."--Good Housekeeping

"Perfect for readers in a post-Downton Abbey slump . . . The gently teasing banter between two kindred spirits edging slowly into love is as delicately crafted as a bone-china teacup. . . . More than a high-toned romantic reverie for Anglophiles--though it serves the latter purpose, too."--The Seattle Times

"[Helen Simonson's] characters are so vivid, it's as if a PBS series has come to life. There's scandal, star-crossed love and fear, but at its heart, The Summer Before the War is about loyalty, love and family."--AARP: The Magazine

"At once haunting and effervescent, The Summer Before the War demonstrates the sure hand of a master. Helen Simonson's characters enchant us, her English countryside beguiles us, and her historical intelligence keeps us at the edge of our seats. This luminous story of a family, a town, and a world in their final moments of innocence is as lingering and lovely as a long summer sunset."--Annie Barrows, author of The Truth According to Us and co-author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

"Helen Simonson has outdone herself in this radiant follow-up to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. The provincial town of Rye, East Sussex, in the days just before and after the Great War is so vividly drawn it fairly vibrates. The depth and sensitivity with which she weighs the steep costs and delicate bonds of wartime--and not just for the young men in the trenches, but for every changed life and heart--reveal the full mastery of her storytelling. Simonson is like a Jane Austen for our day and age--she is that good--and The Summer Before the War is nothing short of a treasure."--Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun

"A bright confection of a book morphs into a story of dignity and backbone. . . . This book is beautifully plotted and morally astute."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Simonson's second novel paints a sensitive, witty, luminous portrait of England at the outbreak of World War I."--Shelf Awareness

"This novel is just the ticket for fans of Simonson's debut, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, and for any reader who enjoys leisurely fiction steeped in the British past."--Booklist

From the Hardcover edition.

Book Description:

New York Times-bestselling author Helen Simonson returns with a splendid historical novel full of the same wit, romance and insight into the manners and morals of small-town British life as her beloved Major Pettigrew's Last Stand.

About this edition

• ISBN 10: 0812983203
• ISBN 13: 9780812983203
• Binding: Paperback