- Paperback: 367 pages
- Publisher: McArthur & Co (Aug 15 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1552783944
- ISBN-13: 978-1552783948
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,112,511 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Booklist
She may not be as famous as Binchy or Pilcher, but British writer Willett is just as gifted at combining elements of romance and melodrama into compelling women's fiction. Stylistically, her writing mirrors Pilcher's, with a hint of subtlety suggesting more literary fiction, but her generational plots and sumptuous scene setting have all of Binchy's wide-ranging commercial appeal. The "children's hour" was the time when Lydia read to her six children at Ottercombe, the family home in Devon. It was a delightful childhood, but nothing could protect the children from war and personal tragedy. Memories of earlier times are still fresh for now-septuagenarian Nest and Mina, whose quiet life at Ottercombe is disturbed by the arrival of their eldest sister, Georgie, who despite encroaching senility knows all the family secrets and threatens to reveal them. Willett captures the sights, sounds, and smells of seaside Devon superbly, and her characters are just complex enough to draw us into the story and keep us there contentedly. A must for women's fiction readers. Emily Melton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Echoes of carefree childhood summers resonate throughout Marcia Willett's beguiling story of family relationships. They ensnare and entrance the reader in equal measure."-Yorkshire Evening Post
"She may not be as famous as Binchy or Pilcher, but British writer Willett is just as gifted at combining elements of romance and melodrama into compelling women's fiction. Stylistically, her writing mirrors Pilcher's, with a hint of subtlety suggesting more literary fiction, but her generational plots and sumptuous scene setting have all of Binchy's wide ranging commercial appeal. Willett captures the sights, sounds, and smells of seaside Devon superbly, and her characters are just complex enough to draw us into the story and keep us there contentedly. A must for women's fiction readers."-Booklist
"Entertaining character study...readers will enjoy this gentle breeze."-Harriet Klausner
"A warm novel with echoes of the past and an endearing simplicity."-Tim Manderson, Publishing News (UK) (special selection)
"Astute and deeply moving."-The Bookseller (UK)
"One of the best books [Willett] has ever produced...a fluent, almost poetic, text relating a poignant story."-Western Morning News (UK)
"A gripping novel that will keep you busy on the beach, unable to do anything but keep turning the pages, and its uplifting ending will complement the positive moods of summer-great holiday reading."-Devon Life (UK)
"The richness of childhood memories and half-forgotten secrets are explored with a deft touch and a fine attention to detail...an unusual and enlightening slant on the vagaries of family life and aging-and the power of memories."-Lancashire Evening Post (UK)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"She may not be as famous as Binchy or Pilcher, but British writer Willett is just as gifted at combining elements of romance and melodrama into compelling women's fiction. Stylistically, her writing mirrors Pilcher's, with a hint of subtlety suggesting more literary fiction, but her generational plots and sumptuous scene setting have all of Binchy's wide ranging commercial appeal. Willett captures the sights, sounds, and smells of seaside Devon superbly, and her characters are just complex enough to draw us into the story and keep us there contentedly. A must for women's fiction readers."-Booklist
"Entertaining character study...readers will enjoy this gentle breeze."-Harriet Klausner
"A warm novel with echoes of the past and an endearing simplicity."-Tim Manderson, Publishing News (UK) (special selection)
"Astute and deeply moving."-The Bookseller (UK)
"One of the best books [Willett] has ever produced...a fluent, almost poetic, text relating a poignant story."-Western Morning News (UK)
"A gripping novel that will keep you busy on the beach, unable to do anything but keep turning the pages, and its uplifting ending will complement the positive moods of summer-great holiday reading."-Devon Life (UK)
"The richness of childhood memories and half-forgotten secrets are explored with a deft touch and a fine attention to detail...an unusual and enlightening slant on the vagaries of family life and aging-and the power of memories."-Lancashire Evening Post (UK)
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Christmas Gift Ever,
By Catherine (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Childrens Hour (Paperback)
I have been bemoaning the fact to my family for months that 'The Children's Hour' wasn't arriving in Canada until the summer of 2004. Much to my surprise it was wrapped and under our tree, a gift from my wonderful daughter!Once I picked it up on Boxing Day, I sat and read it until 2 a.m. I couldn't put it down. Her descriptions take you into another world and you become engrossed in the characters. I like a book that goes back and forth from the present to the past as this one does. Her characters are well-rounded and some so easy to love. There are several secrets afloat throughout the novel, but, one in particular made me gasp out loud, and was another completely unexpected. As much as I've loved all your books Marcia, I think this one will be very hard to top! Congratuations on a job well done!
2.0 out of 5 stars
A very light read,
By
This review is from: The Children's Hour (Mass Market Paperback)
I think the above description summarizes this book pretty well. I don't mind a good novel based on past reminiscences where love stories are remembered and new ones ensue, but I found this particular book to have no depth whatsoever. True, it's a light read indeed but one I'd have avoided had I not spent my money on it.On the good side, the prose is studied and quite elegant. However, most characters, their feelings and surroundings are described in such a repetitive way, it goes on and on. Yes, there are some "twists & turns", but the bottom line is, this is just the typical he-loves-her-she-loves-him-but-fate-gets-in-the-way kind of story. Quite predictable too and much too goody-goody for my taste, to the point where the characters seem unreal.
4.0 out of 5 stars
entertaining character study,
By
This review is from: The Children's Hour (Hardcover)
Worried about her mother suffering from Alzheimer's and unable to provide the round the clock caret, Helena asks her aunts Mina and Nest to watch over their sister Georgie until she can be placed in a nursing home. Mina, who would have to be the prime caretaker since Nest is wheelchair bound, agrees. Thus for the first time in years the three sisters live together in the family home Ottercombe in Devon.Their time together rings out secrets that none want revealed, but Alzheimer's leads to exposure. Each looks back to a serene time of loving family until adultery and betrayal destroyed the camaraderie, but a subsequent car accident nuked it forever or at least until now. Nest lost the ability to walk and a forth sister Henrietta died on that fatal night when quarrels caused by the love of the same man ended fatally. As revelations and feelings surface with Georgie as the catalyst, the trio begin to let go of the past, bit can each one reach out to hug one another. This entertaining character study focuses on four sisters whose rivalries turned a caring extended family into dysfunctional enemies. Readers get up close look at the incident that destroyed the well-being of everyone involved. Though no action whatsoever even looking back at the pivotal moment, readers will enjoy this gentle breeze with the message that feuds and grudges are harmful while reconciliation and nurturing provide solace. Harriet Klausner
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