Land Girls [Paperback]

 

 

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In this 20th Century based novel, ï¿Land Girlsï¿ by Angela Huth, the author takes three girls through a life changing experience. Huth takes wealthy city girls Aga, Prue, and Stella to live on a farm. On this farm, these girls have to perform jobs that men would do if they were not at war. WWII is going on and it will take a while for these girls to get adjusted. ï¿This place was horribly old-fashioned, Gloomy, dingy.ï¿(p.10) Everything was terribly different from home, but even though these girls came from different backgrounds, they help each other survive. They are bound to become friends for life. These young girls will encounter love, honor, friendship, and courage through the adventures in this novel.
Angela Huth wrote a great novel in which she is able to put war together with love and friendship. I think that it is a great talent to be able to put all these concepts together in one book. I also like the way the characters were chosen because they are very different, which means that the reader will have fun reading about the different issues these characters will encounter. The change in life styles for these girls is also a big deal that makes the story more interesting because we will see how the girls change from their peaceful lives at home to this farm. All the girls encounter love with a certain boy, which is also interesting because we see how love acts on different people. The best thing in this book is the way the author takes all these characters, which are strangers to each other and take them through many adventures that, will make them become friends for life.
This novel could be recommended to both men and women. To women because the novel is all about how women are able to do as much as men when it comes to hard work. With this novel, women will get the encouragement that we can do man jobs and that we are as good or even better than they are when it comes to inner strength. Because the women in this novel have plenty of inner strength for joining the Womenï¿s Land Army and working for men. Men should read this novel so they can learn to appreciate women. With this novel men will see that women are very hard working who will do many things for them. Men will realize that women are not useless and that they can carry on with or without men. I would not recommend this novel to younger, immature people because it contains some sexuality. ï¿Get your knickers off as fast as you can is my belief, before the poor buggers are shot down. Bit of quick fun, then off to the next one.ï¿(p.180) Overall this novel is very interesting and adventurous; reading it was a very exciting experience.

The descriptions of farm work in this book were clear and entertaining. I am assuming they are accurate, although I have no way of knowing. English countryside descriptions reminded me of Thomas Hardy, which is a compliment to the author.

However, the plot and characters were stereotypes. The long-suffering wife, the over-sexed lower class girl, the unattractive scholarly girl and the lovelorn dreamy girl, not to mention the hardworking farmer and his brooding, handsome son, are all the stuff of romance novels. I never felt close to the girls, believed in their friendship or really cared what happened to them. I got really tired of and repelled by the over-sexed girl's exploits, and the others' whining.

So why did I finish the book? Well, I bought it instead of taking it out of the library, my usual book venue. There was some tension about which girl would get her man. But the ending!! Who could believe that? Ridiculous.

I like books of this era, particularly Coming Home by Rosamund Pilcher so picked up Land Girls with great expectations. I was not let down. This novel is a thoughtful character study of how three extremely diverse young women react to the difficulties of farming, isolation, and each other during the frightening days of World War II. I enjoyed that the story is bookended by scenes from the future. This offers greater insight into the girls. Truly a book that will absorb you!

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5.0 out of 5 stars What a wonderful book!
Realistic and heartwarming. I could not put this book down. You never knew what would happen next to the three girls who lived on the farm and learned to love it during WWII... Read more

Published on Feb 17 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Jumped right in and couldn't put down!
I thouroughly enjoy reading about this era in history - both non-fiction and fiction. The 3 main characters were all very interesting and so different. Read more

Published on Oct 30 2000

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice,easy read.
This is a nice,easy read. Set in England during WW2 it is an engaging tale of three young woman who go to the a farm in the country to help out as part of the war effort. Read more

Published on Jun 19 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than expected!
I was pleasantly surprised at how well-written and thought out Land Girls is. I especially enjoyed Ms. Huth's depiction of farm life for this trio of greenhorns. Read more

Published on May 1 2000 by neets

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than the Movie . . . Again
I saw Land Girls on video before I read the book, and once again, the book was better than the movie. Read more

Published on Jan 11 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, Elegant, Witty
Angela Huth as an original style of writing. The plot and characters are credible and the destinies are realistic. A absorbing, leisurely read. Read more

Published on Sep 19 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic........I couldn't put it down.
One of the best books I have ever read. A brilliant study of three totally different personalities thrown into a situation where comraderie took over. I can't wait to see the film.

Published on Jan 4 1999 by karinmordan@worldnet.att.net

5.0 out of 5 stars INTERESTING!
It's a good read. Had never heard of the "land girls before, looked interesting, and it was!. Good characters, reminded me of some of my own girlfriends, the wild one, the... Read more

Published on Jun 24 1998

4.0 out of 5 stars Get a cup of tea and enjoy.
If you like English books, and if you like WW II English books especially, this is a good read. Not so serious or well-constucted as an Iris Murdoch, not so esoteric or topical... Read more

Published on Jun 6 1998

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