Absolutely loved it!! Focused on how the women who stayed home were affected by the first world war – something I had never thought much about before reading this book!
I picked it up because I had loved Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. The Summer Before the War isn’t as funny as Major Pettigrew and at first I didn’t like it as much but I soon came to feel it surpassed the good major.
I thought it ended up as a good book, but I struggled with it in parts. At times it dragged on. There were parts that I thought the author was trying to make a statement about something, but missed the mark. However, I did connect with a few of the characters and was thinking just yesterday that I “missed” them.
Disappointing. The title was misleading. I thought the story would take place during the summer, end with the start of WWI and have an epilogue to say what happened to the characters after the war. I have not read Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, but from the positive comments, I will add it to my TBR.
I seem to have the opposite response to most people. I enjoyed The Summer Before the War, but I got bored with Major Pettigrew and gave up about a third of the way through.
I know that’s what everybody else thinks, so I’m the outlier here. I did enjoy the budding romance but I just could not bring myself to care about his gun set. Maybe I will try again someday.
Guess the only thing I can do is read it. Lol. I have been getting some “clunkers” lately and I need a really good book to sink my teeth in. I just ordered The Girls of the Club about friends who started a book club anf their lives until they all passed of old age. 1400 pages!! Now that”s a book to sink one’s teeth in to.
LOVED it…it starts as though it is just a romance with comic bits and deepens as it goes to more serious themes as England fight WWI and joins the modern world. Kleenex might be involved. Do read Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. My only complaint is that Ms. Simonson is not prolific enough.
Terrific book! The summer leading to WW1…thisis a re-readable book. Simonson also wrote Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. Both are about transitions for individuals and for society–but tender, funny, heartbreaking. Good writing!
I read it and really enjoyed it. It was not a book of deep thoughts, but it really captured a place in time. The characters were familiar in a way, since I am a history buff and have read a lot of non-fiction books about this era.
@Gail It is unfortunate that one book can affect how you see another by the same author. Some peopke want to read more of the same when an author might want to go somewhere elseI. I judge a book on it’s own merit..
I liked both books. It seems most people who don’t like The Summer Before the War feel that way because it’s different from Major Pettigrew. I don’t see why all of an author’s books have to be like cookie cutters.
Good novel
Read it with my book club. We really enjoyed it. I contacted the author and she Skyped into our meeting!
Yes, it was a very pleasant read.
Absolutely loved it!! Focused on how the women who stayed home were affected by the first world war – something I had never thought much about before reading this book!
I loved it. Brought me to tears at one point, always the mark of a good book.
Great read! Learned a little something that I didn’t before and the characters are lovely!
Yes, an enjoyable read!
I really loved this book.
On my TBR List!
Good, but not as good as her first one: Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand.
I picked it up because I had loved Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. The Summer Before the War isn’t as funny as Major Pettigrew and at first I didn’t like it as much but I soon came to feel it surpassed the good major.
Ditto ^^^^^^
Didn’t care for it. Can’t really put my finger on why.
Loved it!
Tried, didn’t love. Very disappointing after Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, which I adored!
I loved Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand too.
Yes and all of her other books have loved them all and looking forward to her new book The Gown.
Just realized I confused my authors this is in my RBR pile. The books I was talking about are written by Jennifer Robson.
It was hard to get into at first but the more I read the more I grew to enjoy it.
How long did it take? I’m trying, but other books keep pulling me away ?
Just meh for me
Yes! It took me awhile to get into the characters. It’s subtle, but I loved the people, the very British humor, and just the tone in general.
Yes. It was good.
My husband and I both liked it. We also like Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, but they are two completely different books.
Agree
I like it, but liked Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand much more.
Yes. Enjoyed it!
I love it!
Just read it very good, thought provoking
I found it difficult to get into, not as compelling as Major Pettigrew.
I loved it!
I had trouble with it and did not finish. Major Pettigrew was wonderful!
Very good
I thought it ended up as a good book, but I struggled with it in parts. At times it dragged on. There were parts that I thought the author was trying to make a statement about something, but missed the mark. However, I did connect with a few of the characters and was thinking just yesterday that I “missed” them.
Disappointing. The title was misleading. I thought the story would take place during the summer, end with the start of WWI and have an epilogue to say what happened to the characters after the war. I have not read Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, but from the positive comments, I will add it to my TBR.
I liked The Summer Before the War, but Major Pettigrew wonderful!
They are two very different books, both very good.
Loved it!!!
Enjoyed it. Gave it as a gift to my sister who also enjoyed it.
I seem to have the opposite response to most people. I enjoyed The Summer Before the War, but I got bored with Major Pettigrew and gave up about a third of the way through.
No, it was lovely.
I know that’s what everybody else thinks, so I’m the outlier here. I did enjoy the budding romance but I just could not bring myself to care about his gun set. Maybe I will try again someday.
@Stacy That’s perfectly valid to go against the grain. Everyone does not like the dame book. It all depends it it grabs you or not. Some just don’t
It gets better and has a nice ending. I thought it was a little dull at first too.
Loved it!!
Great read!
It’s a great historical fiction.
I’m reading it now. And so far it’s good.
Thank you all. I do love that time period.
Hi ?
On my list to read!
Enjoyed very much.
Enjoyed it.
I quite enjoyed it! I loved her previous book, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, even more!!!
loved that book
Enjoyed it.
Yes, it was a good read.
Thanks for the input, everyone. It’s nice to have somewhere to go to get the scoop on the book I am planning on reading.
Yes, I enjoyed it. My friend also read it and she also enjoyed it.
It’s wonderful!
I enjoyed it.
I did. It was good but not great.
I started it, found it boring and quit. ?
Not as good as her previous book…. which was great!
No, tell me a little about it.
Guess the only thing I can do is read it. Lol. I have been getting some “clunkers” lately and I need a really good book to sink my teeth in. I just ordered The Girls of the Club about friends who started a book club anf their lives until they all passed of old age. 1400 pages!! Now that”s a book to sink one’s teeth in to.
Is this a different book than And Ladies of the Club? That was very long too. And a wonderful book.
Added to my list…lonnnng list! Ha!
It’s on my list. I ❤️ Major Pettigrew
Read my 4-star review of The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2233414675
@Becky Thank you.
Just finished it…Read it is 2 days…so sad to be finished. I ordered her other book.
I really liked it.
LOVED it…it starts as though it is just a romance with comic bits and deepens as it goes to more serious themes as England fight WWI and joins the modern world. Kleenex might be involved. Do read Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. My only complaint is that Ms. Simonson is not prolific enough.
In my TBR mountain ???
Not quite what I expected. Title I found misleading but I am glad I read it.
I enjoyed it!
Yes I did, it was very good especially if you like reading about rural English society and/ or that time period.
I love the kind of book that I just can’t put down!
I quite enjoyed it . 4 **** You can read my review on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1659554509
Terrific book! The summer leading to WW1…thisis a re-readable book. Simonson also wrote Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. Both are about transitions for individuals and for society–but tender, funny, heartbreaking. Good writing!
@Richard Thank you, Richard
I really enjoyed the book. So sad!. Loved the teacher!
I loved it.
Excellent book. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by the same author is also worth reading.
I read it and really enjoyed it. It was not a book of deep thoughts, but it really captured a place in time. The characters were familiar in a way, since I am a history buff and have read a lot of non-fiction books about this era.
I absolutely loved Major Pettigrew’s Last stand but couldn’t get into the next book she did. It was so different it was shocking. Aweful
@Gail It is unfortunate that one book can affect how you see another by the same author. Some peopke want to read more of the same when an author might want to go somewhere elseI. I judge a book on it’s own merit..
I liked both books. It seems most people who don’t like The Summer Before the War feel that way because it’s different from Major Pettigrew. I don’t see why all of an author’s books have to be like cookie cutters.
@Lina That”s why I don’t read Patterson, Grisham etc. They are all the same and predictable. I call it lazy reading.
@Toni I read a Patterson book once. My reaction was, “meh.”
@Lina I know. Read one, you’ve read them all. Cannot believe he made this list over Steinbeck. UNBELIEVABLE.
It’s in my stack to read!