Anglophiles - this is for you!

A month or so ago, I was lucky enough to get an advance copy at a much-anticipated book through Shelf Awareness. Random House and Indie Next List sponsored the giveaway last fall. The book was The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson who wrote the much-loved Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand.  Her new book will be available to the rest of you in March. 

If you liked Major Pettigrew, you will thoroughly enjoy The Summer Before the War. Simonson paints a vivid picture of life in East Sussex England just before (and during) World War I.  As main character Beatrice arrives at the start of the novel as the new Latin teacher at the local school, we immediately fall in love with this forward thinking and independent young woman. The other characters in the village are just as clearly drawn as we read on and get involved as the villagers band together in the war effort. Simonson’s humor and insight make this novel a very enjoyable read. If you like Downton Abbey and Major Pettigrew, you will thoroughly enjoy this book!