Title: The Cavendon Luck
Author: Barbara Taylor Bradford
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: The third book in a series of four following the esteemed Ingham and Swann families of Cavendon as they manage life on the estate and in London just prior to and during World War II. Each member of the family is given a section of the book focused on their life at the time.
My Thoughts
The first few pages of this book really made me consider not finishing it. The sentences were short when they could have easily been complex. The author over-explained what was happening in the scene to the point of redundancy. Then, of course, it starts with the cheesiest of love scenes. (Multiple more follow throughout, bleh) I hate not finishing a book, so I muddled through the first two chapters.
I can forgive the fact that the characters were seemingly underdeveloped at first because I did not realize that this novel is the third in a series of four. That being said, it is not necessary to read the previous books to understand this one, but it would be helpful.
Once it gets going, the story is actually engaging and the writing improves. There is one storyline that is engaging about getting a Jewish family out of Berlin before war breaks out. Honestly, if the book had ended after Part I, I would have been content. Unfortunately, Part II is completely unnecessary to the main plot of the novel. It seems that in an attempt to discuss every member of the Ingham and Swann families the author loses focus of the story she is trying to tell. Maybe if Part II had been a separate novel about the family during WWII then it could have been better developed. (spoiler alert!) Disappointingly, it just quickly covers the years of the war wounding a son at war, bringing another baby to a complete family, and killing off a beloved aunt.
I don't think I will be seeking out any of the other books in the series.
Positives:
The relationship between the sisters/sisters-in-law is interesting.
The women have interesting places in society for the time.
Part I overall is engaging (minus the initial two chapters)
Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!
To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above.
I can forgive the fact that the characters were seemingly underdeveloped at first because I did not realize that this novel is the third in a series of four. That being said, it is not necessary to read the previous books to understand this one, but it would be helpful.
Once it gets going, the story is actually engaging and the writing improves. There is one storyline that is engaging about getting a Jewish family out of Berlin before war breaks out. Honestly, if the book had ended after Part I, I would have been content. Unfortunately, Part II is completely unnecessary to the main plot of the novel. It seems that in an attempt to discuss every member of the Ingham and Swann families the author loses focus of the story she is trying to tell. Maybe if Part II had been a separate novel about the family during WWII then it could have been better developed. (spoiler alert!) Disappointingly, it just quickly covers the years of the war wounding a son at war, bringing another baby to a complete family, and killing off a beloved aunt.
I don't think I will be seeking out any of the other books in the series.
Positives:
The relationship between the sisters/sisters-in-law is interesting.
The women have interesting places in society for the time.
Part I overall is engaging (minus the initial two chapters)
Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!
To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above.
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