Emerald
member
Reged: 27/08/2007
Posts: 310
Loc: Greater Manchester
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Hi. Just a reminder that reviews can be posted for Jennifer36's choice of The Welsh Girl from today. I'm nearing the end! Look forward to seeing how other's have enjoyed the book, and will get mine posted once I've finished 
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ElaineThomas
member
Reged: 29/03/2008
Posts: 15
Loc: South Cheshire
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I have finished the book and before returning it to the library I made a note of the main characters' names so I could write a review. Guess what--- I have lost the names! So when someone else mentions them in a review then I will be able to respond! Sorry!!
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jennifer36
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Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 444
Loc: West Oxfordshire
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I loved this book when I read it for a book group a while ago - which is why I recommended it for Eyes Down. Will be interested to see what other readers thought of it. As always, probably a mixed reaction- but that's why I like Book groups as you get to read, or at least try, books you might not otherwise look at!
The Welsh Girl is the author's first novel and I thought it was well written and a good story, making me want to read on and on. There are really several stands to the story all inter-woven.
It shows how life in the country went on despite the war and how patriotic people were. The coming of the POW camp is met with suspicion and interest.
The Welsh girl is Esther who has lived all her life in the same rural area but wants to expand her horizons -she does so through the evacuees who come to the farm and through her involvement with the English soldier, the latter experience leaving her with devastating consequences. In choosing to not admit whose baby it was saved a lot of shame for her and gave Mrs Roberts a reason to carry on after Rhys' disappearance.
I thought the characters were all believable and I really cared about them. It was interesting seeing life in war from the two sides, and seeing how Karsten the German POW struggles with capture after surrendering.
The parellel story of the interrogation of Hess by Rotherham, albeit fictional, added to the story and linked all the bits together.
The seriousness and the hardships of wartime life were lightened by Harry who was forever telling jokes in the pub. Even the minor characters like Harry and Mary were well thought out and entirely credible.
I reread the book last week as I had forgotten some of the detail and enjoyed it even more the second time around. I look forward to him writing more novels.
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Emerald
member
Reged: 27/08/2007
Posts: 310
Loc: Greater Manchester
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Jennifer, brilliant summary and suggestion. I love Harry, and Mary's role in the book-it's made me laugh out loud! I didn't quite get the link of Hess and the interrogation, and I must admit wanting these bits to end so I could "get back to" Esther, whom I became really fond of. I will also admit slowing down over the last 50 or so pages, as I didn't want the story to end; but it has and Thankyou for a wonderful choice.
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billie
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Reged: 21/11/2007
Posts: 85
Loc: Derbyshire
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I had mixed feelings about this book, in fact I stopped reading half way through and read something else then went back to it. Like Emerald I didn't quite get the link with Hess's interrogation but once Karsten appeared and he spied Esther outside the camp the romantic side of me was hooked to read on quickly. Thank you for the recommendation Jennifer as always it's good to read something different and I shall look forward to reading other peoples comments.
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ElaineThomas
member
Reged: 29/03/2008
Posts: 15
Loc: South Cheshire
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I really enjoyed the book and I found it strange that I had sympathy for German POW's! The small town feel of the Welsh community was clearly depicted and all the main characters were sympathetic. I too did not get the connection between Rotherham/Hess and the Esther storyline. Perhaps the link was one of people being trapped (either in prison, in a small community or in a job). On the cover of the book I had it mentioned the three characters becoming linked so I was expecting them all to actually meet in some way. I was hoping for Esther and Karsten to 'live happily ever after' but I know for credibility's sake that couldn't be. Shame! (I'm a romantic!) I am glad I read the book - thank you Jennifer for choosing it. I hope more people leave a review so we get different ideas/opinions.
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billie
member
Reged: 21/11/2007
Posts: 85
Loc: Derbyshire
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Hi Elaine
I found that I also had sympathy for the POW's! and was hoping that Esther and Karsten would find true love and happiness forever amongst the sheep and hills of Wales.Billie
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nannyconnie
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Reged: 05/03/2008
Posts: 482
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Well I also had sympathy for the POW's and I also was hoping that Esther and Karsten would find true love amongst the hills,but the fact that it didn't quite happen like that didn't put me off at all.I loved the description and the complete Welsh feel of the narative.Although the village itself wasn't named,I felt it was MY village and MY local pub that Esther worked in and yes I just loved the book.Thank you Jennifer for the choice.
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peppermintpattie
member
Reged: 25/06/2008
Posts: 60
Loc: Hampshire
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Sorry this post is late- I have just returned from holiday.
I read the Welsh Girl whilst I was away and loved it. I too was puzzled over the Hess connection. The author captured emotions of loyalty guilt and the bitterness of war so well. A very sad story of secrets.
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Fofo
member
Reged: 19/07/2008
Posts: 11
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I started this book but I am afraid I couldn't get into at all. I am sorry to say I gave up on it. I did like the character of Esther but even she couldn't hold me to continue. I do agree that it is good to be challenged to read books that I would not necessary choose but on this occasion I tried but didn't complete. I will look forward to next months choice.
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billie
member
Reged: 21/11/2007
Posts: 85
Loc: Derbyshire
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Never mind Fofo we can't like everything we read, at least you gave it a try. I also think that there are so many books out there it's daft to read a book right to the end if you find it hard going. Life's to short.
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snoopy56
member
Reged: 28/08/2007
Posts: 88
Loc: Norfolk
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I've only just finished this book but better late than never. Like previous posts I found the passages concerning Rotherham and Hess a bit puzzling. I'm sure the author was trying to make a point about something but it wasn't clear. In fact, the prologue didn't grab me at all and I wonder if I would have carried on reading if it hadn't been an Eyes Down book which would have been a pity. But once I got into the book I did enjoy it. I thought the attitude of the villagers to the war and the English in general was really interesting and not something that I've come across in a novel before. There is an awful lot to discuss in this book so I think it would make an excellent choice for a 'live' book club. One thing that interested me was in the Author's note at the back of the book he references a book called 'I Bought a Mountain' by Thomas Firbank. I read this years ago and absolutely loved it. It's probably out of print by now but well worth scouring second-hand shops for a copy.
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