- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Walker Books Ltd; New edition edition (8 April 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0744582865
- ISBN-13: 978-0744582864
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 679,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
"An absorbing family drama - "the Little Women of our times." * "The family relationships are convincingly portrayed with considerable insight. Her descriptions of the countryside, flowers and scenery and of emotions are vivid, but her real strengths lie in characterisation." School Librarian. * "The Little Women of our times." The Times * "A family saga to enthral." The Times Literary Supplement * "Vivid... Memorable." The Guardian
Product Description
Sisters of the Quantock Hills is the compelling saga of the lives and loves of four sisters - Frances, Julia, Gwen and Sarah Purcell - and their neighbours, the Mackenzies. Set during the early part of the last century, the series encompasses two World Wars, and the sisters' individual stories are told against the backdrop of major historical events happening at the time. Beautifully written, this acclaimed series is being reissued with stylish, modern covers and is sure to become a favourite with a whole new generation of young readers.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book keeps you reading chapter after chapter until you have read every last line, and still manages to leave you desperate for more. Beyond the orcharid house has you laughing, crying, or kept in suspense the whole way through. Starting in 1914 it captures the innocense of pre-war Britian. This book potrays the dark times of war, finding ways to deal with loss at such a young age, and how war wastes so many lifes. The author made the charcters so real to the reader, you shared Gwens grief and regret to the very end. Felt her pain and anger over Antony,later sharing her pride over nephew Tony, and sharing her memories, which felt like your own. This book leaves behind the ages of ww1 Britian where the rest of the quartet are set, and develops into the progress of ww2. But it manages to carry through the closeness of the purcell sisters and the spirit of the mcKenzie family in a very sensitive manner. What I enjoyed most about this book was the fact that it made me think of what the cost of war is, the destruction of families and the loss of loved ones, things that can never be replaced. It was avery emotinal book which I dont think I will ever tire of reading, one that will always have a place on my bookshelf, for years to come.
Format:Paperback
Gwen's is a potentially fascinating story. The sister who does not marry, who is contended living alone, remote from village life and only occasionally visited by her family. However, the novel jumps the crucial period in Gwen's story when that became her way of life. We leave off when Gwen is just 18 and return when it is a fait au complis in 1935. I wondered whether Gwen was jealous as her sisters find partners, start having sexual relationships, get married, have children. Did she yearn for those things but never find them or was it a conscious decision that it wasn't the life for her? The storyline which runs from 1935 involving Gwen's visit to Germany is quite a strong one. However, as with much of the writing in this quartet of novels the basic storyline is strong but rather undramatically written and never really used to give any great insight into the characters involved.
Passable but disappointing.
Passable but disappointing.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
The Last book -There HAS TO BE More!!!
29 April 2007
Format:Paperback
Beyond the Orchid House Is the last book of the saga. This is Gwen's story, starting 1913 at Hillcrest, the day before they go on the trip to the sea. Of all of the Mackenzie brothers Gwen is most aquainted with Antony, the youngest who's only one year older then her. She falls in love with him. Anyone who had read at least one of the books would know what had happened, but here it's better, cause it's on Gwen's POV. This book goes the farthest, since Julia's story ended after she married Major Elliot, but this one goes up to 1936, when they already have 2 elementry kids! Gwen's life is peaceful, she's very connected to Tony, the son of Frances and Gabriel. He runs away, wanting to become a pilot. I won't say anymore, cause I hate spoilers. I'll just end it by saying that Beyond the Orchid House is a great book, including deaths, Germany, orchids, and tragical occurences (don't worry, it has a happy ending,). I hope that this author would write more!
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