The Children's Hour: A Novel - Hardcover

Willett, Marcia

3.97

964 ratings by Goodreads

9780312327774: The Children's Hour: A Novel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0312327773 ISBN 13: 9780312327774

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books, 2004

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Marcia Willet's A Week in Winter and A Summer in the Country, her first two novels to be published in the United States, were welcomed enthusiastically by both eager readers and appreciative reviewers. Her new novel, The Children's Hour, will not only delight her current ardent fans, but will garner Marcia Willett a whole new circle of friends.

The Children's Hour is set in a big old rambling house overlooking the sea, where assorted small children listened as their mother read them a story. Theirs was an idyllic childhood, as they played on the beach and in the garden and woods, before the war--and other tragedies--disrupted their lives. Now, many years later, two of the sisters, Nest and Mina, still live at Ottercombe, their beautiful family home. There they delight in their splendid dogs, the gorgeous Devon countryside, and visits from Lyddie, their much-beloved niece.

But when their sister Georgie comes to stay, unwelcome memories of their shared childhood start to emerge. As a child, Georgie claimed to know all their secrets--secrets that she now wants to share. Georgie's revelations are a reminder of long-buried passions and promises and bring unexpected shocks to a new generation struggling with their own unruly hearts. A triumph of beautifully interwoven story lines and unfolding dramas, The Children's Hour will secure Marcia Willett's growing reputation as a world-class master storyteller.

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From the Inside Flap:

Praise for Marcia Willett

The Children's Hour
--"Astute and deeply moving." -- The Bookseller (UK)
--"A novel which reminded me of L P Hartley's Eustace and Hilda trilogy. . . . a warm novel with echoes of the past and an endearing simplicity." -- Tim Manderson, Publishing News (UK) (special selection)

A Summer in the Country
--"Willett's first book published in the U.S., A Week in Winter (2001) was very popular with contemporary women's fiction consumers, and comparisons to Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy abounded. Her second book will not disappoint her newly won fans. . . . a complex tale featuring many fully drawn characters, an engaging plot....vibrant characters, and [an] excellent depiction of the English countryside." --Booklist (starred review)
--"An intriguing relationship drama. . . . an insightful character study." --Midwest Book Review

A Week in Winter
--"Fans of Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy will definitely applaud the introduction of such an enjoyable writer." --Booklist
--"A charming story...highly recommended for public libraries everywhere." --Library Journal
--"A Week in Winter has all the elements of a perfect summer book. . . it's thoroughly engrossing, with richly drawn characters, a mysterious locale, and a beautifully crafted plot . . . the perfect addition to your summer beach tote." --The Sun-Sentinel, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
--"Captivating. . . . Set in a wild Cornish landscape that will evoke for readers Rosamund Pilcher's The Shell Seekers, Willett is a true discovery." --Michelle Slung, Victoria Magazine
--"Like Rosamund Pilcher and Maeve Binchy, Willett creates such fully dimensional characters that readers feel as if they should phone or e-mail them to keep in touch." --Rocky Mountain News
--"A wonderful moving story of family and values set in the English countryside. It is very reminiscent of the novels of Pilcher and Binchy. I am so glad Ms. Willett is following in their footsteps!" --Marilyn Sieb, Books & Company

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Reviewers Everywhere Recommend Marcia Willett's Enchanting Novels

The Children's Hour
"She may not be as famous as Binchy or Pilcher, but British writer Willett is just as gifted at combining elements of romance and melodrama into compelling women's fiction. Stylistically, her writing mirrors Pilcher's, with a hint of subtlety suggesting more literary fiction, but her generational plots and sumptuous scene setting have all of Binchy's wide ranging commercial appeal. Willett captures the sights, sounds, and smells of seaside Devon superbly, and her characters are just complex enough to draw us into the story and keep us there contentedly. A must for women's fiction readers."
- Booklist

"[An] enchanting and complex . . . tour de force about familial love. It is fair to compare The Children's Hour with the ever-popular Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher . . . . absolutely a five-star read."
- Roanoke Times

"Entertaining character study. . . readers will enjoy this gentle breeze"
- Midwest Book Review

"Tender and moving, Willet's tale expertly weaves a family's past and present together to illustrate the strength of familial bonds. Its captivating and surprising conclusion delivers a memorable and emotional read to be savored."
- Romantic Times BOOKclub Magazine

A Summer in the Country
"Willett's first book published in the U.S., A Week in Winter (2001) was very popular with contemporary women's fiction consumers, and comparisons to Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy abounded. Her second book will not disappoint her newly won fans. . . . Readers will enjoy the heartwarming ending, vibrant characters, and the excellent depiction of the English countryside."
- Booklist (starred review)

"Intriguing . . . . Readers who appreciate an insightful character study will want to spend time with A Summer in the Country."
- Midwest Book Review

"Perfect-for-lazy-summer read . . . . There are no earth-shattering revelations along the way, just as there aren't in most people's lives, reminding one of a young Rosamunde Pilcher."
- Romantic Times Book Club

A Week in Winter
"Fans of Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy will definitely applaud the introduction of such an enjoyable writer."
- Booklist

"Readers will be charmed by Willett's style . . . highly recommended"
- Library Journal

"Captivating . . . Set in a wild Cornish landscape that will evoke for readers Rosamund Pilcher's The Shell Seekers, Willett is a true discovery."
- Michelle Slung, Victoria Magazine

"Like Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy, Willett creates such fully dimensional characters that readers feel as if they should phone or e-mail them to keep in touch."
- Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)

"Thoroughly engrossing, with richly drawn characters, a mysterious locale, and a beautifully crafted plot . . . the perfect addition to your summer beach tote."
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel

From the Back Cover:

"A GRIPPING NOVEL THAT WILL KEEP YOU BUSY ON THE BEACH,
UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING BUT KEEP TURNING THE PAGES."
-Devon Life (UK)

I have a story to tell you...
In their comfortable old family home overlooking the sea, two sisters, Nest and Mina, live in solitude with memories of a once-idyllic childhood, and of the enchanted "children's hour" when their mother would regale them with tales of fantasy and delight. But the make-believe world of the story spinner didn't protect them from the reality of a shocking family tragedy best forgotten.

And a secret to share...
But when their estranged sister Georgie comes to stay, she brings unwelcome memories of her own, and long-buried secrets yet to be revealed. Now three sisters will engage in the most intimate children's hour of all-the story of their own lives, of a first love never-forgotten, of a passion that tore them apart, of a death that still casts its shadow of guilt and recrimination. And the truth of a fateful night that shattered their past, and still holds the power to define their future...

"A beguiling story of family relationships."
-Yorkshire Evening Post

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