Reviews for Connecting

The average rating for Connecting based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2017-08-13 00:00:00 Daniel Forte This third novel of the Cazalet Chronicles quintet is aptly named Confusion. It covers a period of time when WWII has intensified, and all able bodies are called upon to serve their countries. Some countries switch allegiances, some move from neutrality to battle in their own ways, and resistance forces within many countries under seige are increasing their efforts to aid the Allies. The privations of civilians are everywhere - in the battling countries, in the neutral countries, and with trade at a virtual stand-still, even in countries not directly involved in the theatres of war. For the Cazalets, their country home remains a haven, albeit shabbier than ever, and their gardens help to stretch their rations. For the youngest people in the family, memories of "before the war" are foggy with the exception of some family members who are missing and others actively involved in some war effort or another. War also means that some people are a long way from their homes - even across oceans. During times of leave, a sense of almost desperate need to socialize and seek solace through romantic involvements becomes the norm. Sometimes marriages occur: those made in haste, and those whose dates are brought forward due to the grooms' looming departures for the Front. Another consequence: abandoned young women, and young women whose sympathy and empathy generate an impulse to loving acts that they might otherwise think twice about. Businesses are also affected: do they take action in a certain direction presuming the war continues? Or do they move forward in the direction of what is best for the business with peace on the horizon? Conflict - confusion - is everywhere, infecting everyone and all enterprises as the war rages on. But for how long? And what happens then? Elizabeth Jane Howard addresses all of these topics as well as many others through the Cazalet family and their extended circle of friends and acquaintances. By now, I have grown to care about this family even more than I did in the first novel. With her ability to portray each of her characters true to form and in multi-dimensions, the in-depth emotional and mental sensitivities of her characters bring their lives and the times they are living through into sharp focus. And I look forward to discovering more of their plans and how their lives continue to change when I read the 4th novel next month.

Review # 2 was written on 2021-01-16 00:00:00 Carissa Nye Utterly captivating family saga which covers 3 generations of the Cazalet family. This was a reread though I listened to it this time. As different characters took over the narrative I felt like I was hearing the story of a real person, knew them intimately and cared for them deeply. This book covers WWII. Two more books books to go. Simply fantastic.