This saga of war and family from a New York Times-bestselling author is “sheer, wonderful storytelling” (Chicago Tribune). Spanning six decades, these three novels follow a man and his family as they struggle to adapt to life in a new world. From the death of Queen Victoria through the swinging sixties, this acclaimed saga is an unforgettable story of a farming family and a vanishing way of … family and a vanishing way of life.
Long Summer Day: Lt. Paul Craddock returns to England after the Boer War to resume civilian life. His father has died, leaving Craddock heir to a scrap-metal business. But instead of continuing the family business, he purchases an auctioned-off thirteen-hundred-acre estate, Shallowford, where he will be changed by his love for two women: fiercely independent Grace Lovell and lovely, demure Claire Derwent.
Post of Honour: Through hard work and love of the land, Craddock has transformed his sprawling estate and enjoys a peaceful country life with his wife and three children. But war has begun its inevitable march across England, and this remote corner of Devon cannot escape its destruction. As the Great War ends and another threatens to erupt, Craddock’s faith and the strength he derives from his family must sustain him and his village through trying, tumultuous times.
The Green Gauntlet: Though Craddock’s village has endured despite the sorrows of war, he has new perils to face. Emerging property laws threaten his livelihood, dividing his family over the future of his beloved Shallowford. For his sons and daughter, the fifties and sixties will be a time of discovery and change that will resonate in the lives of their own children.
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This is a set of three novels that tell the story of one man’s life from youth to old age. The historical period covers the era from before the first World War until past World War 2 detailing life in rural England and the changes that occurred to the landscape and to the families living through that history. I enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape and the farming life I loved meeting the local population and the Squire’s family. The books were a large saga that kept me interested in meandering through the episodes and learning about that life.
such a good writer!!
I read this book many years ago and was happy to re-visit it again just recently. A wonderful picture of England in the 19th century. After reading this book I read every one of Delderfield’s books. How great to read it again.
Enjoyed this immensely.
I read these books years ago and enjoyed them just as much this time!
Sometimes slow-paced. Good narrative.
I like all the Delderfield books. They describe another time
Well written descriptions make the valley com alive
I read this generational saga years ago and I am enjoying it even more this time. A good man lives through good times and bad through tumultuous history in England.
I’ve never read anything Mr. Delderfield wrote that I didn’t love, and didn’t want the story to end. Best story teller ever. Highest praise for a wonderful author…
Horrendously misogynistic.
I have been a Delderfield fan for many years, but had not previously read this trilogy. In these troubled times of Trumpism, sex scandals, uneasy foreign relations, reading this trilogy allows me to escape to the pastoral setting of England at the beginning of the 20th century as that country begins to change, moving away from the last vestiges of a post-feudal agricultural society to see the dissolution of its Empire and to take its place among the modern industrial/technological great nations of the world. The writing style is delightful as Delderfield clearly is a great lover and observer of the natural world and writes fine passages of description. His characters come to life, and over the course of three books become people the reader comes to know and to care about. It follows the course of history accurately and in telling detail, e.g. The story of the hero’s first wife who leaves him and the settled life as mistress of a country estate to pursue her passion as a suffragette, fighting to give English women the vote and equality! Humor abounds as well in stories of the tenant farmers’ families and even secondary characters are lively and real. In all respects, a delightful read, and when I finish, I may go back and re-read older Delderfields I read years ago.
Wonderful read Delderfield creates great interesting characters and tells their story in wonderful historically accurate setting. Hated seeing the stores end
Great read. Relax and enjoy the descriptions and color throughoit.
It is a great read
I grew up with this author and his books and loved everyone of them. This trilogy is probably the best of the list although they’re all good but I’ve read this several times and wanted a copy on my iPad to pick up and read when I wanted to. The characters are all beautifully drawn you feel that you know them. The trials and tribulations of the family through the generations are so real there is not a wrong note in any of the books. Don’t be afraid to pick up a Delderfield. Happy reading.