This “dazzling” novel follows a family of English aristocrats as their country teeters on the brink of World War II (Penelope Fitzgerald). As war clouds gather on the distant horizon, Hugh, Edward, and Rupert Cazalet, along with their wives, children, and loyal servants, prepare to leave London for their annual pilgrimage to the family’s Sussex estate. There, they will join their parents, … their parents, William and Kitty, and sister, Rachel, at Home Place, the sprawling retreat where the three brothers hope to spend an idyllic summer of years gone by. But the First World War has left indelible scars.
Hugh, the eldest of his siblings, was wounded in France and is haunted both by recurring nightmares of battle and the prospect of another war. Edward adores his wife, Villy, a former dancer searching for meaning in life, yet he’s incapable of remaining faithful to her. Rupert desires only to fulfill his potential as a painter, but finds that love and art cannot coexist. And devoted daughter Rachel discovers the joys—and limitations—of intimacy with another woman.
A candid portrait of British life in the late 1930s and a sweeping depiction of a world on the brink of war, The Light Years is a must-read for fans of Downton Abbey. Three generations of the Cazalet family come to unforgettable dramatic life in this saga about England during the last century—and the long-held values and cherished traditions that would soon disappear forever.
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This is a story of an extended family during the years of 1938 and 1939 in Britain. They are still recovering from WWI and the next war is hovering on their horizon. It is more interesting in that the story is told not only from the POV of the adults but also the numerous children. Well done.
Loved it! Author keeps story moving along..
Great character-driven novel (one of 5 in a series) that follows an upper class English family from the 1930’s to the 50’s. Excellent read.
Good WWII historical fiction based on true stories.
Slower than Moses. I really wanted to like this book but after 100 arduous pages, I just couldn’t continue. Too much descriptive rhetoric of the time period and not enough plot substance.
Loved this series
I so enjoyed this book, great characters, Not your normal ending
Good saga book – will read next one
Pointless, rambling narrative!
very long winded; not written in a clear concise manner.
For Downton Abby fans. The author has a wonderful way with her characters showing the reader in remarkably few words how they feel about themselves and how others feel about them as well.
The servants are not as interesting as DA, but the children are much more so. This is the start of a series, so I expect they will become the main characters as time goes on. The Light Years covers the period leading up to World War II. The next one, Marking Time, will take the Cazelets into the war.
Very slow moving. Good character development, but not nearly enough plot.
Involved family saga set in 1930’s England leading up to WWII. Believable characters with all their flaws. Fans of Downton Abby may enjoy the tale.
Liked this novel very much so I
Have purchased and am now getting into “Marking Time”, Book 2 in the Cazalet family saga.
Not at all engaging – nothing happens – it’s just a litany of people going about their daily lives and even that is pretty confusing, as it keeps hopping back and forth between people…. I kept reading for a hundred pages trying to feel engaged, but nothing happened. So I gave up.
This is the first book in five-book series about three generations of the Cazalet family – an upper-middle-class family from the south of England – and their servants. This book is set in the 1930s, just before the war changes everything. The book introduces a whole cast of characters and I was a bit overwhelmed at first – I had to keep referring to the family tree. It’s definitely well worth persevering, though, as the characters emerge each with their own identities, and all wonderfully drawn, from the children up. At first I thought I wouldn’t be able to relate to this wealthy family, but in fact the story deepens to show dark troubles which are all slowly revealed and excellently dealt with – family conflict, abuse, adultery, and same sex attraction at a time when homosexuality was illegal are some of the issues the book covers. It’s not all dark – there are lots of moments of joy, and loving relationships.
This isn’t a book that’s easily read in one sitting, but I’d definitely recommend persevering with it. The characters become real, and you’ll want to read the next book in the series to find out what happens to them next.