Margaret Leroy

A beautifully moving and lushly descriptive novel about the expectations and disappointments of marriage. Living in a home in which their mother was repeatedly abused by her husband, their father, Virginia and Ursula coped differently. Ginnie, the more realistic and practical of the 2 girls becomes a child psychologist helping abused children while Ursula works in the field of decorative fantasy, continuing in a way to 'hide' from the ugliness of life.

Ginnie, now in her mid-forties feels a sense of loss as her 2 teen daughters don't need her as they head into adulthood. They share few confidences. And her husband has mostly absented himself by focusing exclusively on completing his novel. They haven't slept together in years!. Additionally her mother is aging and experiencing health issues.

So when she meets Will Ginnie doesn't think rationally; her emotions kick in. Will is under stress as well from his job as a police officer, and because his son suffers from Aspergers Syndrome. They easily make poor choices.

It all comes apart when a young woman is found dead near the Thames river. Ginnie believes she may have witnessed something relevant to the case. But Will discourages her from coming forward; he doesn't want their affair to become known.

Excellent plot, writing, and timing. Thoughtful, compassionate and smart. Leroy captures the realities of a failing marriage so well showing how its more common than we'd like to believe.… (altro)

Excellent, sad novel with many layers of morality, loyalty, guilt and duty. Vivienne de la Mare does her best to provide for her 2 daughters and her aging mother-in-law on the island of Guernsey while her husband Eugene is off defending England. Many people flee the island fearing the Germans will attack.

Once Occupation begins, life becomes more challenging. Property and equipment is commandeered by German soldiers. Vivienne is frightened when 4 German soldiers move into the home next door. Leroy presents these men as very civilized, warm and professional while other German soldiers are shown to be cruel and brutal. Supplies including food become scarce, and Vivienne decides to plant a vegetable garden.

Two of the neighboring German soldiers befriend Vivienne. One, a doctor, helps heal young Millie when her knee becomes infected. The other, Gunther, smart and serious, attracts Vivienne who has been lonely for years.

The novel explores the different sides of brutality, humanity, and the need for love, respect and understanding. And how we all have choices to make. And sometimes secrets to keep.

Exceptional read. Loved learning a bit about the beautiful island of Guernsey.… (altro)

The Soldier’s Wife by Margaret Leroy takes place on the island of Guernsey,the Germans are occupying it in June 1940. At first the changes are not big except there they are nextby. Later as time goes on hunger grows and the tension increases.

A slow developing affair developes between a Vivienne and one of the Germans, it begins with a gift of chocolate and a ride in the rainstorm. Vivienne has two young daughters, her husband at war. Their marriage had become very distant soon after the second baby was born. She is taking care of his mother who has never liked her, and is sliding into dementia.

There are people from concentration camps imported to the island to build a concrete wall around the island. They are gaunt and Vivienne saw a prisoner of war being beaten to death.

Gunther, her lover told her that all the non-natives (including her) will be sent to German concentration camps. Who will take care of her children? It does not look like Gunther can do anything.

This story is riveting and emotional, there are many themes woven in like the change of seasons and the garden, a mother's firm desire to protect her daughter and anguish that comes when she wants to something courageous that could put her child in danger. The problem of taking care of in-law growings more hard to be gentle wth when you know that she cannot help her demands. the unsureness of having to trust your enemy and then feeling guilty because you did.

It is an unforgetable book and it deserves to be read and discussed. It raise many moral questions. I highly recommend it.… (altro)