Edwardian England painted in a romantic canvas

The first of a planned trilogy of novels, Starts with the death of Queen Victoria and the start of the reign of the King Edward. We meet the characters of this story at a coronation party in the garden of Mr and Mrs Hamilton McCosh of Eltham and their four daughters, Rosie, Christabel, Ottilie and Sophie. The American Pendennis boys, Sidney, Albert and Ashbridge, the Pitts, Daniel and Archie, others will join the story but here is the backbone, we see them grow, love, go to war, suffer and rejoice in life. this is a family saga of epic scale. all the character are likable people that confront life the best they can, there is no twisted evil characters the war and empire produce enough sorrow to compensate in that department.
The stories seem and feel like personal anecdotes of Bernières family, and he has confirmed this. some of the events are described by the author, others through diaries and the characters themselves. This works like a good conversation, we see small details like families worrying about the rain or cold when they know their boys are in trenches, the guilt of not being there with them; of forgetting a prayer.
This is the story of a good family in a terrible period, the plot is the events in their lives and their struggles to live good lives, a simple and beautiful desires that is hard to attain. My only negative is that at times the romantic sweetness is too much :but that probably is because I am a little jaded.

36 people found this helpful

Long winded and unconvincing

I absolutely love every Louis de Bernieres book, but am left disappointed by this one. The narrative is too long winded. You never feel any empathy for the characters despite their experiences during a tragic period of history. Through sheer loyalty to the author and a misguided belief that surely an anthropological message will come through were the only reasons I pursued till the end. I don't believe an unknown author would have got this published.

18 people found this helpful

Poor

The book itself might be Ok but the readers are dreadful and take all life out of the story

17 people found this helpful

The dust that falls from dreams

A rather morbid book concerning an middle-class family and the tragedy of the Great War and the related problems of love and disappointment in the following years. I thought that it plodded along and didn't have the flow of other devices Bernieres stories I have read previously.

19 people found this helpful

persevered

if I am honest this is a difficult one to review. the story meandered, it kept me fairly entertained for the most part, some parts I thought were laboured and did not add much to the overall story. perhaps there are deeper meanings that I need to think about and search for, I also felt that there was lot left unsaid which left me feeling a bit disconnected to the characters. the narrator however was very good, excellent characterisation and conveyed the essence of the characters very well.

16 people found this helpful

Wonderful

I enjoyed this book enormously. So much to think about. So much I didn’t know. I’m sure I will listen to this book many times.

7 people found this helpful

Dull

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No I would not, it is a lifeless story, it has a rich and large cast of characters and I could not find myself to care much about any one of them. I broke off mid way through to read on line reviews, wondering if I should bother continuing. Many echoed my own feelings while others said they were initially bored but became engrossed later in the book so I persevered, I wish I hadn't.

What could Louis de Bernières have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

This story is a washed out colourless painting when compared to Captain Corelli.... There is no real emotion, you are not transported to the era, he does not illustrate the horrifying wartime years or the impact they have on his characters. There is mo passion, no fire.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Avita Jay and David Sibley ?

I see no point of the two narrators, it brings noting to the book and in the latter part of the book Anita Jay stops reading Rosie's sections by the last quarter of the book for no obvious reasons. Although not terrible neither of the narrators are the best in my library and the tone of voice etc just adds to the flatness of the story, they fail to bring any spark to the story. Doesn't compare to Dan Stevens

Was The Dust That Falls from Dreams worth the listening time?

No

Any additional comments?

After reading Captain Corelli this story is a let down. Certainly won't be listening to it again.

6 people found this helpful

Just couldn't get into this one...

I just couldn't get into this audio book which was a shame as I have enjoyed the author's other work.

2 people found this helpful

Vile war

Dreadful descriptions of the killing fields. Such that I could not sleep and held the characters in my head.. but sadly that is all the story offers characters are formulaic and all is so easily predicted..

4 people found this helpful

A Perfect Holiday Listen

I took this novel to rural France as a summer holiday read and loved every page of it. It is an easy listen thanks to the deft plotting and episodic nature of the structure as well as the brilliantly consistent narration. I've already read the second in the trilogy and cannot wait for the final instalment. The characters are always interesting and entertaining and the spotlight the book shines on a lost era is utterly captivating. 'Gracious me', as the characters might say, what a splendid novel!

1 person found this helpful