A captivating and wholly absorbing novel that spans the times from the late 1960s to the late 2000s. It traces the life of Stephen Newman a she leaves America to begin studying at Oxford University. Gradually his ambition of making a substantial contribution to changing society is whittled away and he settles for what he sees as a less fulfilling life. His disappointment is contrasted to the approach by his wife Andrea, who he marries so that he can settle in Britain and thus avoid the draft for the Vietnam War. Stephen’s discomfort is the greatest of his family and friends from his Oxford days, but by the end of the period with the death of his father and wife, he reflects that he has reached a new understanding of how to take positives from one’s achievements. This lesson is also true to the other main characters, although they realised this earlier in their lives. Linda Grant has written a rich, scintillating and entertaining novel about how we live our lives and how we are never too old to learn or change, although there are hints of problems to come for Stephen’s descendants.

Too long and whiny with barley likable characters. ( )

A really, really lovely book. ( )

I liked this book very much. Linda Grant seems to me to have a perceptive and interesting take on the era and events that have dominated my life. She writes about the larger society - the war in the former Yugoslavia, 9/11 and the impact of terrorist activity in London - which was made especially relevant as I read the book as the London Bridge terrorist incident of June 2017 occurred. But more than that, she focuses on individuals as members of families and the role of truth and deception in family relationships. Especially relevant to me was her treatment of the end stages of life - people dying suddenly and others dying slowly, and how we look back on our lives. ( )

Loved this book. The writing is excellent. ( )