Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Lake Union Publishing (2019), Edition: First Edition Thus, 367 pages
Description
As the Great War continues to take its toll, headstrong twenty-one-year-old Emily Bryce is determined to contribute to the war effort. She is convinced by a cheeky and handsome Australian pilot that she can do more, and it is not long before she falls in love with him and accepts his proposal of marriage. When he is sent back to the front, Emily volunteers as a "land girl," tending to the neglected grounds of a large Devonshire estate. It's here that Emily discovers the long-forgotten journals of a medicine woman who devoted her life to her herbal garden. The journals inspire Emily, and in the wake of devastating news, they are her saving grace. Emily's lover has not only died a hero but has left her terrified--and with child. Since no one knows that Emily was never married, she adopts the charade of a war widow. As Emily learns more about the volatile power of healing with herbs, the found journals will bring her to the brink of disaster, but may open a path to her destiny.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member tamidale
My first novel by Rhys Bowen and I loved it! Set during the Great War in 1918, Bowen gives a fictional account of what hardships and sacrifice many went through during the war.
Emily, the main character is portrayed as a strong, independent woman who is not afraid to follow her own path in life.
Although many in the story have suffered loss, this is not a sad, depressing tale, but one of hope and resilience. Many have heard the phrase “it takes a village” and this was certainly the example throughout the book.
I loved the descriptions of the English countryside, villages and especially the little cottage where Emily created a temporary home. For readers who like historical fiction and clean reading without disturbing war descriptions, this is an excellent choice to read.
I have two other novels by Rhys Bowen on my reading list, so I will certainly look forward to reading those in the near future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
Emily, the main character is portrayed as a strong, independent woman who is not afraid to follow her own path in life.
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Emily cultivates the friendship of many diverse women and makes somewhat of a family out of those who have no one else.Although many in the story have suffered loss, this is not a sad, depressing tale, but one of hope and resilience. Many have heard the phrase “it takes a village” and this was certainly the example throughout the book.
I loved the descriptions of the English countryside, villages and especially the little cottage where Emily created a temporary home. For readers who like historical fiction and clean reading without disturbing war descriptions, this is an excellent choice to read.
I have two other novels by Rhys Bowen on my reading list, so I will certainly look forward to reading those in the near future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
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LibraryThing member cathyskye
Rhys Bowen has written a lovely standalone piece of historical fiction set during the last months of World War I. I spent a wonderful afternoon immersed in her story and living with her characters. My favorite wasn't Emily, as might be expected, but the octogenarian Lady Charlton, who is a mass of
Over many years of reading, I have found that I don't care much for static characters and complete predictability in my series fiction, but I don't mind it at all when I read a standalone novel. There's really nothing new under the sun in The Victory Garden. I knew what was going to happen before it did, and there was only one bit of shocking news. But I didn't care. It is very enjoyable to read a story in which good things eventually happen to good people who have faced great adversity. Sometimes your heart needs to be fed more than your mind, and The Victory Garden is a satisfying main course.
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contradictions and more than capable of surprising all those around her. However, there are enough characters in the book for readers to each have their favorite.Over many years of reading, I have found that I don't care much for static characters and complete predictability in my series fiction, but I don't mind it at all when I read a standalone novel. There's really nothing new under the sun in The Victory Garden. I knew what was going to happen before it did, and there was only one bit of shocking news. But I didn't care. It is very enjoyable to read a story in which good things eventually happen to good people who have faced great adversity. Sometimes your heart needs to be fed more than your mind, and The Victory Garden is a satisfying main course.
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LibraryThing member JanicsEblen
Rhys Bowen is an author that I have enjoyed over the years. I have always enjoyed her writing. I am not going to give you a synopsis of the story line others have done that and done it well. What I do want to impart to you is I have always been told that a good writer leaves you, at the end of the
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story, wanting to know more about the characters and or story line. I read this book over two days and wanted more. I wanted to follow the characters, both main and supporting. Great Read!! Show Less
LibraryThing member arthistorychick
The Victory Garden by Rhys Bowen
Source: NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing
My Rating: My Rating: 4½/5 stars
As every avid reader knows, there are characters you simply adore from the minute they make their appearance in a book. For me, Emily Bryce is that character and I devoured her story in a
At the tender age of twenty-one, Emily makes the bold and brave decision to defy her wealthy parents, leave the comfort of her posh country home for a life devoted to helping others. As the Great War rages on, Emily longs to do her part for the war effort, to help those in need, and to ease the suffering of others. While Emily is determined to make her own way and marry the man she loves, an Australian fighter pilot, her parents are determined to keep her at home or cut her off completely. The depth of Emily’s devotion to her calling and her love are such that she willingly walks away from her safe and cozy life and walks right into the world of back-breaking labor, harsh conditions, and a heartbreak she never imagined possible.
As a land girl, Emily learns the ins and outs of life on a farm and with her fellow land girls helps keep the community fed through their efforts. The work is hard, the hours are long, but the skills are invaluable and will serve Emily for the rest of her life. As it happens, Emily’s newfound skills take her into the home and employee of the most irascible Lady Charlton who not only takes Emily in, but helps her heal from the broken heart she has most recently suffered. What’s more, Emily isn’t the only land girl to come to Lady Charlton’s quaint little village; with two of her best friends alongside her, Emily quickly becomes a part of the community and finds a family she never expected to have.
The life Emily is carving out for herself isn’t at all easy, but it is hers and she’s proud of her confidence, her growing skills, and her ability to stand on her own two feet. Unfortunately, not everyone is pleased with Emily’s presence and just as she’s becoming comfortable in her new world, it is once again upended and threatened. With nothing to do but turn to her friends, Emily makes the best of yet another awful situation and prays she’ll come out standing on the other side.
The Bottom Line: I simply couldn’t put this book down and read it cover to cover in a single day! Emily Bryce is no simpering, spoiled brat with an attitude of entitlement, but a young woman who knows her mind, her heart, and her soul and is willing to stand and fight for all. I rather admired Emily and her determination and that admiration only grew as her story unfolded. From the moment she left the comfort of her family home, Emily faced tremendous heartbreak (more than once!), conditions quite unfamiliar to her based on her station in life, and a whole host of people she would have never been permitted to associate with in her former life. With kindness, compassion, and shear determination, Emily proves herself at every level and earns the friendship and respect of the women she serves with and alongside. While the first part of Emily’s story is certainly interesting, I found her time at the Charlton estate to be fascinating. Despite all she has suffered, Emily blossoms at the Charlton estate and finds herself and her place in the world. Her evolution is swift, but it is completely realistic and born out of necessity. Another aspect of this read I very much appreciated is the system that builds up around Emily; she and the other land girls are friends, confidantes, and trusted companions no matter the circumstances. What’s more, this small group of women open their circle to include the other women of the community who, like them have given so much to the war effort. At every level, this is a wonderfully written book that tells the story of fictional characters most assuredly based on real people. I found everything about this book interesting and though it is sad for much of the read, there are moments of pure joy that carry you through the sadness. Just as moments of pure joy most assuredly carried the women in Emily’s world through their own moments of sadness.
Source: NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing
My Rating: My Rating: 4½/5 stars
As every avid reader knows, there are characters you simply adore from the minute they make their appearance in a book. For me, Emily Bryce is that character and I devoured her story in a
Show More
single day. At the tender age of twenty-one, Emily makes the bold and brave decision to defy her wealthy parents, leave the comfort of her posh country home for a life devoted to helping others. As the Great War rages on, Emily longs to do her part for the war effort, to help those in need, and to ease the suffering of others. While Emily is determined to make her own way and marry the man she loves, an Australian fighter pilot, her parents are determined to keep her at home or cut her off completely. The depth of Emily’s devotion to her calling and her love are such that she willingly walks away from her safe and cozy life and walks right into the world of back-breaking labor, harsh conditions, and a heartbreak she never imagined possible.
As a land girl, Emily learns the ins and outs of life on a farm and with her fellow land girls helps keep the community fed through their efforts. The work is hard, the hours are long, but the skills are invaluable and will serve Emily for the rest of her life. As it happens, Emily’s newfound skills take her into the home and employee of the most irascible Lady Charlton who not only takes Emily in, but helps her heal from the broken heart she has most recently suffered. What’s more, Emily isn’t the only land girl to come to Lady Charlton’s quaint little village; with two of her best friends alongside her, Emily quickly becomes a part of the community and finds a family she never expected to have.
The life Emily is carving out for herself isn’t at all easy, but it is hers and she’s proud of her confidence, her growing skills, and her ability to stand on her own two feet. Unfortunately, not everyone is pleased with Emily’s presence and just as she’s becoming comfortable in her new world, it is once again upended and threatened. With nothing to do but turn to her friends, Emily makes the best of yet another awful situation and prays she’ll come out standing on the other side.
The Bottom Line: I simply couldn’t put this book down and read it cover to cover in a single day! Emily Bryce is no simpering, spoiled brat with an attitude of entitlement, but a young woman who knows her mind, her heart, and her soul and is willing to stand and fight for all. I rather admired Emily and her determination and that admiration only grew as her story unfolded. From the moment she left the comfort of her family home, Emily faced tremendous heartbreak (more than once!), conditions quite unfamiliar to her based on her station in life, and a whole host of people she would have never been permitted to associate with in her former life. With kindness, compassion, and shear determination, Emily proves herself at every level and earns the friendship and respect of the women she serves with and alongside. While the first part of Emily’s story is certainly interesting, I found her time at the Charlton estate to be fascinating. Despite all she has suffered, Emily blossoms at the Charlton estate and finds herself and her place in the world. Her evolution is swift, but it is completely realistic and born out of necessity. Another aspect of this read I very much appreciated is the system that builds up around Emily; she and the other land girls are friends, confidantes, and trusted companions no matter the circumstances. What’s more, this small group of women open their circle to include the other women of the community who, like them have given so much to the war effort. At every level, this is a wonderfully written book that tells the story of fictional characters most assuredly based on real people. I found everything about this book interesting and though it is sad for much of the read, there are moments of pure joy that carry you through the sadness. Just as moments of pure joy most assuredly carried the women in Emily’s world through their own moments of sadness.
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LibraryThing member jfe16
The home front struggles take center stage in this Great War drama, offering readers an authentic look at the hardships and tragedies faced by those who wait for their loved ones to return from the war. However, the war takes a monstrous toll on those on the front lines and many of the men will not
Despite the devastating loss of her brother, Emily Bryce wants to volunteer and feels smothered by her parents’ over-protectiveness. On one of her visits to a convalescent hospital, she meets, and ultimately falls in love with, Robbie Kerr, an Australian pilot.
Determined to do her part for the war effort, Emily volunteers for the Women’s Land Army, a program that placed women on farms in need of workers able to step in for the men who’d been called up to the military. Her parents do not approve of this, but Emily is adamant and, despite their threats, remains with the other Land Girls.
Robbie recovers and is sent back to fight while Emily and two other Land Girls take on the task of tending to the neglected grounds of a large Devonshire estate. There Emily discovers the long-neglected herb garden and the forgotten journals of a wise woman who tended the garden and used the herbs for healing. But, despite rumors of the war ending, tragedy strikes, leaving Emily floundering as she struggles to find her place in a world where everything has changed forever.
The grimness of the Great War is apparent throughout the narrative, but the story does not focus on the ugliness of the war itself. Rather, it concentrates on connections as it spins out a convincing tale of resilience, of courage, of friendship, camaraderie, and self-sufficiency. With the men gone off to war, daily life creates a new destiny for the women left at home.
Readers may predict some of the outcomes, but the story is less about events than about how the war changed the face of the home front, forcing those left behind to step into new responsibilities. The weaving of historical fact into the telling of the tale provides a richness to the story; the characters and the English countryside are well-drawn and realistic. The unfolding story pulls the reader into the narrative and keeps its strong focus on the individuality of the characters. Richly detailed, this coming-of-age story is compelling in its revelation of desperate situations; it’s extraordinarily emotional and completely unputdownable. Don’t miss this one.
Highly recommended.
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be returning to pick up the pieces of their lives with their families.Despite the devastating loss of her brother, Emily Bryce wants to volunteer and feels smothered by her parents’ over-protectiveness. On one of her visits to a convalescent hospital, she meets, and ultimately falls in love with, Robbie Kerr, an Australian pilot.
Determined to do her part for the war effort, Emily volunteers for the Women’s Land Army, a program that placed women on farms in need of workers able to step in for the men who’d been called up to the military. Her parents do not approve of this, but Emily is adamant and, despite their threats, remains with the other Land Girls.
Robbie recovers and is sent back to fight while Emily and two other Land Girls take on the task of tending to the neglected grounds of a large Devonshire estate. There Emily discovers the long-neglected herb garden and the forgotten journals of a wise woman who tended the garden and used the herbs for healing. But, despite rumors of the war ending, tragedy strikes, leaving Emily floundering as she struggles to find her place in a world where everything has changed forever.
The grimness of the Great War is apparent throughout the narrative, but the story does not focus on the ugliness of the war itself. Rather, it concentrates on connections as it spins out a convincing tale of resilience, of courage, of friendship, camaraderie, and self-sufficiency. With the men gone off to war, daily life creates a new destiny for the women left at home.
Readers may predict some of the outcomes, but the story is less about events than about how the war changed the face of the home front, forcing those left behind to step into new responsibilities. The weaving of historical fact into the telling of the tale provides a richness to the story; the characters and the English countryside are well-drawn and realistic. The unfolding story pulls the reader into the narrative and keeps its strong focus on the individuality of the characters. Richly detailed, this coming-of-age story is compelling in its revelation of desperate situations; it’s extraordinarily emotional and completely unputdownable. Don’t miss this one.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member shazjhb
Lovely book about the WWI. I loved the changes in the characters and the friendships of the women.
LibraryThing member ritaer
More of a romance than the mysteries than Bowen usually writes. Emily Bryce is a young woman who has lost her brother in WWI and wants to help the war effort. Her parents resist but once she turns 21 she joins the Women's Land Army. In the meantime she has fallen in love with a wounded Australian
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flyer. In the land army she meets and becomes friendly with working class women and on one assignment meets the imperious Lady Carlton, whose husband, son and grandson are all dead. She becomes fascinated with the fate of past inhabitants of the cottage in which the land army women were lodged and takes refuge there when she learns she is pregnant by the Australian, who has died in an air crash before they can marry. An entertaining novel with different elements. Show Less
LibraryThing member schatzi
I've been on a bit of a kick when it comes to fiction set in WWI lately, so I was happy to pick this up at my local library. Unfortunately, it wasn't that good of a book.
My main problem with this book is that it just wasn't that compelling. The romance was tepid and the conflicts are generally
And I call HUGE OL BULLSHIT on Emily, who doesn't really know what she's even doing when it comes to herbs, being able to save the entire town from the Spanish influenza just because she mixed together some shit she found in a neglected garden. It's beyond ridiculous and made me roll my eyes so hard.
My recommendation: save yourself some time and just read the synopsis that is on the inside of the book jacket. It literally gives away every major plot point to the very end. That isn't the author's fault, but if you've skimmed over that, you don't need to read the book.
My main problem with this book is that it just wasn't that compelling. The romance was tepid and the conflicts are generally
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solved within the same chapter in which they're introduced, only to have yet another "major conflict" to be introduced in another couple of chapters to be solved in the same manner. It was tedious. My recommendation: save yourself some time and just read the synopsis that is on the inside of the book jacket. It literally gives away every major plot point to the very end. That isn't the author's fault, but if you've skimmed over that, you don't need to read the book.
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LibraryThing member jamespurcell
Rhys Bowen is a great storyteller. Like Anne Perry and the Todds, she has set this work in the chaotic atmosphere of England at the end of the War to End All Wars. Lost kin and lost loves create family conflicts
LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq
I liked most of the story & the characters: I did skip over the correspondence... and the end was a bit formulated, but it worked.
I'm happy to find something new and different by this author.
Front Cover: "As the great war continues to take its toll, headstrong twenty-one-year-old, Emily bryce, is
When he is sent back to the front, Emily volunteers as a "Land Girl", tending to the neglected grounds of a large Devonshire estate. It's here that Emily discovers the long-forgotten journals of a medicine woman who devoted her life to her herbal garden. The journals inspire Emily and in the wake of the devastating news they are her saving grace. Emily's lover (fiancee) has not only died a hero but has left her terrified and with child. Since no one knows that Emily was never married she adopts the charade of a war widow.
As Emily learns more about the volatile power of healing with herbs, the found journals will bring her to the brink of disaster, but may open a path to her destiny."
I'm happy to find something new and different by this author.
Front Cover: "As the great war continues to take its toll, headstrong twenty-one-year-old, Emily bryce, is
Show More
determined to contribute to the war effort. She is convinced by a cheeky & handsome (wounded) Australian pilot that she can do more, and it is not long before she falls in love with him and accepts his proposal of marriage.When he is sent back to the front, Emily volunteers as a "Land Girl", tending to the neglected grounds of a large Devonshire estate. It's here that Emily discovers the long-forgotten journals of a medicine woman who devoted her life to her herbal garden. The journals inspire Emily and in the wake of the devastating news they are her saving grace. Emily's lover (fiancee) has not only died a hero but has left her terrified and with child. Since no one knows that Emily was never married she adopts the charade of a war widow.
As Emily learns more about the volatile power of healing with herbs, the found journals will bring her to the brink of disaster, but may open a path to her destiny."
Show Less
LibraryThing member PatsyMurray
This book was a gift, or I likely would not have read it. I found it formulaic and the characters interchangeable with one another. It also struck me that it had likely been put through a software program that made certain the sentences were all at a set reading level. It's not a total loss, but
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there was nothing new or interesting here. Show Less
LibraryThing member jeanbmac
This was such a lovely, old-fashioned story with a happy ending. I had to read it in one sitting. Don't know how I missed Tuscan Child and In Farleigh Field. Am checking them out of the library tomorrow.
LibraryThing member etxgardener
Set during the First World War, Emily Bryce, a young woman from a very proper upper-middle class family meets a cheeky Australian pilot while volunteering at a local convalescent home for British officers The two fall in love and plan to marry despite Emily's parents disapproval. When Emily decides
This was an easy read and much better than some of the author's other efforts in historical fiction. That being said, I still had the ending figured out about two-thirds the way into the book.
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to become a Land Gils (a farm worker) hr parents disapprove even more, but Emily seems to find her true strengths working on farms with other young women filling in for the men who have been sent off to fight. Tragedy occurs when Robbie is killed and Emily realizes that she's pregnant. She and another friend retreat to a remote village in Devon where she finds an unexpected community willing to embrace her and treat her as family. This was an easy read and much better than some of the author's other efforts in historical fiction. That being said, I still had the ending figured out about two-thirds the way into the book.
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LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
"The Victory Garden" was an enjoyable piece of historical fiction. Set at the end of World War II, I enjoyed following Emily's story as she fought against her mother's limitations to become an independent young woman. I admired the fact that she became a Land Girl despite her sheltered childhood
The bond that was formed between Emily and her other workmates was touching and they forged a wonderful friendship. I also grew to like Lady Charlton who owned the property where Emily was sent to work and I liked how she willingly stepped in to help Emily her her hour of need.
Although "The Victory Garden" wasn't a deeply emotional book, I still found it an entertaining read with strong female characters who had to adapt to their changing roles in society.
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and her growth throughout the novel was substantial.The bond that was formed between Emily and her other workmates was touching and they forged a wonderful friendship. I also grew to like Lady Charlton who owned the property where Emily was sent to work and I liked how she willingly stepped in to help Emily her her hour of need.
Although "The Victory Garden" wasn't a deeply emotional book, I still found it an entertaining read with strong female characters who had to adapt to their changing roles in society.
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LibraryThing member BookAnonJeff
Historic Victory. Excellent historical fiction story that really brings its world to life. Feels like a shorter version of Tess of the D'Urbervilles or Gone With the Wind, both of which had similar story arcs and overall tones to their tales of women who learn their strength by having it repeatedly
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tested. Though it ends on a more hopeful note than I remember (two decades after last reading them) those two ending on. The fact alone that this book can even be mentioned alongside those so highly revered books tells you just how good it truly is. Show Less
LibraryThing member quondame
Readable drivel. Emily is stifled by her social climbing parents who won't let her participate in any meaningful way in the war effort and when she turns 21 in 1918, this almost universally likable pretty spunky young woman joins the Land Girls Army and goes through a clearly marked path of
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challenges and woes. And for a book which takes digs at social climbing it can't move the titled big house out of the center of the picture. Show Less
LibraryThing member NanetteLS
Disappointed
I’d heard good things about this author but couldn’t believe how flat this book was. I felt like I was reading a grade school novel. Flat characters, a trite story line, nothing that hasn’t been done better by many other authors. Wow.
I’d heard good things about this author but couldn’t believe how flat this book was. I felt like I was reading a grade school novel. Flat characters, a trite story line, nothing that hasn’t been done better by many other authors. Wow.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2019-02-12
Physical description
367 p.; 8.25 inches
ISBN
1542040116 / 9781542040112
Local notes
An enjoyable read about am independent young woman who becomes a Women's Land Army volunteer during WWI, and later becomes an herbalist. One of the historical figures in the story was executed as a Witch, and her recipe book is later found by the protagonist. -AMK