Publication
Thomas Dunne Books (2019), 480 pages
Description
"An unforgettable historical about true love found and lost and the secrets we keep from one another from an award-winning author Selina Lennox is a Bright Young Thing. Her life is a whirl of parties and drinking, pursued by the press and staying on just the right side of scandal, all while running from the life her parents would choose for her. Lawrence Weston is a penniless painter who stumbles into Selina's orbit one night and can never let her go even while knowing someone of her stature could never end up with someone of his. Except Selina falls hard for Lawrence, envisioning a life of true happiness. But when tragedy strikes, Selina finds herself choosing what's safe over what's right. Spanning two decades and a seismic shift in British history as World War II approaches, Iona Grey's The Glittering Hour is an epic novel of passion, heartache and loss"--… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member nicx27
I want to start this review by saying I'm rather annoyed...with myself. I'm annoyed because I wish I had left myself just a tiny bit more time to read this absolute stunner of a book. This is a book where every word needs to be savoured. However, I had more than enough time to know that I
Selina Lennox is a woman about town. In the 1920s that means that she was doing things that maybe weren't the most ladylike, especially for someone of her class, but nevertheless, after the hell of the First World War and the loss of her beloved brother, she's determined to enjoy herself before she has to tie herself down to marriage. One night she meets a man, Lawrence, who makes her heart sing but their love is doomed. He's an artist and a photographer, and despite her desire to fight against the limits of her class, she knows that she will never be in a position to make a life with him.
This storyline forms only one part of the whole book. The other follows Alice, Selina's daughter, ten years later. Her parents are away and she is staying with her grandparents. Selina sends Alice letters and clues for a treasure hunt which reveal the whole of what happened back in 1925.
Unusually for me, I preferred the earlier storyline. That's not to say I didn't enjoy Alice's sections but the love story between Selina and Lawrence was completely beguiling, a forbidden love which I felt sure would end in heartbreak. There's an intensity to their feelings for each other which felt intoxicating to read.
Iona Grey is an amazing writer. She signposts where the story is heading but in the most subtle of ways so what was happening dawned on me slowly. The plotting is tight and skilful in this captivating and poignant tale. In 1925 the shadow of WWI hangs over everyone and Grey portrays the aftermath so well, not only with the hedonistic times that Selina and her friends are living but also the forgotten heroes on the streets, the ones who came home but are almost an inconvenience because they cannot slot back into the lives they had. And even a decade after that, although some of that feeling has passed, the ripples of the past are still echoing down the years.
The Glittering Hour is a glittering read. It's a shining star of a book and one that I will remember, not least because it made me cry and most of the books that stay with me are ones that have affected me emotionally. It's a beautiful read in every way with fabulous characters, evocative settings and a story that broke my heart.
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absolutely loved it.Selina Lennox is a woman about town. In the 1920s that means that she was doing things that maybe weren't the most ladylike, especially for someone of her class, but nevertheless, after the hell of the First World War and the loss of her beloved brother, she's determined to enjoy herself before she has to tie herself down to marriage. One night she meets a man, Lawrence, who makes her heart sing but their love is doomed. He's an artist and a photographer, and despite her desire to fight against the limits of her class, she knows that she will never be in a position to make a life with him.
This storyline forms only one part of the whole book. The other follows Alice, Selina's daughter, ten years later. Her parents are away and she is staying with her grandparents. Selina sends Alice letters and clues for a treasure hunt which reveal the whole of what happened back in 1925.
Unusually for me, I preferred the earlier storyline. That's not to say I didn't enjoy Alice's sections but the love story between Selina and Lawrence was completely beguiling, a forbidden love which I felt sure would end in heartbreak. There's an intensity to their feelings for each other which felt intoxicating to read.
Iona Grey is an amazing writer. She signposts where the story is heading but in the most subtle of ways so what was happening dawned on me slowly. The plotting is tight and skilful in this captivating and poignant tale. In 1925 the shadow of WWI hangs over everyone and Grey portrays the aftermath so well, not only with the hedonistic times that Selina and her friends are living but also the forgotten heroes on the streets, the ones who came home but are almost an inconvenience because they cannot slot back into the lives they had. And even a decade after that, although some of that feeling has passed, the ripples of the past are still echoing down the years.
The Glittering Hour is a glittering read. It's a shining star of a book and one that I will remember, not least because it made me cry and most of the books that stay with me are ones that have affected me emotionally. It's a beautiful read in every way with fabulous characters, evocative settings and a story that broke my heart.
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LibraryThing member ivydtruitt
There’s good fiction, which is a nice break; a bit of down time.
Then there’s great fiction, which transports you to another time and place. Great fiction makes you feel deeply and strongly. The characters become like family or friends to you. Great fiction can take you above the clouds and down
THE GLITTERING HOUR is great fiction; dare I say brilliant fiction.
If brilliant fiction is what you desire, look no further than Selena and Lawrence’s tale and prepare to be swept away.
I was given an ARC by the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. Thoughts and views expressed are my own.
Then there’s great fiction, which transports you to another time and place. Great fiction makes you feel deeply and strongly. The characters become like family or friends to you. Great fiction can take you above the clouds and down
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into the depths. Makes you laugh out loud for numerous reasons (that can be embarrassing depending on where you are) and break your heart, resulting in copious tears (we’re talking ugly crying- equally embarrassing).THE GLITTERING HOUR is great fiction; dare I say brilliant fiction.
If brilliant fiction is what you desire, look no further than Selena and Lawrence’s tale and prepare to be swept away.
I was given an ARC by the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. Thoughts and views expressed are my own.
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LibraryThing member CassiesBooksReader
The Glittering Hour by Iona Grey Historical Fiction in early 20th Century England between World War I and World War II. Selina and Lawrence have an unusual story to tell that no one should miss. A story of people, love, happiness and sorrow that is a part of life and our memories. A beautiful and
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars
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unforgettable book that will touch many hearts. I absolutely loved it.I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars
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LibraryThing member jbarr5
THE GLITTERING HOUR by Iona Grey
Story of Alice, a young girl who is sent to live with her grandmother as her parents are traveling for work.
Her dad has a ruby mine and he's gone to see what the problems are. Selina her mother accompanied him.
Love that Alice has Polly to help with the treasure
Mr. Patterson is a treasure as he teaches her so much and about cool things.
She learns one day so devastating news about her mother and she runs away. She had only wanted to see her mother...
Selina's past is played out in front of our eyes with the treasure hunt game that others set up. So deceiving that they couldn't tell the child the real reason why her mother was where she was...
Glad to hear about her real father and how he finds out and so many other secrets.
She has a bond with the Chinese house and she holds on to that and other things sent to her from her mother.
So heartbreaking and so loving at the same time. Ends with acknowledgements, about the author, other works by the author.
Received this review copy via the Publicist at St. Martin's Press via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheGlitteringHour #NetGalley
Story of Alice, a young girl who is sent to live with her grandmother as her parents are traveling for work.
Her dad has a ruby mine and he's gone to see what the problems are. Selina her mother accompanied him.
Love that Alice has Polly to help with the treasure
Show More
hunt-I set something up similar for my young cousins who I was babysitting, so fun!Mr. Patterson is a treasure as he teaches her so much and about cool things.
She learns one day so devastating news about her mother and she runs away. She had only wanted to see her mother...
Selina's past is played out in front of our eyes with the treasure hunt game that others set up. So deceiving that they couldn't tell the child the real reason why her mother was where she was...
Glad to hear about her real father and how he finds out and so many other secrets.
She has a bond with the Chinese house and she holds on to that and other things sent to her from her mother.
So heartbreaking and so loving at the same time. Ends with acknowledgements, about the author, other works by the author.
Received this review copy via the Publicist at St. Martin's Press via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheGlitteringHour #NetGalley
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LibraryThing member fredreeca
The Glittering Hour is set in England prior to WWII. The roaring 20's and 30's is an exciting time in the lives of many people, especially Selena. She is definitely trying to break the mold her parents expect her to conform to.
Selena is wealthy, young socialite. Her parents have no intention for
I did find part of this story a little wordy and tedious, especially at the beginning. I wanted it to move faster in places. However, there was just something about these two characters and this time period which kept me reading. And boy! Am I glad I did!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Selena is wealthy, young socialite. Her parents have no intention for
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her to marry, or have anything to do with, Lawrence. Lawerence is a poor, starving artist. These two manage to fall in love and have a pretty good time of it, until a catastrophe happens. You better keep tissues on hand...this story is reeks havoc on all your emotions.I did find part of this story a little wordy and tedious, especially at the beginning. I wanted it to move faster in places. However, there was just something about these two characters and this time period which kept me reading. And boy! Am I glad I did!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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LibraryThing member bleached
A beautiful, but sad, romance about being afraid of love due to the loss that comes with it. The Glittering Hour contains its own treasure hunt of adventure and mystery around the lives of Selina, Alice, and Lawrence. It masterfully bounds from character to character, past to present, to keep the
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reader guessing and immersed in a riveting tale. Show Less
LibraryThing member AdonisGuilfoyle
Why is every novel about the 'Bright Young Things' of the 1920s so tediously formulaic? Even injecting a dose of The Secret Garden couldn't save me from the sinking feeling of having read about these characters before. The story was just too drawn out, and the subplots telegraphed far too early, to
In a crumbling country pile between the wars, nine year old Alice hides away in the nursery, waiting for letters from her mother, travelling abroad with her father. Alice's only ally is a maid called Polly, who encourages her to write honest letters back to her mother, even offering to send more than the one a week her frosty grandmother will allow her. Alice's mother sends her clues for a treasure hunt, promising to tell her daughter all about her life as a 'bright young thing' ten years earlier, and a very special young man she met over a dead cat one night. Interspersed with the letters, which seemed too flowery and mature for a barely literate nine year old to comprehend, are flashbacks to Alice's mother, Selina, being every inch the cliched cynical flapper in 1925, partying in smudged eye make-up and haring drunkenly round town in motor cars. On one night out, Selina and her friends hit a cat on a street in Bloomsbury, and Selina is devastated. She gets out, nursing the dead animal, and when the approaching police chase the others away, she knocks on the first door she comes to - which is answered by the dashing, talented, self-made, socially conscious artist Lawrence Weston. The rest of the story is easy to predict from that point onwards, really.
I did like the early dialogue, particularly between Selina and her drawling, dissolute friends, but never really understood what made Selina or Lawrence so bloody wonderful, to be honest. She's blonde and buxom, he's her dark-haired bit of rough, who walks around with a bare chest a lot. Nothing outstandingly original. And the supporting characters were also from central casting, from the fascist governess to Lawrence's wealthy bohemian sponsor.
The story should have been emotional, but because the 'twists' were so predictable and the ending impossibly twee, I just couldn't muster the energy, after nearly 500 pages, to force a tear. More of a dull afternoon than the glittering hour.
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sustain my early interest.In a crumbling country pile between the wars, nine year old Alice hides away in the nursery, waiting for letters from her mother, travelling abroad with her father. Alice's only ally is a maid called Polly, who encourages her to write honest letters back to her mother, even offering to send more than the one a week her frosty grandmother will allow her. Alice's mother sends her clues for a treasure hunt, promising to tell her daughter all about her life as a 'bright young thing' ten years earlier, and a very special young man she met over a dead cat one night. Interspersed with the letters, which seemed too flowery and mature for a barely literate nine year old to comprehend, are flashbacks to Alice's mother, Selina, being every inch the cliched cynical flapper in 1925, partying in smudged eye make-up and haring drunkenly round town in motor cars. On one night out, Selina and her friends hit a cat on a street in Bloomsbury, and Selina is devastated. She gets out, nursing the dead animal, and when the approaching police chase the others away, she knocks on the first door she comes to - which is answered by the dashing, talented, self-made, socially conscious artist Lawrence Weston. The rest of the story is easy to predict from that point onwards, really.
I did like the early dialogue, particularly between Selina and her drawling, dissolute friends, but never really understood what made Selina or Lawrence so bloody wonderful, to be honest. She's blonde and buxom, he's her dark-haired bit of rough, who walks around with a bare chest a lot. Nothing outstandingly original. And the supporting characters were also from central casting, from the fascist governess to Lawrence's wealthy bohemian sponsor.
The story should have been emotional, but because the 'twists' were so predictable and the ending impossibly twee, I just couldn't muster the energy, after nearly 500 pages, to force a tear. More of a dull afternoon than the glittering hour.
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LibraryThing member BookAnonJeff
Welcome To The Roaring Twenties. As I finish this book a couple of weeks late - yet appropriately just hours before the Roaring Twenties come back - I'm actually thankful I wasn't able to complete it sooner due to various traveling I was doing in the early parts of this month. Because this book is
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a phenomenal look at the Roaring Twenties, young adult disillusionment in their twenties generally, and the realities we sometimes face in our thirties. But it is also extremely tragic, and without actually giving anything away let's just say be prepared to bawl for the last 100 pages or so of this 400 page book. Truly an excellent work, and very much recommended. Show Less
ISBN
1250066794 / 9781250066794