The Chestnut Tree: A Novel of the Women of World War II

Rating:
Summary: Love this Book!
Review: "The Chestnut Tree" by Charlotte Bingham is a great book! Ms. Bingham tells a great tale for the coming of World War 2 forever changes the lives of four young women in English town. What many people may not realize that the War forever change England and the world. Suddenly women found themselves leaving the home and helping to defend their countries. Truly a great book.

Rating:
Summary: THE CHESTNUT TREE
Review: An excellent read...Charlotte draws you in immediately,loved this the first book I have read by her. Now I will have to read all of her books!

Rating:
Summary: intriguing character study cozy
Review: In 1939, much of Europe prepares for the "little war" while politicians on both sides claim it will be over before the year is out. All over England, civilian residents rehearse how to behave in the case of invasion or air assaults. In the fishing village of Bexham facing France, the locals understand that a Nazi invasion could come through here or some of the nearby other Sussex ports and most males join the military. Even vets from the "Great War" sign on to serve in the Senior Corps.

Their wives, mothers, and daughters adapt to a world where France quickly falls as the Bexham villagers, mostly female relatives of the soldiers, are determined to help defeat Hitler. The younger generation whose lovers will die on the continent or become MIA defend their country joined by their mothers in ways no one could have fathomed in 1939. In this little village, nothing but the sacred Chestnut Tree will ever be the same even when their men come home victorious and expect the pre war status quo to return.

THE CHESTNUT TREE is an intriguing character study cozy exploring the metamorphosis of English women during World War II. These courageous females become the mothers and older sisters of the 1960s women's movement. Readers will cherish these feisty characters who do what they must to help their country win except revert back to their subservient prewar role once victory occurs.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: intriguing character study cozy
Review: In 1939, much of Europe prepares for the "little war" while politicians on both sides claim it will be over before the year is out. All over England, civilian residents rehearse how to behave in the case of invasion or air assaults. In the fishing village of Bexham facing France, the locals understand that a Nazi invasion could come through here or some of the nearby other Sussex ports and most males join the military. Even vets from the "Great War" sign on to serve in the Senior Corps.

Their wives, mothers, and daughters adapt to a world where France quickly falls as the Bexham villagers, mostly female relatives of the soldiers, are determined to help defeat Hitler. The younger generation whose lovers will die on the continent or become MIA defend their country joined by their mothers in ways no one could have fathomed in 1939. In this little village, nothing but the sacred Chestnut Tree will ever be the same even when their men come home victorious and expect the pre war status quo to return.

THE CHESTNUT TREE is an intriguing character study cozy exploring the metamorphosis of English women during World War II. These courageous females become the mothers and older sisters of the 1960s women's movement. Readers will cherish these feisty characters who do what they must to help their country win except revert back to their subservient prewar role once victory occurs.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Great idea but doesn't come to life
Review: While the story line was intriguing (WWII and its effects on some of the inhabitants of small town Bexham), what should have been an emotional heart-warming/rending read left me feeling flat. Bingham tried to bring too many characters to life and as a result they all seemed colourless. The "unexpected" ending to Judy Melton's romance read like a last minute idea to give the book a "happily ever after" feeling; the heroics of Meggie were too sketchy to prompt any feelings of peril on her behalf; Rusty's transformation from young war hero to debutante came off sounding rather silly. All in all, I felt that the love affairs of each of the "main" characters read like a teenage novel and the sorrow of the war tragedies come across as if written in a monotone voice. Finally, the subject of the prologue, The Chestnut Tree, was woven so loosely into the story as to be almost forgotten altogether.

This book evoked neither my laughter nor my tears.

Rating:
Summary: American readers may find this difficult to read.
Review: WWII is raging through Europe, impacting the lives of young and old in major and minor ways. Four women in a small English village are chosen by the author to give modern readers a sketch of that time.

As the men march off to war, plans are made and broken. Women are forced into unexpected roles that they are reluctant to give up to become quiet, demure little things again when the war ends. Husbands and lovers go away, some never to return. Hearts are broken, rations are tight, and sometimes, the enemy has un unexpectedly human face. Yet through it all, the chestnut tree planted by the local tomboy endures and thrives. Sometimes it is the one thing that means life and hope amidst the chaos.

*** American readers, particularly the younger set, will undoubtedly find this a difficult, sometimes bland read. It focuses on the ordinary things of life greatly. Even the extraordinary times will be hard to hold the interest of a younger American woman. However, the author does do an extremely good job of painting a highly realistic portrait of people and times. ***

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore