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I found this book a most engaging account of how life during the first world war affected the domestic lives of those left to keep the home fires burning. A perceptive and fascinating insight into rural living with all its demands and the sense of responsibility to support the war effort. A voyage of discovery for Florence and her sister Nell as they leave the danger threatening their lives in London for the Essex countryside. Full of atmosphere and the inevitable ups and downs of new challenges. There are painful reminders of the horrors of this war but Rosie Simpson maintains warmth and an overriding feeling of mutual affection and support through developing relationships.
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In Green Pastures is a well-told tale of the people left at home during WW1. While the horrific carnage of the trenches has been well documented, the wives, girlfriends and families of the soldiers are less well known. The story paints a rich picture of an East End family who seeks security in the Essex countryside during the last year of the war. Although the conflict sometimes seems far away to Nell, her five young children, and to her sister Florence, the male characters bring home the horror and futility of the battle.
IGP grips the reader on many levels. Florence’s growth as a woman is entirely believable, her experiences before and during her time in the WLA put the reader on her side, wanting her to find fulfilment – which she satisfyingly does. The many challenges faced by farmers Frank and Annie create a rich backdrop to the story. And the newly discovered enjoyment of country life for Nell and her children provide an enchanting counterpoint to Florence’s story. Writer Rosie Simpson brings all these threads together in a satisfying and surprising conclusion.
I found this a really interesting and different story, peopled with characters I liked getting to know. And by the end I found myself rooting for them all as they face the challenges to come. I hope you enjoy In Green Pastures as much as I did.
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A really charming book with well-drawn characters that are easy to warm and a gentle, well-told story. The experiences and day to day lives of Flo and her family and the farming community of Halstead are brought to life with the author's loving descriptions of the countryside and the rigours of farming life. There are snippets of information cleverly weaved into the storyline from music, farming, literature and poetry which I found most enjoyable. The peaceful refuge of Halstead and the happiness found in simple pleasures is a poignant contrast to the horrors of the trenches. As the story draws to a close there is sadness but there is also hope. I very much enjoyed reading it. In these tricky times, it is a timely reminder that the human spirit and friendship can help see us all through tough times.
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As described in the synopsis, the story is set against the backdrop of the First World War. As the ravages of the bombing raids take their toll on London, the reader knows they are approaching the final throws of the conflict. However, for Nell Ashford the dangers are ongoing and the safety of her family is at the forefront of her mind as she makes the decision to pack up and move into the unfamiliar countryside for respite. She demonstrates courage, tenacity and subsequently enterprise as she struggles alone for the survival of her five children whilst her husband faces his own battles in France. They are joined by her sister Florence, who welcomes the change of scene as an opportunity to help her family and as an escape from troubles of her own.
Rosie Simpson’s extensive knowledge of the countryside provides reality and depth to her depiction of the very different and beautiful environment the family find themselves in. I enjoyed the use of Grace, a sensitive middle child, who writes her experiences down in a diary to show to her father, whose absence she feels so acutely, which lends a refreshing insight into a child’s perspective of a very troubled adult world.
The restorative qualities of nature are demonstrated as the novel deftly describes how the family flourish and the healing process begins, not only for the individual characters but society as a whole, with the integration of a German prisoner of war into family life and the community. I found the sensitive handling of Wilf’s rehabilitation process particularly moving as the writer bravely tackles the morality of war and the devastating damage, both physical and mental it inevitably brings.
This is an engaging tale of a family’s capacity to survive and flourish in the face of adversity and the ability to keep their hopes alive as they embark their different paths to face the future.
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In Green Pastures is a beautifully told story of life at home towards the end of WW1. We travel beside Florence Mundy as her hopes and dreams in London are rudely shattered although not by the bombing. She leaves with her sister, nephews and nieces to join their cousin for a new life in Halstead, Essex. Her confidence and self esteem are restored with her family and new friends. Hard and vital work as a Land Girl with tenant farmers Frank and Annie broadens her horizons and gives her a sense of purpose and deep satisfaction.
Flo is immensely likeable as witnessed by her warm friendships particularly with her niece, Grace, and with farmers Frank and Annie. It is no surprise that a young army officer falls for her giving her some soul-searching when he returns to the front.
Flo's journey unfolds at a perfect pace, holding the reader's attention without a sense of undue haste.Each short chapter promotes curiosity for the next.The author's research is detailed and totally convincing particularly in her descriptions of the privations of families whose men have gone to war, of the mental and physical injuries for some of the participants and of farming life even down to managing a horse-drawn plough.
A powerful though understated anti-war message runs through this book but a rich measure of hope, courage and happiness give the reader a warm sense of pleasure which lasts well beyond the last page.
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I so enjoyed this book, which introduces us to Florence, a single woman trying to build an independent life for herself in London during the First World War. We also meet her sister, Nell, who has to raise five children single-handedly after her husband is sent to the Front. As the bombing raids on London get closer to home, Nell decides to move her family to the countryside. By this time Florence has personal reasons for wanting to escape from London.
The sisters and Nell’s children grow and flourish in their rural retreat. Florence, in particular, develops as she becomes a Land Girl and joins Annie and Frank Davis on their farm. The long hours, arduous work, love of the land and the knowledge that her contribution is appreciated and invaluable, helps to bolster her self-esteem.
For the most part, the war is kept in the background but then Wilf Davis returns from the Front injured and traumatised and his parents can’t seem to reach him or help him. In a very moving scene, it is Holger, the German prisoner of war who works on the farm, who is able to get him to talk.
By the end of the book, I felt very involved in the lives of the characters and wanted to know how they would fare in the future.
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This is an uplifting story of one family resilience during the 1st World War.
Florence & her sister Nell plus her five children decide to leave Stratford in East London for the relative tranquillity of the North Essex Countryside.
Here their life unfolds. Initially, Nell finds the responsibility of the children daunting without her husband George, however, they soon settle into their new schools in Halstead where they excel & Nell takes on a part-time job.
Florence joins the land army and despite a previous job in a book shop throws her heart and soul into this and soon becomes invaluable to the farmers, whose son, Wilf is away at war. On his return home, he is very traumatised by his experiences.
This is a well-researched book and Rosie has written it with great sensitivity. It is an evolving read and one feels compelled to move on to the next chapter.
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Set during the First World War we are introduced to sisters Nell and Florence who are both coping with individual struggles. Nell is left with 5 children when husband George is sent to the front. Meanwhile, Florence is emotionally fragile after the unwanted advances of Harry Bartholomew. With the continuous bombings in London, the sister along with the children move to rural Essex and their lives are much improved. Rosie Simpson's description of their lives in the countryside is beautifully graphic and detailed. Florence joins the Land Army and goes to work for Anne and Frank Davis on their farm. She thrives on the long hours and hard work, growing in personal confidence. She works alongside Holger, a German POW. Although the war is not the actual main topic of the novel, the treatment of Holger by some locals and the return from the front of wounded Wilf Davis gives us an insight into some of the horrors at the time... A sensitive novel, dealing with families facing difficult and realistic emotions such as the sisters fall out for a period of time. I found it an enjoyable read and I finished the book wanting more. I do hope Rosie Simpson will be writing a follow-up novel to explain what happened to the characters as the years went by - did George return safely from the war? Did Wilf overcome the terrible demons of the front? Finally, did Florence and Holger find lasting happiness together?
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A few words about “In Green Pastures” by Rosie Simpson.
This is a tale to warm the heart but at the same time dip into the realities of life for those who stayed at home during the First World War. Two sisters from East London, each with her own demons to overcome, step into life in a country town, far from the daily struggles of home. The author has a keen eye for the detail of country life and her descriptive prose readily draws the reader in. How the sisters blend into their new surroundings and the development of their characters provides a fascinating picture of those distant days.
The younger sister, Florence, meets some of the young men whose lives have been affected by the War and it is their experiences that lend depth to this story. Once I reached half-way I found it impossible to put the book down. An excellent read.
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Opening in 1917, In Green Pastures, tells the story of Florence Mundy and her sister, Nell Ashford. Two east London sisters who, fearing for the welfare of Nell's young family after a zeppelin raid, decamp from Stratford to the bucolic sanctuary of Halstead in north Essex. Whimsical but somewhat stoic Florence has her own reasons for wanting to escape London and finds purpose and rejuvenation when she joins the newly-formed Women's Land Army.
Through the eyes of Florence as well as her young niece, Grace, Rosie Simpson beautifully conjures this pastoral scene to life as Florence throws herself with vigour into her new life as a farm hand. She takes to the demanding farm work quickly and is soon milking, ploughing and even lambing as if she herself was born to it. Florence and Nell meet a cast of colourful and well-drawn characters during their time in Halstead and settle well, however, the war cannot be avoided, even here.
Nell's husband, George, is away fighting, and as other soldiers begin to return home, they carry the unimaginable horrors of the Western Front indelibly with them. These hellish visions are skilfully juxtaposed with the natural beauty of the Colne Valley which are consistently and vividly evoked by Grace and Florence.
This is a wonderful story about new beginnings and triumphs over adversity as well as the healing and transformative powers of hard work, community, love and forgiveness. It is also an interesting and well-researched document of a little-known chapter in the history of the continuing march towards female emancipation. I recommend it to all!
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I loved the front cover and the size of the book itself which was most unusual and, even before I got into the story, the feel of the paper and the font were so attractive. So well done, you had me hooked from the beginning.
Although one knows the history of WW1 it was such a pleasure to read about it from a completely different perspective. Ordinary people living extraordinary lives in extraordinary times. The characters were so well drawn I almost felt I knew them personally.
I was fascinated by the relationship between the sisters Florence and Nell. I appreciate that Nell was missing George but found it strange that she thought Andrew might have been interested in her rather than Florence and also that Mr Broyd’s attention turned her head. It must have been so difficult bringing up five children on her own and easy to lose oneself in the minutiae of daily life. Sisters do have misunderstandings and these were played out it so realistically and happily resolved.
It was wonderful following the farm through the seasons including lambing, sowing and harvesting. What tough lives they led. The beauty of the Essex countryside was so well-drawn, I could almost smell the elderflowers.
I was really moved by the Wilf situation. There must have been thousands of young men whose lives were destroyed by the war, not only physically but mentally. I felt for Frank who had absolutely no idea how to cope with his son, a problem for many fathers and families I imagine. It was interesting that his situation was eventually resolved by Holger ‘the enemy’ which just goes to show that situations are not always as black and white as they seem.
I did worry that Nell had decided to take the whole family back to Stratford and although I appreciated her reasons, they would have had such a marvellous opportunity if she had taken up the offer made by their headmaster. (Just shows how involved I had become with the characters!)
Florence was an amazing young woman and the ending was a great surprise.
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With meticulous attention to detail, this book provides a refreshing insight into life during WW1 from the perspective of the women and children left at home. It is a compelling read and an uplifting tale of hope and love that brings to life one of the darkest times in recent history. An essential addition to any bookshelf!
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A great read! I really enjoyed this book with its well-developed cast of characters and engaging storyline, especially once the two sisters Nell and Flo move out of London’s East End to Halstead in Essex with Nell’s five children, while her husband is away fighting in France.
Against the backdrop of the horrors of war, Rosie Simpson has painted a vivid portrait of village life, where neighbours pull together and families share their ups and downs. The difficult times the families experience in Halstead are interlaced with a wonderful depiction of the countryside throughout the year, mainly as seen through the eyes of Nell’s daughter, 11-year-old Gracie. The main characters blossom as the story unfolds, but among the children, this seems especially true of Gracie, who relishes her new life in the country but writes a diary for the father she misses so much.
It is much interesting and well-researched detail about farm life in 1917 as Flo joins the Women’s Land Army and goes to work on a nearby farm. She develops from a city girl to an indispensable farmhand, revelling in the day-to-day physical labour, whether learning about lambing or how to drive the horse-drawn plough from the farmer, Frank Davis.
Most poignant of all is the return from war of Frank’s injured son Wilf. Traumatised by the incident that appears to have cost him his sight, Wilf refuses to engage with anyone, even his parents. Superb, sensitive writing gives insight into his distraught state of mind, then gradual acceptance of his injuries and also of Flo and a German POW, Fritzy, doing ‘his’ work on the farm alongside his father.
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In Green Pastures is the enjoyable story of a delightful cast of characters dealing with the pains and uncertainties, but also the pleasures, of life a hundred years ago as the First World War, drew towards its end. It is a life fraught with difficulties and deprivations which are scarcely imaginable by today's readers. The pace and settings, coloured by Rosie Simpson's research as well as her personal experience of rural life, take us on a journey which always feels authentic. We are immersed in the life of the farm and its interaction with the wider community and the story emerges easily and naturally from the characters' actions as they reveal their defining characteristics. Containing the story within the framework of one year gives it the tautness to be driven forward energetically and at the end, the reader wants to know what happens in the future lives of Florence and Grace in particular.
This is a fine achievement by Rosie Simpson. There is no doubt she has inherited the story-telling gene from Grace.
