The Journal-bookcover

By: Howard H Williams

The Journal

Pages: 512 Ratings: 4.8
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Lying unread for almost a century, Christophe Allarys journal, with its account of the loves and tragedies of this enigmatic man, are suddenly exposed to the sympathetic eye of Harry Evans, adrift and alone in Paris. Unexpectedly, each entry will alter the course of Harrys life and send him searching for the untold events surrounding this forgotten man. From the north to the south of France and to a time when Paris, emerging from a brutal conflict, rediscovers its soul in the Belle Epoque. It exposes the worst in human character and ultimately the best in those in whom Christophe places his trust. As each page reveals its story, so Harry takes faltering steps in parallel with the long-dead author, revealing how the past can still extend its influence, even today.

Born in South Wales, Howard has been in engineering all his working life, living in France and Germany and travelling throughout Europe and North America. With a love of the written word from an early age, he has gained stories and experiences from many places, many of which inform his writing. His love of France, in particular, shines through in this work and its characters.

Customer Reviews
4.8
11 reviews
11 reviews
  • Michelle O'Neill

    The author has captured the soul of the story in his descriptive writing. You can imagine yourself there and seeing the characters as you are reading it.

    A great book, I recommend this to anyone who loves reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this and I look forward to reading more books in the future by this author.

  • Anonymous

    Not my usual genre of book but I found that the intricate script of this book transported my mind and heart into the story as if I was experiencing the main character's emotional journey first-hand. A captivating read from start to finish.

  • Dee Martin

    The Journal by John Savage

    A very moving and emotional story

    I loved this book and cannot wait for your next one! It had me gripped from start to finish and I loved the unexpected twist at the end of the story!

  • Gareth Roy Saunders

    I have read Howard Williams book "The Journal".
    It is a delightful tale which unfolds from the writings of a 19th Century Frenchman. This story has been discovered in a present day Parisian bookshop by a Welshman whose life moves in parallel with the Journal's author. The refreshing interplay between the two, 100 years apart, is handled most cleverly.

    I found the book most compelling and very hard to put down! It is an expertly written, enthralling, fast moving, exciting tale with twists and turns on every page! A wonderful warm sensitive moving story.
    If ever a tale deserves to be made into a film, this is It!

  • Rowan Stanley.

    If you enjoy reading about Family. Love. Intrigue and History, this is the book for you.
    When Harry Evans is in Paris, one day in 2014 sheltering from the rain, he enters a book shop. While brousing he finds
    an old Journal, written by Christophe Allary in 1881. This is where the story starts.
    I really enjoyed this book, travelling through time, meeting and " living" with so many interesting and loving, and not so loving people.
    M. Deroy-- kind, high-principled, but no "pushover". The Priest living with a famil secret, and finding out why Sylvie's Aunt is so strict.
    Discovering why The Journal is so important to Annelie's family in the 21st century.
    A great read-- either on the beach in sunny weather, or by the fire when it is raining.

  • Sue Garbett

    For me, a good book is one which informs at the same time as it entertains the reader. I certainly learned a lot from this book as the author is very well acquainted with the history and culture of France, both in the present day and during the Belle Epoque. His love of the country is obvious.
    The length of this book would normally deter me, but not in this case as the narrative never falters or flags but moves along to a satisfying conclusion which leads to contentment in the reader and a feeling of time well spent. I enjoyed this book so much that I look forward to Howard H. Williams’ next publication.

  • Rosemary Catherine

    Really enjoyed this book, so much so that I had to read it again, couldn't put it down.

  • Sue Garbett

    For me, a good book is one which informs at the same time as it entertains the reader. I certainly learned a lot from this book as the author is very well acquainted with the history and culture of France, both in the present day and during the Belle Epoque. His love of the country is obvious.
    The length of this book would normally deter me, but not in this case as the narrative never falters or flags but moves along to a satisfying conclusion which leads to contentment in the reader and a feeling of time well spent. I enjoyed this book so much that I look forward to Howard H. Williams’ next publication.

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