"Diana" by RF Delderfield

10-2-11 to 11-25-11 This book reminded me a little of Jane Austin's Emma. Throughout the reading I really never liked her, Diana. I didn't trust her not to hurt John. I didn't like the fact that she called him Jan from the Lorna Doone character. I didn't like her scheming and self-centeredness. I felt protective of John.

I don't know if Delderfield expected us to feel that way or if  I am a snob for the working class and don't trust that people with money and power ever fall for love. She was raised in a station above John and I only saw trouble and hurt for him. I also felt that she didn't deserve the loyalty and trust bestow on her by John and Drip, her governess.

Don't get me wrong, I did like the book but I am not sure if I was supposed to like Diana and forgive all the things she did to John. The book is written from John's perspective as a series of recollections that at moments give a somber feel. I do wish that Delderfield had ended the book more definitely rather leaving it some what unfinished.

Read the book...

"All Over the Town" by R.F. Delderfield

11-19-09 to 01-24-10 - This one was tough. I love Delderfield. I rank at the top with Dumas, Gabaldon, Austin and Tolkien but...it didn't get going till about a hundred pages in. Thankfully, it was rather short for him, and when I made it to page 100, I only had another 100 to go and the story finally got good.

This one was set at the end of WWII England seashore of Sandcombe. Nat was returning to town and his old job as a newspaper reporter. Delderfield got it right with all the different personalities small town, I could relate to [he's a master at that] but the story took too long to develop. All that being said I still think you should read the book.

"Charlie Come Home" by R.F. Delderfield

07.10.08 to 08.24.08 - When you've read as many Delderfield books as I have, you have to recommend all of them. "Charlie Come Home" didn't capture me as his other books. Based on a disgruntled bank employee, Charlie, and the Cafe's owners and step siblings, Delphine and Beppo. The unlikely trio embark on a plan to rob the bank but when Charlie comes to his senses and backs out that is when the things heat up.

It has many twist and turns but what I liked the most was the sweet tone the end of the book.

Read the book.

"Stop at a Winner" by R.F. Delderfield

03.09.08 to 04.03.08 - This Delderfield was not one one his masterpieces but since it was uncharacteristically short, I am glad I read it. This book revolves around grifter Horace and gypsy Pedlar who get drafted or join the British RAF during WWII. Horace leads Pope through a series of "fiddles" at base after base and even when they shipped to the continent to fight the Jerrys [Germans]. The loyalty in between the two was like your favorite pair of shoes, you must break them in first. Horace wasn't the more scrupulous man around but grew to be a good man.

Not the best Delderfield but I still say read the book!

The Avenue Opened a New World for Me

(no pic available, sorry) Okay this will finish my reviews on R.F. Delderfield until I find other books he has written. The Avenue was the same as his other books - wonderful and easily read. However, this book showed me and I mean showed me a small glimpse of what it would be like to live your life while some maniac (Hitler) is sending bombs into your neighborhood. Being of the generation that I am, where Wars are discussed on the political issues in schools - I had no idea that once it became dark that people had to black out their windows with heavy fabric, run to a shelter the minute sirens went off or learn how to bake differently because of the shortages. This book gave me a new perspective of what the Brits went through during the second world war.

I am flat amazed how Delderfield can create so many characters all fully formed where you read to the point of exhaustion because he moves from one part of the story line to another so fluidly. This story encompasses the lives of six to eight different families all on the same street - each one different, unique and special.

Read the book!

Another Book I Couldn't Put Down!

As with many of R.F. Delderfield's books this one begins as a soldier returns home from the First World War in To Serve Them All My Days. This is another sweet story full of love and loss. Being sent to the country for a job interview as a school teacher, David, doubts that the job will be anything but a temporary stop to help him heal from his shell shock from the war.

He finds his niche with the boys and the school. He enjoys their pranks and they enjoy his company. The teachers form a community of family that brings stability to students and humor. He meets his wife in a neighboring town rooting him to the school even more as she embraces her new role at the school. There is laughter, joy, children and tragedy.

As the years pass, David finds that he is fixture there and accepts his role but as in true Delderfield fashion the World War II threatens and takes the lives of the young boys from his school. The characters are well rounded with virtue and flaws, the heroes are realistic and the story carries you forward effortlessly.

Read the Book!

MY FAVORITE! Watching the Swann's Grow

More of R.F. Delderfield! My goal in this life is to read each and every book he has written basically because of the seven I have read, I have not been disappointed. To date the Swann Saga is my favorite. It all begins with God Was an Englishman then comes Theirs Was the Kingdom and it ends with Give Us This Day. I fell in love with Adam, the patriarch of the family. He's the hero with flaws.


The saga starts in the 1800s in India when the soldier Adam decides to end his military career and go home. As he travels home he runs into the young run away Henrietta who he later marries only to keep her from having to return to her father and marry a man she doesn't want to. As the story builds so does Adams family and his company Swann on Wheels, a hauling company.


Not only does the reader experience the daily lives of the Swanns, Adam and Henrietta and their 10 children but also includes the Swann on Wheels family, which becomes as important to Adams as his own family. I love how we are allowed to follow these two families for more than 50 years.

Each of these books is over 1,000 pages but worth every minute of it! READ THESE BOOKS!

Lives of the Right Men and The Wrong Wars

R.F. Delderfield's Seven Men of Gascony was wonderful! The book's setting is all over Europe during the reign of Napoleon. The seven men are in Napoleon's Army, the reader lives the lives of these soldiers, their comrady, their deep friendship, their losses and their loves. Each one of these characters are very dear to me for their individual uniqueness that builds the team and advances the story.

If you like historical sagas, this is a good one. From fighting in trenches in Germany to the burning of Moscow and finally the end at Waterloo, it gives the novel a great backdrop. It also addresses the social issues of what do with soldiers of a failed emperior after he is deposed - it showed the how and why these men would support Napoleon's failed return from exile.

Read the book!

Living the Life Long Gone

I absolutely love R.F. Dederfield as an author. Not one of his books has disappointed me. If you like a book that relates life in England pre-WWI to WWII, you might enjoy his books. A Horseman Riding By didn't disappoint me and reminded me of his Swann Saga that I didn't want to end.

Paul, a young man of 23, returns from the Boer War with a busted up knee ventured off to buy a country estate with seven farms and an equal amount of odd little country farmers. This city boy who turns his back on the city and his father's very profitable iron and metal scrap business, takes to the land and never looks back.

After a failed marriage of two years or so to a Woman Suffragette radical, Paul remarries and builds again. He navigates through the farmers' problems with ease.
WWI breaks out and takes the young men of the Valley, his six children grow up to face the outbreak of WWII but the Valley holds on to their sense of community and bans together.

This book creates the feel that you are living life with him and all the emotions of loves and regret. The simplicity of the story with a few jolts here and there make this another one his masterpieces.