Soppy Romance based in WWII times

nerdysal · 24-02-2008 4:29pm #1

Ok, I'm new here so I don't know whether this is a real heavy literature kind of forum but I'm looking for easy reading.
I want to find a really good romance novel set around the time of World War II... any recommendations?:)

BossArky · 24-02-2008 4:51pm

Hi & welcome!

Off the top of my head I don't have a soppy WW2 recommendation for you.. but Catch 22 is a decent war comedy in case you are interested in that.

This forum is for all sorts of Literature - we're not too choosey

lilmizzme · 24-02-2008 9:06pm

I just finished this one, by Danny Schidemann...a fabulous book of two beautiful love storys that intertwine....set during the present day and WW1, the book really is a work of art and an unbelievable first novel...the language and descriptions just flow off the page, and you cant help but feel what the characters are feeling...
I'm not a huge romance reader but I was suprised at this one...

I'd highly recommend this to any one in need of some cheering up and their beleif in love restored!!

simu · 25-02-2008 12:08am

Atonement by Ian McEwan maybe?

AJG · 25-02-2008 12:37am

'The End of the Affair' by Graham Greene. I don't know about being soppy but it fits the other criteria.

The_Minister · 25-02-2008 3:05am

I have one, but I can't remember the name. For somme (geddit?) reason the word feather keeps coming to mind. Or bird or something. I'll look it up later.

rowlandbrowner · 25-02-2008 2:41pm

of love and hunger by Julian Mclaren-Ross (just before wwii...running into the start of it) might meet some of your criteria, most of Patrick Hamilton’s books deal with failed attempts at love too, most are set in the mid-war periods.

Andy-Pandy · 25-02-2008 2:43pm

Read 'Birdsong', by Sebastian Faulks

Its based during WW1 though, but its an amazing book.

The_Minister · 25-02-2008 4:18pm

Andy-Pandy wrote: »

Read 'Birdsong', by Sebastian Faulks

Its based during WW1 though, but its an amazing book.

Thats the one I was thinking of. I didn't enjoy it myself, but most of the other people I know did.

EDIT:mWhy is there an angry face on my post?

sxt · 26-02-2008 1:53pm

I havn't read this book,but its meant to be a real tearjerker if thats what you are looking for.*crying*

http://www.amazon.com/Losing-Julia-Jonathan-Hull/dp/0440234859/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204030257&sr=1-1

Esmereldina · 26-02-2008 10:47pm

How about for Whom the Bell Tolls by Hemingway. It's set during the Spanish civil war... is that close enough for ya?

Also Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faults is set in occupied France during world war 2. I do remember it involving some romance too...

cailinoBAC · 27-02-2008 12:20pm

The Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons (I think) and sequels 'Tatiana and Alexander' and 'The Summer Garden' (though that one is post WW2)
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky (not all romance, but it's there)

biZrb · 27-02-2008 1:50pm

Atonement

cailinoBAC · 27-02-2008 11:47pm

Oh, another two - 'A song for Summer' and 'The Morning Gift' by Eva Ibbotson

Lizzykins · 28-02-2008 1:13am

Charlotte Gray by Sebastain Foulks.
Fair Stood the Wind for France-R. F. Delderfield
Night Sky by Claire Francis.

All should be available in your local library.

skybluejay · 28-02-2008 11:17pm

The amateur marriage by Anne Tyler
It's good, and quite light. If I remember correctly, the first chunk is set during WW2 and then it moves on through the next few decades.

I'm sure there must be more, I feel like I've read loads of WW2 books.
Hmm... The Other Way Round by Judith Kerr, set in London during the blitz. There's a bit of romance in it too.

Oh! Hardly anyone has read these, but they're amazing. The 'Horseman Riding By' series by R.F. Delderfield. The first one is called 'Long Summer's Day' and is set before and during WW1, and subsequent books in the series span WW2. They've got romance, family saga, everything really.

I'll post again if I think of any more!

nerdysal · 01-03-2008 7:55pm

rowlandbrowner wrote: »

of love and hunger by Julian Mclaren-Ross (just before wwii...running into the start of it) might meet some of your criteria, most of Patrick Hamilton’s books deal with failed attempts at love too, most are set in the mid-war periods.

Cool, I like the sounds of that one!!!

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Should keep me going for a while...

Lemon · 04-03-2008 12:12am

The Night Watch by Sarah Waters is excellent, set in London during the Blitz (well the mini Blitz of 1944 actually)

Recommend Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks too....

nerdysal · 04-03-2008 7:22pm

Lemon wrote: »

The Night Watch by Sarah Waters is excellent, set in London during the Blitz (well the mini Blitz of 1944 actually)

Recommend Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks too....

Ooooh, that sounds exactly like what I'm looking for! Thank you!

Talliesin · 08-03-2008 4:35pm

"The Americanization of Emily" is better known as a film, and I've only seen the film myself, but it was originally a novel.

More cynical than soppy for the most part, though it does have a soppy enough ending, and the film at least is very good.

LiamMc · 10-03-2008 7:44pm

nerdysal wrote: »

Ok, I'm new here so I don't know whether this is a real heavy literature kind of forum but I'm looking for easy reading.
I want to find a really good romance novel set around the time of World War II... any recommendations?:)

The English Patient - Michael Ondaatje

Four characters stuck in an Italian monastery during WWII and arrive there through different routes. The book deals with other thenes aswell as those in the famous Anthony Minghella film.

edited after post: Perhap Captain Corelli's Mandolin . I remembered to let you know about the book.

Soppy Romance based in WWII times

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