This novel is set between two times / places - a cold war-era submarine, and a family get-together over Christmas in Norfolk, England.
I enjoyed the Norfolk sections the most, but both elements were done well and flipping between the two gave the book a great pace.
The family get-together in Norfolk was done very well. Anyone with a large family will recognise the long days and minor arguments that come as part and parcel of a Christmas reunion, when there are hours to fill and old resentments come to the fore.
I didn't see the "reveal" coming, there was still an element of surprise all the way through.
Reading this was a reminder to me not to judge a book by the cover. I'd expected this to be very male / war-based when in fact I really enjoyed a family drama, set in Norfolk of all places.
I enjoyed the Norfolk sections the most, but both elements were done well and flipping between the two gave the book a great pace.
The family get-together in Norfolk was done very well. Anyone with a large family will recognise the long days and minor arguments that come as part and parcel of a Christmas reunion, when there are hours to fill and old resentments come to the fore.
I didn't see the "reveal" coming, there was still an element of surprise all the way through.
Reading this was a reminder to me not to judge a book by the cover. I'd expected this to be very male / war-based when in fact I really enjoyed a family drama, set in Norfolk of all places.