Book Synopsis:
Leeds 1919. The war is over but young Alice Fields, who hates her job in an old-fashioned shop, isn’t celebrating. However, her life is about to change when a rich customer leaves behind an expensive fur stole and Alice makes great efforts to return it. Dark secrets bring not only money but misery, too. During the contrasting worlds of the roaring twenties and the General Strike, love and deep friendships bloom like poppies on the devastated battlefields over which the lark rises again.
The Lark Ascending is available in ebook now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.
My Review:
The Lark Ascending is a fantastic, absorbing read set after the first world war which is an not often written about period.
The 1920’s with all its fantastic fashion and music is one of my favourite era’s so I loved the vivid descriptions that the author included. It seemed that everyone was somehow more free and happy than years before, though still dealing with the aftermath of the war, and it was interesting to see how the author contrasted this with the social restraints that still existed.
The story is told from the point of view of two very different female characters, Eleanor the snob and Alice who wanted to try and make something of her life. My favourite character was definitely Alice and it was lovely to see her start again after a disastrous marriage and follow her dreams. I absolutely loved her spirit, determination and that she wanted to help others like herself get an education. The character development throughout the book was superb. I really enjoyed following them through the years and seeing how they all changed as they grew older, especially Eleanor who actually becomes quite likeable towards the end.
This isn’t particularly a fast paced book but it is an absorbing one and I enjoyed being swept away by the wonderful descriptions in the book. Some of the historical events, like The General Strike, were ones I didn’t know much about so I found it fascinating to learn more about it. I would definitely like to read more from this author.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.
About The Author:
Sally Zigmond was born in Leicester in 1951, has lived in Lincoln, Market Harborough and North London where she attended Queen Mary Collge, University of London. Having studied English Literature, she was a civilian Executive Officer in various departments in The Metropolitan Police (including the London bureau of Interpol). When she married, she moved with her husband to Harrogate, North Yorkshire where they lived for over 30 years, bringing up two sons. With its stunning countryside and fascinating history, she was inspired to put pen to paper (or rather, fingers to keyboard) and write first, articles and short stories, both commercial and literary. The impetus of being published and winning competitions and awards for her fiction, Sally wrote historical novels, set in Yorkshire. (Hope Against Hope and The Lark Ascending) and a novella, a fictional interpretation of the life of Henriette d’Angeville, a French aristocrat, who was the first woman to willingly climbed to the summit of Mont Blanc in 1838. After 10 years living in Rosedale Abbey in the middle of the North York Moors, she and her husband now live in Middlesbrough, the vibrant history of which has given her more ideas for future historical novels.
Over The Rainbow Blog 
Thanks so much for the blog tour support Jo x
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