Details Books Supposing Marking Time (Cazalet Chronicles #2)

Original Title:	Marking Time
ISBN:	0671527940 (ISBN13: 9780671527945)
Edition Language:	English
Series:	Cazalet Chronicles #2
Setting:	England United Kingdom

Marking Time (Cazalet Chronicles #2) Paperback | Pages: 405 pages

Representaion Toward Books Marking Time (Cazalet Chronicles #2)

In this second of the five Cazalet Chronicles, I was impressed once again with Elizabeth Jane Howard’s writing. These are not short novels, yet there is never a dull moment – there is always something interesting going on in their lives.

This story picks up a year after the last one left off. Shortly after the novel opens, England is at war with Nazi Germany, even though the government did their best to negotiate agreements with Hitler. Of the three eldest Cazalet brothers, Hugh and Edward had been in WWI and although Edward emerged with no physical injuries, Hugh had lost one of his hands. The youngest of the three, Rupert, was too young for WWI but this time he signs up with the Navy, much to his wife’s dismay – and that of his two children with his wife who had died when his son was a baby.

I enjoyed the way this book was written. Each section of this book was told from the perspective of various people in the Cazalet family – mostly the oldest children. This gave me added insights into who they were as individuals, not just within the family, but also within themselves. I learned more about their thoughts and feelings, their conscience and how they saw themselves as members of the family structure as well as their place in this strange new world of war they found themselves part of.

Since the children of the three Cazalet brothers and their wives grew up somewhat in the first book, the oldest children are fast advancing on their mid-to-late teen years. In the beginning parts of the war, there were age restrictions for becoming involved in active war service, although there were still plenty of volunteer opportunities for everyone. The family’s large summer home in the country was in Kent, and not far from London. So when the blitz begins, the sounds of hundreds of bombers flying overhead was both a novelty and a terror.

With these circumstances as a backdrop, many things that had seemed important in their lives suddenly dropped several notches in priority. Their own once-lovely home began to take on a neglected air as it was nearly impossible to find anyone to make repairs. Gradually over the course of this novel, I was made aware of how the economies, the rationing, and the shortage of personnel affected everyone. At the same time, the process was gradual and their collective attitude one of accepting the changes in their life as a necessary part of the war. As individuals, their feelings were much stronger – one way or the other.

This family saga engaged me from the first chapter of the first book. With the end of this second one, my one consolation is that there are still three left to read.

Mention Containing Books Marking Time (Cazalet Chronicles #2)

Title	:	Marking Time (Cazalet Chronicles #2)
Author	:	Elizabeth Jane Howard
Book Format	:	Paperback
Book Edition	:	Deluxe Edition
Pages	:	Pages: 405 pages
Published	:	July 1st 1995 by Washington Square Press (first published 1991)
Categories	:	Historical. Historical Fiction. Fiction. European Literature. British Literature. War. World War II. Literature. 20th Century

Rating Containing Books Marking Time (Cazalet Chronicles #2)

Ratings: 4.16 From 4468 Users | 360 Reviews

Evaluation Containing Books Marking Time (Cazalet Chronicles #2)

MARKING TIME is the second book in the Cazalet series. It begins in 1959, when WWII is declared. The women and children move into the family's country house in Sussex for safety reasons. Some of the men join the war effort.We read about the humdrum of life as a consequence of war seen, mostly, through the eyes of Louise, Polly and Clary, the three Cazalet adolescent girls. Unfortunately, "the light years" are behind them and the family has to deal with restrictions of all sorts, including food,

I've been at a loss all weekend since finishing this on Friday. There I'll be, sitting on the couch, idly thinking about nothing much, which will remind that, oh, I wonder what's going to happen next in Marking Time? And then I'll remember I've finished it. I guess that's the problem with reading books in series: even though they're finished they're nowhere near finished. At any rate, had book 3 been on my shelf I'd be two-thirds of the way through it by now. Instead I've been staring wistfully

Book 2 of the Cazalet Chronicle... love this set of books. These are characters I really enjoyed getting to know.

Another very enjoyable read in the "saga" of the Cazalet family - the characters are so well defined and the description of life during the war seems very realistic and not idealised - the title Marking Time which reoccurs through the voice of a number of characters is a good description of how frustrating living in this situation must have been for people not directly involved in the "fighting" part of the war. Very poignant in places.

I loved this volume just as much as the first one.

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first, but I absolutely LOVED the first so it was always going to be hard to beat it. I think the main reason I didn't like this as much was that the Second World War has arrived, and the book is just that much more serious. Although the fabulous descriptions (especially of food and meal preparation, my absolutel fave) still continue, I was constantly on edge. I'm not sure things are going to get any better but I am very excited for the next instalment!

I liked the first volume of the series, and this one was better. The points of view were more focused and seeing the events from the perspective of the three young girls was very effectively handled. Howard is quite good at dissecting the pretenses and secrets between and among everyone, not judgementally but as an observer. I can't wait to jump in to the next one, and already feel a hint of the regret that I will feel when I have read them all.