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    Somewhere in France: A Novel of the Great War
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    Somewhere in France: A Novel of the Great War
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    Somewhere in France: A Novel of the Great War
    Ebook415 pages6 hours

    Somewhere in France: A Novel of the Great War

    By Jennifer Robson

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    A daring young woman will risk her life to find her destiny in this atmospheric, beautifully drawn historical debut novel—a tale of love, hope, and danger set during the First World War.

    Lady Elizabeth Neville-Ashford wants to travel the world, pursue a career, and marry for love. But in 1914, the stifling restrictions of aristocratic British society and her mother’s rigid expectations forbid Lilly from following her heart. When war breaks out, the spirited young woman seizes her chance for independence. Defying her parents, she moves to London and eventually becomes an ambulance driver in the newly formed Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps—an exciting and treacherous job that takes her close to the Western Front.

    Assigned to a field hospital in France, Lilly is reunited with Robert Fraser, her dear brother Edward’s best friend. The handsome Scottish surgeon has always encouraged Lilly’s dreams. She doesn’t care that Robbie grew up in poverty—she yearns for their friendly affection to become something more. Lily is the most beautiful—and forbidden—woman Robbie has ever known. Fearful for her life, he’s determined to keep her safe, even if it means breaking her heart.

    In a world divided by class, filled with uncertainty and death, can their hope for love survive. . . or will it become another casualty of this tragic war?

    The paperback includes a P.S. section with additional insights from the author, background material, suggestions for further reading, and more.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateDec 31, 2013
    ISBN9780062273468
    Author

    Jennifer Robson

    Jennifer Robson is the Globe & Mail and Toronto Star number-one bestselling author of six novels, among them The Gown and Somewhere in France. She holds a doctorate in British history from the University of Oxford and lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and children.

    Read more from Jennifer Robson

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    Reviews for Somewhere in France

    4/5

    141 ratings11 reviews

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    • 4/5
      World War I and II continue to inspire great stories. In this book Jennifer Robson shows life during World War I for a young British girl who volunteers to be an ambulance driver. It is a work of fiction but, as the daughter of a historian of World War I, Robson has tried to make it realistic.Lady Elizabeth Neville-Ashford is the youngest child of the Earl and Countess of Cumberland. At twenty years of age she has never attended school or held a job. Her mother is of the opinion that the only thing she needs to be prepared for is to marry a man of her social equal, just as her older sisters have done. Lady Elizabeth, who prefers to be called Lilly, did manage to get a decent education by prevailing upon her brother Edward to hire a good governess, Charlotte. When World War I breaks out Lilly wants to do her part and she is encouraged in this by her brother's best friend, Robbie Fraser. Robbie is a surgeon and is sent to France to care for the wounded. Lilly dares to write to him to wish him well and in their correspondence Robbie encourages her plans. Lilly decides to learn to drive and gets the mechanic from their Cumbria estate to show her how. When her parents discover this they dismiss the mechanic and Lilly leaves home. As plain Lilly Ashford she obtains a job as a driver in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) and she manages to be sent to the same station that Robbie is serving in. Although fraternization between men and women is forbidden Lilly and Robbie manage to sneak away occasionally. Robbie is terrified that Lilly will come to harm. Lilly is determined to stay and do her duty. A quarrel ensues and Robbie refuses to speak to Lilly at all.This book seemed like more of a romance than a historical novel but I am sure the details are accurate. I just would have liked a little more exploration of the characters' emotions. Nevertheless it was a quick and easy read.
    • 4/5
      We meet Lady Elizabeth (Lily) Ashford as she is about to attend a ball with her parents and brother Edward. Lily is not a traditional upper class young woman and has no real interest in the men her parents are trying to have her marry. She meets her brother's best friend, Robert Fraser and has a short but interesting conversation with him. Robbie attended university with Edward no is now a practising surgeon. Their backgrounds could not be more different. As WWI begins, Lily wants to participate and when her parents refuse to let her volunteer, she leaves home and begins her life as a clippie on the London trams and then is accepted as a volunteer as an ambulance driver with the WACC. She is transferred to the battlefields of France and encounters the reality of the war and Robbie, a war surgeon.The descriptions of life in the trenches and in the army hospital tents are very realistic and well done. The story is engrossing and as expected, there is a romance between Lily and Robbie.
    • 4/5
      Really good historical fiction. Takes place in France during WWI. Highly recommend.
    • 4/5
      Book received for free from GoodReads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the book!It's so refreshing to find so many great books with strong female leads lately. Just like another novel I read recently, Lilly is just such a strong character. She's a woman who's not afraid to break away from all that's familiar to grow as an individual in very trying circumstances. I relished seeing her eagerness to try new things, her bravery in going into war torn France and experiencing all the horrors that entailed, and her steadfastness in sticking with her duty and to her guns when others tried to get her to a safer environment.I really enjoyed how the author wasn't afraid to illustrate the horrors of WWI. She doesn't shy away from people going MIA in no-man's land, mind-numbing exhaustion of the medical staff, and the horrible wounds inflicted from bombs and shrapnel. The author shows how these war conditions impact all her characters, their relationships, and how they grow as individuals to astounding characterization effect. I felt like I experienced the timeframe and circumstances through the author's characters. Truly the mark of a great book.My only gripe with this book is the light tone the ending took and how everything was wrapped up in a ribbon and sparkles. Everything was resolved with a saccharine resolution that I felt really contrasted with the rest of the novel, not to great effect. There were several scenes towards the end that were way to pate and eye-roll inducing, especially the cheering scene. These last few pages didn't jive with the rest of the book at allIn all, this book stands out. It's a lovely get away to another time, drawing you in with period details and characterization that astounds. Despite an ending that definitely doesn't stack up with the rest of the book, I still feel this book is a worthy investment of time and enjoyment. Definitely a nice introduction to this author.
    • 4/5
      Somewhere in France by Jennifer RobsonWilliam Morrow, 2013Fiction (Historical); 400 pgsI was first drawn to read Somewhere in France after reading a description of it. Set during World War I, the novel is about a young woman, Lady Elizabeth, who wants to do her part in the war. Her mother forbids it, wanting her daughter to marry well and raise a family, true to the family's station in life. Elizabeth, or Lily as she prefers to be called, grew up around opulence and wealth, but she has always aspired to be something more than just her title allows. Encouraged by her former tutor and friend, Charlotte, as well as by her brother's best friend, Robbie, Lily leaves home and ventures out on her own. Lily is humble and modest. She has the grace of the lady she is, and is curious and eager to take on the world. I liked her instantly and appreciated how much she cared for people. I understood and could relate to her hesitancy when it came to taking those big steps, which was more from nerves and uncertainty than anything else. Lily was naive in many respects, but she was also smart and resourceful. She was not afraid to get her hands dirty and learn something new. Lily tries to hide her family roots once she enters the "real world", taking a job first as a painter and then as a "Clippie" (female conductor on a bus). When the opportunity comes to actually take part in the war effort more directly, Lily takes a job as an ambulance driver by joining the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). She is assigned to work in France, where she works alongside her brother's best friend Robbie, a surgeon. Like Lily, I was immediately taken with Robbie. His background is not one Lily's mother thinks highly of, although Robbie is the sort of man I think any mother should be proud of. He is hard working and thoughtful. He sees in Lily what she doesn't see in herself at first, helping her find the courage she needs to be who she wants to be. Somewhere in France is very much a love story, with Lily and Robbie at its heart. Forbidden love tends to make a compelling story, and this instance was no different. Lily and Robbie hae real chemistry, and I wanted nothing more than for them to be able to be together, despite the odds.The war itself plays an integral part to the story. Many were excited when war was declared, but the horrors of what was to come, the lives lost and the trauma suffered, soon brought everyone back to reality. War is not at all pretty. Jennifer Robson does a good job of capturing the affects of war on the men and women directly and indirectly involved in the fight. Not everyone reacts the same way, and I really appreciated the different perspectives the author provides. In particular, Lily's brother, Edward, comes to mind. None of the characters were left untouched by the war, and by the end, each had grown has individuals. Somewhere in France was an enjoyable book to read, full of heart and yet also bittersweet at times. I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future.
    • 4/5
      One of the better historical fictions that I have read. Lilly really grew on me especially once she left her parents home and the rigid British society. She volunteers in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and winds up driving an ambulance near the front in France. She arranges to be at the medical hospital where her brother Edward's best friend Robbie is a surgeon.Her innocence concerning men is quite sweetly portraited and their love affair is heartwarming. A great read
    • 5/5
      Look forward to reading the rest of the series!
    • 3/5
      Well, this is a well written book and for those that like historical fiction it gives a fair account of rich, titled British girl during WWI along with what it must have been like as a woman ambulance driver close to the front lines during said war.My objection is that it is another predictable, sappy romance. Again, there is the miscommunication between the romantic couple that keeps their love from kindling beyond a mere spark until finally they manage to come to an understanding and realize their undying love for each other is both sided. At least in this story it isn't stretched out to total boredom as most are. Then, there is the almost perfect happy-ever-after again, predictable, ending.Would I recommend this book- yes to sappy love story readers.
    • 4/5
      I saw that this was one of the recommended reads for people suffering the let down blues from the end of Downton Abbey. I have read so many books about WWI and spunky women who did their part for the cause. I wasn't really expecting too much but I was pleasantly surprised.Lady Elizabeth (Lily) has greater aspirations for her life than sitting around waiting for a husband. When the war occurs she seizes her chance to lead a meaningful life by enlisting as an ambulance driver in France. It doesn't hurt that her brother's friend and crush Dr. Robbie is stationed there as well. Robbie and Lily have the usual annoying, misunderstandings people suffer from in novels as a result of never saying what they mean. I do have to hand it to Lily though. When she was on the outs with Robbie she didn't wallow in her pity but kept on living her life and driving her ambulance. Eventually events conspire to drive them back together and things end as well as they can in war time. Usually the WWI one novels I read are not romances so in that respect this one was a little unusual. It was not a frothy bodice ripper but an intelligent historical romance. That scene with Lily and Robbie in the hotel at the end that took place over two chapters earned it an extra star from me. Don't leave it laying around for the PG crowd.
    • 3/5
      3.5
      I hesitate calling this a "lovely" story because it is set during WW1 with the majority of of the plot taking place close to the front in France, but it's gently told, and a happy ending and that made it a joy to read.
    • 5/5
      Lady Elizabeth Neville-Ashford has always thought fondly of her bother’s friend Robert since as a child he encouraged her to pursue her dreams. A surprise meeting years later reveals him to still be equally supportive and their mutual attraction is obvious. However, Elizabeth’s mother disapproves of Robert almost as much as she disapproves of Elizabeth’s career aspirations. The war and encouragement from friends give Elizabeth the courage to break with her parents. As an ambulance driver she is eventually sent to the front, where she is reunited with Robert (a surgeon). Although they are reunited, his fear for her safety is a strain their relationship might not survive.

      Even in historical fiction, I feel like most readers want female characters to behave like modern women. I personally find it unpleasant to read a book like Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival which doesn’t at least condemn the sexism of the time period. In many time periods though, I suspect it was unusual for a woman to successfully resist seixst social pressures. That is one reason why Jennifer Robson’s choice of setting is so perfect. It is clear that many women are beginning to have the freedom to attend school, have careers, and marry who they like. A woman from an old fashioned family might have to fight for those privileges. She also might believably succeed. Watching Elizabeth do so was inspiring and a ton of fun.

      The romance, like Elizabeth’s personal story, was perfectly suited to the time period. Having to deal with the war and the social issues that might separate them made every happy moment of the relationship feel precious. The letters the characters exchanged were enjoyable and an integral part of the story’s success. In particular, they allow you to see Elizabeth and Robert’s relationship forming. At the end, you know why these characters love each other. In any genre, I think that’s a critical component of a well written romance.

      Descriptions of the war were also very well done. It was clear how horrible the war was. It was clear what a devastating effect it was having on the mental health of everyone involved. And both these things were accomplished without rubbing your face in gory details. This backdrop made the romance all the more moving. I think that makes this a spectacular example of a historical fiction romance. The romance personalized the time period and the romance couldn’t have happened at any other time. It was beautiful, poignant, and fit the time period perfectly.

      This review first published on Doing Dewey.