Somewhere in France: A Novel of the Great War

by Jennifer Robson

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062273468
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	12/31/2013
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	118,638
File size:	735 KB

About the Author

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.

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2013
When Lady Elizabeth "Lilly" Neville-Ashford breaks free of her wealthy parents' control and becomes an ambulance driver at the front, "somewhere in France," she discovers an unexpected perk in also being able to be close to her childhood crush, surgeon Robbie Fraser, whose lower-class origins made him an unworthy suitor in her parents' eyes. The war provides its own obstacles to the couple's relationship, however, and Robbie and Lilly struggle to overcome both the horrors around them and their own fears and anxieties about the future. VERDICT Although Robbie and Lilly's love story dominates the narrative, debut novelist Robson never creates enough tension to leave the reader in any doubt about the romance's probable outcome, and Robbie remains a somewhat bland and underdeveloped figure throughout. Lilly's determination and insistence on learning to be more independent, however, should appeal to readers who like tales of plucky heroines making the best of tough circumstances, and her unusual perspective as a female ambulance driver puts an interesting spin on the scenes of wartime carnage.

Library Journal

10/21/2013
Robson’s first novel examines the dynamic between love and duty in the midst of historical tragedy. As the story begins in 1914 England, Lady Elizabeth “Lilly” Neville-Ashford is under her domineering mother’s thumb. Countess Ashford is determined that Lilly marry another member of the aristocracy and has no qualms about interfering when Robert Fraser, a surgeon from a working-class background and the best friend of Lilly’s brother, Edward, shows the young woman kindness and interest. When WWI begins, Edward and Robert both sign up promptly to serve, and Lilly breaks with her family to do the same. She becomes an ambulance driver on the front lines in France, and when the chance comes to be assigned to Robert’s field hospital, she jumps at it. The love that grows between Lilly and Robert is colored by their proximity to war and death, as well as by the duty they both feel to their country. Robson’s skillful ability with detail and setting firmly relates the grotesqueries of war without gratuitous gore. Her deft touch as a storyteller keeps readers engaged in the story of the lovers, as well as illuminating the bigger picture of the war raging around them. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

Utterly engaging and richly satisfying, Somewhere in France depicts the very best in love and war. Fans of Downton Abbey will devour this novel!” — Erika Robuck, Bestselling author of Call Me Zelda

Set in the turbulent years of the first world war, Somewhere in France is a heartfelt portrait of love, courage, and self-discovery. Robson deftly weaves a tale richly steeped in the atmosphere, drama and heroism of an evolving and war-torn world. A compelling and memorable read. — Lynn Sheene, author of The Last Time I Saw Paris

“Robson intermingles the overarching themes of love, war, and societal strictures in this appealing read that should resonate with fans of Downton Abbey.” — Booklist

“Robson’s skillful ability with detail and setting firmly relates the grotesqueries of war without gratuitous gore. Her deft touch as a storyteller keeps readers engaged in the story of the lovers, as well as illuminating the bigger picture of the war raging around them” — Publishers Weekly

“…the fiercely independent Lady Elizabeth Neville-Ashford (Lily) will be sure to inspire readers.” — Huffington Post

From the Publisher

Robson intermingles the overarching themes of love, war, and societal strictures in this appealing read that should resonate with fans of Downton Abbey.

Booklist

Set in the turbulent years of the first world war, Somewhere in France is a heartfelt portrait of love, courage, and self-discovery. Robson deftly weaves a tale richly steeped in the atmosphere, drama and heroism of an evolving and war-torn world. A compelling and memorable read.

Lynn Sheene

…the fiercely independent Lady Elizabeth Neville-Ashford (Lily) will be sure to inspire readers.

Huffington Post

Utterly engaging and richly satisfying, Somewhere in France depicts the very best in love and war. Fans of Downton Abbey will devour this novel!

Erika Robuck

Robson intermingles the overarching themes of love, war, and societal strictures in this appealing read that should resonate with fans of Downton Abbey.

Booklist

Lady Elizabeth Neville-Ashford (Lilly) defies her aristocratic parents by becoming an ambulance driver in France during WWI. While there, she becomes reacquainted with her brother’s best friend, Robert Fraser (Robby), a Scottish surgeon, and sparks begin to fly. Narrator Alison Larkin reads this historical romance with a relaxed, even pace and perfect enunciation, sounding as if she savors every sentence. Although the story is somewhat formulaic, Larkin’s thoroughly engaged narration makes it worth listening to. Perfect accents include Robby’s Scottish brogue, Lilly’s British accent, and the various regional and international accents of people they encounter during the war. Larkin makes this into an éclair of an audiobook—not filling, but enjoyable as it goes down. M.M.G. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

OCTOBER 2014 - AudioFile