LoveReading Says
This thought-provoking and exquisitely written novel has touched my heart. In 1923, Esme Nicholls travels to Cornwall in the hope of learning more about her husband who died in the First World War. This is the first book I’ve read by Caroline Scott, and it won’t be my last. Her debut The Photographer of the Lost set in 1921 was a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick, and When I Come Home Again set in 1918, was one of The Times Best books of 2020. The Visitors is so eloquently emotional and earthy it will stay with me for some time. The Cornish setting just sings, the house full of former soldiers where Esme stays made me feel welcome. The garden and natural surroundings soothe and act as a foil for the feelings of the people who reside there. Diary entries and articles add hidden thoughts and an awareness of the war. I adored the ending, the closing information so simply imparted, yet so satisfying and fulfilling, made me smile. The Visitors is beautifully expressive and heartfelt, and I’ve chosen this gorgeous novel as both a LoveReading Star Book and Liz Pick of the Month.
Liz Robinson
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The Visitors Synopsis
From the highly acclaimed author of The Photographer of the Lost, a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick, comes a tale of a young war widow and one life-changing, sun-drenched visit to Cornwall in the summer of 1923...
Esme Nicholls is to spend the summer in Cornwall. Her late husband Alec, who died fighting in the war, grew up in Penzance, and she's hoping to learn more about the man she loved and lost.
While there, she will stay with Gilbert, in his rambling seaside house, where he lives with his former brothers in arms. Esme is fascinated by this community of eccentric artists and former soldiers, and as she gets to know the men and their stories, she begins to feel this summer might be exactly what she needs.
But everything is not as idyllic as it seems - a mysterious new arrival later in the summer will turn Esme's world upside down, and make her question everything she thought she knew about her life, and the people in it.
Full of light, laughter and larger-than-life characters, The Visitors is a novel of one woman finally finding her voice and choosing her own path forwards.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781398508170 |
| Publication date: |
9th December 2021 |
| Author: |
Caroline Scott |
| Publisher: |
Simon & Schuster Ltd |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Primary Genre |
Historical Fiction
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| Other Genres: |
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| Recommendations: |
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Caroline Scott Press Reviews
Praise for Caroline Scott:
'A page-turning literary gem about grief, loss and the impact of war on those left behind' The Times, Best Books of 2020
'A touching novel of love and loss' Sunday Times
'A gripping, devastating novel about the lost and the ones they left behind' Sarra Manning, RED
'Scott has done an amazing job of drawing on real stories to craft a powerful novel' Good Housekeeping
'Achingly moving and most beautifully written' Rachel Hore
'This beautiful book packs a huge emotional punch' Fabulous
'Drew me in from the first line and held me enthralled until the very end' Fiona Valpy
'A compulsive, heart-wrenching read' Liz Trenow
'Page turning, mysterious, engrossing and compelling' Lorna Cook
'A carefully nuanced, complex story' Woman's Weekly
'Caroline Scott evokes the damage and desolation of the Great War with aching authenticity' Iona Grey
'Momentous, revelatory and astonishing historical fiction!' Historical Novel Society
'Wonderful and evocative' Suzanne Goldring
'Based on true events, this is a powerful story' Bella
'Immersive, poignant, intricately woven' Judith Kinghorn
'The story left me breathless. Powerful, heartrending, and oh so tender' Kate Furnivall
'Scott litters her tale with clues and red herrings in the best mystery-writer way so we are kept guessing as to where the truth really lies' The BookBag
