Flambards Divided

I loved the original trilogy and this sequel. It's important to remember that the trilogy was written for young adults and the sequel was not. I can understand why so many of the previous reviewers were offended by the sequel though. The trilogy ended like a happy ever after fairy tale, the sequel brings the fairy tale back to earth. The characters have grown up as a result of time and the first world war. Real life takes its' toll on their relationships. As for the charge of classism that one reviewer made, this is an historical novel and elitism was a fact of British culture. Also consider the sexism of the time. Historically, suffragettes were starving themselves to death within the lifespan of the characters. It is more than plausible that a man of Dick's time and class would not be able to accept an independent woman. I'm buying a copy of the trilogy for a friend's daughter. I won't give her a copy of the sequel until she's older. As I said in the title of this review, it is for grown ups.

This is probably my favourite book of the trilogy with a great plot and characters. You may be disappointed by the development of some of the characters although I think the developments are extremely realistic and the book has a darker feel throughout than the previous books with it being as much about human flaws than dreams. Mrs Peyton is extremely good at informing you of how and why the charactors feel as they do and I found the book ultimately to be uplifting.

I actually really enjoyed this book, so I'm not sure what some of the other reviewers found so distasteful about it. While yes, there were times when the characters seemed to be utterly different from the previous books in the series, it makes sense when you think about it, I mean, with the experiences that the characters have lived through, obviously it would effect how they lived their lives and alter their behaviors. This book picks up where Flambards in Summer ended, with Christina and Dick engaged to be married. Almost at once, her Autnt Grace points out the challenges they are going to be faced with. This is where life's experiences come into play. I think that Christina bases much of her decisions early on in the story on her childhood infactuation influenced memories of Dick, steady and caring, he is almost the antithesis of her late husband William, the daring pilot and dreamer. As the story progresses, it becomes more and more obvious that Christina and Dick's childhood memories of each other aren't enough to sustain their marriage on. Yes, they do appear to love each other, but not enough to accept each others perceived faults. Dick expects a little woman who is going to be satisfied with spending her life at home, raising his children, cooking his meals and caring for his house. Christina, while maybe not realizing it at first, has developed into a strong-willed, independent woman. It was what made her relationship with William in the second book of the series so strong, she learned how to stand up for herself and that it was all right to not always cowtow to her man's wants. The marriage ends up a disaster since neither partner is able to accept the other for what they are. That's when Mark and Dorothy enter the scene. Mark is the first to appear, gravely injured during the war, and Christina ends up nursing him, not really back to health, but certainly onto the road of recovery. Dick is jealous, as usual, of any attention Christina gives her former brother-in-law. Dorothy arrives on the scene in short order to take over nursing duties, and the pair soon move into a nearby estate. It doesn't take long to see that they are unhappily married as well, only better at pretending otherwise. These two are the catalyst that really moves the story along. Dorothy has never been happy with just one man in her life, she may have a favorite from time to time, but marriage was a huge mistake on her part. In short order, Dorothy eventually leaves Mark, though not officially. Mark becomes a success as a tractor salesman and develops a love for racing motorcars. He also confesses to Christina that he's been in love with her ever since she'd lived at Flambards as a child. Meanwhile, Dick enters into an adulturous relationship and evenutally divorces abound. Although it's kind of left as a cliffhanger whether or not Mark and Christina eventually marry, they have to contend with a law that forbids a man to marry his brother's wi

In Flambards Divided, Peyton remains true to the spirit of her characters while showing us new sides of our beloved Christina, Mark, and Dick. I was deeply engaged in the story almost immediately, and I loved seeing Christina re-emerge as a strong, independent woman and Mark exhibit sincerity and vulnerability. The Flambards Divided story provided unexpected, but satisfying, twists and turns. I could not put this book down. At the end, I was genuinely saddened that this was my last opportunity to know the Flambards characters. A must for those who read and enjoyed the Flambards trilogy.

This book is the long awaited sequel to the Flambards Trilogy, written some 12 years earlier. It continues the story of Christina Russell and her return to the old house Flambards. She is about to marry Dick, onetime stable boy, her husband Will having been killed in WW1. But trouble appears in the shape of Mark, Will's brother and old adversary of Dick - and one-time rightful heir to Flambards. Christina finds herself being pulled towards her feelings for Mark and in conflict with her new husband. This book perfectly rounds off the Flambards series, and Peyton has been faithful to her original characters. A delight to read - again - and again and again.