England drops from the European Common Market and forms an unholy alliance with the United States. fearing invasion from Europe, the U.S. lands marines in Cornwall as a protective measure. The acronym for this is USUK (¿You Suck?). How appropriate! Quickly, things get out of hand when a marine shoots a dog on the property of an aging, retired maven actress. She takes up the banner and spurs the western provinces into a small scale rebellion. Violence escalates when Mad (short for Madam) dresses Guy Faulke as a U.S. marine, and it's all downhill from there. Typical of Dame Daphne, this is full of dry wit, top-notch character studies, and "it can't happen here," as well as portraying the deep-seated resentment of the local population. Somehow it reminds me of a 60s comic novel, Rally Round the Flag, Boys. Don't miss it! This could happen to you.
This book takes place in Southern England with an eccentric mother, a son who's involved in the government in London, a granddaughter who helps this former "grand dame" of the theater care for several adopted young boys in the 1970's. The story follows the dilemma that occurs after the "incident" with one of the American Marines involved with the USUK cooperative relationship.
I guess I expected more of the political occurrences to be revealed within the story, but the author keeps the story close to home with the mom and granddaughter. The story is paced differently than other books I've read and Ms. du Mariers writing style is more involved when revealing the story. The peak of the arc comes late and she takes a great deal of time to get there. The story is well crafted and she fleshes out the characters nicely.
An interesting premise for the story. The story could be relevant to 2012.
I guess I expected more of the political occurrences to be revealed within the story, but the author keeps the story close to home with the mom and granddaughter. The story is paced differently than other books I've read and Ms. du Mariers writing style is more involved when revealing the story. The peak of the arc comes late and she takes a great deal of time to get there. The story is well crafted and she fleshes out the characters nicely.
An interesting premise for the story. The story could be relevant to 2012.
This takes place during world war II on the coast of England. A woman has adopted 6 children and doesn't like it at all when the soldiers invade her village to protect it.
Published by Pan Books, Limited - London and Sydney, 1974.
