I arrived a bit late for the Bookworms Zoom discussion of Time of Hope. and did not take notes. But apart from some caveats the book seemed to be well received by the other members of the group, When it came to my turn to have a say, I had so disliked the book that when I finished someone said - "Well that was definitely John doing a rant".
I found the book turgid, long-winded, slow and repetitive. It was a real struggle to keep going and I started skipping towards the end. I disliked the main character, Lewis Eliot, almost from the off which does not bode well for enjoying a book. I found him to be selfish with little warmth or sympathy and supremely self-centred. He remorselessly pursued his goals, well supported by the good fortune that the author showred upon him at crucial moments. I never believed in his "love" for Sheila. Marriage to her was just another goal to be achieved. I only found two characters in the book that I moderately liked, Marion and George Passant.
I found the book turgid, long-winded, slow and repetitive. It was a real struggle to keep going and I started skipping towards the end. I disliked the main character, Lewis Eliot, almost from the off which does not bode well for enjoying a book. I found him to be selfish with little warmth or sympathy and supremely self-centred. He remorselessly pursued his goals, well supported by the good fortune that the author showred upon him at crucial moments. I never believed in his "love" for Sheila. Marriage to her was just another goal to be achieved. I only found two characters in the book that I moderately liked, Marion and George Passant.