Book description
A compelling, moving tale of a love affair, set in the East End during World War 1 and inspired by an unforgettable true story.
A great war.
A powerful love.
An impossible choice.
I think the war is everywhere: in the rain, in the river, in the grey air that…
Why read it?
2 authors picked Before the Fall as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
This novel absolutely blew me away. There are many books set during World War One and I’m fascinated by this war, particularly after studying WW1 poetry at school. The central image of the trench has stayed with me forever since. However, this novel is set on the home front in 1916 and shows the effects of war at a distance from the fighting. But don’t be lulled into any sense of comfort – this novel is heart-breaking, with a stunning twist. Merciless writing in the very best way, an excellent piece of war writing by West. When I wrote my…
From Rebecca's list on how people get swept up in the winds of war.
The author of Before the Fall is inspired by the true events of a human tragedy reported in London at the end of the First World War. Juliet West tells the story of Hannah and Daniel who meet and fall in love whilst Hannah’s husband is fighting in France. Hannah has two children and when her affair with Daniel takes a dramatic turn, they decide on a course of action that ends in tragedy for all concerned. I was intrigued by the true stories behind this novel, which made the desperate choices of Hannah and Daniel so much more poignant.
From Janet's list on family secrets, trauma, and loss in wartime.
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