All Change: A Novel (Cazalet Chronicle Book 5)

This is the last book in this series, and I found myself wishing there was just one more. I have really enjoyed reading the whole series, on my kindle. It is an interesting look, into the lives of several members of the same family during a time of great upheaval , in the world. Prior, during, and after World War two. It was interesting to me to see the treatment of the one member of the family who happens to be gay, and her relationship with her partner. It is done very well, without graphic description. If you like series, about families, and history, I think you will really enjoy reading this one.

Elizabeth Jane Howard died on 2nd January so this is the last we shall hear of the Cazalets. I finished reading the fifth of the Chronicles and wanted to know more - a recommendation for any novel. However, I am grateful to have come this far, and perhaps it would be fair to say that the pre-and early post-war novels in the saga are more interesting. In those there is perhaps still hope that the young Cazalets whom we met in the earlier novels can make better lives for themselves than the four Cazalet brothers and their wives. That they do not is chilling. After all, they have survived the war, they have careers, or the option to do so, and their personal lives are lived in easier circumstances. However, there is an air of pessimism about the young people as they mature. Perhaps some parts of Elizabeth Jane Howard's life are reflected in some of these portrayals, with their lack of direction, unsatisfactory love affairs and feeling of incompleteness. On the other hand, other facets of her life are also reflected in the successes they enjoy - writing, beauty, initially joyful love and sensitivity to beloved friends and family. Read in conjunction with 'Slipstream', Howard's autobiography, the Cazalet Chronicles are an accomplished saga of human endeavour as well as a great social history of pre-and post-war England.

I read the Cazalet Chronicles years ago and loved them so was delighted to discover there was a No 5. I hesitated before purchasing it as many of the reviews suggested that it was only half a book as the first section was a recap of the previous 4. Absolutely not! I picked it up, regathered my senses and though I did have to pop back a few times just to remind myself who was who and what was what I was soon totally immersed in the book and loved every paragraph of every page. Would that there would be a No 6 such is my gluttony for good writing and great story telling.