Confusion

Volume Three of the Cazalet chronicles finds the family relationships becoming ever more entangled as they stumble their way through the latter years of the war towards VE Day.

Once again Howard invests each character with their own voice in prose that is so easy to read. The strain of the war affects each character in different ways. Louise, trapped in a marriage with a much older man in thrall to his mother, lives through heartache and loneliness; Polly and Clary both hold passions for Archie, an old friend of Clary's father Rupert (missing in France since Dunkirk) who has become almost part of the family. Zoë, Rupert's wife, not knowing if he's dead or alive drifts into an affair with an American war photographer; Edward, the middle brother, juggles keeping his wife and mistress happy; Hugh, the eldest, widowed and at loggerheads with Edward over the family business.

All this details is superbly handled by Howard, moving the narrative between Clary, Louise and Polly as well as overarching “family” chapters. Eventually we arrive at VE Day and a new period of uncertainty - what will happen now the war is over? Will Rupert return? How will thing change?

One of the greatest family sagas ever written. Highly recommended.