Louisa Young - My Dear I wanted to tell You

review by Maggie Perkovic on show
This is an enthralling book which starts in 1907 and finishes as the first World War ends.
Riley Purefoy playing in the snow in Kensington Gardens is accidentally knocked into Round Pond where he is fished out and taken home to dry by Noel and Nadine Waveney who live in a beautiful house with their famous conductor father and beautiful artistic mother. Riley is soon at home with this family and although his father is rather concerned he will be out of his depth Riley falls under the patronage of famous artist Sir Alfred who paints him and as he grows up Riley becomes very attached to Nadine and she to him although both sets of parents feel their friendship is unwise.
With the onset of War Riley joins up and endures the horrors of battle. This is decribed very well with emphasis on the stirling "repair" work undertaken by Major Gillies Major Fry and others who try to rebuild the shattered faces of the wounded men, and also those whose minds are destroyed by what they have seen. You care about the characters and their future, the author does not disappoint as she leads us to the climax. Warmly recommended!!