Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Glittering Hour” by Iona Grey, St. Martin’s Press, Dec. 10, 2019

Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Glittering Hour” by Iona Grey, St. Martin’s Press, December 10,2019

Iona Grey, author of “The Glittering Hour” has written an emotional, intense, captivating, and intriguing novel. The Genre for “The Glittering Hour” is Historical Fiction. The story takes place in England. The timeline for this story” spans” over two decades, and takes place just around World War Two.  There are two storylines, the past and the author’s present that merge together, like pieces of a puzzle fitting together.  The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. Some are selfish and self-centered. There are deep, dark secrets that can change everything for all of the characters.

The themes in this novel are choices and consequences,  mother, daughter, sister relationships, communication, family, friends, love, loss, and hope. I would suggest having a box of Kleenex nearby.

Alice is a young girl who is staying with her opinionated and intolerant Grandmother while her mother and father are away. Polly,  Alice’s Nanny is a wonderful friend and support for Alice. Polly mails Alice’s letters to her mother, who sends back clues to a treasure hunt in the house.

Going back to the past, we meet Selina, Alice’s mother as a young lady. Selina is daring and fun-loving and is friends with an elite group of friends. Of course, Selina doesn’t like to follow any of the rules set by her mother. (Alice’s Grandmother). There are a few times that the group gets into trouble. Selina reminds me of a person who is ” footloose and fancy-free”. She really doesn’t give too much thought to what she does. Selina does meet a photographer, Lawrence Weston, who barely can make a living. Both Selina and Lawrence come from different financial worlds, wealth vs. poverty.

There are twists and turns, deep dark secrets, and shocking surprises in this novel. Some choices that are made have heartbreaking consequences. These are really difficult choices. One question that does come from this story, is what is love? I would highly recommend this thought-provoking story for readers who enjoy Historical Fiction.