Beyond That, the Sea: A Novel

My eyes are still a bit damp, after having read just now the Epilogue of this book in tears. I would give this novel 10 stars if I could! This triumphant novel is Laura Spence-Ash’s debut book although one would think she’s been writing novels for years. There is so much emotion, love, loss, grief and happiness in this story. Based on true events, this is a fictional story of a British girl being sent to live in America during the Blitz of London during WWII. All that the families live through are historical events from 1940-1977. The style of writing is excellent, alternating between each character and his/her own experiences. The book is written in present tense which normally I do not care for but in this style of writing, it works. There are no quotations for the each character’s speech, but I think I was confused only once or twice. I loved having six years at a time written on the bottom of each page, highlighting the year to which she is writing instead of announcing the years at chapter heads. I learned so much about life in this novel. We need to live fully throughout our lives, not letting one day go by when we don’t express to each other our love and desires. Memories hold dear and for me, this was particularly true, as I had similar summer experiences as did the American family. There is no obscene words or sex in this book, just wonderful storytelling about how important it is to live each day fully. I had only one issue and that is the print is small and could be a problem for some readers. Truly a masterpiece!

I had read some reviews before reading this book and was skeptical. Glad I picked it up and read it. I didn't mind how it was written, going back and forth with the characters. I think it made it easier to understand them. I loved the storyline and how over time it came full circle.

...and I read a lot! (this was my 24th book of 2023 so far) Absolutely loved this book from start to finish and read the whole thing in about two days. Because of the way the book is narrated, with eight different characters moving the story forward, the reader gains such an insight into each one of them and the way in which they relate to one another. I read another review where someone said the dialogue was hard to follow, but I had no problem with it at all. To me, the way it was written in italics (and often all in the same paragraph), it flowed together like natural speech, and I never had a problem knowing which person was talking. This is a book about family, more than anything else. About the bonds that are formed in a family that stay with us for the rest of our lives. But it's also a book about place, and the power that a certain place can exert on our memories and actions going forward. The tension in the book is so strong -- the desire that Beatrix has to remain in the U.S. as well as her desire to stay in England, and the story is so well crafted as it moves back and forth between those worlds and people. We know what these characters are thinking and feeling, even though they may not share these thoughts and feelings out loud to others. We have a special place where our family has vacationed almost each summer for over forty years, and I could relate so well to the descriptions of the Maine summers in the book -- the memories that are made there and shared long after everyone has gone back to their regular routines, and the desire to go back there, to relive those moments. "The past is prologue" is mentioned more than once in the story -- the power of the past to form us into the people we become in the future. Beatrix's parents make a decision to send her away from the Blitz into Massachusetts safety back in 1940, but that one decision causes a ripple effect that in some way impacts the life of every other character in the story, all the way until 1977. A marvelous book! I can't recommend it enough!

A beautiful story of love and loss, of family, and extended family, and sacrifice. A young English girl is sent to stay with a family in America during the war in Europe. The story weaves together the lives of two families an ocean apart. I highly recommend this lovely book.

The book is good but at some point in the characters lives, it’s actually depressing. The story is about WWII and how it effected the characters lives overall. One British girl is sent to America for her safety. The American family who takes her in is definitely changed by her presence in spite of the fact that they all come to love her in their own way. It’s when the British girl goes home in 1945 that things begin to fall apart for the members of the American family that adopted her. The American family consists of 2 young boys and their parents and their German Shepherd dog. It’s worth reading and easy reading.

Wonderful stop with a part of history of ww2 that I had not known. How wonderful for families to take in British children in the war. Very interesting and caring character. Wonderful to read about their lives after the war and as adults. Some good healing too.

It's beautifully told, but I don't know the story's purpose. Bea, a child during the London bombings of World War 2, is sent to New England for safety. She finds herself in a happy family with property off the coast of Maine. For five years, she becomes the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory, living a life full of adventure and memory-making as the war draws to its conclusion. At 17, she falls in love with the elder of the brothers, but he is troubled, despite movie-star good looks and an offer from Harvard that he doesn't want to take. Bea's mother, back in England, harbors guilt for sending Bea away, even though it was at Bea's father's insistence. Bea's father takes a position in a neighborhood watch for the war effort, and he exchanges letters and chess moves with Bea's American host father, Mr. G. until he dies suddenly of a heart attack in his early 50s. Bea misses the funeral (there's a war on) and responds by withdrawing for a time, talking to her father near a local chapel. Bea's mother moves, marries a much younger man, and appears to move forward. Eventually, Bea's life with the Gregory family returns to equilibrium. Bea returns to England where she fights with her mother, takes a job at a nursery school, and struggles to be independent. She takes on a few lovers but pines away for William, the golden boy. Several years later, Mr G. also dies young of a heart attack. Bea also misses this funeral. William, however, is on holiday with a friend, and so makes his way back to New England via London, where he and Bea reconnect long enough for him to admit he is engaged and his first child will be conveniently born prematurely, just to ensure the math works for the neighbors. Bea is crushed but carries on, stiff upper lip and all. William marries and has two children, whom he adores, but the marriage is not happy -- And that is enough summary. The scenery is lovely, and the characters are well-rounded, especially considering how many there are in the story. But what's the purpose? There are too many scattered plotlines for a single message. If I had to decide on one, I might say that the author wanted to explore the effect of London's dispersed children in the 1940s over time and among all participants. Spence-Ash covers at least 40 years of normal family events across two countries, each affecting Bea differently. Spence-Ash includes major U.S. events: the admiration for the Kennedys, the Civil Rights movement, and desegregation, but the political events don't serve the plot in any meaningful way. More than anything, they serve to note the passage of time. The story skips decades, which is probably good considering how many years and characters are involved. I kept waiting for the AHA moment, but the book ended at the Maine house with family gathered for the summer. I'm sure there's a sense of what makes a home involved somewhere, but the central character, Bea, didn't seem much altered between her teen self and her mid-life self; she still had family on both sides of the pond, so, is she really home for good? Or will she again find herself longing for more?

Beautiful story about family, love, loss and reconnecting. Believable characters you'd like to meet. The storyline is so well developed, you don't want it to end but, can't stop reading! Highly recommend.