https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/marking-time-by-elizabeth-jane-howard/

Marking Time is the second of the series, set a year after the first, and concentrating very much on three teenage Cazalet girls, whose fathers are brothers. But it’s now war time – the book starts in September 1939 and ends with Pearl Harbour in December 1941, so it covers a long and crucial period of the girls’ lives; Louise, an aspiring actress, whose father is abusive; Clary, an aspiring writer, whose father goes missing after Dunkirk; and sensitive Polly, whose mother is very ill though nobody will admit it. Between the lines (and not only there) is a thoughtful reflection on the roles of women in English society of the time.

The cast of characters is huge – the family tree at the start lists eighteen living Cazalet relatives, and there are a half dozen more who get at least some viewpoint time – lovers, servants, in-laws. But Howard keeps them all under control, and although we know that parts of this are based on her own life, it doesn’t come across didactically. There is a minor twist at the end of the book which made me gasp, but in any case I would have been impatient for the next instalment; some very tempting plot lines have been set up. I’ll get to it soon enough! ( )

Extraordinarily well written second book in this family chromicle. Not only emotionally accurate but also very true to life historically as well ( )

The second volume of this series concentrates, for the most part, on the three adolescent girls of the family. Elizabeth Jane Howard captures their characters beautifully and just what it was like to be stuck at home trying to carry on with life when the world was descending into chaos. Frustration, fear and mundanity are the dominant themes. But also how are they going to make their way in the world? There are many secrets that lead to some heartbreaking misunderstandings. We also get glimpses into the lives of the other characters, family, extended family, friends and servants; their worries and concerns and the many secrets here too. Everything is beautifully observed and written. Can't wait to get onto the next instalment. ( )

**** : La guerre a éclaté. Une partie de la famille se réfugie à Home Place dirigé de main de maître par la Duche. Les enfants grandissent : les aînés tentent de vivre leurs rêves malgre la guerre; les plus jeunes partagés entre la réalité et l'insouciance de leur âge. On retrouve la finesse et l'humour du premier tome.

Deel 2 is ook weer heerlijk, dit deel speelt kn het eerste oorlogsjaar, 1940 en 1941. Twee broers, Edward en Rupert zitten in het leger, Rupert raakt vermist. Zijn dochter Clary blijft koppig hopen dat hij leeft. Er zijn luchtaanvallen, bombardementen, er is schaarste, alles gaat op de bon. De hele familie woont in het familiehuis. De gewone, dagelijkse dingen en ook de heftige liefdes, verdriet, vreemdgaan en dergelijke hebben hun plaats in het leven. ( )