DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Confusion

The Cazalet Chronicles continue amidst the chaos of war.

Elizabeth Jane Howard author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Pan Macmillan

Published:10th Jun '21

Should be back in stock very soon

Confusion cover

In the third book of the Cazalet Chronicles, Confusion explores the family's struggles and relationships during the turmoil of World War II.

Set against the backdrop of wartime Britain, Confusion delves into the intricate relationships of the Cazalet family as they navigate the trials of love, loss, and survival during the Second World War. The narrative unfolds in 1942, a time when the shadows of conflict loom large over both the Sussex countryside and London, affecting the lives of each family member in profound ways. As chaos becomes a constant in their lives, the characters are forced to confront their own personal battles amidst the larger war raging around them.

In this third installment of the Cazalet Chronicles, the family is depicted in various states of upheaval. Louise, once determined to pursue a career in acting, surprises everyone by choosing a path of societal expectation through marriage. Meanwhile, Polly grapples with the grief of losing her mother while caring for her emotionally distant father. Clary, on the other hand, struggles with her self-image, believing that her intelligence compensates for her perceived shortcomings in beauty. Each character's journey intertwines, revealing the complexities of human emotion in times of crisis.

Confusion is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, showcasing Elizabeth Jane Howard's masterful storytelling. The book not only captures the essence of familial bonds but also reflects on the impact of war on personal lives. As the Cazalet family faces their own confusions, readers are invited to witness their growth and resilience, making this installment a compelling read that resonates deeply.

If I were sent to a desert island with one book this would be my choice -- Her Majesty Queen Camilla
Charming, poignant and quite irresistible . . . to be cherished and shared * The Times *
She is one of those novelists who shows, through her work, what the novel is for . . . She helps us to do the necessary thing – open our eyes and our hearts -- Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall
The Cazalets have earned an honoured place among the great saga families . . . rendered thrillingly three-dimensional by a master craftsman * Sunday Telegraph *
Superb . . . hypnotic . . . very funny * Spectator *
Evocative and gracefully written * Cosmopolitan *
A family saga of the best kind . . . a must * Tatler *
A dazzling historical reconstruction -- Penelope Fitzgerald, Booker Prize-winning author of Offshore
This chronicle will be read, like Trollope, as a classic about life in England in our century -- Sybille Bedford, author of A Legacy and Jigsaw
Gloriously addictive . . . Family loyalty, betrayals, triumphs, tragedy, births and deaths are all blissfully here, and you become emotionally absorbed in the fate of each character * Daily Mail *

ISBN: 9781529049459

Dimensions: 196mm x 130mm x 35mm

Weight: 344g

512 pages