Review: A treasure trove of memories
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 7, 2014
I downloaded this book to read while flying to and from a family reunion.  I think the reunion helped me appreciate the book and the book helped me appreciate the reunion.My first impression was positive when I found a full list of all the characters in the book and their relationships in chronological order. It is found on page 4 of the Kindle edition.  This also made me appreciate the effort my sister-in-law went to in creating a similar list to be given out to the attendees at the reunion.After starting the story, I remembered my grandmothers were both born just before the start of the 20th century.  They both lived through 2 world wars (albeit from a farther distance.)  They had husbands and sons go to a war "over there" but Lillian WAS over  there.The style read like a diary entry.  I happen to have several diaries of relatives that I have  found  helpful with genealogy searches.  Lillian's musings rang true as notes to self on what happened to her.  I could visualize what was happening WHEN it happened.  The author used language to its fullest.  She put in  "British English" phrases that made me remember this was not a modern American woman.Reading her thoughts as the US was drawn into the war set me back and then gave me a better understanding of how our separatist policies would have felt to those in the thick of the war.  I saw the world as it was during my first year of life .I appreciated the entries from 1953 on since I could compare MY memories from here on.  I too watched the coronation of the queen on TV in June 1953.  Lillian and I learned to drive at about the same time but I was much younger than she.  But we had the same problems for the same reasons.  We both saw Julie Andrews in "My Fair Lady"  I could go on and on down memory lane but  that would spoil it for you.In case you hadn't noticed, I loved this book.  I would recommend it to old and young alike.  Younger folks might appreciate knowing why parents roll their eyes and talk about this "younger generation"  Old folks like me can appreciate someone who understands what I am feeling.