The Care and Management of Lies

A Novel of the Great War

By: Jacqueline Winspear

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling author of the Maisie Dobbs series turns her prodigious talents to this World War I standalone novel, a lyrical drama of love struggling to survive in a damaged, fractured world.

By July 1914, the ties between Kezia Marchant and Thea Brissenden, friends since girlhood, have become strained - by Thea's passionate embrace of women's suffrage, and by the imminent marriage of Kezia to Thea's brother, Tom, who runs the family farm. When Kezia and Tom wed, just a month before war is declared between Britain and Germany, Thea's gift to Kezia is a book on household management - a veiled criticism of the bride's prosaic life to come. Yet when Tom enlists to fight for his country and Thea is drawn reluctantly onto the battlefield, the farm becomes Kezia's responsibility. Each must find a way to endure the ensuing cataclysm and turmoil.

As Tom marches to the front lines, and Kezia battles to keep her ordered life from unraveling, they hide their despair in letters and cards filled with stories woven to bring comfort. Even Tom's fellow soldiers in the trenches enter and find solace in the dream world of Kezia's mouth-watering, albeit imaginary meals. But will well-intended lies and self-deception be of use when they come face to face with the enemy?

Published to coincide with the centennial of the Great War, The Care and Management of Lies paints a poignant picture of love and friendship strained by the pain of separation and the brutal chaos of battle. Ultimately, it raises profound questions about conflict, belief, and love that echo in our own time.

©2014 Jacqueline Winspear (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Thoughtfully told experiences from many WWI participants

World War One had many lies. Many of the atrocities of the war were not told to the people. However life did go on as every day life does. What was it like for the wife left behind, the husband who was shamed into going, the sister who opposed the war and many others. You had to get on with life.

Beautiful story that reminds us of love in the middle of the cost of war.

I enjoyed this story. The narrative was done very well. I connected to each of the characters - very well written.

Another great Jacquelyn Winspear novel

I had thought this was a Maisie Dobbs book, so the reader should take note that it isn’t. It is a sweet, simple story of the lives of one English family during the first. World War.It includes lives at home as well as the brutality of the war in France. Mercifully, Ms. Winspear chooses to omit graphic descriptions of the war. I would recommend the book and the narration to anyone interested in world war one historical fiction.

WWI Story

This is a moving story told from various characters' perspectives about WW1. Excellent all around.

Saddest

The saddest book i have ever read. Though written well, as always by winspear, the sad realism choked all enjoyment.

very emotional

very good scenes and character development. created a picture of the war at home and on the battlefield.

Another Well Done Novel

Well written and narrated book. Easy listen to a time forgotten by many. The Winspear books continue to amaze.

WWI. Story

This is a sad story of death, sacrifice, and great loss. There are 3 main characters and two of them die,

I love the meal preparation! I understand…

Although it took a little bit for me to get into the book, I loved it! I loved it's true to life nature. I had high hopes that it would end differently but I'm sure that is exactly what happened too many times. I loved the meal preparation! I understand. That is how I show my love for my family… Cooking for them. No, it's not Maisie Dobbs but it is good, very good.

LIke the story but want another Maisie Dobbs

It was a good listen,probably true to what those who lived through WWI experienced. I really hope, though, that we get more Maisie Dobbs stories from Ms. Winspear.