The Care and Management of Lies

A Novel of the Great War

By: Jacqueline Winspear

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

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

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.

The truth often hurts

Well written but don’t expect the same connection with the characters and the storyline as a Maise Dobbs novel. I had to restart it several times before I decided to stick with it and listen to the whole book. The ending was depressing and I have to say I am glad it’s a stand alone book. Bring on more Maise Dobbs please !! I cried when i finished Book 18 !

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.

Poignant and inspiring

The intensity of a country entering a war, and how it drastically changed women into becoming stronger than they imagined possible is mirrored by the difficulties, disillusionment and courage of men in trench warfare. This is a beautiful book, both suspenseful and strangely tranquil. The reader has a perfect voice and cadence.

The live shared by the imagination of wife to husband and back again. How that love was shared with the men where Tom was.

The sergeant that picked on Tom with such hate when Tom had done nothing to cause it.
The ending made me cry it was so sad.

Another Well Done Novel

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

very emotional

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

WWI. Story

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

Narrator whispered too much

While a change in tone for effect is good, whispering through long passages often made it difficult to hear.

Love, seen through the tragedy of war 

Every character is one that I fell in love with instantly. The reality of war brought to life through the lives of a closely knit family of three is incredibly poignant. While the underlying goodness of humanity shines, and the inevitability of loss hangs heavy, still remarkably, one can rejoice that somehow love and wisdom can prevail, outlasting the transient life journeys of ordinary people at war.