Over a year ago, I read and reviewed Somewhere in France, Jennifer Robson’s debut novel, for Shelf Awareness. This fall, I did the same for her wonderful second novel, After the War is Over.
The book follows Oxford graduate Charlotte Brown as she resumes her career after World War I, working at a relief agency in Liverpool.
Struggling to find justice for those she helps, Charlotte begins writing impassioned letters to the local newspaper and lands a columnist gig. Meanwhile, she must face her own complicated feelings about the man she has loved for years.
Jen graciously agreed to answer a few questions about the book – and about Oxford, where she and I have both spent time. (The city appears briefly in After the War is Over.) And she’s giving away a signed copy of the book to one lucky reader.
Leave a comment below to enter, and I’ll pick a winner at random later this week.
Can you talk about the genesis of After the War is Over? (Readers of Somewhere in France will recognize Charlotte as a dear friend of Lilly, the main character of that book.)
When I first wrote Somewhere in France, I thought of it as a stand-alone book, but as I worked on later drafts, and the character of Charlotte became clearer, I knew she deserved a book of her own. I included a few details of her backstory, such as her childhood in Somerset and her studies at Oxford, but left myself enough room that I wouldn’t feel too hampered later on when it came time to write her book.
How did you decide what work Charlotte would be doing – i.e. helping the poor and those devastated by the war?
It’s only a small detail in Somewhere in France, but at one point Edward and Lilly talk about Charlotte and what she did after leaving work as Lilly’s governess. I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to send her to Liverpool and put her to work for Eleanor Rathbone, an actual Liverpool politician and social activist. I’m so glad I did, for Miss Rathbone is a personal hero of mine for her pioneering work as a feminist and social activist. As well, Charlotte’s devotion to her, and determination to live up to her mentor’s high standards, became one of the central themes of After the War is Over.
Have you been to the places described in the book – Liverpool, the seaside at Blackpool, etc.? (The chapter on Charlotte’s day out in Blackpool with her girlfriends is particularly vivid.)
I have, although admittedly it has been a few years since my most recent visit. I hope I’ve given my readers a sense of Liverpool and what a fascinating city it is. I did my best to inject points of local color so that people who have visited will recognize a few of the landmarks – I have fond memories of visiting the Phil (the ornate pub where Charlotte and John Ellis have dinner) more than twenty years ago, and was happy to discover, while researching its history, that it has scarcely changed in the past hundred years!
Blackpool is an especially interesting place. Of course its heyday was the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but it’s still a very popular destination in spite of competition from overseas holidays and other British resorts. I wasn’t brave enough to swim in the ocean when I visited – even in the summer the water is pretty cold – but I did walk along the seaside and eat some of their local “Blackpool rock” candy. I wasn’t able to overcome my fear of heights, unlike Charlotte, and so didn’t go to the top of the Tower!
I know you’ve spent some time in Oxford – can you talk a bit about your time there?
I lived in Oxford from 1992-95, when I was working on my doctorate in history. I was a student of Saint Antony’s College, which didn’t actually exist when Charlotte was there – it was founded in the 1950s – but my thesis supervisor was at Merton College, and I walked past Somerville every time I went to the Bodleian Library. In fact, Charlotte’s walk through town, when she leaves a note for Edward at Merton, is the exact same route I would take when I went to see my supervisor. I should add that the porters at Merton are perfectly friendly and helpful, despite my portrayal of their very grumpy forebear in my book!
How did you decide to weave Oxford into this book?
When I set out to write After the War is Over, I desperately wanted to begin the book in Oxford in 1907, when Charlotte and Edward are both students there. My editor convinced me, however, that the narrative had to begin no earlier than 1919, which is the point at which Somewhere in France ends. Of course she was right – she’s always right! – but I got around that stricture by weaving a few flashbacks into the action. Naturally one of them had to be set in Oxford, since I’d already done the research for that portion of the book!
Charlotte faces many struggles, personal and professional, in After the War is Over – what would you say is her central or most important challenge?
I think the central struggle for Charlotte is her need to believe that she is worthy. If you’ve already read the book, you’ll know why – I don’t want to give anything away – so I’ll simply say that she feels compelled to be the best possible person she can be and to spend her life in the pursuit of goodness, and while these are laudable aims, they do have the effect of making her quite miserable and lonely at times. Compounding all of this is the very real poverty, privation and misery that surround her at work, and you can see how her search for happiness is a very difficult one at times.
And finally – any plans for your next book that you can share?
I can – happily! Book Three (we’re still trying to decide on a title) is set mainly in Paris in 1924 and early 1925. Its heroine is Lady Helena, Edward’s former fiancée, who has come to France for a year to study art. While she is there she moves on the fringe of the circle we know of now as the Lost Generation – the great writers, poets, musicians, artists and dancers who flocked to Paris after the war – and she becomes friends with many of them. As for a romantic interest? You’ll be happy to know he’s an American, a newspaperman, and (like Helena) a bit of a lost soul. Assuming I manage to turn in my first draft on time, it will be hitting the shelves in early January 2016.
Thanks, Jen!
Leave a comment below (with your email address) to enter the giveaway. I’ll pick a winner later this week.
Well, it looks like I need to start at the beginning – these books sound like a wonderful escape! And I’m looking forward to Book 3 in Paris. downhomesj@gmail.com
I am so excited to hear that book three is in the works! What a wonderful series with great characters. Can’t wait to read Lady Helena’s adventure.
gretasharp@bellsouth.net
These sound great! I’ll have to pick up Somewhere in France on my next library run! conlan3 (at) gmail.com.
I have seen these books advertised and thought they looked interesting. Now I am convinced that I have to read them right away.
These books sound like great fun! I’m adding to my Goodreads to-read list!
These books sound delightful, and like something my book club would be interested in. I’ll definitely be checking them out! kristen_anna@hotmail.com
I’ve read several of the books that you’ve reviewed and have never been disappointed. I don’t know how I missed the review of “Somewhere in France” but I will adding it and “After the War is Over” to my list to read after tax season in over.
“After the War Is Over” sounds like an enjoyable book. If I don’t win a copy, I’ll be sure to look for it and “Somewhere in France” at my local library.
I’m so glad you mentioned these books. I studied at Oxford during college, and now my eldest daughter is finishing high school with plans to attend my alma mater. She’ll be studying at Oxford her junior year, so I’m glad there’s time for us to enjoy them before her time abroad arrives:)
I’d be very interested in reading this. Sounds right up my alley! Email is my first name @ gmail
Sounds great! Love historical fiction.
Now I’m intrigued! Would love to read this. Thanks!
These books sound fantastic. I just added them to my tbr.
My email address is gigglessilly@gmail.com
Thank you for the chance to win
I love learning about the research and the process that Jennifer goes through. It really is why she is such a great author! Book three sounds so intriguing!
Thank you for the interview. I cannot wait to read the book. I do like how the author incorporated her experience of living in Oxford into the book!
Silly me. elizabethallen100@hotmail.com
I cannot wait to read this author. I love how she incorporated living in Oxford into her book. Thank you for the interview.
Just finished After the War is Over last night..I loved it! Can’t wait for book three! 🙂
Sounds like an interesting setting and time for characters to develop…I can see why it could be a good book club book.
This books seems so interesting to read because of the setting and time period! I’d love to win a copy in exchange for a review! nlaverdure88@bell.net
These books sound fascinating, and I love that you’ve interviewed the author, especially considering that they’re set in one of your favorite places. Fantastic! Thank you, Katie!
Always happy to find another good book.
Stephaniehille7@gmail.com