Sisters of the Quantock Hills: Julia's Story

 

I am sorry I waited so long to re-read this series. Each book only gets better, and goes a little further in time, filling in more of the Purcell's (and Mackenzie's) story. Julia's Story spans 1910-1930, ten years past the previous two books. I relate to something in each sister, and each is my "favorite" while I'm reading her book, which is a testament to what an amazing author Ruth Elwin Harris is. In memory this was the most romantic of the books, and I would still say so, though the romance is bittersweet and takes up less page time than I remember. I love how the writing manages to be both restrained and descriptive in equal force. The sparser the words the harder the feelings hit. After Sarah's Story the writing and content feels much more adult than young adult, not in risque content or language, but rather the age and experience of the characters. While I loved these stories before, I feel like I understand them better now. These books made (make) me want to be a better writer.

It's been a few weeks since I finished Julia's Story and there was a part I really liked that is still on my mind. Years after the war, when she is a wife and young mother, Julia runs into Hester Donne and they talk about the time they spent nursing on the front lines. Hester admits that she misses wartime because it was the first and only time she felt really useful in her life. Julia silently agrees. This reminded me so much of a quote from Anywhere But Here (Mona Simpson) that I had to track down the book from library loan to get the quote right.

"And then it's always your secret. I imagine the war is a lot of people's secret; you know, what happened to them then." (515)

I think that quote fits Julia exactly. She led this entire other life that her sisters could not fathom and really knew nothing about. At the end of the book, circa 1930, she is having trouble coming to terms with what she experienced with Geoffrey, but is able to talk with Frances and get some clarity and closure, finally able to let her past stay in the past. Julia's Story is the strongest installment so far, but I say that after reading each one.


The British title of this book is The Dividing Sea, which is much more romantic and less utilitarian than the Julia's Story we get in America.

 ***

 

And now, for nostalgia's sake, and because you have to be able to laugh at yourself, here is the review I wrote for this book when I was 15 years old and posted on Amazon:

 
5 Stars             Another view on the events..                February 19, 2003
 

I remember when these books were first on display at Borders, thinking I wanted to read this one, intrigued by the romance and how pretty the cover was... "Julia's Story" is another interesting installment in the lives of the Purcells. It covers some of the same events from "Sarah's Story" & "Frances' Story" but also lasts a little longer. It ties up what you were left wondering at the end of "Frances' Story." My favorite aspect of all the novels is how each gives a sisters perspective on the walk they took over the Quantocks. My favorite part in the later story would probably be the few days Julia and Geoffrey manage to steal away, to spend time together in Paris. Their romance is a lot more complex than you were led to believe. It just makes the inevitable all the more sad...if you've read the other books, you know what I'm talking about. "Julia's Story" is definitely not a let down. Parts can be quite sad...but so can life. But it ends on a hopeful note. Definitely read these books - all together they are a great story.

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