Cover Image: All That Will Remain

All That Will Remain

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Book #9 in the Furnass series but you'd not know it was a part of a series if no one told you. Furnass is the name of the town where the stories live, where the characters have come to life and are nowwaiting to tell their stories. The Lyle family have many of the problems typical of 1914 and the era surrounding WWI. But then, they are unique in so many ways that you'll have to read the book to SEE how this middle class family survived the consequences of their actions. The characters are winners, Snodgrass writes of them as if he knows them personally, and maybe he does. After 8 books set in Furnass, the good citizens should be as familiar to him as they are to those of us who have read the books. I'd recommed these books to any lover of historical fiction that seems all too real.

Was this review helpful?

In his latest instalment of the wonderfully immersive Furnass series, Snodgrass chronicles life in the Lyle family, as war looms in Europe in 1916 and technological advances in car and engine manufacturing all impact on the family business. Set in a small mill town not far from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the series as a whole gives a vivid portrait of the time and place over the years, and of the various characters who live and work there. Although this latest volume gains by being read as part of the series, it can perfectly well be read as a stand-alone novel and I recommend it highly. With its nuanced characterisation, its authentic dialogue, its description of industry and manufacturing, all based on meticulous research, it’s a compelling and intelligent read, and yet again I fail to understand why Richard Snodgrass isn’t better known.

Was this review helpful?

This book was a little "different", but not in a bad way. I didn't realize at first that is the 6th book in a series. But it reads easily as a standalone.
The Lyle family are a unique and quirky bunch. You have Malcolm, now the patriarch of the family since his father's passing, devoted to his legacy, Keystone Steam Works and conflicted as to whether he should devote his efforts to stable war projects or take a huge risk backing his son, Gus, and his new invention, a steam-powered automobile he calls the Lylemobile. Then there is his other son who ran away to join the war in Europe and his twin sister Mary Lydia, who has, it seems, become pregnant without ever having a boyfriend. Malcom's wife spends most of her days laying on the couch in the living room, so much so they now call it her room, in her nightgown, eating bonbons and reading fashion magazines. There is his mother, Libby, who always seems to be judging his every move, and finally you have Libby's maid, her personal paid companion, Perpetual who grows mysterious herbs in her window and seems to know all the going ons in the family before they even happen.
Perpetual is the glue holding this family together, and also the grease that keeps it running smoothly.
This book explores what it means to make choices and how the choices made influence your life and the lives of those around you. It is about making the right choice.
I really enjoyed this book and now want to go back and read the previous novels. The writing is excellent and entertaining. It kept me engaged throughout and the characters are very well developed, you feel as if you know them. They are entertaining and even humorous at times.
I would recommend this to historical fiction fans who are looking for a quick, entertaining jaunt into the past.
Thanks to Calling Crow Press and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

Was this review helpful?

This was pretty interesting to read about. Honestly at some point it really did feel like I was reading about choice and how that can effect us as people. Do we do the right thing and give up on our loves ones? Or do we do the right thing and keep our relationship with our loved ones balanced: this was super thought provoking and the writing made this even better. I’ll for sure look into this even more in the future!

Was this review helpful?