Customer Reviews

First Friends: A Novel

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What a wonderful new voice for American readers! Having read all three contemporary Marcia Willett novels published in this country (The Birdcage, A Week in Winter and The Children's Hour), we are now being given the treat of some of her earlier novels, available for the first time here in paperback.

First Friends, originally published in the 90s, is a lush, rich and satisfying story of two friends, Kate and Cass, who meet in college and continue their strong bond through their marriages to two naval officers. We are given a fascinating glimpse of contemporary British naval life (Willett herself was once married to a naval man)and as the years pass from the 60s, when Kate and Cass meet, through to the 90s, we become completely entertwined with their triumphs, their heartbreaks--and, especially on the part of Cass--their follies. Although we know on the very first page that a tragedy will take place, when it does happen, it is overwhelmingly sad, simply heartbreaking. And yet we knew it all along! I think that's the sign of a fine writer.

Although perhaps written at a more heavy pace than Willett's later novels, nevertheless, First Friends in a fine piece of work, in the lovely tradition of Rosamunde Pincher and Maeve Binchy. I have just given this book to a friend, with the note: "Fabulous, Do Not Miss, You Won't Be Able to Put This Down"!

Marcia Willet's first novel, THOSE WHO SERVE, has now been released in America as FIRST FRIENDS. If you love a heartwarming story, vibrant and multi-dimensional characters, and the cozy charm of the English countryside, you will delight in this heartbreaking yet heartwarming story.

Kate Webster and Cass Wivenhoe meet at age 12 at an English boarding school and are friends for life. Through marriage and parenthood, through good times and the worst of times, their friendship is constant. Willet makes the characters as well as their spouses, children, and other friends so real you will wish you were part of their inner circle.

Both marry career navy men and cope with the constant moving and long separations in different ways. Kate is the dutiful wife who has unfortunately married a beast of a man while Cass is the seductive mistress of many while surrounded by delightful children and a devoted husband. How their lives intertwine and impact each other and their community is fascinating to read thanks to the clever plotting of Marcia Willett. The loss of love, coping with divorce, and the effects of adultery are all paramount to the plot. Bosses who are lovers, a neighbor unsure if her child has been fathered by her husband or her lover, a kindly retired General, and a daughter desperate to end her mother's infidelity will keep you glued to the pages and deeply involved in the lives of characters you will love.

I, personally, hated to see the book end but am excited that a follow-up to this novel, A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY (English title: THEA'S PARROT) will be released in the US in October, 2006, and I can once again spend time with Cass, Kate, and their families and friends.

It was with a bit of relief that I learned this was one of Marcia Willet's older books published in the UK in 1995. I've read and enjoyed all her books published in the US and had been a bit surprised and disappointed in this book.

The author does her usual great job defining the characters to the extent you feel you know them. The story should have been quite compelling, but it never drew me in like her more recent books. The book was slow and rather plodding and nearly became tedious, yet I was involved with the characters and never considered not finishing it. There were a number of plots, characters and the drama of life, yet there was little suspense that may have made the book move along at a faster pace. So if you're looking for a book that won't leave you sitting at the edge of your seat or stress you out, this is it.

The bottom line is that I wouldn't judge Marcia Willet's books by this one, as she has some others that are far more vital, yet contain the same richness of characters and setting. If you've read her other books, you will probably enjoy this, but may not find it to the same standard as her later work. This one shows the promise she eventually reaches.

In 1964 twelve year old Kate and Cass met at boarding school on the Somerset coast. They became friends sharing secrets, desires, and heartache over the years. Both wed British naval officers, but hate their unfulfilling marriages especially with their spouses at sea for long periods as life at home is dull and frequent affairs is the norm. Cass cherishes finding a new hunk while Kate remains faithful but unhappy.

However, in 1981 Kate attends the funeral of Cass's fifteen years old daughter Charlotte that shakes both women to their core. Both feel guilty over the teen's death that may be the end of a seventeen year best friends' relationship as secrets are revealed about who slept with whom.

FIRST FRIENDS is a fascinating look at British military spouses, who stay behind with the children while their mates are off on military ventures that are often dangerous. The story line is driven by the two best buddies whose husbands' careers force them to constantly relocate and leave them lonely. How they react to their similar situations makes for an insightful look at the sacrifice of military families. Though lacking in any major excitement even with the death of a teen hanging over the entire novel and readers wanting to know what happened to cause Charlotte's demise, Marcia Willett provides a strong character study that spotlights the military family.

Harriet Klausner

Read in October 2006.
"First Friends" or "Those Who Serve" in England and my title of choice, is Marcia Willett's first novel under her given name. It is in this first novel that she introduces us to the long line of imaginary families and neighbors that live in the very real and lovely West Country of England. It is here that she introduces us to Cassandra Wivenhoe and Kate Webster, friends since they were 12 yrs old and went to boarding school. Together they introduce us to their families and friends and some enemies as well, together they enjoyed life as naval wives and also endured a tragic moment. The novel is about friendship and family ties and lessons in life... And this one is just the beginning of a long wonderful saga.

I suspect that how much you like this book and its sequel, A Friend of the Family, depends on how you much you want the world to fall neatly into place. A perfect match shows up for everyone eventually, infidelity never hurts anyone very much, and the only people who die are either very old, unlikeable, or have deaths so foreshadowed that you know not to get attached to them. It's well written, the people seem real, and the situations are reasonably engaging... but after a while, you start thinking, the world it not this neat and perfect (especially true in A Friend of the Family). In some ways, it seems to me like a sophisticated version of Miss Read. A pleasant place to spend the afternoon, but not real life, mostly.

i was very disappointed as it is the same as one of her other books under a different title and cover also summer in the country same thing

This story spotlights one of the most treasured aspects of a woman's life - that of true and abiding friendship.

Kate & Cass became friends as young girls in England and kept their friendship alive through adulthood when they both marry naval officers, had children and began their lives as military families. Though they were not always living in the same location (a standard woe for the families in all branches of the military) they keep close with visits, letters and phone calls.

Kate feel trapped in a loveless marriage. Her husband doesn't seem to value her- he seems only concerned with how she can make his life better without having any regard for her or her happiness. She feels alone during his frequent and lengthy absences, but she finds her identity when she immerses herself in the upbringing of her twin boys.

Cass loves her husband, but can't seem to help "stepping out" on him from time to time, even her four children aren't enough to keep Cass occupied. She looks forward to the opportunities that come her way whenever her husband has to leave for long stretches while working on a navy submarine - she finds excitement when near misses threaten to expose her infidelities - in fact; she seems to thrive on them.

Marcia Willett weaves the tale of these two friends and the events that shape their lives and their devotion to one another, despite the differences they may find with each others' decisions - the hallmark of a true friend, in my opinion. Willett shows that decisions made for selfish reasons can come back to haunt you and that in the end, the best things in life are true love, family and friendship. Her writing style and her approach to life's trials is distinctly charming and can make every-day choices seem delightful - having a cup of tea can become "have a cuppa?" when asked in Marcia Willett novel.

This is my first time reading one of Willett's books and it won't be my last. She is remarkably talented and possesses a distinct literary voice. I've found another favorite author in Marcia Willett and I look forward to hearing her stories and reading many of her books.

I received the book I ordered very quickly and it was in exactly the condition they described