Customer Reviews

Landfall

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have just reread this book after many years, and it was just as charming and engrossing as the first time. Nevil Shute's work never fails to bring to life the characters and make real the settings, generally of young people trying to make their way in a world fraught with the upheaval of World War II. "Landfall" is a simple story built upon heartfelt emotion and the edginess of danger. It sets the cold technical and strategic details of war against the fumbling confusion of young people trying to find their way through the wilderness of first love. The plot is absorbing and suspenseful, the characters appealing, and the style first rate.

A romantic adventure novel that takes place at the height of World War II. A British air reconnaissance officer pursues a local pub waitress, only to have his life thrown into chaos when he accidentally bombs a British U-boat, mistaking it for a German sub. A relationship that began as a romantic fling is suddenly tested by sincere trust and devotion as Mona fights to make the Royal British Navy listen to the evidence she has discovered about this tragedy that could absolve Lt. Chambers. A twisting, spine-bending climax leaves the reader on the edge of their seat as the lieutenant's attempt to amend his actions nearly separates the two forever. This is a story about the strength of true love and how it can overcome any obstacle ... even a world war.

A romantic adventure novel that takes place at the height of World War II. A British air reconnaissance officer pursues a local pub waitress, only to have his life thrown into chaos when he accidentally bombs a British U-boat, mistaking it for a German sub. A relationship that begins as a romantic fling is suddenly tested by sincere trust and devotion as Mona fights to make the Royal British Navy listen to the evidence she has discovered about this tragedy that may absolve Lt. Chambers. A twisting, spine-bending climax leaves the reader on the edge of their seat as fate almost separates the two forever. This is a story about the strength of true love and how it can overcome any obstacle ... even a world war.

A romantic adventure novel that takes place at the height of world war II. A British air reconnaissance officer persues a local pub waitress, only to have his live upheaved when he accidently bombs a British u-boat, mistaking it for a German sub. A relationship that begins as a romantic fling is suddenly tested by sincere trust and devotation as Mona fights to make the Royal British Navy listen to the evidence she has discovered about this tragedy that may absolve Lt. Chambers. A twisting, spine-bending climax leaves the reader on the edge of their seat as fate almost seperates the two forever. This is a story about the strength of true love and how it can overcome any obstacle ... even a world war.

What a delight to discover a previously unknown novel by a long-dead favorite author! One of Shute's earliest efforts (1940) at a romantic action story, "Landfall" will appeal to all devotees of this beloved author. The book is not perfect. Great chunks of storyline are omitted or skipped over, notably his omission of any description of what the central character was working on at the time of his climactic catastrophe. In addition the "hero" is off-stage during the last third of the book, leaving the reader frustrated about the process of his recovery from injuries and earlier injustice or the progress of the "heroine's" social transformation. Nonetheless, "Landfall" has added enormously to my enjoyment of an uneventful winter reading season. Unlike most Shute, the central character, an RAF pilot, has a great sense of humor. He is really funny and one of my favorite Shute people. And although Shute's style of writing was still in the process of development, it was like meeting an old friend to suddenly encounter paragraphs that were so "classic Shute" that one wanted to reach out and give him a hug. I cannot say that a reader who doesn't know this beloved writer would have found this a gripping tale. There have been so many like it since its 1940 publication. But if you share my affection for Nevil Shute, don't miss it.!

I've been a fan of Nevil Shute since seeing and reading On The Beach many years ago. I thought I'd read every one of his books but recently checked my library against a list and found I'd missed Landfall. As with everything he wrote it's a warm, kind human story entwined with the aircraft, ships, and the sea. His technical acumen is always apparent. Just a fine, pleasant read.

This is one of Nevil Shute's earlier books, a war romance published in 1940, in which you feel the immediacy of the drama. It features sympathetic characters in a simple plot about a heroic period in England's history. Shute's storytelling skills got better and better through books like "Pastoral," "A Town Like Alice" and "On the Beach." But even this 'lesser' novel is a good read.

This 1940 novel is a pleasure to read. It tells of a RAF pilot who on Dec 3, 1939 apparently sinks a British submarine. His girl friend is a barmaid who is much concerned about the social difference between her and the pilot. But she is an appealing person, and the story is poignant and enjoyable. It is the ninth Shute novel I have read and one of his best, I thought.

"Landfall" is a good but not great book. It's a pleasant read but not a page turner.