The Song of Hartgrove Hall
Natasha Solomons, 2015
Penguin Publishing
416 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780147517593
Summary
A captivating novel that evokes the author’s The House at Tyneford
Natasha Solomons’s breathtaking new novel has it all: a love triangle, family obligations, and rediscovering joy in the face of grief, all set against the alluring backdrop of an English country estate perfect for fans of Downton Abbey
It's a terrible thing to covet your brother’s girl
New Year’s Eve, Dorset, England, 1946. Candles flicker, a gramophone scratches out a tune as guests dance and sip champagne—for one night Hartgrove Hall relives better days. Harry Fox-Talbot and his brothers have returned from World War II determined to save their once grand home from ruin.
But the arrival of beautiful Jewish wartime singer Edie Rose tangles the threads of love and duty, and leads to a devastating betrayal.
Fifty years later, now a celebrated composer, Fox reels from the death of his adored wife, Edie. Until his connection with his four-year old grandson—a music prodigy—propels him back into life, and ultimately to confront his past.
An enthralling novel about love and treachery, joy after grief, and a man forced to ask: is it ever too late to seek forgiveness? (From the publisher.)
Author Bio
Natasha Solomons is a British screenwriter and author of several novels: The Song of Hartgrove (2015), The Gallery of Vanished Husbands (2013), The House at Tyneford (2011), and Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English (2010). She lives with her husband in Dorset, England. (From the publisher.)
See an interesting article on Solomon's dyslexia in London's Evening Standard.
Book Reviews
A delightful, moving, utterly believable family saga.
Times (UK)
[A] tender, lyrical novel of family and fame.
Sunday Express (UK)
Combines exceptional prose and absorbing story-telling with grace and beauty, and is still a page-turner.
Record (UK)
Solomon’s reliably lush prose holds its own.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Part East of Eden, part Far From the Madding Crowd, The Song of Hartgrove Hall finds Solomons hitting perfect pitch in this symphony—sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter, always entrancing—of life.
Richmond Times-Dispatch
A lush, historical story with plenty of romantic twists set against a musical backdrop.
Parkersburg News & Sentinel
The perfect mid-winter read, especially if you’re a Downton Abbey fan.... This novel spans decades, and includes a great British manor house and characters.... Whether you’re already a fan or a newcomer, this story will capture your mind and heart.
Washington Independent Review of Books
Solomons's engaging novel is the story of the three Fox-Talbot brothers, who return to their ancestral home after World War II to find their world in flux.... Devotees of television's Downton Abbey will be drawn in by this novel's historical detail and emotional story line. —Catherine Coyne, Mansfield P.L., MA
Library Journal
A composer looks back on [his] life.... The main source of suspense is how these reversals of fortune occurred. Despite a clichéd redemptive close, the principal characters are not sympathetic enough, nor does the love affair seem compelling enough, to make us care.
Kirkus Reviews
Discussion Questions
1. Hartgrove Hall is in and of itself an important character in the novel. How would you describe it? Discuss its many uses, both as a gathering space for personal and family functions and for the community. Do they change over time?
2. In the “A Note on Song Collecting” section that follows the novel’s conclusion, Solomons discusses the tradition of song collecting. How does song collecting relate to cultural identity? At which points does Fox feel an urgency to preserve history in The Song of Hartgrove Hall?
3. The theme of maternal loss is present throughout The Song of Hartgrove Hall. How does Fox seek out his mother’s memory? How do his daughters cope with the loss of their mother? When does Fox feel their grief most acutely?
4. On page 3 of the book, Fox reveals that “So many people think they knew [Edie]. The Little Nightingale. England’s perfect rose.” Why don’t these people actually know Edie? What aspects of her history and personality was Edie most hesitant to share? Why do you think she was able to confide in Fox?
5. Early in the novel it is revealed that Edie suffers from crippling stage fright,yet she performs consummately. Discuss the difference between her personal and professional identities and how they manifest in various social situations. Which version of herself is Edie most comfortable displaying? How does she transition between the two?
6. Discuss Fox’s role as a grandfather, both before and after discovering Robin’s piano acumen. Is he comfortable being a grandparent? how do memories of Edie help guide him as he assumes this role?
7. Who most influenced Fox’s career as a composer? When the music in his head stops after Edie’s death, what restores his musicality?
8. How is masculinity discussed within the novel? What type of masculinity does the General value? Is Fox’s idea of masculinity different? When does Fox feel insecure about himself?
9. Discuss Fox’s relationship with his daughters. How would you characterize their interactions? How does Fox’s relationship with Clara change after her divorce?
10. Compare Fox’s relationship with Jack to his relationship with George. What do the brothers have in common? After their decision to turn Hartgrove Hall into a working farm, how does their relationship change?
11. Discuss the sojourn to Scotland that takes place in 1948. How is this trip restorative for Fox? How does he grow during this time?
12. The Song of Hartgrove Hall is a novel about grieving as much as it is one about healing. Discuss the intimate moments wherein Fox reveals his grief over Edie’s death to the reader. Is his sadness alleviated over time? How does his state of mind change throughout the novel?
13. Edie’s Jewish identity is revealed suddenly and cruelly to Fox by the General, but Fox does not discuss it with her directly for years. Why do you think he is hesitant to approach the topic? Does Fox seem accepting of her cultural heritage?
14. As the plot shifts between the past and the present, Solomons lowly reveals each character’s motivations. Who surprised you the most?
15. Recall the scene on page 196 in which Marcus reveals to Fox that he is dying. How does that conversation affect Fox? What actions does he take to ensure that his friend feels comforted during this time?
16. Edie and Fox’s relationship is a storied romance, yet it is borne out of deceit and manipulation. Did the revelation of their infidelities affect your understanding of each character?
17. Discuss Fox’s decision to reconcile with Jack. Why do you think he brought Robin with him to Florida? Were you surprised by how Jack received them? How did you interpret their last scene together?
(Questions issued by the publisher.)
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