Keep the Home Fires Burning: A heart-warming wartime saga

Simon Block is a talented author who is able to write a novel that is a, in a word, thrilling! The novel picks up where the television series left off: with a continuation of the story of the lives of the women of England's Great Paxford during World War II. . I loved the Masterpiece Theater program series 'Home Fires', which followed the lives of these strong women. With most of the men leaving to war, the women lead their chapter of the Women's Institute (WI) to not only help (without taking a political stance on the rightness or wrongness of war) the people affected by the war, but also to support each other. Filmed by the UK's iTV, 'Home Fires' aired for two seasons and then was canceled for no apparent reason. But fans protested! Author Simon Block responded to fans by continuing the saga in 'Keeping the Homefires Burning'. What a delight it is to return, if only in my mind's eye, to Great Paxford! It was as if I was returning to a friend's village and catching up with her on all the news.- ever a cup of tea. I get to hear of Frances the president of the WI; Sarah, the vicar's wife; Joyce, the former president of the WI; evil Bob who abuses his wife Pat- she is the secretary of the WI; Allison, the treasurer of the WI; and all the WI members whose lives add color to the rather quaint & quiet English village. Or is it a quiet village? Certainly not quiet because there is a lot of excitement when the TV series ends, leaving fans in suspense. As we saw in the series, a spitfire just crashed into the beloved GP's house, leaving the family- as well the attached house of evil Bob & his wife Pat, homeless. A wedding reception was taking place: the beloved school teacher, Teresa, had just married Nick, the Wing Commander at RAF base in Great Paxford. Overall, a well-written book that's an exciting continuation to the characters I've gotten to love.

I, too, was devastated when I learned last year that Keep the Home Fires Burning series had been cancelled by PBS. This series had great ratings, strong women characters and the story lines kept viewers at the edge of their seats. I was so glad to discover that Simon Block, the creator and writer of this wonderful series decided to write a book to continue on with Season 3 (both e-books and a paperback). He did a masterful job with the book, gave a bit of background from the series so that first-time readers could follow, but it is best if you had followed the shows. There is some resolution to a few characters story lines (Dr. Campbell, Joyce Cameron, for example); but there is so much more to explore with other characters; namely, the Brinsley Family, Claire and her new husband, Teresa and her wing commander, the 2 Campbell daughters, Alison Scotlock and, of course, Pat. We MUST know if she finally is able to leave Bob and reunite with Marek. Please, Mr. Block, continue the saga -- at least until V-E Day! I couldn't put this book down and read it over the weekend.

*A 3.5 rating from me.*If you've not watched the two seasons (or series) of the excellent Home Fires television show, you should absolutely do that before reading this novel. That's the best way to get a clear and compelling sense of who these characters are and the significance of their stories.Moreover, prior interest in the characters and all of the pressing, unfinished business from the show might help you forgive some of the weaknesses in the novel's style. The author's strength is in screenwriting, I'm sure, while in the novel, there's a good amount of stating the obvious and overexplaining. Redundancy. An excessive use of italics. Constant head-hopping: jarring switches in points of view between the characters.Also, as the book was first released gradually, in four separate parts, it doesn't exactly flow like one, seamless novel. Each new part makes a point to refresh the reader's memory in some way about the part before--which isn't necessary when all the parts are together.Nevertheless, because I'd come to care so much about the television show, I quite enjoyed finally getting the chance to find out more. Granted, I'm disappointed in some of the characters' choices here. And one character's reversal in growth is inconsistent with the breakthrough she has right as the television show ends. It's as if she's been unnaturally stunted and shoved right back into the same dilemma for yet another "season." That dilemma gets old.However, the overall story does take some fresh turns, tackle some new, universal questions, and build up some intrigue for what's to follow. The book isn't a standalone, concludes with all loose ends, which is something I don't relish at all with novels. But it wasn't unexpected for me in this case, since, again, I was already used to the television show and its use of cliffhangers.All things considered, I'm looking forward to the release of the next novel.

I was so disappointed when ITV short-sightedly cancelled the fantastic series, especially after leaving us with such an intense cliff-hanger. I was excited when I heard that the show's creator/writer decided the story needed to continue in book form. It was great, I really loved it. Perfectly picks up right where the show left us. There is quite a few little reminders of what had happened previously in the show, so people new to the story will have enough info so they wont be lost, but they are expertly peppered in so those of us that know the story won't be bored by the re-hash. I loved reading the book after the show because I could picture the characters perfectly as I was reading. The book is so true to the show, its truly satisfying. I loved all the story lines and where the characters are being led for the next book. It's a quick, entertaining read. Hard to put down. Can't wait for the next one!

I bought the 3 books in the series, I had watched Homes Fires Drama on TV, then they just ended it mid air!! The first book picks up where the series ended, the plane crash in the village, the books were fantastic, I was delighted to know how everything finished up. So would highly recommend.

I really enjoyed this book, which is continues the story told by the English TV Series that was ultimately cancelled with a huge cliff hanger. The author does not usually write books, but is a script writer, so his writing is a little different, but I enjoyed the descriptions he provided. It was almost as good as seeing the characters on TV. Very happy to have finally found out the conclusion!

Following from the abrupt ending of the TV series it's good to continue with the story of the diverse characters and of course put faces to them as you read. There are still unanswered questions so I await the next book. The writing to me evokes the 40s as did the TV show.

While I absolutely loved this book and the following two in the series, I couldn't help thinking there must have been a previous book and this was a follow on in the series. It was briefly mentioned France's husband Peter had been living a double life and had a son to his mistress. They were killed in a car accident and Frances took the child in Alison did something which caused Frances factory to close down. It wasn't explained what sort of Factory it was or what Alison did????? Theresa the school teacher had some sort of shady past again unexplained. The vicar's wife almost had an affair with an air force officer. why?? The doctors youngest daughter was kicked out of the WAAF after having an affair with a married officer. What happened ???? How and where did Pat meet Marek. What was their storey?I felt like all of these little bits of information must have been the basis of another book. When I read the next two books everything was explained in a vague sort of wayAs I said I thoroughly enjoyed all the books. Such a shame the BBC didn't do a follow up series th at least see how Bob got his come uppance!

Stumbled across Home Fires recently on UKTV Play and really loved it - great characters, strong story lines and wonderful period detail - if you told me I'd be interested in the ramifications of the WI in early WW2 I would have called you crackers and I would have been wrong. However, after two series, the powers that be at ITV decided that they wanted a younger audience so this excellent series bit the dust alongside Foyle's War. Cue the writer to come up with three books to continue the sage and this first one is, in many ways, evenmore absorbing than the TV version as it allows greater character development and story depth. It picks up where the TV series ended. I'm a man in his late 60's who enjoys good writing and I believe this is just that. I shall certainly be buying the next two books in the series.