The Gathering Storm
Harrod-Eagles signs off on her Morland Dynasty in this highly anticipated 36th book. Not having read any of the previous books, it took a few chapters for me to become familiar with the wide-spread family, even with the family tree provided —the Morland Place occupants in Yorkshire, and the London and American branches. It’s 1936. Wallis Simpson, Edward VIII and the abdication have less than flattering roles. Hollywood epics, the rise of television, the Spanish Civil War, and the hallmark moments leading up to WWII, feature with research that Harrod-Eagles utilises with easy authority. It required no effort to be drawn into those dark times, when the threat of another war was topped only by a general belief that there wouldn’t be one. How the characters cope with the ominous signs is a strong element of the novel.
Interwoven stories centre mainly on widowed Polly Alexander-Morland, now in charge of Morland Place; Lennox Manning in America, babysitting his cousin, Rose, a flighty Hollywood actress who, after a marital breakdown, is busy throwing her life to the wolves; Polly’s brother James, working in Paris but returning home after finding himself unlucky in love; and Basil Morland, attempting to live the life of the idle rich, while convincing his family he’s looking for work. However, finding such work matures him in a way he doesn’t expect, his character arc being the most rewarding for me. Romantic episodes are scattered throughout, but the novel isn’t overwhelmed by them, which is one of the many aspects I liked.
A review of Harrod-Eagles’ 100th novel should perhaps include a quotation appropriate to the times: “Every new generation thinks they’re the first people to tread the earth. I’d make studying history compulsory for politicians. At least five years of it.” With the exception of a few small mentions, the novel can stand alone.
