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The Journal-bookcover

By: Howard H Williams

The Journal

Pages: 512 Ratings: 4.8
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Lying unread for almost a century, Christophe Allarys journal, with its account of the loves and tragedies of this enigmatic man, are suddenly exposed to the sympathetic eye of Harry Evans, adrift and alone in Paris. Unexpectedly, each entry will alter the course of Harrys life and send him searching for the untold events surrounding this forgotten man. From the north to the south of France and to a time when Paris, emerging from a brutal conflict, rediscovers its soul in the Belle Epoque. It exposes the worst in human character and ultimately the best in those in whom Christophe places his trust. As each page reveals its story, so Harry takes faltering steps in parallel with the long-dead author, revealing how the past can still extend its influence, even today.

Born in South Wales, Howard has been in engineering all his working life, living in France and Germany and travelling throughout Europe and North America. With a love of the written word from an early age, he has gained stories and experiences from many places, many of which inform his writing. His love of France, in particular, shines through in this work and its characters.

Customer Reviews
4.8
11 reviews
11 reviews
  • Rowan Stanley

    If you enjoy reading about Family. Love. Intrigue and History, this is the book for you. When Harry Evans is in Paris, one day in 2014 sheltering from the rain, he enters a bookshop. While browsing he finds an old Journal, written by Christophe Allary in 1881. This is where the story starts. I really enjoyed this book, traveling through time, meeting and " living" with so many interesting and loving, and not so loving people. M. Deroy-- kind, high-principled, but no "pushover". The Priest lives with a family secret and finds out why Sylvie's Aunt is so strict. Discovering why The Journal is so important to Annelie's family in the 21st century. A great read-- either on the beach in sunny weather, or by the fire when it is raining.

  • Gareth Roy Saunders

    I have read Howard Williams book "The Journal".
    It is a delightful tale which unfolds from the writings of a 19th Century Frenchman. This story has been discovered in a present day Parisian bookshop by a Welshman whose life moves in parallel with the Journal's author. The refreshing interplay between the two, 100 years apart, is handled most cleverly.

    I found the book most compelling and very hard to put down! It is an expertly written, enthralling, fast moving, exciting tale with twists and turns on every page! A wonderful warm sensitive moving story.
    If ever a tale deserves to be made into a film, this is It!

  • Alice Lamble

    "The Journal" is a sensitive, moving, and enthralling book. The cover gives the impression of intrigue and that is continued throughout the story content of intertwining lives. A Welshman in Paris found the journal of a 19th Century Frenchman and their lives became inextricably linked. For me this book ranked highly, rating ten out of ten. The characters came to life in such a meaningful way. This allowed me to become really engrossed and left me wondering what would happen next. I really enjoyed reading Howard H William's brilliantly written work and will be looking out for his next book.

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