This book has flaws that make it a product of its time (the 1950s), such as matter of fact racism, acceptance/encouragement of nonconsensual relationships, and fat shaming. To look beyond those not inconsiderable problems, however, there is an interesting study of depression and the conflict between desire and duty. The book's main strength is the author's characteristic warmth and understanding towards her characters, who are not always likable but certainly multifaceted. ( )

(Thanks to Netgalley and Open Road for providing a free advance copy in return for an honest review.)

This was my first foray into the writing of Madeleine L'Engle, as such I can't contextualise this within the wider scope of her work and many other will be able . I understand that it is one of her earlier works and that her talents are not quite as matured or in evidence in A Winter's Love than in her later and more famous novels but if things are only going to get better from here all I can say is I cannot wait to read more. L'Engle has huge talent and her writing is both thoughtful and effortless, easily beautiful and elegant enough to excuse some minor flaws of plot and character.

Emily and Courtney have relocated their family to the Swiss Alps after Courtney was edged out of his professorship at a US university. Courtney has retreated into himself, disappointed, angry and ashamed but unable to open up to his wife leaving them both feeling isolated and anxious about their marriage. Abe Fielding, an old friend of the family, has also recently arrived, unearthing old, half-acknowledged feelings and possibilities for Emily. Caught in this poignant triangle they grapple with loss and grief, their morals and their desires. These flawed characters are written with beautiful, credible fragility and my heart ached for all three.

In addition to these fraught relationships we come to know the Bowen children, young Connie and adolescent Virginia and Virginia's friend Mimi as well as Abe's teenage son Sam. While still described in gorgeous prose this younger generation is less compelling and their relationships less convincing. Perhaps it is my own age but my connection to them was not as profound.

A Winter's Love is a complex love story about many types of love, marriage, passion, filial love and friendship and L'Engle's quiet, graceful prose reveals the imperfections of all of them and the mistakes and sacrifices they can engender. ( )

Though written in 1957, it could have been written today. Courtney and Emily and their family are in France while Courtney writes a paper. Having left his job, looking for a new one, Courtney shuts out Emily. She finds herself looking for love. Lots of gossip causes a lot of pain.

I liked this book. The prose is beautiful and sucked me into the story. Watching Emily battle to decide to stay or leave her marriage was hard. I wanted the romantic hearts and flowers happy ending but I did not want to see a marriage dissolve. The dream love is there but can she grab it without regret? Emily had tough choices to make as she raises her two daughters. The oldest, Virginia, is a teen home for the holidays and is having her own growing pains as she begins to navigate the world of boys and different ideas. She does not always successfully succeed. Gossip rears its ugly head and causes so many difficulties for those who listen to it and those it is about.

The ending is as edge of the seat as you can get. Everything and everyone is about to lose it. The tension builds and builds. A good literary novel ( )