The Echoes Of Love | Jenny Ashcroft

By My Weekly book reviewer Linda Hill

Jenny Ashcroft

In order to review The Echoes of Love, I think the only thing to do is to call on every superlative that can be applied to a sweeping, convincing, immersive story and apply them here.

The Echoes of Love truly embodies sheer perfection in historical, romantic and authentic writing. I thought it was completely wonderful.

Mesmerising and intoxicating

Through mesmerising and intoxicating prose that is varied and compelling, alongside naturalistic dialogue, Jenny Ashcroft creates the same feeling of passion for her story in her reader as Eleni and Otto feel for each other.

Sumptuous descriptions of Crete place the reader firmly on the island. They can feel the heat of the sun, taste the food and see the dramatic scenery.

Very rarely has a book made me want to visit a place so evocatively.

Equally powerful is Jenny Ashcroft’s presentation of life under occupation. She contrasts the time Eleni spends with Otto in their carefree youth with the realism of the war so convincingly that, on occasion, I felt a physical pain at some of the events, having to set the book aside for a while to compose myself.

Extremes of emotion

And yet I couldn’t tear myself away from reading, such was the siren call of the story.

The plot races along with such extremes of emotion from passion, love, loyalty and joy to hatred, despair, betrayal and grief that it makes The Echoes Of Love both unbearable and unmissable.

The narrative is utterly heartbreaking and yet celebrates the spirit of human endurance completely.

I found the structure of the research being conducted by M. Middleton, interspersed between the story proper, held me entranced. I learned so much about the role of Crete during the war.

The reader’s experience is as profound as the character’s

However, historical accuracy, pitch perfect storytelling and wonderful settings aside, it is the love story between Eleni and Otto that is so affecting. The inexorable development of their relationship is never saccharine or cloying. It is presented realistically in a manner that makes the reader experience it every bit as profoundly as they do.

This has the effect of making the highs and lows of the story all the more moving and emotional.

The Echoes of Love is a glorious, sweeping novel not to be missed. I adored it, feel changed by it and am privileged to have read it. I cannot recommend it highly enough.