The Picture Book holds pictures with clues to a family's past - postcards sent home by a sailor, and photographs taken over the years. This is a family saga set in London between the First World War and 7 July 2005, specifically that day when the reality of international conflict was brought home to our capital in such a terrible and terrifying way.

I found the first part of the book, about William, the First World War and Gallipoli, a bit shadowy, but it got more interesting with the stories of his widow and son in the 1920s and up to the Second World War. Jo Baker is good at using historical detail to evoke the period, and explores the thoughts and feelings, imaginatively and convincingly engaging with how people might have felt. There are some rather clunky sentences dropped in, statements about the eternal events of death and life and love.

Still, I enjoyed reading this, Jo Baker's 4th novel, and will be looking out for the first 3.

Reviewed via the Amazon Vine program on 16 November 2011. ( )

This was a very strong novel with just one flaw, and that would be the inclusion of the character Sully. He was such an insignificant man, with one little secret, and yet he would appear into the story every decade or so and cause major upheavals to the lives of the main characters. It just didn't ring true, and it was when he Finally completely disappeared from the story that the novel really began to shine. Loved the ending ! ( )

Beautifully written story of a family over four generations. Deals with loveloss betrayal with the common thread being a book of postcards handed down over the generations ( )

good read, but nothing too exciting. Spans 4 generations starting from 1914 following William, Billy, Will than Billie. Its about each main character and their lives, including choices made in major relationships and their ways in life.

Great book. So interesting and well written ( )