This definitely was not the typical WWII story that I usually read. The writing was excellent, I did not, however, like most of the characters. I think that is the way that it was supposed to be...

I did not find myself warming up to anyone. I did enjoy being on the "other side" and trying to understand how they got there.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Pegasus Books for this advanced readers copy. This is scheduled for release in May 2019.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pegasus Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In 1938, Phyllis Forrester returns to England with her husband and children after living abroad for many years. Phyllis and her husband soon find themselves drawn into a new political movement that the British government does not like. This eventually leads to Phyllis being imprisoned. The story is told from the perspective of Phyllis in 1979 alternating with a third-person narrative of events starting in 1938.


What I did like about this book was that I learned something. I’ve read several historical fiction books set near the WW2 time period, but I had never heard of these particular events in England’s history during that time.

Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into the story. Somewhere after the halfway point I thought it was getting better but then it lost me again. I didn’t find the characters likable or that interesting.

So while I wasn’t thrilled with this book, I definitely appreciate that it led me to look up some things and learn something new. And I always say that if the synopsis sparks your interest, give it a go! This is just my little old opinion.

When I read the synopsis I was intrigued by this book. However, when I began reading it, it failed to spark my interest. I didn't connect with the story nor with any of the characters. The author didn't provide much of a historical note at the end, either, which didn't add to my interest. This one was a pass for me.

I don’t know why but I just couldn’t get into this book, which is odd for me because the late 1930s is one of my favorite time periods to read about, especially England in the 1930s. So much happened in Europe, as a whole, during that time. In a lot of ways, it parallel’s what is currently taking place.

I think, maybe one reason I didn’t really like this book was that I couldn’t find any character that was either likable or relatable, and every time they laughed or mocked someone I kept seeing James William Bottomtooth III from “The Family Guy.”

I do hope this book comes out on audible, sometimes I fair better when I listen to the book instead. I’d be willing to try again

A woman is imprisoned after associating with people not in line with British wartime. This book describes what happened before her imprisonment with scattered chapters of her life after imprisonment.

<I>After the Party</i> by Cressida Connolly is set in England as Europe appears to be entering another vast war, thanks to a facist regime taking over in Germany. The central character, Phyllis Forrester, returns to her home country after living abroad with her family for many years for her husband's (Hugh's) career. Upon his retirement, the return to an area close to her two sisters, and quickly become involved in local politics and family life. As Phyllis makes friends and delves into the local social life, their involvement with "The Leader" leads them down a more political path with the "peace" movement. Told in alternating voice, of Phyllis in 1979 and third person narration in 1938, we know from the first chapter that Phyllis was at one time jailed, but not for what crime. I found the end result a bit of a let down on that front, but it did help to set the historical scene and fill in the facts of the time period.

A good read which educated a bit on a period of British history, it made me curious to read more non-fiction about the time period and Movement. Recommended.

This book was received as an ARC from Pegasus Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Historical fiction has become a popular genre in our library and After the Party does it like none other. Telling the story of Phyllis Forrester who has returned to England with new thoughts and theories she has picked up from her studies. Sharing her work at a party costed her imprisonment due to the new leader and the laws put in place to revive England to its former glory. Surviving and making her way through prison, Phyllis learns a lot about herself and how strong she really is and how her actions would change the world forever. It was so interesting reading this book for learning about different cultures around the world. I know our patrons are bound to love this book.

We will consider adding this title to our Historical Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

So hard to like the characters, I only liked one! I didn’t like how the main character took no responsibility for her life ... some interesting historical aspects but didn’t learn as much as I would have liked since Connelly didn’t get into much about fascism or Oswald (intentionally but I know nothing about this...)

It definitely is the story seen through one woman’s perspective, Connelly really made you walk her in shoes. The story was alright but it wasn’t screaming for me to pick it up.

I enjoyed After The Party a lot! It was an interesting work of historical fiction, told partly as reminiscence, and I love any book that makes me do some research on the back-end because I had no idea anything close to a fascist movement existed in Britain during the 1930s & 40s, although in retrospect it doesn’t seem so surprising. I think it’s a particularly interesting read at the current political moment (as so many countries turn inward and reject international efforts of peacekeeping) as the characters in this book have very calm fascist and nationalist thoughts without realizing that those thoughts could become increasingly dangerous, should they snowball. In fact in one horrifying moment, the protagonist rejects the League of Nations and defends Mussolini as better than Hitler by arguing that Britain might have benefited from a Mussolini-type ruler in the 1930s — something clearly horrifying to a modern reader.

Phyllis Forrester, a contently married upper-class woman with three children, is excited to be moving back to England, but even more grateful to be moving near to her two older sisters, Patricia and Nina, and their families. When Nina gets Phyllis and her children involved in a political summer camp, Phyllis doesn’t see much wrong with it — and she’s delighted that her husband seems to be happily occupying himself in the party matters of Sir Oswald Mosley. However, when she and her husband are arrested as war breaks across Europe, Phyllis quickly realizes that the British government and the majority of citizens views her political beliefs — of a Greater Britain that protects itself first and foremost — as traitorous. Yet even when imprisoned, Phyllis refuses to recant her belief that Mosley is not a fascist, but merely the right man to lead Britain away from a second world war — so what will happen to her next?

It was a page-turner type of novel, so it’s a fairly quick read and definitely full of suspense and intrigue, peppered with smaller characters that prove just as interesting as the protagonists. I also enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek title, referring both to the drama and gossip that happens after “parties” of the British upper classes but also the drama and gossip that occurs in Phyllis’s own life after her brief involvement with the political party. This edition comes out in May!

I didn't enjoy After the Party as much as I thought I would. The premise of the story is intriguing, an account of how imprisonment happened. It's slow going and felt bogged down. There are many extraneous details that detract from the heart of the story. Society is a ruthless beast that turns on a dime, and I wanted to feel more of that. It's terrible how terrible life can be. It's not something to disguise with parties and fun. The story is well written, just lacking a bit of substance. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this novel. I was quite intrigued and eagerly sped through it, trying to figure out what might happen next. This book was heartfelt, engaging and I’m so pleased to have been given an advanced reader copy from the publisher and NetGalley.

In 1979 Phyllis Forrester is being interviewed about her experiences in the late 1930s and during World War II. It’s clear the interviewer wants to focus on the hot stuff; the fact that Phyllis and her husband Hugh were members of the British Union of Fascists (“BUF”) and were interned during the war years because of it. And Phyllis is willing to talk about that, but she wants to talk about it all, her family, friends, circumstances and beliefs. And that’s what we do in this novel, going back to the pre-war and war years and then returning to the 1979 interview and Phyllis’s observations about it all.

Phyllis is such a nice woman, everyone says so. And it’s true, in the sense that she likes to get along with people and not make waves. She feels strongly that Britain should avoid another war and that a leader is needed to ensure that Britain remains strong and unentangled with foreigners and socialists. Phyllis’s sister Nina and her husband are already deeply involved with the BUF, running a coastal summer camp for children and adults to which the Leader himself, Oswald Mosley, is occasionally a visitor. Phyllis is gradually drawn into BUF work and makes friends among the middle class types in the area who share its values.

Phyllis is appalled when her daughter, a camper, is caught painting the BUF logo and “PJ” (for “Perish Judah”) on the side of a building in town. That’s not what nice people do, especially not people of their class. And she doesn’t want anyone to perish, even though she can’t argue with Nina’s assertion that the Jews have far too much international influence.

Phyllis is the classic type of person for whom only personal experience within her narrow world is real, someone who avoids unpleasant knowledge that would interfere with her views. And haven’t we seen plenty of them in today’s political world just as much as 75-80 years ago? This portrait of Phyllis shows how ignorance and complacency can lead to complicity with divisive and hateful political movements.

Although this was a compelling read for me, it took some getting into. I didn’t feel like I got my footing with it until nearly halfway through. And I was already very familiar with the history of the BUF, its membership and Oswald Mosley. If I hadn’t had that background knowledge, I might have been completely at sea—though I like to think that Connolly’s understated but evocative style would have kept me going. I think it would be worthwhile for a reader who doesn’t have that background knowledge to read up on Wikipedia about the BUF and Oswald Mosley. You might also check out Diana Mitford, who was married to Mosley, because even though she was of a considerably higher social class than Phyllis, there is much about Mitford’s attitudes and experiences that are also reflected in Phyllis’s character.

WARNING: Early in the book there is a disturbing scene of animal cruelty (not involving Phyllis). What makes it additionally upsetting is that it’s not necessary to the plot. It’s the product of yet another writer using animal cruelty as a shorthand way of showing character degeneracy.

Phyllis, her husband and 2 children have just moved back to the English countryside after living abroad for several years. Where will they live? Who will their friends be? Where will Hugh find meaningful work? Fortunately, she has 2 sisters living in the area. It’s a time of unrest in England and Europe. Phyllis and Hugh go to meeting and associate with individuals following the resistance. This leads to them being imprisoned for years. They lose everything and find out how unforgiving society truly is. This is a story of ordinary people who are influenced by political movements. Life is not always pretty. We have to remember what is truly important.

In the summer of 1938, Phyllis, after years abroad, returns with her family to England. For a moment, she moves with her family into her sister’s imposing house.

Patricia lives in a grand country house. She always knew what she wanted. A dashing man, “who could produce for her a world of dances and banter and fun; of long curving banisters (…) and lovely clothes; (…) and enclosed world…”

The other sister Nina is quite opposite; practical and a skillful organizer maximizing benefits for the community.

Nina involves Phyllis in summer camp tasks. On the other hand, Patricia pulls Phyllis into their small, privileged circle filled with idealistic beliefs.

The story alternates between 1938 and 1979, when Phyllis gets released from the prison and recounts events leading to her imprisonment.

The story is skillfully written, but at the same time the events leading to her imprisonment are slowly progressing and are overpowered by the trivial events, mostly parties. Thus, making you feel unsettle, wanting more from the story.