Forgotten Laughter

by Marcia Willett

When Louise Parry arrives at Foxhole for her summer holiday, she is welcomed by kind, sensitive Brigid Foster and her incorrigible, elderly mother, Frummie. Amid the peace of Dartmoor, Louise tries to forget the haunting memories from her past but an unexpected visitor forces her to remember.

Genres: Romance

442 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2002

About the author

Marcia Willett began her career as a novelist when she was fifty years old. Since that first novel Marcia has written twenty more under her own name as well as a number of short stories. She has also written four books under the pseudonym "Willa Marsh", and is published in more than sixteen countries.
Marcia Willett's early life was devoted to the ballet, but her dreams of becoming a ballerina ended when she grew out of the classical proportions required. She had always loved books, and a family crisis made her take up a new career as a novelist - a decision she had never regretted.

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of repetition of one of the character's problems and that got to me. The ending was surprising in that one of the characters suddenly goes off to a place where he had never spoken of before. I'm trying not to give anything away!! Still, it was a good easy read.

However, one of the crusty old women said something I think is true: "Children require to be praised and lauded for simply existing and adults have to be awarded prizes for being merely adequate. Standards must be lowered lest anyone should fail and excellence is diluted down and shared out amongst footballers, those who acquire wealth through bully-boy tactics or talentless musicians. These are our icons in a society of wishy-washy political correctness. I cannot abide it."

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this old one during a loft clear out- read the first two pages and was hooked! Easy going aga saga but with depth. Good storyline and brilliant, believable, characterisation. Slightly predictable plot in parts but all in all .......unputdownable :)

[Jane Gregg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aga-saga-cum-lauda

[Louise]

Français - Entre rires et larmes

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this book at first, it seemed very dated, however, it did grow on me and while I don't think that its one of her best I ended up quite pleased with it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the same book, different title, as A Summer In The Country.

I absolutely LOVED Alexander! His best question, repeated often, was "does it matter?" The answer was almost always, "No, it really doesn't." He was able to calm many characters with that question. Most of the characters seemed to become better people as they became better friends with each other.
**Favorite quote:
"We probe about too much these days . . . Everyone wants to be a counselor, amateur or otherwise. It isn't always good to delve about in our inner psyches; sometimes it's better just to shut up and get on with life."

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several of this authors books and not one has disappointed me yet, really well written and set in a lovely part of the UK.

Brigid is happy in her home, her husband is in the Navy and works away most of the time but she runs a small holiday cottage let business on her property, her Mum (Frummie) needs somewhere to live so takes kn of the cottages, leaving the other for letting.

Louise has a set reservation for twice a year, she arrives with a secret and when things unravel Bridie and Frummie are there to help.

Love, loss, happiness and sadness all feature in this book, well written and easy to read.

[Valerie Dashwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comfort

As usual Marcia Willett draws you in to comfort and homeliness . You get so into the characters and their lives and almost feel part of It all. Her books always make you feel good and positive about life.

[Barbara Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This book was a wonderful combination of descriptions. Descriptions of Dartmore. Descriptions of people. Most importantly descriptions of emotions. It really reached into me and spoke of people's longings and fears, and then the solutions. Brilliant

[Lilian okane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly.loving tale of friends nd family troubles nd secrets solved by love nd understanding .

The exquisite descriptive landscape draws you in to mindfulness and the poem says it all what a joy of a book.

[Amber Tokeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugely satisfying

As always, Willett writes with great sensitivity and empathy about family and relationships. An absorbing read set in the Devon landscape she clearly knows and loves.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcia Willett has a way of having Characters come to life
I have purchased several Marcia Willett novels. I have only read one but a good one. The rest of my purchases were for a relative who after ready keeps them in her library just in case I get around to them.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s taken some time to finish this book and I felt it dragged in parts. However, the gentle wisdom and the plot development leaves me with a warm feeling of having spent time with good friends. It’s good to see characters developing at whatever age!

[Trine K. Christensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

at least when the zombie apocalypse comes I'll have something to burn.. -.-

[Ian McNair · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull and boring. I didn't care enough about the characters and I cared less about what happened to them. It was a struggle to read. Sorry Marcia, you are no Rosamunde Pilcher.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just realized I forgot to enter my finish date. Again with M.W. books I loved it. There is something about her characters that draw me in and this one didn't fail.

[H.E.Darvill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absorbing thoughtful story

Marcia Willet's stories always have depth in them that make a satisfactory read. Human problems laid bare and so!ved in a way that makes you think.

[Donna Mcnab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcia Willett comes up with such lovely and interesting characters that they make her books quite personal. Of course the wonderful description of the English countryside adds so much to her tales.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Also published as "Summer In the Country"

[Kathy Spann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brigid is waiting for her Navy husband Humphrey to come home meanwhile she has her mom Frummie who deserted her years ago.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Bernie Whittle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite Marcia Willett books. Another one I’ve just re-read.

[Ruby Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most enjoyable book I have read. Too much content of little substance. I started getting bored. Still bearable though!

[Patricia Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joy to meander through this lovely story.

Love this author so pleased to have found her. I've read 3 books already and can't wait to start another.

[Caro (carosbookcase) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Brigid knew that Martin Parry spent a fortnight twice a year on golfing holidays with three of his oldest friends and, at those times, Louise travelled to Devon for her own holiday. She liked to walk and was fascinated by the flora and fauna of the West Country, and if it seemed odd that she should prefer to do it alone it was no one's business but her own.” — Forgotten Laughter (a.k.a. A Summer in the Country ) by Marcia Willett

Despite the peaceful Dartmoor setting, Louise is haunted by memories of her past, memories that are forced to the surface through the events of her trip.

Marcia Willett describes family life and found family particularly well in her books, and this one is no exception. I appreciated how even the characters that have made seemingly unforgivable choices in the past are treated with compassion. An important reminder that even if we think we know all about a person, we may not have the full story. Redemption can be found in the parts of the story to which we haven’t been privy.

This was such a good book, full of friendship, laughter, and the rebuilding of relationships.

The book begins in May and runs through the summer and autumn to end in December. Most of the action takes place in the warmer months, making it the ideal late spring or summer read.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I read this novel, I thought it long-winded with too many flashbacks. However, on re-reading recently I enjoyed it considerably more. It's about Brigid, a middle-aged woman who isn't really looking forward to her husband's retirement, and Louise, who is pretty sure her partner is being unfaithful to her. Louise also has a traumatic secret in her past, and Brigid has a looming financial problem, which she doesn't want to tell her husband about.

These main characters are sympathetic and likeable, and there are some other delightful people in the book, including one or two who have also appeared in earlier novels by Marcia Willetts. I did find one or two of the characters rather unlikely - particularly Louise's partner, who appears to undergo a total transformation part-way through - but overall I thought it a good light read. Recommended to anyone who enjoys character-driven gentle novels.

[Margaret]

The characters in this book grew on me and by the end of the book I felt like we were old friends. And although I've never been to Devon, I've traveled through the English countryside and can imagine the lovely setting. The only negative thing I can say about this book is that the ending was just a little bit too happy for me.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read - enjoyed it.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice happy ending

[Katie Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An old favourite. Soul food for a very trying week.
Later: Every time I read this I take something new from it.