Looking Forward

Chadwick Family #1

by Marcia Willett

When Felicia, Sam and Susanna's parents and older brother are killed in Kenya, the three children are sent to their grandmother Frederica "Freddy" Chadwick in Devon.

Freddy has experienced a lot of sadness and pain in her life, and she would be helpless without her two devoted servants, Ellen and Fox, who also help and support her in this difficult time. Freddy's brother-in-law, Theo, a minister, is also ready to help, while her three grandchildren try to find a way out of the grief to move forward in life.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, British Literature, 20th Century, Novels, Childrens

First published December 3, 1998

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

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“‘Now we go on,’ he told her, ‘because there is really no beginning or end. No starts and finishes. There are only small plateaux where we may stop for a moment to enjoy the view so as to refresh ourselves for the next struggle.’”

Family sagas are one of my very favorite types of books and this first entry in the Chadwick Family Chronicles is a new favorite. I adored the entire Chadwick family and all their trials, tribulations, joys, and triumphs. I can not wait to dive into the next book. This book was an absolute wonder and I hugged it when I finished it.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what it is about Marcia Willett books...it could be the proper manners of the British, could be all the tea drinking and scones, could be the gorgeous descriptions of the gardens and the coast. Whatever it is, she is a great story teller. This is the first book of a 3 book series and I am looking forward to the next piece of the Chadwick Family Chronicles!

[Carolynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed all that I have read of Marcia Willett's books, but this trilogy is possibly my favorite group. I like how the characters interconnect with others in other novels (rather like Maeve Binchy), which reveals different aspects of the characters.

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

He did the only thing that ever helped him to come to a difficult decision: he emptied his mind and prayed silently for help. It came swiftly. He saw clearly how the time might not only be too early but also and just as fatally - too late; that in continuing to wait for the right moment, this love they shared might disintegrate, go bad on them, even die. He knew a brief confident certainty but Freddy was already turning away.

— Looking Forward by Marcia Willett.

Looking Forward is the first book in Marcia Willett’s Chadwick Family Chronicles. It also happens to be my favourite book of hers.

It is a book in four parts, traversing the seasons and the early years of the Chadwick Family in summer 1957, autumn 1961, winter 1965, and spring 1970.

As I was reading, it reminded me of Elizabeth Jane Howard’s Cazalet Chronicles and Rosamunde Pilcher’s longer books. I can’t speak to the rest of this series, as I’m still reading the second book, but this one does not tackle some of the more distressing subject matter that Pilcher and Howard’s books do. The characters do grieve and suffer losses. But death tends to happen off the page.

If you like family sagas that span the years this one might be for you. There are a lot of characters and generations, but the book contains a family tree which is very helpful at the beginning. It isn’t a bit difficult to keep track of everyone later on. Every character is fully formed and vivid.

A word of warning: If you do pick this book up (and I very highly recommend that you do!), have a copy of book two available. The title of that one is Holding On . You will want to start in on it as soon as you flip the last page of this one. I know I did!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Goodreads algorithm, for recommending this book to me because I liked Rosamunde Pilcher's Coming Home. I just loved this book, which chronicles the life of the Chadwick family from 1957 to 1970, starting when three of widowed Frederica "Freddy" Chadwick's young grandchildren come to live with her on her estate in Devon after the tragic and traumatic deaths of their parents and older brother. From there we get to know the extended family and those who work for them, experiencing the ups and downs of their lives. I grew to love the whole family and became very invested in seeing how things would turn out for them.

In addition to the family dynamics, I was drawn in by the vibrant sense of place - the Chadwicks' home, The Keep, is almost a character in itself, and the surrounding countryside and nature is beautifully described in Willett's writing. I also loved the cozy domestic details of delicious teas and dinners, picnics at the shore, long walks in the morning mist, classical music permeating the house as Freddy played the piano, the generations of dogs for the children to play with...it was all so immersive and enjoyable.

I definitely recommend this one and can't wait to carry on with the next book in the series. The Chadwicks feel like friends now and I need to know what happens to them next.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It had given [Freddie] a kind of fierce satisfaction to reject his faith, to mock at him; yet how little satisfaction he’d given her.
‘I don’t think you care about saving my soul,’ she’d said to him [Theo] once.
‘Your soul is God’s affair, not mine.’ he’d answered ‘It’s not a contest, Freddy. You have free will.’
She’d felt snubbed, considering her soul to be something rather special that God was waiting for with bated breath, as an ornament to add to His glory.”

The book begins with three children waiting alone at a train station for their grandmother to pick them up and take them to their new home, the Keep, in Devon, England. We soon learn that they are orphans. Their parents and beloved older brother have been hideously slaughtered in Africa during the Mau-Mau rebellion. Right away, we are invested in the fates of serious and responsible 10-year-old Fliss and her psychologically damaged 6-year-old brother Sam (Mole.) There is also Susanna who is just a toddler. We come to intimately know their new family: their strong and loving Grandmother, the wise and kind Great Uncle Theo, an Anglican priest, and the two devoted retainers, Ellen and Fox. Later, Caroline is hired to be their Nanny. She quickly becomes an invaluable part of the family circle as well. We soon meet 3 other key characters: their older twin cousins, Hal and Kit (children of their father’s twin brother), and their mother, widowed Aunt Prue, who is good-hearted but rather flighty and silly.

The book is divided into 4 parts, each approximately 3 years apart. Marcia writes poignantly, amusingly, and sometimes beautifully of the lives and relationships, growing pains, love affairs, and dramas of all 3 generations. In her deft characterizations, she often does not take the easy obvious path. Your expectations are set up for one thing to happen, but things don’t go according to the way they might have if the characters were not as kind, smart, and sensitive as they are. Oh, they are flawed. They struggle. There is plenty of heartbreak as well as joy. And the reader is right there with them. We are not on the outside looking in. Marcia Willett is a talented writer.

By the end of the book, two marriages are in the offing, Mole has gone a long way to gain control of his fears and become a successful adult. Free-spirit Kit is footloose and fancy-free, and Susanna is a charming and popular teenager. We are left a little doubtful about the prospects of Fliss and Hal. There are still some questions as to whether their chosen paths are going to work out. There is still a secret between the two of the seniors. It definitely leaves us anticipating the continuation of the Chadwick's stories.

https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cozy, thoroughly readable story! Marcia Willett writes so competently, and the reader soon comes to care about these endearing characters, their surroundings as well as their fates. She has been likened to Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy, two much loved authors, and I did find a similar vibration in her writing. A poignant theme seemed to be the tie between generations, as well as wistfulness about those who had come before and those who would follow. Looking Forward, the first of the three Chadwick Chronicles, was rich and comfortable, wrought with a subtle humor! It was a treat to remember that I hadn’t yet finished, such was the depth of my enjoyment! The author’s keen sense of her surroundings was evident. How much the natural beauty of the English countryside, as well as the different seasons in both life and nature contributed to the finely finished product! Particularly striking was the following passage. ‘The moonlight cast dark bars across the carpet, filling the room with an unearthly light…………….. Outside, pure white brilliance poured down on the silent countryside, robbing it of any depth of color. Trees and hedges were etched black against the ghostly grey of grass and the moon itself was cold and white, reducing the stars to mere pinpricks of light. The small pale patchwork of fields stretched away to the black horizon, but below in the valley, the mist was rising. It curled up, wispy and ethereal, wreathing round the dark boles of trees, floating above hedges, drifting against the hillside.’ I’m so happy to have more chronicles in store!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost didn't read this, thinking that because I read the second book in the trilogy first, I could easily skip this book. I'm so glad I changed my mind. The writing is good, and the characters are so much better after having reading about their early years. Willett knows how to develop the ins and outs of relationships between family members, friends, and men and women. She's a good find for anyone who enjoys books by Rosamunde Pilcher or D.E. Stevenson.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in a series by this author, who I have not previously read. The story centers on the Chadwick family and takes place in the years after the Second World War. Freddy (Fredericka), the matriarch of the family, has been deeply touched by tragedy having lost her husband and her sons in the violence of WWI, WWII and, more recently, in Africa. This is the story of their grief and their ongoing survival with the help of Freddy, her brother in law, the trusty long serving hired help, and within the safety of the family home in the Devon countryside.

Very much in the style of Rosamunde Pilcher, Maeve Binchy and authors of such character driven novels, I found this a gentle tale, rambling and somewhat slow, full of very English, very 'nice' characters. At over 400 pages, it was a novel I needed to read in tandem with something a little more gritty.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My very first Marcia Willett novel, but definitely not my last. I absolutely, thoroughly enjoyed this book!

The writing style exuded so much warmth and coziness and was a gentle sort of storytelling. There were lots of domestic details and beautiful descriptions of the English countryside, as well as The Keep, the family home, which was a character totally on its own. With every turn of the page, you were invited to step deeper into the Chadwick family's world, and a wonderful world it is. Despite the family going through life's ups and downs, they are truly there for one another, as is The Keep...their foundation and rooted place where they all come together and comfort, encourage, challenge, and laugh and cry with one another.

With a cast of characters, this book was written in such a way that each one had their own unique storyline, and each character appeared on the page often enough so that you never forgot who was who or what was going on with that particular person. I loved that I never felt lost or confused while reading about so many characters.

I loved Fliss as an older sister so much. The way she cared for and protected Mole and Susanna was deep and sincere. Theo offered much wise encouragement and sometimes a bit of a differing opinion to Freddy, making her see things from a new perspective. And, then, of course, Freddy herself. What a wonderfully caring, loving, protective Grandmother she was. I especially loved her strength and protectiveness over her entire family. A truly inspiring character. I also adored Caroline, Ellen, and Fox, the devoted servants to the Chadwick family. Though so much more than mere servants, they were a true part of the family, and that was such a sweet aspect of the story.

Though this book went through many years (about 13), it also followed the seasons, which made for extra cozy and fun reading. I do wish, however, that there had been more detailed Christmas scenes and such. Maybe the other books in the series offer this???

This was such an easy book to read, and hard to put down. It was a comforting, healing sort of read, with bits of melancholy here and there, funny bits, and just loads of heartwarming moments. I sincerely loved this one, even more than I thought I would...and I look forward to reading the rest of the Chadwick family chronicles.

I did, however, have a few smallish caveats...which is why I rated this book 4.5 stars. Nothing too big or major, but a few things that I did note.

Possible spoilers below...none too big or major to the story, but if you don't want to know about specifics, don't read on.

Kit's loose (and lack of) morals and overall flirtatious demeanor was such an annoying aspect of the story to me. I did not like how teenage intimacy was so flippantly dealt with and not really seen to be wrong in any way. The same goes for her mother, Prue. She was quite a desperate woman, sleeping with a man who she knew had major red flags and whatnot. I didn't care for these loosie-goosy characters. Prue did mature as the story went on, but a forty-something year old woman should honestly know better.

I knew going into this book that it had a relationship in which two cousins (a male and a female) were attracted to each other and very much in love. If I had not known that, it would have been quite a shock! That was a bit too weird for my liking. There was also a small scene in which the male cousin noticed how his female cousin/love interest had matured physically and his thoughts and response to that was, in my opinion, inappropriate and perverted. Completely taking away her dignity as a person. Just didn't line up with my personal morals.

And my final "issue" was the age-gap relationship that eventually developed between Fliss and Miles. With Fliss being barely over 20 (and a teenager of around 15 when Miles first showed interest), an age-gap relationship of about 20 or so years just didn't sit well with me. I felt that Miles took advantage of her at times physically, and though he seemed nice enough, I didn't find it appropriate. Again, this just doesn't line up with my personal morals.

Overall, I loved this story, but I did have a few issues. Nothing too major and certainly not anything to hinder me from continuing on with the series. Just enough to take it from 5 stars to 4.5 for me.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can understand the comments that the plot is slow, but that is the point of this book for me. We are being introduced to an extended family and these emotional connections are key.
Anyone who has ever anticipated grief in losing someone, (don’t we all), will feel a connection here.
The story follows 5 cousins through their adolescence and childhoods being guided by the matriarch, Freddy. The relationships between generations are poignant for me. This is a slow burn so if you absolutely need plot-driven writing, this will probably not be for you. For me, it blends both plot and character-driven genres extremely well.
I am excited to read the next instalment.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

These characters are so easy to love! I'm glad this is only the first of a series.

[Karen Paap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Väga meeldis, soovitused.

[Carolyn Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars, really. When I'm in the mood for a retreat to the English countryside with likeable characters, I check to see if there's a Marcia Willett book I haven't read. Turns out there was a series, The Chadwick Family Chronicles, which was published in the UK, but not the US. So, I ordered copies for a dollar off the internet. This is the first in the series. The period of this section of the saga is primarily the 1960's, so the children in the book are roughly contemporaries of mine. However, the childhood at an estate house on the coast of Devon, England is quite different from that in a suburban ranch house in the US. That's probably why I'm so enchanted with English books. This is a gentle, slow-moving story that unfolds through the years. There's not much action, mostly the coming of age of three orphaned children and their cousins. The violent tragedy that opens the book is only referenced, not told, so though there was a brutally violent incident that sets the events in motion, the plot is fairly placid from then on, dealing with domestic and relationship issues. If you're in the mood for a book that is more about character than plot, and enjoy a leisurely read while being transported to England in the 60's, then I'd recommend Looking Forward.

[Maria Elmvang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcia Willett has been compared to Rosamunde Pilcher, and with good reason. This first book in the Chadwick saga reads a lot like what I've come to expect from RP's books. And that's a good thing :) It was rather slow-moving, but not in a way that made it boring, but just to emphasise the atmosphere of the book as being relaxed and unpretentious. It's the first in a trilogy (I think) and I'm looking forward to reading the other two, as you really get to love the family.

[Kathryn Bashaar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy, pleasant read with appealing characters. My complaint is that the really interesting thing - a grisly, brutal murder - happens "off stage" and the story is about the healing of the surviving children. The book was just a little too light and gentle for me, not the sort of thing I usually read. But it was a nice diversion, and I will read the next two books in the series.

[Terri Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a nice, well-told story about a family and their struggles and triumphs. My first Marcia Willett, but definitely not my last.

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed this and excited to find it's the first of a trilogy as I'm intrigued to know what happens next to the characters I've come to care about. Idyllic setting & real escapism.

[Louise Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Such professional writing and storytelling. I'm really looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Linda Georges · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the Chadwick series. I will miss her writing so much, was heartbroken to hear she died in 2022. I wrote to her after reading the 2nd book in the series and told her that the Chadwick family had gotten me through some pretty dark days and she responded quickly and we sort of wrote to each other now and again. In the Chadwick series she’s just made a family anyone would want to be part of and it’s not always fair sailing, but they make do and they are real people (in my mind). I was so excited to just get the novella of the Chadwicks updating everyone just before she passed away. Such special books. I’ve read all of them twice.

[Lisbeth Zabihi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oplæser: Nan Rostock ****
OK oplæsning.

Jeg har tidligere læst Chadwick triologien og har længe gerne villet genlæse den. Og nu skulle det så være. En dejlig læseoplevelse - det er det jo altid med Marcia Willetts romaner.

Vi følger familien Chadwick. Familien består af de tre søskende Flis, Mole og Susanna. Desuden er der bedstemor Freddy og onkel Theo. I køkkenregionen møder vi Ellen og Fox. Desuden er der Freddys svigerdatter og hendes to børn.

[Donna Mcnab · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this book quite as much as the first two Marcia Willett books that I have read, although it had a good story of family challenges and interactions, and great descriptions of the English scenery, etc. I expect that this book was setting the scene for the following books in this series, which I will read.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of a four book series, this is first one-a chronicle of the Chadwick family. I read it in three days! Similar to Rosamunde Pilcher it is a saga, a story of family and relationships, dreams and losses. I personally love her descriptions of nature and beauty in the English country side. I look forward to Book #2 and will probably finish it on a snow day!

[Carol Eshaghy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one in the Chadwick Family chronicles. Just a good read set in the English countryside, with memorable characters and a good plot. Her style is similar to Rosamunde Pilcher. A family saga featuring matriarch Freddy and the grandchildren left in her care as a result of a tragedy. Can’t wait to read book two.

[anthony gosling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

An extremely enjoyable, moving story. Can't wait to read the second book in this series. Willett uses such beautiful language bringing each character to life. Thoroughly recommend this book.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 actually. The book touches lot of subtle human emotions and feelings. But the quality of the narration takes a plunge towards the end. The way everyone is made to sacrifice their love and made to live a double life is quite repetitive and sometimes annoying.

[Ruth Newcombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like going home.

I love this series by Marcia Willett - I first read them years ago and when I came across them again it was like meeting old friends. As a “Devonshire maid” now living at the opposite end of the country, these books evoke all sorts of memories of my home county!

[Carolyn Agosta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this multi-generational family story very much. Reminded me a lot of books by Rosamunde Pilcher or Angela Thirkell. This is my first book by Marcia Willett, but it will definitely not be the last. I have already ordered a copy of the next book in the Chadwick family series, Holding On.

[Ina Mann · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s the most boring book I have read in a long time and I didn’t finish it. Absolutely nothing happened.

[Katie Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

One I've read before but trying to tie up ends with the latest novel and give myself an uplifting read when I'm feeling a bit stressed. Love the religious thread running through Willet's novels.