Books like We that are left by Clare Clark

Set at the family estate of Ellinghurst in 1910, the novel follows sisters Jessica and Phyllis Melville, who hold differing aspirations: Jessica craves the glitter of London debutante society, while Phyllis dreams of attending university. Their paths intersect when Oskar Grunewald, a frequent visitor intrigued by the house, arranges refuge for himself in the estate’s vast library. As the Great War breaks out, the upheaval threatens to upend the sisters’ sheltered existence and challenge the old upper‑class rules that governed their world. Oskar’s presence becomes increasingly intertwined with the sisters’ futures, forcing them to confront new realities and forge new identities amid the changing landscape of England. The novel explores themes of ambition, family secrets, and the transformative impact of war on a quiet upper‑class estate, offering a fresh perspective on this pivotal period of history.

First publish date: 2015