Pastoral (Shute novel) explained

Pastoral is a novel by the English author Nevil Shute.^[1] It was first published in 1944 by Heinemann. Its theme is that even in the midst of war, and among warriors, everyday life, such as romance, will continue.^[2]

Synopsis

Pastoral is a romance set on an English airbase which revolves around the pilot and crew of a Vickers Wellington bomber, their interest in fishing, and the pilot's developing relationship with a young WAAF signals officer.

Reception

After its release the book received reviews from The Washington Post and The New York Times,^[3] the latter of which wrote that the book was "an excellent story and its writer grows in subtlety and skill with each succeeding novel".^[4]

Notes and References

1. News: The Ballad and the Source. By Rosamond Lehmann. The Innovator. By John Brett Robey. Pastoral. By Nevil Shute (Book Review). Hampson. John. 1944. The London Spectator.
2. Book: Fictional Leaders: Heroes, Villains and Absent Friends. Gosling. Jonathan. Villiers. Peter. 2012-11-14. Palgrave Macmillan. 9781137272744. 87–89. en.
3. News: Pastoral. By Nevil Shute. Morrow. $2.50 (review). September 3, 1944. The Washington Post (subscription required). .
4. News: An Idyl of Wartime England. MALLET. ISABELLE. August 27, 1944. The New York Times (subscription required). .