Book of the Week: No Going Back : Book 2 of The Chiddleigh Saga by Susan Frances

In No Going Back, Susan Frances immerses readers in the harrowing days of 1348 England, where young Lord Thomas de Chiddleigh must tackle the deadly plague, the challenges of leadership, and forbidden love amid class divides and hidden family secrets.

Plague, duty, love.

Throughout history, pandemics have brought societies to their knees, reshaping entire civilizations and challenging personal beliefs and social norms. One of the most notorious of these events is the Black Death, which claimed millions of lives across Europe. In No Going Back, Susan Frances masterfully recreates this turbulent period, transporting readers to a time when fear of death loomed large, and survival required as much cunning as it did luck. With Thomas de Chiddleigh’s life as a nobleman thrown into turmoil by the plague, the novel reflects the human fragility and resilience that pandemics unveil. The weight of expectations on Thomas’s young shoulders becomes not only a personal struggle but a reflection of society’s larger battle to maintain order amidst chaos.

The story begins as Thomas, freshly returned from school, finds his family estate ravaged by the plague. Forced to assume the role of Lord at a tender age, Thomas must navigate the complexities of leadership while grappling with his lack of experience. When he leads the few survivors of his estate to a remote farmstead, tensions mount as the harsh winter sets in. The novel looks into Thomas’s internal conflict between the life of knowledge he yearns for and the duties he must shoulder. At the heart of the story is his deepening friendship with Rulf, a self-assured young man whose confidence fascinates Thomas. Their bond grows, revealing secrets from both Thomas’s family and society that challenge his identity and place in the world. The novel’s exploration of the strict divides between nobility and the peasant class, and the forbidden nature of Thomas’s love, lend depth to this tale set against the rich backdrop of medieval England.

One of the most striking aspects of No Going Back is how Frances intricately portrays Thomas’s vulnerability and growth. The stark realities of survival—lack of food, shelter, and trust—are keenly felt through her vivid descriptions of the farmstead and the strained relationships between Thomas and his workers. My favorite parts of the book are the quiet moments between Thomas and Rulf, where their connection, though unspoken at times, provides warmth against the desolation that surrounds them. These interactions shine with nuance, underscoring the fragility of both personal desires and societal constraints during such a perilous era. Frances excels in these tender, reflective moments, capturing the delicate balance between duty and love in a world teetering on the brink of collapse.

While the story is compelling, expanding the perspectives of the secondary characters, especially the workers harboring secrets, could add further richness to the narrative. This would deepen the tension between classes and broaden the scope of the struggles faced by those outside the noble sphere.

Those seeking a fast-paced action tale may not appreciate the reflective, character-driven nature of No Going Back. However, readers who enjoy historical fiction rich in atmosphere, as well as themes of forbidden love, class tensions, and personal duty, will be captivated. Fans of Ken Follett’s World Without End or Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall will find much to appreciate in Frances’s attention to historical detail and complex character relationships.

In the face of overwhelming fear and societal expectations, No Going Back offers a poignant reflection on the quiet rebellions of the heart, where even in the darkest times, love and human connection persist like a flickering flame.

Book of the Week Award

This book is a winner of the Book of the Week Award.

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