Ancasta
Guide Me Swiftly Home
Published on 7. July 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-0-9572520-0-4 (ISBN)
Description
Ancasta reintroduces us to the next generation of the Newton family, now living at Woolston near Southampton; against the background of the new 20th century. (following Riduna, Diana Jackson's first novel.) Harriet, the family's matriarch, and her headstrong daughter Sarah, are empowered by the daunting responsibilities on them, with their loved ones so far away. The story weaves tightly through this period of Woolston's history, with the birth of Supermarine, early flying boat production and the Schneider Trophy. The excitement of this new age of flight is marred though, by the destruction of the Great War. No family is spared loss and sacrifice. As Harriet awaits the news of the return of her family from France, the Mediterranean and further afield, she finds solace beside the river, which would also lead her back to Riduna, the island of Alderney and the place of her birth. Ancasta is the Goddess of this River Itchen, to whom the Romans prayed, as does Harriet and a multitude of others both before and after her, pleading for the swift and safe return of their vessels and loved ones.
Ancasta reintroduces us to the next generation of the Newton family, now living at Woolston near Southampton; against the background of the new 20th century. (following Riduna, Diana Jackson's first novel.) Harriet, the family's matriarch, and her headstrong daughter Sarah, are empowered by the daunting responsibilities on them, with their loved ones so far away. The story weaves tightly through this period of Woolston's history, with the birth of Supermarine, early flying boat production and the Schneider Trophy. The excitement of this new age of flight is marred though, by the destruction of the Great War. No family is spared loss and sacrifice. As Harriet awaits the news of the return of her family from France, the Mediterranean and further afield, she finds solace beside the river, which would also lead her back to Riduna, the island of Alderney and the place of her birth. Ancasta is the Goddess of this River Itchen, to whom the Romans prayed, as does Harriet and a multitude of others both before and after her, pleading for the swift and safe return of their vessels and loved ones.
Ancasta reintroduces us to the next generation of the Newton family, now living at Woolston near Southampton; against the background of the new 20th century. (following Riduna, Diana Jackson's first novel.) Harriet, the family's matriarch, and her headstrong daughter Sarah, are empowered by the daunting responsibilities on them, with their loved ones so far away. The story weaves tightly through this period of Woolston's history, with the birth of Supermarine, early flying boat production and the Schneider Trophy. The excitement of this new age of flight is marred though, by the destruction of the Great War. No family is spared loss and sacrifice. As Harriet awaits the news of the return of her family from France, the Mediterranean and further afield, she finds solace beside the river, which would also lead her back to Riduna, the island of Alderney and the place of her birth. Ancasta is the Goddess of this River Itchen, to whom the Romans prayed, as does Harriet and a multitude of others both before and after her, pleading for the swift and safe return of their vessels and loved ones.
Reviews / Votes
Review by Michelle Randall for Readers' Favorite: "Ancasta is the continuation of the family saga that began in Riduna. Harriet is now a widow with four grown children. Edward is still traveling the seas, enjoying his freedom. As the world starts to change and a war looms, we follow the former childhood friends and sweethearts as they deal with the ravages and realities of war in England. No one is untouched by the war, as Harriet will watch her twin sons both volunteer for service along with her daughter's husband. It will also be a time to reunite with old friends; Jane, with whom she had lost touch will become the steady rock of a friend that Harriet leaned on before she had Joe. Now with Joe gone, Jane will again become that rock. Diana Jackson doesn't pull any punches with the tragedies and realities of war and what it was like. Still, that does not diminish the glow of the story of a family once again facing the idea that dreams change and life goes on. In first Riduna and then Ancasta, we follow Harriet and Edward, who always thought their path in life would be together, but the reality of life was that it was not meant to be. Finally, in their retirement years, are they able to realize that it wasn't them who changed but the world around them and that things happened to them to make the dreams change. Diana Jackson weaves a story that is real and true and makes you feel that you are right there living it. It is a wonderful mix of the romance and realities of life with some of the technological advances of the historical time period of the novel. It is definitely a novel of moving on and never giving up, one any reader will enjoy." Review by Michelle Randall for Readers' Favorite: Ancasta is the continuation of the family saga that began in Riduna. Harriet is now a widow with four grown children. Edward is still traveling the seas, enjoying his freedom. As the world starts to change and a war looms, we follow the former childhood friends and sweethearts as they deal with the ravages and realities of war in England. No one is untouched by the war, as Harriet will watch her twin sons both volunteer for service along with her daughter's husband. It will also be a time to reunite with old friends; Jane, with whom she had lost touch will become the steady rock of a friend that Harriet leaned on before she had Joe. Now with Joe gone, Jane will again become that rock. Diana Jackson doesn't pull any punches with the tragedies and realities of war and what it was like. Still, that does not diminish the glow of the story of a family once again facing the idea that dreams change and life goes on. In first Riduna and then Ancasta, we follow Harriet and Edward, who always thought their path in life would be together, but the reality of life was that it was not meant to be. Finally, in their retirement years, are they able to realize that it wasn't them who changed but the world around them and that things happened to them to make the dreams change. Diana Jackson weaves a story that is real and true and makes you feel that you are right there living it. It is a wonderful mix of the romance and realities of life with some of the technological advances of the historical time period of the novel. It is definitely a novel of moving on and never giving up, one any reader will enjoy. Review by Colin Van Geffen; artist and aviation historian: "In Ancasta, against the background of the new 20th century, we are reintroduced to the progress of life for the next generaion from Riduna, Diana Jackson's first novel, of the Newton family, now living at Woolston, near Southampton. The author succeeds in jolting the reader's emotions to give a clear understanding of how things were for so many 'ordinary' people during those dark days of wartime. No families were spared the loss of sacrifice of a loved one, but life had to go on."Review by Michelle Randall for Readers' Favorite: "Ancasta is the continuation of the family saga that began in Riduna. Harriet is now a widow with four grown children. Edward is still traveling the seas, enjoying his freedom. As the world starts to change and a war looms, we follow the former childhood friends and sweethearts as they deal with the ravages and realities of war in England. No one is untouched by the war, as Harriet will watch her twin sons both volunteer for service along with her daughter's husband. It will also be a time to reunite with old friends; Jane, with whom she had lost touch will become the steady rock of a friend that Harriet leaned on before she had Joe. Now with Joe gone, Jane will again become that rock. Diana Jackson doesn't pull any punches with the tragedies and realities of war and what it was like. Still, that does not diminish the glow of the story of a family once again facing the idea that dreams change and life goes on. In first Riduna and then Ancasta, we follow Harriet and Edward, who always thought their path in life would be together, but the reality of life was that it was not meant to be. Finally, in their retirement years, are they able to realize that it wasn't them who changed but the world around them and that things happened to them to make the dreams change. Diana Jackson weaves a story that is real and true and makes you feel that you are right there living it. It is a wonderful mix of the romance and realities of life with some of the technological advances of the historical time period of the novel. It is definitely a novel of moving on and never giving up, one any reader will enjoy." Review by Michelle Randall for Readers' Favorite: Ancasta is the continuation of the family saga that began in Riduna. Harriet is now a widow with four grown children. Edward is still traveling the seas, enjoying his freedom. As the world starts to change and a war looms, we follow the former childhood friends and sweethearts as they deal with the ravages and realities of war in England. No one is untouched by the war, as Harriet will watch her twin sons both volunteer for service along with her daughter's husband. It will also be a time to reunite with old friends; Jane, with whom she had lost touch will become the steady rock of a friend that Harriet leaned on before she had Joe. Now with Joe gone, Jane will again become that rock. Diana Jackson doesn't pull any punches with the tragedies and realities of war and what it was like. Still, that does not diminish the glow of the story of a family once again facing the idea that dreams change and life goes on. In first Riduna and then Ancasta, we follow Harriet and Edward, who always thought their path in life would be together, but the reality of life was that it was not meant to be. Finally, in their retirement years, are they able to realize that it wasn't them who changed but the world around them and that things happened to them to make the dreams change. Diana Jackson weaves a story that is real and true and makes you feel that you are right there living it. It is a wonderful mix of the romance and realities of life with some of the technological advances of the historical time period of the novel. It is definitely a novel of moving on and never giving up, one any reader will enjoy. Review by Colin Van Geffen; artist and aviation historian: "In Ancasta, against the background of the new 20th century, we are reintroduced to the progress of life for the next generaion from Riduna, Diana Jackson's first novel, of the Newton family, now living at Woolston, near Southampton. The author succeeds in jolting the reader's emotions to give a clear understanding of how things were for so many 'ordinary' people during those dark days of wartime. No families were spared the loss of sacrifice of a loved one, but life had to go on."
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Bedford
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-9572520-0-4 (9780957252004)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Diana Jackson's passion for social history is the bed-rock to all of her writing; historical fiction, mystery and memoir. It was delving into her family history which inspired Diana's first novel 'Riduna', set on the island of Alderney, and there is an element of realism in all of her work. She was influenced by the classics from Bronte to Thomas Hardy, and as an avid reader too, she has always felt compelled to write. A retired teacher from Bedfordshire, now living in Fife with her retired husband, Diana enjoys the life of an author, but she is also fully involved in community life in Kinghorn.
Diana Jackson's passion for social history is the bed-rock to all of her writing; historical fiction, mystery and memoir. It was delving into her family history which inspired Diana's first novel 'Riduna', set on the island of Alderney, and there is an element of realism in all of her work. She was influenced by the classics from Bronte to Thomas Hardy, and as an avid reader too, she has always felt compelled to write. A retired teacher from Bedfordshire, now living in Fife with her retired husband, Diana enjoys the life of an author, but she is also fully involved in community life in Kinghorn.
Diana Jackson's passion for social history is the bed-rock to all of her writing; historical fiction, mystery and memoir. It was delving into her family history which inspired Diana's first novel 'Riduna', set on the island of Alderney, and there is an element of realism in all of her work. She was influenced by the classics from Bronte to Thomas Hardy, and as an avid reader too, she has always felt compelled to write. A retired teacher from Bedfordshire, now living in Fife with her retired husband, Diana enjoys the life of an author, but she is also fully involved in community life in Kinghorn.