This is a sweeping saga ranging from Australia, to South America, to England and France. Starting well before WWI, a headstrong young woman is determined to marry Ned Ashby, a Sussex estate owner/farmer. The story follows their marriage and life though the end of the war. A little slow at first, but the story picked up and the characters became so real. Difficult accounts of the front line and the destruction and despair that enveloped those who served and their families left behind. I wish the story had continued a bit to see how Meriel and Ned will handle the challenges that lie ahead.