For those who have been following the Greener series, Greener Evermore is a welcome return to the Holmes family, picking up their story in 1969 as they move their growing brood into a ramshackle Victorian house in the northeast of England. This is the fifth book in Edna Hunneysett’s semi-autobiographical series, and if you’ve been with the Holmes family from the beginning, there’s real warmth in catching up with them again.
The backdrop is vivid and well chosen. Britain in 1969 was a country under real strain — strikes, blackouts, industry grinding to a halt — and Hunneysett roots the Holmes family’s personal struggles firmly in that wider picture. When Ron loses his job, the fragile stability the family has built begins to unravel, and it is Emma Holmes who emerges as the quiet heart of the story. Her strength and resilience in the face of genuine hardship is something readers will marvel at, and there are emotional highs and lows along the way — moments of real drama alongside the warmth and humour that runs through the series.
One thing worth flagging for newer readers is that the pace here is noticeably rapid. Hunneysett moves through her memories at quite a clip — scenes, time periods and events sometimes following each other in very close succession, with several things happening within a single page. For those already invested in the series this works well enough, giving the book the feel of a vivid, affectionate memoir. Those less familiar with the style may find it takes a little adjusting to. The dialogue throughout is credible and period-appropriate, which adds to the authenticity of the storytelling.
Overall, Greener Evermore is a heart warming and well written addition to the series — a satisfying catch-up with a family readers have come to care about, set against one of the more turbulent periods of twentieth century British life. I award 4 well-deserved stars.
