Those Who Serve

This novel (also published under the title "Those Who Serve") spans the period from the mid 60s to the mid 80s and follows the lives of Cass and Kate, childhood friends who both marry officers in the British submarine service. Cass is a somewhat spoiled beauty and a free spirit who takes full advantage of the frequent absences of her husband, Tom, and the loosening mores of the 'Swinging Sixties' and beyond. (Not that Tom doesn't as well.) Despite all this, they seem to muddle along in a "don't ask, don't tell" and manage to produce four children. Kate, on the other hand, wants a more traditional loving and faithful marriage, but finds that her "strong silent" husband is actually an emotionally remote, self-centered bully. All her hopes show more that it's the pressure of his career and his youth and that they and their twin sons will grow into a loving family, gradually die.
Yet, despite their great differences, Kate and Cass remain close friends. Kate warns Cass that her free and easy lifestyle is like playing Russian Roulette and that someday she may catch the bullet. And we see it all unfold . . . .

Willett is a skillful writer, much in the style of Maeve Binchy, in a British rather than Irish fashion. This was her first novel, and she has gone a bit overboard in just the sheer amount of drama and infidelity among the naval families. I found it hard to follow sometimes who was mixed up with whom at any given point. Nevertheless, it's a good read, if you have some tissues handy. show less

Kate and Cass are close friends with very different outlooks. One stays in an unhappy marriage, the other has many affairs. The first chapter is a 'flash-forward' to an event in Cass's life, and clearly overshadows the whole book. Well-written and believable, with hope in the midst of pain.

Enjoyed the second time of reading, too. This is Marcia Willett's first novel, and some of the characters introduced in it re-appear in her later books.

I thoroughly enjoyed the span of years covered in the lives of the characters in First Friends. This allowed plenty of time for the development of their thoughts and attitudes as they changed over time. I found it hard to put this book down, wanting to know what was going to happen next as these families and friends evolved against a backdrop of something the author was so familiar with---submarine hierarchy families/relationships. I am about to start the next book, A Friend of the Family, which picks up where this one leaves off. Wonderful character descriptions.