What an intriguing story! I really like the way Hilton tells a story; truly grabs you and brings you in so that you can see and feel the characters.

This book was a true adventure from beginning to end. When I finished, I had goosebumps and had to read the last page again. The second time at the end, I had tears.

An oldie but a goodie - highly recommend!

I had never heard of James Hilton, so was surprised to discover he had written several successful novels, three of which had been made into equally successful movies: ‘Lost Horizon’, ‘Goodbye Mr. Chips’, and ‘Random Harvest’. ‘Random Harvest’ has a really interesting plot line with a man losing his memory near the end of the war, taking up a completely new identity, but then getting reminders of his lost life. The story then slowly begins to unravel the mystery of who he was. The actual writing style is good, but the story really meanders with people and events being brought into the story, being given significant attention, and then being allowed to disappear without having any particular relevance to the story. I liked the main character, who had no desire for money or business , or power, but who always aimed for simplicity, but It was a totally frustrating read.

James Hilton deals in sentimentality and nostalgia, all presented through a middlebrow medium. That sounds harsh. And so it was meant when Hilton began his career in the interwar years, especially among the modernist highbrow set. But during the 1950s, middlebrow literature gained a slight degree of respectability--although it was still used by aspiring highbrows to harpoon great literary whales represented by such institutions as the Book-of-the-Month Club and the Modern Library. The sense of ennui after World War II sent a generation on a search for meaning. And books such as Random Harvest and Hilton's other two earlier major works, Lost Horizon and Goodbye Mr. Chips fit the bill perfectly, even if they had already gained widespread popularity during their initial publication in the 1930s and early 1940s and in subsequent film versions. For the post World War II 1950s, material comfort and well being were not enough. Albeit set against the backdrop of possible annihilation through atomic war, life needed a certain frisson. And so a flurry of successful middlebrow works in literature addressed to this concern began to flourish. And Hilton's work also gained a foothold as a sort of classic for the medium.

Random Harvest, in particular, sounded a sympathetic chord both when it first appeared (1941) and later on. World War II was in its second year and a successful outcome was far from assured. In that atmosphere, the story of Charles Ranier, a wealthy business tycoon and veteran of World War I who had for some months during and following the Great War lost his memory, presented itself as a paean to earlier and better times of old English values. These included a sort of feudal fantasy of intermingling social classes, unspoiled village life, and idyllic scenes of the countryside.

The twist in the story is that Ranier regains his memory lost due to shellshock (aka combat fatigue/PTSD) in 1917 but in so doing then loses his memory of the time he became hospitalized during the war until just around Christmas in 1920. Recovering those three years and merging them into Ranier's postwar life becomes the task of the novel.

Along the way, Hilton engages in some visionary preaching. These are the moments of greatest weakness in Random Harvest. Delivered by an old parson, these harangues cover everything from the League of Nations to the Common Law rights of villagers to restore their access to the commons being swallowed up by arrogant and distant members of the elite. There are also allusions to the rights and values of the working man in a reformed system of capitalism. (Did Hilton recognize the similarity between his social solutions and the corporatism of Mussolini?) In the end, he sort of espouses a Fabian socialist worldview without accompanying rules of parliamentary procedure. The only thing missing is an avowal of fruit juices and veganism.

So, yes, it's easy to punch holes in Hilton's literary world. But taken on its own terms, it nevertheless maintains its appeal. Is it a literary crime, after all, to write accessibly for the wider public? Should an author reject giving voice to a sense of unease in society simply because it is too common a feeling? And so what if he provides a satisfying answer that lifts people out of those moments of despair about their lack of being connected both to earlier generations and coming generations. Must everything end in modernist cynicism? And Hilton may have dealt in feelings primarily. But without them what do you have?

Finally, an interesting point of view for contemporary readers. While Hilton employed nostalgia for an England he saw disappearing into the abyss of World War II, readers today, of course, have an added level of nostalgia to encounter. There is not only that of the world before and right after World War I but the milieu of World War II in which Random Harvest first appeared. The two greatest political calamities of the twentieth century. And we are drawn back to them. Constantly.

I read this book, because I had watched the movie adaptation last year during my Ronald Colman phase. I told myself I should read the book one day. A few days ago, the mood hit me to watch the movie again, but I decided to read the book before a second viewing.

If you have watched the movie, do not expect the book to be as romantic; due to how the book is narrated, it would have been difficult to translate on film, so changes had to be made. After reading, I will say they did a fine job making the necessary changes and the finished product worked.

The book is more philosophical, similar to Hilton's Lost Horizon. While his stories are a product of his time as far as his focusing on the affairs of the day (mainly both World Wars and their effects on English society), there is "nothing new under the sun" to quote Solomon. Threats of war, fear of the unknown, yearning for a bygone era, finding one's purpose - these are matters each individual experiences, regardless of culture or time period. I appreciate how Hilton's writing encourages the reader to join in his musings, even if the reader may not necessarily agree with his perspectives.

My only complaint is the frequent use of profanity. The "damns" I can tolerate, but using God's name in vain was a major negative for me. I also have a question about the ending, but it is inconsequential to the actual ending's effectiveness. Its buildup was suspenseful depsite my already knowing it.

Recommend to those who like old British writing and don't mind some profanity. I also recommend the movie; while I like the book, I like the movie better. After all, I am a romantic at heart and what classic film buff doesn't enjoy a Colman/Garson pairing?

Random Harvest" is a captivating tale that explores the life of a man who loses his memory during the Great War. This literature review aims to provide an overview of the story, highlighting its key elements and themes.

The story revolves around a man who suffers memory loss after being shelled during the Great War. As he gradually rebuilds his life, he finds happiness with a young actress. However, a tragic accident in Liverpool causes him to regain consciousness and remember his true identity as a member of a wealthy and prominent family. Despite his success in business and politics, he feels that something and someone are missing from his life.

The enigmatic wife, who was once his secretary, plays a crucial role in his life. She quietly arranges social gatherings and dinner parties for him, ensuring his success in his professional endeavors. The narrative explores the complexities of their relationship and the sacrifices made for the sake of his public image.

The 1942 movie is wonderful.

Reading a book by James Hilton should be accompanied by curling up in your most enveloping chair and having a cup of creamy coffee or tea to sip. His writing is a style that we no longer have in literature - much like Nevil Shute. The setting is between the two World Wars in England. The main character suffers from two amnesias: after being injured in World War I, he recovers in several hospitals, but does not know his name or where he is from; then, after having a fall, he comes to on a Liverpool bench and remembers who he is and where home is, but does not remember the perod of time between his war injury and the present. The story progresses from there in a lovely, bittersweet manner and we meet various acquaintances and family members who provide some interaction that illuminates his character and sense of responsibility. There are subtle hints along the way that may enable you to figure out the surprise ending - but whether you do or not, it will be quite pleasantly satisfying. A very good book - not only for the reading, but for the feeling that it leaves with you.

I am emotionally hung over from this exquisite book. So much so that I'm reading it again immediately. I don't even know what to say about this book except it has instantly become a personal favorite and personal classic. It's not like the movie at all-- I will tell you that. The movie is loosely based upon the book. This book is so incredibly moving. There are so many poignant passages. James Hilton really understood struggles, pain, love, and human nature. This is the third book I've read by him in the last two months and I am willing to go ahead and rate him an exceptional 20th century author.

“You saved the family inheritance, you rescued the money of hundreds of outsiders, and you kept intact the jobs of a whole army of workpeople. You did, in fact, everything you set out to do.” “There’s only one thing more important,” he [Ranier] answered, “and that is, after you’ve done what you set out to do, to feel that it’s been worth doing.”

Set in England, from immediately after the Great War to just prior to WWII. In 1937, graduate student Harrison meets Charles Rainier on a train. They discuss the approaching war and Ranier’s service in the last. Ranier confides in Harrison about his war experiences that resulted in a stay in a mental hospital. At the time of their meeting, Rainier is a successful businessman and a Member of Parliament. Eventually, Harrison works for Ranier as his secretary.

Harrison starts out as narrator, then the story shifts to third person to tell Ranier’s backstory – how he lost his memory, eventually found his family again, and ended up rescuing the family’s business from bankruptcy. It is a story of loss, psychological trauma, and change.

Ranier feels his life is incomplete in some vague way. He is going through the motions, but feels no commitment, no passion. The forward momentum of the story is maintained by curiosity as to what happened to Ranier during the years he cannot remember. I got the impression that Ranier may represent what was happening in England at the time.

“The war was over … but now what? The dead were still dead; no miracle of human signature could restore limbs and sight and sanity; the grinding hardships of those four years could not be wiped out by a headline. Emotions were numb, were to remain half-numbed for a decade, and relief that might have eased them could come no nearer than a fret to the nerves.”

This book was published in 1941, so it is a slice of time from the perspective of someone who lived it. Hilton is a wonderful writer. His characters are vividly drawn, even the minor characters such as the traveling troupe of actors and the eccentric country pastor. It is beautifully crafted, with a number of storylines converging at the end in a satisfying and unexpected way.

I am struck afresh by the aptness and loving detail of Hilton's description of autumnal London:

'For London...was of all cities in the world the most autumnal--its mellow brickwork harmonzing with fallen leaves and October sunsets, just as the etched grays of November composed themselves with the light and shade of Portland stone. There was a charm, a deathless charm, about a city whose inhabitants went about muttering, "The nights are drawing in," as if it were a spell to invoke the vast, spawling creature-comfort of winter. Indeed no phrase...better expressed the feeling of blanketed enclosure, of almost stupefying cosiness, that blankets London throughout the dark months--a sort of spiritual central heating, warm and sometimes weepy, but not depressing--a Dickensian, never a Proustian fug.'

It is fascinating that the most interesting story is Mrs. Rainier's and here the novelist is silent. He must be so for the sake of a plot twist but it is curious. Her self-sacrifice and emotional turmoil are not articulated, only hinted at. I wonder if this is a reflection on a certain perception of women's roles--to be noble, to be unrecognized or else reviled as the steel and iron behind a man, to love in silence. She is central to the story yet at its periphery, as mysterious as Rebecca but without her malice. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I did the 1942 film version.

Having read Mr. Chips and Lost Horizon as a child and having liked both of them, I took a risk on this otherwise unknown novel by the same author. Although it started slowly, I stuck with it and am glad I did, it's surprise ending having quite an emotional impact.

Haven't read this since I was a teenager, but it was just as wonderful as I remembered. Of course, today's younger readers (under 50) may find the writing "old fashioned." However, if you're a fan of all things English, this novel which is set between the two World Wars, is one of the most romantic, smart, erudite books you will ever read. Hilton is also the author of Goodbye Mr. Chips and Lost Horizon, so how can you go wrong? The movie, with Ronald Coleman and Greer Garson, is a pretty good adaptation and worth watching.

I loved this book. I have seen the movie and really enjoyed it. I am such a sucker for an old fashioned love story, but did not know then that it was based on this book. The book is even better than the movie and was perfect for the mood I was in...a good old fashioned love story. There is so much more to the story and characters than hinted at in the movie. So glad I read this book.