Rating: πππππ Genre: Fiction, Coming of Age Novel, Historical Novel. Publisher: Faber & Faber Review in one word: Halcyon (and On and On) *Contains no spoilers This is both an unsentimental and deeply emotional novel, a book about past, present and future friendship set over the course of 30 years. It’s beautifully written, witty, funny and like a sweeping,Continue reading “Book Review: Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan”
Tag Archives: historical fiction
Book Review: Featherweight by Mick Kitson
Rating: πππππ Genre: Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Outsider Fiction. Publisher: Canongate Review in one word: Triumphant *Contains no spoilers Annie Perry is an indomitable, strong and likeable main character. She is born into the muddy drudgery and coal mines of Tipton in the Black Country during the Industrial Revolution. Annie is born into an extremely poor Romi family andContinue reading “Book Review: Featherweight by Mick Kitson”
Book Review: Islands of Mercy by Rose Tremain
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction Rating: πππππ Islands of Mercy is a masterful book by the author of other historical fiction classics such as Restoration, Music and Silence and Merival. I have loved all of these books so I had a feeling (and rightfully so) that I would really enjoy this book. Set in Victorian eraContinue reading “Book Review: Islands of Mercy by Rose Tremain”
Book Review: Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach
Tulip Fever is one of the most captivating historical fiction reads I have had the pleasure of enjoying in recent years. Tulip Fever takes place in Amsterdam in the 1630’s during a time of immense wealth that is brought into the country by merchants and tulip sellers. If you enjoyed that other iconic historical novelContinue reading “Book Review: Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach”
Book Review: The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction. Rating: β β β β β Publisher: Virago Press *No spoilers. This is a magnificent journey into Renaissance Florence that you can sink into like imbibing a glass of Chianti. Itβs the story of Alessandra Cecci, a precocious and intelligent 15 year old girl who adores painting and lives in RenaissanceContinue reading “Book Review: The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant”
Book Review: Warlight by Michael Ondaatje
*Contains no spoilers Right from the start I was hooked on this novel by the celebrated author Michael Ondaatje who wrote the classic The English Patient which won the Booker Prize in 1992 and was turned into an equally successful film. His follow up, Anil’s Ghost failed to hit the mark, at least for me.Continue reading “Book Review: Warlight by Michael Ondaatje”
Book Review: Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss
*No spoilers A book about experimental archaeology and family violence thatβs brimming with glorious dread and that closes in around you like a vice. The novel’s short 160 pages are absolutely electrifying and seem far bigger. Best enjoyed during the witching hours of 11pm and 3 am. Ghost Wall opens with an ancient hair-raising scene,Continue reading “Book Review: Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss”
Seven suspenseful and unforgettable historical novels
Great historical novels are fully immersed in time, place and have a tangible effect of bringing you into a time period that you may otherwise never know. This is whatβs truly exhilerating about the historical novel. The setting and surroundings become like a fully formed character in the novel. Whether weβre talking about a BritishContinue reading “Seven suspenseful and unforgettable historical novels”
Six Exciting Frontier Novels Set at the Extreme Edges of Civilisation
Sometimes you want to be right there at the edge of an icy cliff staring death right in the face. But not really, just in your imagination. Here are some poetic, beautifully written and profound adventure and survival stories that will take you to dangerous places, without having to leave your sofa. To the BrightContinue reading “Six Exciting Frontier Novels Set at the Extreme Edges of Civilisation”
Book Review: Docherty by William McIlvanney
An epic story of a mining family at the beginning of the 20th Century by Scottish national treasure William McIlvanney. The Dochertys live in the fictional town of Graithnock in Ayrshire, Scotland. The clan are headed by Tam, a hard man but a good hearted one who lifts up his son on the day heContinue reading “Book Review: Docherty by William McIlvanney”
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