Archive for the ‘Historical Fiction’ Category
Sarah Waters – Affinity
In a world where twenty-seven year old women are called “spinsters” and they aren’t allowed to study further, despite being inclined towards academia, where they still need their mother’s permission to carry out certain activities, and where they’re bound by society’s rules and regulations, this story is about a woman desperately trying to find her […]
Filed under: Books 2010, Guardian 1000, Historical Fiction, Review, Sarah Waters, Somerset Maughm Award | 9 Comments
Tags: Sarah Waters, Victorian Society
In terms of books being confusing and complex, this one ranks right up there. New characters being introduced every couple of pages, the story taking dramatic turns, changing from showing corruption while trading in the 18th-19th century to a surreal adventure story, and there’s a love story thrown in, just for good measure as well. […]
Filed under: Books 2010, David Mitchell, Historical Fiction, Review | 12 Comments
Tags: David Mitchell, Japan
Nancy Huston – Fault Lines
It’s the third book I’ve read this year, where the narrative goes chronologically backwards – the difference being, this time, it follows four generations of six year olds, starting in 2004 and ending in 1944-45. Sol, a six year old in 2004, believes the world revolves around him, and that he’s a genius. Brought up […]
Filed under: Books 2010, Historical Fiction, Nancy Huston, Orange Prize Shortlist, Prix Femina, Review | 19 Comments
Tags: Israel, Nancy Huston, World War II
Sarah Waters – The Night Watch
Sarah Waters’ The Night Watch is the third novel I’ve read by her, and it’s as different as the previous two as it can be. While one was a gothic ghost story set in Warwickshire (The Little Stranger), the other was a Victorian thriller (Fingersmith). And then we have this: a book set (mostly in) […]
Filed under: Booker Prize Shortlist, Books 2010, Complete Booker, Guardian 1000, Historical Fiction, Orange Prize Shortlist, Review, Sarah Waters | 16 Comments
Tags: London, Sarah Waters, World War II
Toni Morrison – A Mercy
I finished this book over two weeks ago, and have been struggling to write the review ever since. I honestly hoped I wouldn’t have to drag it into the new year, but there you have it… This is the first Toni Morrison I’ve read, and I started the book with great trepidation. I’ve heard phenomenal […]
Filed under: Books 2009, Historical Fiction, New York Times Notable Book Of The Year, Nobel Prize Winners, Orange Prize Longlist, Review, Toni Morrison | 16 Comments
Tags: Racism, Slavery, Toni Morrison
Simon Mawer – The Glass Room
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2009, Simon Mawer’s immense novel revolves around The Glass Room, or, Der Glasraum: A modernist house resulting from an architect whose maxim is ornamentation is crime. The conception of the house happens when Victor (a Jew, who owns an automobile manufacturing company) and Liesel Landauer are gifted a plot […]
Filed under: Booker Prize Shortlist, Books 2009, Historical Fiction, Review, Simon Mawer | 13 Comments
Tags: Architecture, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Simon Mawer, World War II
This incredibly poignant well written story tackles various important and sensitive topics, some of which are still valid today, despite the book being set around the time of the second World War. Set in the English countryside, Michelle Magorian tells the story of Willie, a timid little specimen, who is an evacuee from London, and […]
Filed under: ALA Best Books For Young Adults, BBC's Big Read {Best Loved Novel}, Books 2009, Guardian Children's Fiction Award, Historical Fiction, Michelle Magorian, Review, Waterstones The Nation's Favourite Children's Books, Young Adult | 16 Comments
Tags: Child Abuse, Michelle Magorian, World War II
Amy Tan – The Joy Luck Club
Amy Tan’s debut novel, The Joy Luck Club, is the first book by her that I have read. It is also the first book I’ve read with strong Chinese references, so I wasn’t quite sure as to what I should expect from this book. The Joy Luck Club is the story of four Chinese women who […]
Filed under: ALA Best Books For Young Adults, Amy Tan, Books 2009, Historical Fiction, National Book Award Finalist, National Book Critics Circle Award finalist, Review | 31 Comments
Tags: Amy Tan, China
another cookie crumbles 