The Summer Wives is an engrossing novel, set in a time and place where wealthy families summered in island mansions off the coast of New England, over-drank regularly at their exclusive clubs and played a lot of bridge (actually, they probably still do most of that). It explores themes of love, family and social class in a way that is sometimes melancholy, sometimes hopeful and always engaging. Continue reading
Category Archives: Historical Fiction
Book Review: The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden is a compelling story of love, loss, and the search for identity. Continue reading
Book Review: Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
World War II Italy is the setting for Beneath a Scarlet Sky, an engrossing novel based on the wartime experiences of teenager Pino Lella. Although it’s based on actual events, it reads like a thriller that has a lot of suspense and a lot of heart. Continue reading
“The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir”, by Jennifer Ryan
Set in England during WWII, “The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir” focuses on the war’s impact on a small group of women as told through fictitious journal entries and letters to family and friends. Continue reading
Book Review: Kindred by Octavia Butler
First published in 1979, Kindred is a novel that has aged well, still feeling fresh and current. It’s both a time travelling novel and a slave narrative, as well as being a bonafide page turner. I honestly woke up every morning looking forward to reading more. Continue reading
Book Review: Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles
In Enemy Women, Paulette Jiles reminds us of the great suffering that occurred during the American Civil War, particularly among the civilian population. But the message is also that even in the midst of such suffering, examples of great strength and love can be found. Continue reading
Book Review: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
The Alice Network is a gripping novel about women who risked everything in service of their country. By turns harrowing and suspenseful, it’s overall a very satisfying read. Continue reading
“The Help”, by Kathryn Stockett
I was feeling like the only person on Earth who hadn’t read “The Help”, so I took care of that little problem. Wish I hadn’t waited so long! Continue reading
“The Chaperone”, by Laura Moriarty
Cora Carlisle is a Wichita housewife who is given the opportunity to chaperone 16-year-old Louise Brooks on a month long trip to New York City during the 1920’s. Louise is a precocious and selfish teenager who goes to NYC to study with a famous dance company and would go on to be a silent film star (in real life). Cora’s motive for going on the trip is so she can try to find out about her birth parents. She spent the first six years of her life in a NYC orphanage, until an orphan train delivers her to a family in Kansas. Although she was happy with her adopted family, she really wanted to know more about her roots. Continue reading
Book Review: The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
The Secret Keeper is a really well-written and cleverly structured mystery that spans a couple of generations in Great Britain. Great characters and a hard to predict ending make it a top notch read! Continue reading
