Historical Fictionistas discussion
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2023 - What Are You Reading?
The Rat Catcher: A Love Story is a historic romance novella by Australian author Kim Kelly. Set in Sydney in 1900 during an outbreak of Bubonic plague Patrick O’Malley is employed catching rats but wonders if this is a suitable career for one trying to court the beautiful Rosie. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review
Finished Assassin #1 Lady Grace YA historical mystery set in 16th century England during the reign of Elizabeth I. Rated 3 stars. Author is AKA Patricia Finney & P. F. Chisholm and writes one of my favorite adult mystery series: Sir Robert Carey also set during the 16th century.This was an entertaining YA mystery I would have loved as a teenager. Witty dialogue and a very likeable main character: 13 year old Lady Grace Cavendish. Unfortunately this is the only title in this series available through our library's Libby & Hoopla catalogue.
I Am the MessengerThis is what I am reading currently. The main character Ed Kennedy is great and I am enjoying his world. My only quibble is that it reads a bit on the Christian side which I am definitely not.
The BirdcatcherWhile scrolling for National Book Fiction Award Winner, I came upon this book which is a finalist. So far I am enjoying it.
Song of the Sun God by Sri Lankan Australian Shankari Chandran is a brilliant epic historical fiction tracing the story of a family through the ravages of war in Sri Lanka and the difficult choices and sacrifices they must make. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review
Rachel wrote: "Song of the Sun God by Sri Lankan Australian Shankari Chandran is a brilliant epic historical fiction tracing the story of ..."This sounds wonderful! I'll definitely see if I can find a copy of this. Glad it was a 5 star for you. :)
Rosh [busy month; will catch up soon!] wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Song of the Sun God by Sri Lankan Australian Shankari Chandran is a brilliant epic historical fiction tracin..."I just asked my library to purchase Sun God. My fingers are crossed.
The Country Girl by debut author Sally Tarpey
An interesting historical fiction focussing on a young girl in 1910s England. Pretty good. Don't read the blurb as it reveals almost the entire story!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
CandideI am listening to the audio version and am quite enjoying it.
Mudbound
Mudbound, I just started reading today and so far it seems to
follow the movie fairly well.
I really enjoyed Kate Atkinson's delightful romp through the London underworld of the roaring 20s 
Shrines of Gaietyreview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my Five Star Review of "The Brightest Star," by Gail Tsukyama I rated it Five Stars & found it Interesting, but felt depressed after reading it! Anna May Wong was the first Chinese American Actress! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg
Loved it *almost* as much as the first book in the series. Definitely worth a read for fans of historical fantasy.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just started reading Lisa Scottoline's Loyalty about the birth of the Sicilian Mafia. I think I'm going to enjoy this book very much. It got great reviews from Krintin Hannah and Kate Quinn...can't ask for much more than that.
Rachel wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "The Short Story Club group is reading some classic short stories I've missed. I loved Nikolai Gogol's funny and sad The Overcoat, a famous Rus...Good review. I have not read The Overcoat but I did read The Nose by the same author. He had an interesting take on life."
I think this is the only Gogol I've read, but I have The Nose on my list. I believe he's known for introducing a new style to Russian writing.
I have just finished this book. Very thought-provoking, unusual and often funny. I loved it The Trial of Henry the 8th
David Hockney by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and artist Ana Albero is surprisingly open about his sexuality in this book for small children. I'm glad today's kids may not grow up as ignorant as a lot of us probably did.
5★ My review of David Hockney with several illustrations and photos
I always enjoy C.S. Harris's Sebastian St Cyr historical mystery series. What Darkness Brings involves the theft of the French crown jewels, murder, and spies.
4.5~5★ My review of What Darkness Brings
Sophia wrote: "I have just finished this book. Very thought-provoking, unusual and often funny. I loved it The Trial of Henry the 8th"My library does not offer that book. I could not even suggest it. It sounds interesting.
The Grapes of WrathI did not even think this would be an environmental book but it is.
It will be another check mark on my challenge.
Justice Is Served: A Tale of Scallops, the Law, and Cooking for Rbg
I finished Our Last Days in Barcelona
By Chanel Cleeton. Set in 1936 and 1964. Great history of Spain and Cuba. I have enjoyed all books in this series.
Thanks for the recommendation. I read the first in the series some time ago and now am going to read When We Left Cuba.
Pippa wrote: "Just started 
"Are you enjoying Booth? It seems like it would be an interesting story.
I am reading Portrait of Peril
by Larua Joh Rowland. This book is set in 1890 England. Book 4 of the series. There is much discussion of ghost and spritualism, along with the saga of Sarah's father. It is a good series but I like her Sano Ichiro series better.
Rachel wrote: "Pippa wrote: "Just started "Are you enjoying Booth? It seems like it would be an interesting story."
I really am. It was a bit of a punt. I'm in the UK and hadn't heard of the Booths, and the blurb intrigued me. Did the acid test of opening the book at random to read, and I liked the writing style.
It's actually quite an addictive read - I had to stop myself yesterday or my mind would have been too active to sleep, and I'm itching to get back to it now.
The writing is beautiful and it moves seamlessly between all the different characters. At the moment the 'plot' is the family growing up and the different directions their lives take...but I'm hooked.
Definitely recommended. Let me know if you decide to go ahead.
Great. I am looking forward to reading it. Booth is a famous name here in the USA for anyone interested in history.
I have just finished rereading The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim, and tomorrow I will begin Five Little Indians by Michelle Good.
Janice wrote: "I have just finished rereading The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim, and tomorrow I will begin Five Little Indians by Michelle Good."I enjoyed 'The Enchanted April.' The characters were fun. :)
Kelly Link's new collection of seven stories, White Cat, Black Dog: Stories, is based on old folk and fairy tales. I can see why she's so popular. The ones I liked, I really liked. Others - not so much.
3★ My review of White Cat, Black Dog with a link to 'The New Yorker' article about both the book and its author
I loved Max Porter's latest novel, Shy and the boy for whom it is titled. Shy retreats into music at The Last Chance School to escape his memories. It's a wonderful, short gem of a book.
5★ My review of Shy
My library does not have Shy so I am going to borrow Lanny by the same author that gets rave reviews on GR,
Rachel wrote: "My library does not have Shy so I am going to borrow Lanny by the same author that gets rave reviews on GR,"I loved Lanny, Rachel. It's an unusual story and book, with artwork sketches here and there. I showed a bit of that in my review, which might also give you a feel for the book. I really enjoyed both books, but they are different from each other.
5★My review of LannyI think Max Porter's best-known book is Grief is the Thing with Feathers, which I haven't read yet.
Rachel wrote: "Thanks for the review."😊
If John Boyne had invented all of this, people might say it's too far-fetched, but, in fact, Crippen is based on a true story. A creepy 'doctor' and a curious tale.
3.5~4★ My review of Crippen
Fractured Oak is an unusual and entertaining mystery with an oak tree as a key witness who can't testify. Author Dannie Boyd mixes magical realism with a good police story and it works.
3.5~4★ My review of Fractured Oak
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "If John Boyne had invented all of this, people might say it's too far-fetched, but, in fact, Crippen is based on a true story. A creepy 'doctor' and a curious tale.[boo..."
John Boyne is an amazing writer. I love [bookcover:A Ladder to the Sky: A Novel|40400269] and
so I assumed he always wrote on heavy subjects. But he also wrote
which is a gentle comedy... and a Victorian gothic horror - the title of which temporarily eludes me.
Rachel wrote: "Pippa wrote: "Just started "Are you enjoying Booth? It seems like it would be an interesting story."
Just posted a review, Rachel, if you're interested.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
After reading
which set me thinking about aspects of 19th century life that don't usually make it into fiction...so I'm about to start
- not as sensational as the title implies, more a peek at the necessities of life before flushing toilets ;-)
Thanks but for all the things that are going wrong in the 21st century, I am glad for many of the comforts and advances. Also most women had to work at home with no electric appliances, running hot water, e gads.
Lab GirlI started this book today and I love it. It is a memoir but it is mostly about studying trees. It is fun and fascinating. I recommend it wholeheartedly
Rachel wrote: "Lab GirlI started this book today and I love it. It is a memoir but it is mostly about studying trees. It is fun and fascinating. I recommend it wholeheartedly"
I don't read a lot of non fiction but have added this to read. Library has it as Libby Audio & the book description lists the author as narrator. Sounds VERY interesting!
Pippa wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "If John Boyne had invented all of this, people might say it's too far-fetched, but, in fact, Crippen is based on a true story. A creepy 'doctor'..."You're preaching to the converted, Pippa! I haven't read all of his (yet), but I've certainly enjoyed the ones I have.
My review of The Heart's Invisible Furies
My review of The Echo Chamber
I think the other one is This House Is Haunted, which I haven't read. Of course his most famous is The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which I also loved.
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Historical Fictionistas
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Yes I think she paints a good picture of what went on. I found the style somewhat difficult. I’ve read books with elements of magical realism but not to this extent. I think as someone brought up in a Western culture it’s maybe harder to follow this kind of text as I didn’t grow up reading like this. But then again that’s the beauty of reading from different cultures and experiences.