historical fiction - heroine learns to run a household or estate - any subgenre

[Mary]

Hi everyone! I'm looking for books that have a heroine who has to learn to run a large household or estate, and who has not been brought up for such a task. I'm thinking something like the Nan storyline in The Buccaneers. I love historical fiction, but it does not need to be any particular time period or subgenre (romance, fantasy, paranormal, whatever).

Thanks!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

I just finished The Buccaneers!

If you haven't already read Gone with the Wind, that is a perfect example.

So is Rebecca.

[Mary]

I haven't finished The Buccaneers yet but know the miniseries well. :-) I have read both of those but thanks for the suggestions! Those are the types of examples I'm thinking of.

[Aerulan]

Since you said fantasy is ok you might try The Wind-Witch by Susan Dexter, much of the story is taken up with the heroine trying to run her farm after her husband dies without letting anyone find out he is gone, if she can do it alone for a year without being discovered or being unable to pay her taxes she gets to keep it. Otherwise it reverts to somebody else and she has to remarry. It's not so much 'not brought up to the task' as 'suddenly everything is on her alone when much of it wasn't her job before' if that would work for you. Involves a lot of details (I thought they were really interesting) about growing flax and preparing it for use, raising sheep and livestock, farming, etc. Plus some stuff with magic powers and raiders and whatnot.

[Mary]

Aerulan wrote: "Since you said fantasy is ok you might try The Wind-Witch by Susan Dexter, much of the story is taken up with the heroine trying to run her farm after her husband dies without letting..."

Thanks, that looks good! I read all genres and love fantasy too so it's all good.

[Hillary]

One significant segment of Outlander has our heroine returning to her husband's estate and seeing what it takes to run it, while imagining herself as the lady. Right where we are in the TV series now. Not the whole book however.

[Mary]

Hillary wrote: "One significant segment of Outlander has our heroine returning to her husband's estate and seeing what it takes to run it, while imagining herself as the lady. Right where we are in t..."

Thanks! I have read Outlander, but that portion is also a good example of what I'm looking for. :-) I appreciate all suggestions though!

[Joseph]

You might like The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. A lot of the story was about a new wife learning how to run her household.

[Mary]

Joseph wrote: "You might like The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. A lot of the story was about a new wife learning how to run her household."

Thanks! That looks really interesting.

[Mary]

Here's a couple I have come across and enjoyed since posting this: A Civil Contract and The Savage Marquess

[Whitney]

By Crumb, It's Mine by Patricia Beatty has the young heroine setting up and running her own hotel during a gold rush...

[Mary]

That looks fun, thanks!

[Krystal]

There's a bit of that happening in book two of the All Souls trilogy - Shadow of Night. It's not a major theme, but you get to follow along as the main character has to learn how to be a 16th century woman, as a wife and head of household, similar to the Outlander story line.

[Pamela]

You might enjoy In This House of Brede, by Rumer Godden. Among its characters is a nun who becomes the Mother Superior of a monastery. In This House of Brede

[Alma]

Flowers From the Storm is a good one. I really enjoyed it.

[Alma]

http://www.amazon.com/Flowers-Storm-L...

Here's an Amazon link. It's got the story description.

[Mary]

Krystal wrote: "There's a bit of that happening in book two of the All Souls trilogy - Shadow of Night. It's not a major theme, but you get to follow along as the main character has to learn how to..."

Thanks! I have read the first book of that trilogy, but not the second. I'll try it out.

[Mary]

Pamela wrote: "You might enjoy In This House of Brede, by Rumer Godden. Among its characters is a nun who becomes the Mother Superior of a monastery. In This House of Brede"

That looks really intriguing! Thanks!

[Mary]

Alma wrote: "http://www.amazon.com/Flowers-Storm-L...

Here's an Amazon link. It's got the story description."

Thank you! I read that book very recently and did enjoy it. It has set me on a Kinsale reading spree, but I'm trying to pace myself. :-)

[Pamela]

My husband suggests Bleak House, by Charles Dickens.
Bleak House

[Mary]

Pamela wrote: "My husband suggests Bleak House, by Charles Dickens.
Bleak House"

Thanks! I will add it to my TBR.

[Rebekah]

Angels Watching Over Me is the first in a series of two civil war orphan girls. One had been a slave; the other had been the daughter of a plantation owner. They work together to keep things going and to try to keep townsfolk from knowing that it's only the two of them there.

[Mary]

Rebekah wrote: "Angels Watching Over Me is the first in a series of two civil war orphan girls. One had been a slave; the other had been the daughter of a plantation owner. They work together to keep..."

Looks interesting...thanks!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Far From the Madding Crowd. Bathsheba Everdene inherits a farm and has to learn how to run it.

[Jody]

Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks. A daughter of a lord but never taught lessons to run her own keep.

[Mary]

@jody, thanks!

[Mary]

@lobstergirl, thanks! I love Hardy’s writing but have to be in the right mood for his plots. I’ll add to my TBR!