Tag: Historical fiction

The Two Loves of Sophie Strom by Sam Taylor

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Isn’t it funny how sometimes you read two books with similar themes in quick succession, without even planning to? This has happened to me this month, as I have read ‘The Names’ and ‘The Two Loves of Sophie Strom’, both of which have a little of a ‘sliding doors’ theme to them – the whole idea of ‘what if?’

‘The Two Loves of Sophie Strom’ is a book I have absolutely loved. I appreciate that some readers may find the start of the book a little confusing, but it is a slow burn that is absolutely worth sticking with as it is a great story. We meet Max, a Jew living in Austria, at the start of the build-up of nationalism and the success of Hitler’s Nazi Party; one night, his life is changed for ever as his family’s business is attacked.

However, this attack creates a sliding-door moment, as we also meet Hans, who leads the life that Max could have lived if the outcome of the attack on his family’s music shop was different. Both of these boys, and later men, appear to be leading parallel lives, with very different experiences through the war years. But they are both in love with Sophie Strom, and will do all they can to protect her.

This is a fantastic piece of historical fiction, which investigates human nature in the time of war-torn Europe (specifically, occupied Paris). It really makes you think about the decisions that people have to make to survive – you really consider the light and dark of human nature in difficult times. Is Hans someone who really exists within Max, or is Max someone who really exists within Hans?

I thought this book was very skilfully written, with the dual narrative; it really takes some skill to write this story and keep it entwined. The novel also tells a beautiful story about love, survival, human nature and what it means to exist in even the darkest times. The characters are beautifully created, and they become very vivid for the reader (Karl is one of the most hateful characters I have ever read about, everything wrong with humans, especially in difficult times).

I am already ready to pass this book onto another reader, because I am pretty sure they will enjoy it. I think it is a book that will be with me for quite some time, and it has really made me think about the human experience, not only in World War Two, but in all situations of war. It is a unique idea for a book, and I hope that it finds many readers who will enjoy it as much as I did.

The Household by Stacey Halls

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have been waiting very patiently for ‘The Household’ by Stacey Halls to come out in paperback – mainly because I was hoping that the paperback cover would be more in keeping with the covers for all her other titles – and I am pleased to report that it is!

I found ‘The Household’ a fascinating read, because it is based on something that I had no knowledge of but now I am really keen to find out more about. We meet the ‘girls’ of Urania Cottage in Shepherd’s Bush, London – they are all women who have fallen on hard times for any number of reasons, but they are all characters that can be ‘redeemed’ and sent to the colonies to start a new life. This was a real place, a real home for fallen women, a project of Charles Dickens and Angela Burdett-Coutts, who saw this as their chance to save the women from the path they have chosen.

Each of these women is a brilliant woman in their own right, and they each have a story which you become easily invested in. They may have fallen on hard times or potentially made some poor choices, but this should not be all they are recognised for, as they each have a story to tell – or someone that they love that they are keen to help ensure that they better themselves for. It draws attention to what someone could do in a time of desperation and how small the ‘underworld’ of Victorian London really was. And, as this side of Victorian society is something that I find absolutely fascinating, this book was a great read, especially as it put women at the centre of the historical narrative, which, as we all know, is where they should be, but many are having to fight to ensure that is where they are. And, it recognises each of them as a real person, and not as an outcast from society.

Mystery also weaves its way through this story as we find out about the mysterious Richard Dunn and his relationship with Angela Burdett-Coutts; why does he stalk her? Alongside the mysterious past of each of the young ladies that we meet and Martha’s efforts to find her sister Emily, this keeps you reading, alongside the love of the characters.

Some may not think this is a pacy read, but I was absolutely hooked as I read it, because I was fascinated by the history and the characters. As well as the writing being beautiful and engaging, which also kept me turning the pages and finding out more about the women of this story.

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

This book has been on my shelf since I heard Kaliane talk about her book last year. I realise I start a lot of my blog posts about with how long the book has been on my shelf, but that is one of the many curses of being a bookworm. Although I really wanted to read this book, there was something a little intimidating about it for me. I do not know if it was all the hype it was getting, or the fact that it appeared to be a sci-fi book, which is definitely not my go-to genre. Yet I was still really fascinated by this book, so when it became the pick for a monthly buddy read, it gave me the boost I needed to pick it up.

This is such a unique idea for a book; the idea that time travel could bring characters from the past to the present for us to learn from and for the Ministry to see how well they adapt to life in the modern world – and all the moral conflict that comes with that, as ultimately they are human beings displaced for a social experiment. This does seem to reflect the modern world we are living in and creates quite a thought-provoking read as you consider all the moral questions that it raises as you read.

It is a fascinating concept and you do learn a little about the history of the characters, especially that of Commander Graham Gore, who was the original inspiration for the book. It did pique my interest in those early explorations to new worlds, as they would have been for the Victorians, but it also emphasises all the wrongs of that age of exploration. Something that has really been at the fore of current affairs.

If someone aske me to classify this book, I am not sure what you can fully classify it, as I think it could be found in many sections of a bookshop. It is a contemporary piece of fiction from a new voice, it has a very clear (but light) element of sci-fi to it, but it is also a love story. It may not be your traditional love story, but centrally it looks at love in different forms.

I enjoyed this book, although it did take some concentration, with some rather long chapters at points, which means, to me, it is a book that you have to be able to dedicate some time to, to ensure that you are taking it all in. So, I will certainly be recommending this book to people, especially as something that maybe they traditionally would not pick up to read, because of that fear of it being something very sci-fi – I admit that if I had not heard Kaliane Bradley speak about it, then I may have never picked this book up, so it proves you should never judge a book by its cover – or its genre.

The Silence In Between by Josie Ferguson

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I think it is safe to say that ‘The Silence In Between’ was my read of the month for January. This is a book (no surprise) that had been sitting on my shelf for far too long, but I was inspired to pick it up thanks to a lovely bunch of bookworms who set up a buddy read.

I found this book a truly brilliant and thought-provoking read. As someone who teaches both the eras in this book, it was so fascinating to reflect on the lives of the people of East Berlin, first under the Nazi Regime, and their supposed liberation thanks to the Soviet troops. It was truly harrowing to really think about how their lives, actually, faced very little change, just changing a regime from one end of the political spectrum with another – with an even bigger divide created between the people with the structure of the Berlin Wall.

And, amongst all this, we meet Lisette and her family; their lives are turned upside down when Lisette’s baby is in hospital in Berlin as the Berlin Wall is built, but he is on the wrong side of the wall. We follow Lisette’s daughter as she attempts to save her brother and gain the love of her mother, which has always been a little too far out of reach. And, parallel to this, we follow Lisette as a young woman and, as her history unfolds, we learn about the woman and mother that she has become.

Throughout all this, there is a theme of music running all the way through the story, and the importance and comfort that it has brought at different times to Lisette and then her daughter. But, also, how silence comes to have a number of different meanings – especially silence that allows people to hide, silence that allows people to be protected, and how silence can come between people. And that it is time for the barrier of silence to removed, just as Berlin’s divide needs to be removed.

I read this book in one weekend, as I could not put it down. I had to know what was happening to Lisette and her family. I felt thrown into the world of Berlin, as World War Two came and went, and the Cold War intensified. My heart broke for the family and the world that they were living in. And it clearly reminded us all that the many can not be blamed for the actions of the few, and that sometimes the real human cost is not considered throughout history. Especially as conflict is not just about the military, but it is also about the civilians.

This is a book that I will be recommending to many of my bookish friends, especially if they are fans of historical fiction. And this is not a book that I will be forgetting for quite some time. In fact, it is the sort of book that I wish I could read for the first time again.

Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have had my eye on ‘Shy Creatures’ by Clare Chambers for quite some time, mainly because it had one of the most beautiful covers I had seen in 2024. As well as the fact that I had loved ‘Small Pleasures‘ when I had read it for book club.

‘Shy Creatures’ did not disappoint. I love that Clare Chambers finds a story from the past that intrigues her and she uses that to inspire her to write her beautiful stories. And this is a beautiful story, taking us back to the 1960s. We meet Helen, who is an art therapist at Westbury Park, a psychiatric hospital, who hopes that her art will help those who have to spend time in the institution. However, Helen has her own secret: that she is having an affair with the charismatic Gill, one of the doctors who works there. She thinks that this is all she wants but, as she encounters a new patient, William, his hidden past forces her to reflect on her life and her relationships – and, as William goes on a journey to heal, Helen finds herself on a similar journey. Are they both ready for a fresh start and to embark on the new life they deserve, and remove the barriers that have held them back?

I absolutely adored this book from the moment that I started reading. Helen is a wonderfully strong female lead character, and a woman ahead of her time in 1960s Croydon. It tackles ideas about the role of women, mental health and relationships of all kinds. William is a man that needs someone to understand, to see how what he has experienced has made him the man that he is – and maybe that those who thought that they were keeping him safe, stifled him instead.

I loved how the title of this book had so many different meanings: who really are the shy creatures in this book? The badgers that William and his childhood friend Francis spot one wonderful summer, or the boys themselves away at their boarding school, or the characters we meet in the book who have never quite shown all they are to the world?

This will be a book that I will be recommending to anyone who will listen – especially if they like a thoughtful, emotional and powerful read with characters that come to life from the page, right from the very first word.

The Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have immediately come on here to review ‘The Winter Garden’ by Kristin Hannah, and I am even doing it with some tears still in my eyes. ‘The Winter Garden’ was chosen by the Knowle Book and Pudding Club and I was very excited about it as, about this time last year, I read ‘The Four Winds’ and, when I finished, I knew I wanted to read more books by Kristin Hannah – I just did not think it would be about a year before I did it. And I am determined that I am going to read another one soon, and definitely before another year is out.

I did not know what the premise of this story was, other than the word ‘Leningrad’ on the front cover, but nothing prepared me for what an emotional rollercoaster this read was going to be. I cannot give away what this is about, because I want you all to experience this beautiful book for yourself. Although, my advice is that you should be prepared for some tears as you reach the conclusion of the story.

What I will say about this book is that Kristin Hannah is incredibly skilled at not only putting women at the centre of her stories, but placing them at the centre of history. A place that, sometimes, women miss out on, despite all the important parts they have played throughout our world history – often a little more behind the scenes, but still being essential as the story of the world unfolds.

Alongside this, Kristin writes beautifully about relationships. And, in both of the books that I have read, she has written excellent relationships between mothers and daughters: how these can be some of the most incredible bonds, but also some of the most challenging relationships that women can face. In ‘The Winter Garden’, this relationship is represented in so many different ways but, essentially, love is at the centre of them all, even if it is not always obvious to those who are there until the past is fully understood.

I am not sure if I am doing this book justice, because there is just so much wonderful storytelling throughout this story, and it will have you researching more about the historical events that are described in its pages. But the epilogue is one of the most beautiful I have read, and brought the story to an almost perfect conclusion – although I hoped that there was a further reunion as the book came to a close.

If you are a fan of Kristin Hannah’s books – which is your favourite? As I need to work out the best way to tackle her extensive backlist of titles – and I definitely need to do it sooner than in a year’s time.

Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

It appears I am having a phase of enjoying Irish literature – it has not been intentional but a sheer conincidence which has brought me to some wonderful books. ‘Where the Heart Should Be’ had been a treat to me, from me, when I spotted in one of my favourite independent bookshops, ‘Warwick Books’. I am a fan of Sarah Crossan’s free verse novels and this one had an additonal appeal of being a piece of historical fiction – based on the tragic events of the potato famine in Ireland.

This is a love story, a comment on social equality and justice, and historical fiction. And, it is safe to say, I absolutely adored this book. It had everything that you would expect from the pen of Sarah Crossan; it was beautifully constructed, the characters were engaging and it was emotive and atmospheric. I could not put this book down once I started it, I was swept away in the story.

I think what is important about this book is that it shows that love can cross divides but what makes this so tragic is that there, sadly, are always those who will not allow the love across the divide, or support the healing that it may bring. This book shows the harm that is inflicted when those who seem powerful try to control others – and the cruelty this can lead to. But, what really made me stop and think, and may have caused me to shed a tear, was the sheer injustice of the situation in Ireland at the time (and sadly for centuries) – the divides caused by the intolerance of those who chose to make Ireland their home, despite it already being the home of others.

I do not want to spoil this book for anyone, so I think the best way to appreciate this book is make sure you read it. But, be prepared that it will stay with you forever – and you will carry the characters around forever, thinking about them and their future.

A Love Letter to The Seven Sisters

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Last year a lovely bookish buddy suggested that we read ‘The Seven Sisters’ series by Lucinda Riley. As I am always willing to give most books I go, I knew I had to join in (I also knew that I have a habit of not finishing book series, so I thought this may encourage me to do so). Little did I know that in just over a year I would have read all eight of the books and be suffering from a little bit of a book hangover.

I have not written blog posts for each of these books, so I thought I would write a post that was an appreciation for them as a whole. Through this wonderful series, Lucinda Riley took us on seven incredible journeys as each of the seven sisters and Atlas’ adopted daughters find out about their pasts and their heritages. And then we have ‘Atlas – The Story of Pa Salt’, written by Harry Whittaker (Lucinda’s son) and inspired by his mother’s wonderful work; that final book that ties up all the loose ends and mysteries that have been created by each of the other books.

I think the joy of these books is that they are beautifully crafted stories, with the rich histories of many nations around the globe interwoven into the tales. But, also, these are stories that remind us that there is so much goodness and kindness in the world; even when things seem at their hardest, there is always someone who will help you find your way.

Also, they also inspire the reader to find out more about each of their historical settings (well, they did for me, anyway) or the fascinating countries that the stories of the sisters begin in. There is also a great respect for the cultures and traditions of the world – nothing is disrespected in the name of entertainment, which is incredibly important to me as a reader and a History teacher. (I have been known to find books with historical settings disappointing/difficult, when entertainment has been placed above the respect that some things should be shown).

The next paragraph may be a little bit of a spoiler (although not if you are an observant reader – which I am not) if you have not yet read ‘Atlas – The Story of Pa Salt’…

But something that is incredible about these books, is not just how well plotted they are, but how you realise that Pa Salt was there all along. In pretty much every book, Pa Salt had made an appearance and, as you read the final book, you realise where you have missed him. I found that an absolute joy, as I could remember moments of reading the original seven books and I felt transported back to those stories. And I have even heard myself saying that I will re-read the original stories. I may do it on audio this time to have a different reading experience, but I will be ready to spot Pa Salt in each of the books – a bit like a grown-up ‘Where’s Wally?’

So, I titled this post ‘A Love Letter to The Seven Sisters’, and I stand by that. This is a series of books that has offered me true escapism, characters that I have loved and cared about, and sent me on adventures that I would never imagine going on. They have also got me over my fear of chunky books; I will never let that put me off again, as I could be missing out on some stunning stories.

This is also a thank you to wonderful bookish buddies who have read along with me. It is thanks to them that I have entered this fabulous world of ‘The Seven Sisters’. When you can read along with a bunch of bookworms at your own pace, but have a space to share their ideas, always makes the reading a little more special and proves that reading does not have to be an antisocial or lonely pastime. And I have found a new set of books that will hold a special place in my heart for a long time to come.

Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I am (as I am sure you have noticed) a fan of Shakespeare. And I am definitely a fan of people having a go at retelling or exploring other possible narratives of his plays. So, when ‘Fair Rosaline’ was published last year, I knew I had to read it. Now, I appreciate that it then sat on my shelf for quite some time, but it was selected for me as my June pick for my Twelve Days of Bookmas, and I am glad that I have finally read it.

Rosaline is the cousin of fair Juliet. We meet her only in words in the play, and this story is the idea of life before Juliet meets Romeo – a time when Rosaline met Romeo. This is a fabulous premise for a story, and this is a beautifully written story. However, for me, there was a little something jarring about this book.

Natasha Solomon has told a great story, and she has a magical way with words, but the story felt a little like an agenda. A very feminist telling of the lives in ‘fair Verona’ – which is fine, but does not need to be so forced on the reader. I totally understand that, as modern audiences, we have some issues with the idea of age and relationships (rightly so); however, these issues were not the same in the historical context. It felt, all the way through, that we were constantly being told that the age gap in relationships was a problem, rather than it being implied to the reader. And Romeo is categorised incredibly negatively, which, again, may be how the author sees him, but may not be how all the readers see him, and they are not left to form any kind of independent judgement of his character.

It was wonderful to meet Rosaline and give her a voice, and I liked the reimagining of the ending. But, if this was not a story of before Juliet, it could be a fantastic, independent story with no connection to Shakespeare – and I would have enjoyed it so much more if this was just a story about a strong, independent woman called Rosaline, trying to stand up to the expectations placed on her by society. Especially as Rosaline is a character I admired: her character and her determination, and her belief in loyalty to those who deserved and earn it.

So, I am interested, have you read this one? I would love to know people’s thoughts, because I think I recommend this as a beautifully written book – but without the attachment to Shakespeare.

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

My IRL book club has chosen ‘Burial Rites’ by Hannah Kent for the month of June. The choices were all based on the ‘Women’s Prize for Fiction’ back list but it was ‘Burial Rites’ that won the book club vote.

‘Burial Rites’ is a a truly brilliant read. I was hooked from the moment that I picked it up. It is haunting and beautifully written, based on a true story, a tale of the last execution to take place in 1830. And that execution was that of a woman, Agnes Magnusdottir (apologies: the spelling is missing some of the symbols needed on the letters). Now, this is no spoiler, as you can imagine her crime must be one of the worst if the punishment is execution – and it is; she is charged with being complicit in the murder of Natan, a man she has been in love with, and who she believed, or maybe hoped, loved her too.

This book is a fictionalised exploration of Agnes’ exprience as she awaits her execution, and the people who are responsible for her care, spiritually and physically, until that final moment. It also slowly reveals what had happened on that fateful night, and leaves us considering the morality of the execution.

I felt fully immersed in this world. I could feel the cold of 1830 in Iceland, and the isolation that Agnes felt in those final days. It evoked anger as I read about the moment that led to the crime with which she is charged, and the inequality of society as nobody appears to relate to Agnes and what happened because of her social background and her gender. She is labelled by her ‘guilt’ until others start to see past that, as they spend time together, and the sense of injustice starts to build.

The final pages are some of the best that I have read: I cannot share more than that as I do not want to spoil it for readers. But I almost felt like I was there in the final moments of the story, feeling all the emotions as the story drew to a close.

I am not sure I can do this book justice because I do not want to spoil the experience for other readers but this is a book that is going to become one of my auto recommendations when people ask for something to read. It will satisfy those who enjoy historical fiction; it will satisfy those who like a great story with fantastic writing, and it will satisfy those who enjoy crime fiction. To be honest, it will be a satisfying read to anybody who admires a well-constructed story with fascinating characters – whatever your usual genre taste is.