Terrific Historical fiction
Annotation:An interesting look at the world of collecting biological and plant specimens during Edwardian England. Thomas leaves his new wife to go on an expedition in the jungles of Brazil. Corruption, obsession are the popular themes of this book. Easy to read and suspenseful too.
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Annotation:Sally Gunning, the author of this book, writes very good historical fiction. The main character, Alice Cole, is sold as an indentured servant after a difficult ocean crossing from England. All goes well for the next 8 years until the daughter of her master is married. She goes along to the new home and experiences terrible abuse and decides to take her future into her own hands. The author's previous book, The Widow's War, also features a similar theme of women standing up for themselves.
Annotation:British writer, Juliet, writes a popular wartime series and is looking for the subject of her next book. Little does she know that when she responds to a letter from a farmer in Guernsey, she will correspond with and eventually meet people who will influence her life forever. Told through letters written back and forth between characters in the book, its an engrossing and heartwarming story.
Annotation:Despite all the accolades, I did'nt really enjoy this book. The story revolves around the pursuit of a young woman who has murdered her husband. If you like books like this try Amy Bloom's book, Away.
Annotation:As a child, Lewis suffers the tragic loss of his Mother. As time goes by, he becomes emotionally disturbed and he spirals into a pattern of destructive behavior. Set in an era when mental disturbances were totally misunderstood; its a very poignant story, but well worth a read.
Annotation:Grace, a 99 year old resident of a nursing home, recounts her life starting as a maid in an aristocratic home during the first world war. The family, and Grace herself, have secrets...if you enjoyed Water for Elephants, you may enjoy this book too. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annotation:Another terrific historical read by Geraldine Brooks. Follows the history of a famous illuminated jewish religious text from its beginning to the present day. Try her other books, March, which won the Pulitzer prize, or Year of Wonders which is about the plague in 17th century England.
Annotation:Philippa Gregory has been a favourite historical fiction author of mine for years. There are others in this, the Tudor court mysteries. I also highly recommend her other titles--try Earthly Joys and Virgin Earth--or for a heroine that will really surprise you, try reading Wideacre.
Annotation:If you ever dreamed of running away with the circus, then you have to read this wonderful story! The antics of the circus folk are terrific and the author does a great job of re-creating the depression era
Annotation:This is a really fun series that juxtaposes the past with the present. An english doctoral candidate, doing her thesis on Napoleonic spies, discovers a cache of archives--the rest, as they say, is history...1st in the series, try the others for an entertaining read!
Annotation:Behind the scenes view of the father in Little Women, who is ministering in the Union army. Deals with abolitionist theme and slavery. Geraldine Brooks also wrote Year of Wonders another wonderful historical piece of fiction. March won the Pulitzer price for fiction.
Annotation:Cain, a dissolute southern gentleman, makes his living as a "soul catcher" or slave tracker. When he meets escaped slave, Rosetta, he questions his values. Well drawn characters, but a bit of a trite ending. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annotation:If you loved Gone with the wind, this would be a good read for you! An authorized version of the Rhett and Scarlett story based on his side of it. The author has written other stories about the civil war (Canaan, Jacob's ladder) and its well worth a read.
Annotation:An interesting read...victorian woman takes over her husband's bookbinding business and begins to bind pornographic material in order to make ends meet. Interesting psychological insights; it gets a little tedious midway, but has a great ending. Worth a read.
Annotation:What a wonderful read! Written in memoir format, it tells the story of french noblewoman, Garbrielle Monsterrat, who survives the french revolution. I really could'nt put it down. Historical fiction at its best. Reminds me of Sandra Gulland's Josepine B trilogy.
Annotation:A very interesting take on the Salem witch trials written by a direct descendent of Martha Carrier, who was accused of witchcraft in colonial Salem. Told from the perspective of her daugher, Sarah, it' a great historical fiction read.
Annotation:Story of Vidocq, former convict and head of the paris plainclothes police force. Takes place during the aftermath of the French Revolution and questions whether or not the Dauphin died in the Tower or actually survived to adulthood. An interesting historical and mystery read.
Annotation:Follows the struggles of Lyddie, widowed after her husband dies in a whaling accident. Set in colonial America, the main character fights for her rights to choose her own destiny, rather than submit to decisions made by the males in her life. Well done.
Annotation:A Giller prize nominee for this year. Thought-provoking writing that makes you really think about the events and how they happen in the plot line.
Annotation:Another unforgettable historical fiction read by Ken Follett. Loosely based on his earlier book, Pillars of the Earth, this story follows an architect, healer, knight and peasant as they live their lives in medieval Knightsbridge. At about 1,000 pages, it seems a little daunting to read at first, but its well worth the read.
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Description
Historical fiction is usually very well researched, so it's possible to learn many details about the past! If you've never read any, these will give you a good start!