Thursday, March 31, 2022

CHALLENGE: Historical Fiction Reading, March

 



Still Life by Sarah Winman 
1940s - 1970s, Italy and England but mostly Florence

Enjoyable read about an Englishman who was in Italy during WW2 and 
meets an art historian. After the war he goes back to England and hangs 
out with an odd assortment of characters at a bar. Circumstances take 
him, and a few characters, back to Florence wherethey make a life. The 
art historian hovers around and it takes years for them to reconnect.

The author narrated, which was okay, but I thought a professional 
narrator might have madea difference, for the better, for me.
I liked it; other readers at LT have loved it a lot. 


Matrix by Lauren Groff
review can be found here

1200s England, convent


When We Lost Our Heads - Heather O'Neill
late 19th century Montreal
This one needed its own review post as I really loved it.



Circle by Maggie Shipstead
early 1900s to 1950s America, plus present day 
looking back
review has been posted here













The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters
late 1820s, Virginia and Richmond

Are you a fan of Edgar Allan Poe? This historical fiction is for you. 
Picture tormentedEdgar at seventeen, heading off to university with 
his muse, Lenore, tagging along. 
The writing is lovely and many parts try to match 'The Raven' as that is
obviously going to be a big part of the story. I've read a few of Poe's short
stories, and the Simpsons' Halloween episode 'The Raven' is one of my 
favourites. I've been inspired to buy a kindle book of Poe's work to enjoy. 
It's very fantastical (a raven-type women is following him and can be seen 
by others, and then another muse shows up who wants Edgar to focus on 
hissatirical writing) he's a tormented artist, (his guardian thinks he's a whiny
 teenager, lol) but he could write!