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!