Historical Setting

The Return by Victoria Hislop	Good insights into the Spanish Civil War. Felt a bit like two books put together but not as well woven of some of the ilk. I preferred the story line of the historical plot concerning the Ramirez family. Having just "The Prisoner of Heaven (Under Crime) it lacked a little of the depth. Sonia's story seemed a little implausable. I would not rush to read another of her books. Sheila/September 2013
The Help by Kathryn Stockett	Jackson Mississippi in the early 1960s is the setting for this wonderful book about an aspiring author during the civil rights movement risking everything to tell the story of black maids and the white families they work for. The story is narrated by three women - Aibileen, Minny and Miss Skeeter - as they embark on a dangerous task to let people know what life is like for them. It's one of those books that make you want to know how accurate is the life being portrayed. Kathryn Stockett seems to just make you feel you are there - the tensions, the setting, the people- whilst not labouring any descriptions or narrative. Just very thought provoking, very funny and very emotional. Well worth reading. I think there is also a film - so always worth reading the book before catching the film. Sheila/March 2012
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer	I am always intrigued by strange book titles and they usually turn out to be lovely books despite my initial misgivings. Must remember never to judge a book by its cover (or title)! This one is certainly no exception - partly set in 1946 and in the form of letters to and from the main character Juliet after she discovers the "Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" and through these writings she finds out what life was like during the occupation of the island by the Germans. It's a book of co-incidences, fate, friendship and a world in times gone by. It takes some skill to make disjointed letters evoke what it must have been like during those war years. It's even more poignant when you read the Mary Ann Shaffer was too ill to finish the final editing. This came recommended by Lyn and is well worth reading. Sheila/December 2012 (It's being made into a film starring Kate Winslet and due for release in 2013)!
Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber	Read this on Tracey's recommendation. It's a tale of prostitution in the late 1800s and the main character Sugar's rise in society. The book took me ages to read. There are no easy reading small chapters or paragraphs here. It's full on - and if you miss a bit or try and skim read - you will have missed so many salient points, you have to go back to square one! Whether that makes it a book I love or hate, I can't quite work out. It is undoubtedly well written, well researched and gritty. The ending seems to finish at a point that would be mid way through other books. I am sure it is one of those reads that linger with you long after you have finished. Sheila/February 2012
Sarah's Key by Tatiana Rosnay	The story of Sarah a young girl living in Paris with her family in 1942 who are arrested by the French police in the Vel' d'Hiv roundup. This story is interwoven with the story of a journalist who is asked to write an article about this dark part of France's past on the 60th anniversary of the event. Quite a fascinating tale of an aspect of World War II that I hadn't even heard of. The story is memorable, partly because it is well written, but mostly because it is so difficult to imagine the inhumanity towards so many women and children. I personally preferred the narrative from Sarah as I found the journalist a bit light weight - but I suppose that is a reflection on modern life and how easy it is compared with even 40 years ago. I always found books written round a specific point in history stay with you more than the cold facts from text books. Recommended by Karen (there is apparently a film also). Sheila/November 2011
Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne	Oh dear how sad can a book get? As it starts off you can see where it's going to. It looks at the horrible reality of war from the eyes of young boys who can't understand their differences as they just want to be friends and play. Heartbreaking. Amy also read the book, then we both watched the film. Both book and film beautifully done but so so sad. Sheila/October 2009
The Other Boleyn Girl/ The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory	I really enjoyed the The Other Boleyn Girl. It is a well written piece of historical fiction. Even though I knew the end, I was hooked on the story to see how it was going to get there. During the process I have now committed to memory the fate of Henry VIII's 6 wives (Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived - thank you Sheila!) As you read the book you end up wondering how much is fact versus fiction, but regardless, just from a story point of view, it was very entertaining. I intend to read The Boleyn Inheritance (which Sheila has just started) and would definitely put this as a "recommend". Karen/July 2007 Strangely enough I had the other Philippa Gregory book (The Boleyn Inheritance) at the same time as Karen (must be the sisters in us)! Wasn't sure whether I would enjoy the genre of historical fact/fiction "chicklit", but was much better than I had thought. It certainly makes the historical aspect more memorable and is written in a very easy to read style. Not too much depth of description of places or people but enough to make you imagine what life might have been like at the Royal Court of Henry VIII. Sheila/August 2007
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd	The Secret Life of Bees is a very simple story about a young girl who believes she killed her mother when she was a young child and the years of searching outwardly and inwardly to find the answers. It is set in the American south during the racial tension of the early 1960s. The story is beautifully told, the descriptions are more in your imagination than tediously written on paper and the ending is definitely in the happy ever after category - but nicely so! Having struggled with a few books recently, it was so nice to read something uplifting and well written. Sheila/April 2007
The Secret History by Donna Tartt	A story of young American students studying Ancient Greek and along the way incorporates murder, cover up, deceit and survival. Which actually sounds a lot better than the book itself - it was very slow to get going, you don't really care about the characters and the descriptions just seem to disappear into a fog. The story is narrated by the central character with lots of cliches and it was a real struggle to get through it. Would be interested to see if anyone else has read this one and their thoughts. Sheila/May 2007
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova	Imagine a truly scholarly review of the Dracula myth dating back to the 15th century, with translated quotes from real texts (in French, Greek, Turkish, Bulgarian, Romanian, Latin) on the history of alleged vampires throughout the Middle Ages and into the present, plus a recorded conversation with the man himself. Imagine all this lovingly woven into an extensive travelogue taking in Oxford, Havard, a Pyrenees monastery, plus restaurants, museums, churches and libraries. All rolled within the wrapper of a romantic, sorrow-tinged story of three living members of the same family, narrated by the youngest of them. I think the writer, Elizabeth Kostova, actually is Elena the 15 year old of the story and that it's her own life history which is why it is so full of real charm and pathos. The Historian is beautifully written in places, over-detailed in others. It must have taken years just to accumulate the wondrous, visual descriptions of so many remote locations and events. The Historian (700 pages) - worth saving for that slow boat to China or perhaps a daily trip across the Golden Gate Bridge? Michael/August 2006 I should have taken note of Michael's picture before starting "The Historian!" I feel the story is swamped by too much description and after a while the details stop you visualising the scenes and this makes it slow going. It is however a vast and compelling tale of Dracula across many continents and well written - just too detailed for my liking. It could take as long to read on the daily trip across the GGB as the painting of the Forth Road Bridge..... Sheila/December 2006
The Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier	I read this book as part of a local book club, so was not sure what to expect other than I had heard of the film. The pace of the book is "steady" but felt refreshing after gripping books such as the Da Vinci Code. Another cleverly written book where history and fiction merge together. The story is about the 17th Century painter Johannes Vermeer. Throughout the book you know where the story is leading to, but the author keeps you interested and you feel captivated to find out how a maid ends up being the subject of a world famous painting. Little is known about Vermeer's life and very few of his paintings survived his death, but the Girl with a Pearl Earring can be found in a museum in The Hague. This is an easy to read book and I would certainly recommend it when you feel like something light. Have just now watched the film and can honestly say Colin Firth with long hair looks rather ravishing! Karen/March 2006
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden	From the start I found the story fascinating as the world of the Geisha is so unusual. Went to see the film and was not disappointed. Karen/December 2005 Slow start but a very interesting topic and will be fascinating to see how it translates to film - Sheila/January 2005
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak	A most unusual book that nearly was put aside, but I am so glad I persevered. A story of nine year old Liesel living with a foster family and her perspective on 1939 Nazi Germany. It's written in a very quirky style and at first the language seems so over the top as to be out of place. As you delve into the story, the words, the style, the story telling, make it a very moving and thought provoking read. The story is narrated by death and covers the horrors of war, the danger of hiding Jews and ultimately the strength of human relationships. Well recommended. Sheila/December 2007
Che	Che Guevara was a cult hero and villain in the 1960’s. The western media, especially in the US where I was living at the time, demonised him as a mere guerrilla, to be hunted down and killed, which is what happened. They killed him so well it was 30 years before his body was found. If he had lived he would still have been only 79, part of Mandela’s generation. We all know now that today’s terrorist is tomorrow’s freedom fighter, martyr and hero. Guevara was all of those. Mandela has survived, Guevara didn’t.This is an innocent book, the story of a young Argentinian doctor – well, only one year from qualifying – who decided on a "gap year" and set out with a friend from way down south in Latin America, to cover the whole continent and even breech the borders of the US giant, on a clapped out old motorbike (La Ponderosa – the Mighty One) which duly gave up the ghost and left Che and his friend to hitch rides on trucks and boats. It’s an adolescent account, full of the brashness, naivete and what would be selfishness in an older man. But some of his youthful observations go deep, the story of his brave voyage is endearing, and knowing how it ended leaves you sad for a young man’s idealism that ran him into a Bolivian ravine far from home, where he was to be ambushed and murdered. His travels and his daughter’s introduction tell you something about a good human being, and help make this a good read. It’s already a film. Michael/July 2006
Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold	Woven round historical fact, the book gives an insight into the world of the great magicians and illusionists from the 1890s to the 1920s, whilst telling a story of romance and mystery. The pace started well and the first part of the book was most enjoyable, but somewhere along the line, it fell away and became separate stories that were difficult to piece together. Great from the point of view that I was reading it after my visit to San Francisco (where the story is set), but found the rest of the story disjointed - Sheila/June 2006
Empress Orchid by Anchee Min	Best book I’ve read since Kite Runner. Strong meat, but you will surely be pulled through by intense sympathy with Anchee Min’s lovingly portrayed title character, Orchid, a 17-year old from the provinces who volunteers for the Chinese version of Big Brother, the prize being the Emperor. No problem, except that even if she wins one of the top prizes (seven new consorts-in-waiting) or a consolation prize (one of 200 fresh young concubines) she still has to face the 3000 contestants already in residence. This is not a romantic comedy. And the situation isn't helped by the cohabitation of 3000 men, or rather eunuchs. The Forbidden City is real – it’s still there – and though littered with temples and palaces it was never other than one man’s home, one of whose principal objectives was to sire the next Emperor, and whose privilege was to be the only male capable of doing so. 150 years later the setting beggars belief, but that’s how it was. All the characters and events of the story are real too, the British behaving badly as usual, and the scenery, the obscene luxury of life (15 ritually prescribed meals a day for poor Orchid), the gorgeous dresses and ornaments worn by the women, the colourful flora and fauna all minutely described – a bit too minutely for me – and the inglorious fate of the Empire equally painted in all its ugliness. Historical fiction of the very best kind, true to what actually happened, imaginative beyond belief, a tough story. You have to read through to the very last page though, to know if it’s also a beautiful story. Or not. What a film it would make. Michael./July 2007
The Labyrinth by Kate Mosse	Great read. Almost better than Da Vinci code (same subject). Starts off slow but gallops towards the end. Well recommended - Sheila/October 2005 Labyrinth is really two books, not one, about a thirteenth century Alais, intertwined with her twenty first century counterpart, an archaeologist called Alice. The two stories are meshed via the device of simply alternating the two stories in successive chapters, even though there is no real parallel between them in the way they develop. The mediaeval story is gripping, a love story, lovingly told with lavish and accurate historical detail, and with a range of in-depth characters. Alais herself is one of the most beautiful and believable heroines in the whole of romantic literature. On top of this work of art, which must have cost Kate Mosse many moons in crafting, is superimposed the flimsy story of a modern archaeologist, bearing all the signs of hasty writing: shallow characterisation, confusing breaks in the action, and occasional long sections of purely historical detail, with a final chapter which rushes at breakneck speed, reminiscent of Dan Brown, towards its conclusion. I suspect that Kate Mosse saw the opportunity of coat-tailing on the Da Vinci Code phenomenon, and rushed into print. Her original story and her knowledge of the medieval period are far beyond Dan Brown but in the process she has let us down. I almost hope I’m wrong, because Alais will always remain in my mind. Michael/January 2006
East of the Sun by Julia Gregson	East of the Sun is a stunning achievement – over 400 pages of the interlocking story of three young women in the late 1920’s on a voyage to India with the “Fishing Fleet”, (an annual autumn expedition of high class young English ladies looking for husbands among the gallant British military and the upper reaches of Indian Society). Of the three girls Rose is already betrothed, with Tor (Victoria) as her companion; Viva is chaperone to a schoolboy, with a private mission to locate her dead parents belongings. The story on shipboard and in India is full of brilliant pictorial detail, painfully sharp character drawing, a number of tense episodes, woven into the politics and culture of the times, and three (at least) potentially heart-breaking intertwined stories. It's a clever piece of writing, rewarding and worth savouring slowly maybe, till it starts galloping towards the end when you can't put it down. Michael/March 2007 Read this on Michael's recommendation - really enjoyed the story. Always good when you feel like you are learning about an area of history or a country you know little of. Well written, good descriptive narrative and you find yourself wanting a happy ending! Sheila/July 2009