historical fiction Archives

Year of Wonders

Interesting Premise, But Breaks the Historical Mystique Author: Geraldine Brooks It’s 1666 and recently widowed Anna Frith is beginning to see hope and possibility. Not only has her new lodger brought some much-needed money into her domicile, but his love of her children, his inappropriately amusing city stories, and the bolts of colorful cloth he uses to weave the latest fashions are slowly drawing her back into the world. Perhaps there is more between them – or could be. Perhaps it is time to let go of grief and embrace life again. But then her boarder dies, horribly, and she [...]

Frances Carden2023-04-16T19:10:11-07:00April 16th, 2023|Tags: Black Death, book review, historical fiction, plague, read, reading|

Hacienda, The

Haunted Haciendas and Dark Priests Author: Isabel Cañas The Hacienda promises a gothic historical romp with ghosts, similar to Rebecca and Mexican Gothic. Instead, what it delivers is a weird mélange of half formed ideas set against a fantastic background and premise, but without the characters and fortitude to sustain the atmosphere and intention. It begins with a war. This war, like all wars, has its sides, and Beatriz’s father (a key general) was on the losing side. Ousted from her formerly good life, Beatriz and her windowed mother are now forced into near servitude by a sharp-tongued aunt. It’s [...]

Frances Carden2023-03-26T09:57:31-07:00March 26th, 2023|Tags: historical fiction, horror|

Second Life of Mirielle West, The

Leprosy and Second Chances Author: Amanda Skenandore Mirielle leads a dissipated life, despite the luxury of being married to a Hollywood star and living in extravagance. She drinks to forget, to forget the toddler she recently lost, to cloud the memories and silence the nagging blame. Life, as bad as it is for her, is about to get a lot worse. A routine doctor’s visit for a small, white spot on her hand changes everything. Overnight, Mirielle is locked in a Spartan hospital room, then ferried on a dirty train car to a remote part of Louisiana where Carville, America’s only [...]

Frances Carden2023-03-11T12:35:36-07:00March 11th, 2023|Tags: book review, fiction, historical fiction, leprosy, read, reading|