Laila Ibrahim, Yellow Crocus

I borrowed this book from the library, but after I finished reading it I wished I owed it, because I can already see it's the kind of novel I'll want to read again and lend out to other people.  

The Plot: Mattie, a slave living on a Virginian plantation, is taken from her baby son and forced to be a wet-nurse to her newly born mistress. Mattie comes to care for Lisbeth, though she never forgets her son. As Lisbeth grows she is forced to confront her position in society, and her complicity in a system that dehumanises and brutalises her surrogate mother. 

Rating: 4/5

*Spoiler Alert*

C J Sansom, Lamentation

C J Sansom's Tudor mystery series always end up on the best sellers list when they come. They are both popular, and well received by critiques and he is highly regarded as an author of historical fiction. Can't help but think he gets more respect that authors of the genre as he as in man in a category dominated by women... but that's a whole other argument and this is meant to be a review post.

The Plot:   The sixth book in the series, Matthew Shardlake lawyer/investigator returns to unravel plots and intrigues of the Tudor royal court. Henry VIII is dying, and is concerned about his legacy, and religious tensions threaten civil harmony. Catholics, Reformers, Anabaptist and Lollards are all Christians, but their differences regarding the holy communion are leading to unrest, charges of heresy and murder. Catherine Parr, the wife of the king, has had a potential inflammatory and heretical memoir stolen, Lamentations of a Sinner, so she calls on her long-term friend Shardlake to retrieve it, before it is made public.

Rating: 3.5/5    

Jennifer McVeigh, The Fever Tree

I won't be surprised if the The Fever Tree is eventually turned into a film, it has been favourably compared to Gone with the Wind and has been well received.

The Plot: Penniless and orphaned, Frances is forced to emigrate to the Cape to join her new husband Dr Edwin Mathews. On the boat journey to south Africa she meets William Westbrook, a magnetic and well-connected man, who helps his uncle run the Kimberley diamond mines. 1880, South Africa is a dangerous and corrupt land, built by speculation, greed and the blood of the indigenous population. As smallpox threatens the stability of an already unstable country, Frances is torn between an idealist but remote Edwin, and passionate but unpredictable William.  

Rating: 4/5 

Steven Saylor, Roma

My spate of reading trashy books continues with Roma by Steven Saylor. However, unlike Never Go Back  this is the good sort of trash: uncomplicated, swords-and-sandals escapism.

  
The Plot: Following the fortunes of the Potitii family and the history of Rome, as the city changes from a campsite on a trade route to an impressive metropolis,  Roma covers 1000 years of history.

Rating:  3/5

library haul

Although I've currently got heaps of unread books on my shelves, I really didn't fancy reading any of them. Instead, I picked up an old faithful Song of Achilles, which is one of my favourite books of all time. 

To get me out of a reading slump I took a trip to my local library and gathered the following:-

Sarah Waters, The Paying Guests

As far as I'm aware I've read all of Sarah Water's books, and I've enjoyed every single one. It's no secret I love a bit of historical fiction, even though it's often trashy, Water's novels tend to be a classier affair.

The Plot: 1922, London. Widowed Mrs Wray and her daughter, Frances, are forced to take in lodgers because of financial difficulty. Lillian and Leonard Barber, members of the 'clerk class', begin to unsettle Frances' mundane routine. They bring excitement, unexpected friendship and remind Frances of her scandalous past. Dangerous loyalties and secrets will cause disturbances beyond the walls of the respectable Champion Hill house.

Rating:  4/5
* minor spoilers warning*
full review under the cut

currently reading

Sorry I've been M.I.A this week, I'm starting a new job (v. excited) next week so I've been busy getting everything sorted. 

Anyway, here's a a quick update of what I'm currently reading:-

1. Fool's Errand, Robin Hobb 

I'm carrying on with this fantasy series. For my review of the first book, see here. The quality of the series is remaining consistent, and Fitz and the Fool are fantastic endearing.

2. The Paying Guests, Sarah Waters 

I love Sarah Waters, every single one of her books has been highly enjoyable, and I'm confident that this will live up to expectations. It's about a mother and daughter who have to take in lodgers, because of financial difficulties post-WWI. Lesbians and historical fiction, win win. 

3. The King's Curse, Philippa Gregory

Such trash, but good trash. Historical fiction from the queen of bodice rippers. Set in the reign of Henry VII, and all about court intrigue and politically advantageous marriage, this is sure to be a guilty pleasure.    

Jessie Burton, The Miniaturist

The Miniaturist, début novel from Jessie Burton has had a recent burst of publicity, with reviewer comparing it to Donna Tartt. My sister lent me her copy, so I had to see if ii lives up to the fuss.

The Plot: 1686, Amsterdam; Nella Oortman an eighteen-year-old from a respected but impoverished family has come to the city to join her new husband, Johannes Brandt, a wealthy merchant trader. She is greeted at the door by her sister-in-law, Marian who is censorious and hostile to the new bride. Neglected by Johannes, Nella is frustrated and lonely. To divert her attention, Nella is gifted a beautiful, miniature replica of her marital home. Soon, mysterious, unsolicited, prophetic figurines arrive addressed to Nella to furnish her dolls house.

Rating: 3.5/5

M.R.C Kasasian, The Mangle Street Murders

The Mangle Street Murders was kindly recommended to me by Tiziana. I'm really grateful for her suggestion, as it turned out to be a really good read, set in  one of my favourite eras, the late 19th Century. 

The Plot: Sidney Grice, priggish and pompous, is a 'personal' detective, well-known for solving grisly cases. His ward, March Middleton, recently bereaved and new to London, is determined to assist Grice in his investigation, despite his objections. A young woman has been found stabbed over forty times in her own sitting room, her husband, William Ashby, stands accused of her murder. Grace Dillinger is convinced of her son-in-law's innocence and pleads with Grice to discover the real killer.

Rating: 3.5

Robert Harris, Pompeii

Robert Harris is best known for Fatherland, a novel about an alternative reality in which Hitler won the war, but he has also written loads of other historical fiction.

I'm sure most people have heard of Pompeii, the Roman city which was devastated and then preserved when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE. Harris' novel imagines the days leading up to the event with both fictitious and real historical figures.  Pompeii is the first in a trilogy.

The Plot: Marcus Attilius Primus arrives in the Bay of Naples to take charge of the aqueduct that supplies water to 9 towns in the area. A drought and a corrupt millionaire, Ampiliatus, makes Attilius' job all the harder. Will Attilius be able to read the warning signs in time and escape Pompeii before ash and lava engulf him and the town?

Rating: 2/5  
full review under the cut

Patrick DeWitt, The Sisters Brothers

Oooh, we're only on the 5th and I've already got some good books to share with you.

First up is The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt, a Western populated by ruthless hardmen, cheaters and ne'er-do-wells.

The Plot: The notorious brothers, Eli and Charlie Sisters, have been hired by the commodore to track down and kill Hermann Warm.  As their journey takes them through gold-rush California they meet a an eccentric cast of characters and Eli begins to have doubts about the mission and his profession.

Rating:  3.5/5

Full review after the jump:-

Toni Morrison, Beloved

Beloved is a ghost story, as well as a story about slavery, which at first may sound a bit odd but actually works really well.

Toni Morrison is highly regarded as an author, though personally I've found her a bit hit and miss- loved Jazz, couldn't understand the fuss about Mercy.

The Plot: Inspired by the true story of Margaret Garner, Beloved is set in the US during the time of slavery and after its abolition. Sethe, a runaway slave, kills her daughter and attempts to kill her other three children when men arrive to return her to Sweet Home plantation. she would rather they be dead than live in slavery. The ghost of her dead daughter haunts the family, until one day a young woman calling herself Beloved arrives on her doorstep.

Rating: 4/5

Full review under the cut:-

historical fiction

If you enjoy historical novels, I suggest you check out this website

Wimpole library 

It lists over 5,000 novels by time and place. I would say the Africa and Asia sections are a bit lacking, but it's a great start, and other counties/time periods are more extensive.

I have a particular interest in the 19th Century, if you're looking to get started, I'd recommend  Micheal Faber, The Crimson Petal and the White and Lyndsay Faye, Seven for a Secret  and Kate Manning, My Notorious Life by Madame X.

historicalnovels.info really look like a fantastic resource, and I know I'm going to end up spending a fair amount of time on it.

Bring up the Bodies, at Aldwych theatre

I feel I can properly review Bring up the Bodies this time, as our seats were so much better, and I could actually see the stage.

Hilary Mantel's award-winning novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies have been adapted by the Royal Shakespeare Company and are currently on stage at Aldwych theatre. The novels chart the life of Thomas Cromwell, from his tutelage under Cardinal Wolsey, to his growing influence with Henry VII, to his role is orchestrating the fall of Anne Boleyn. Wolf Hall covers up to the death of Wolsey, and the marriage of Anne to Henry. Bring up the Bodies plots Cromwell's growing power, Anne's death and the King's new infatuation with Jane Seymour. 

Ben Miles as Thomas Cromwell (picture source)

After the absolute seat disaster when we saw Wolf Hall (seriously, don't book seats Grand, AA 3 & 4), we decided that we'd go see the second adaptation of Hillary Mantel's novels, Bring up the Bodies, and this time do it properly.  Our seats (Grand, Row B, 17 & 18) cost considerably more, just under £50, but we felt it was totally worth it. It even enhanced our earlier experience of Wolf Hall as there was references made to the first play, and little things I noticed, like Thomas Cromwell's (Ben Miles) Putney accent is subtler in Bring Up the Bodies, as he is even further from his humble origins, which I wouldn't have spotted if I hadn't been to both plays.

The staging of the play is minimalistic, beyond a few chairs and a table, there aren't many props. The back wall is divided into a cross, as one of the key subjects of the play is religious reform,England's break with Catholicism and the dissolution of the monasteries. Fire occasionally comes out of the floor in a doorway, to represent a hearth, and to show the scene is taking place inside, dappled light, like the sun through trees, is projected on the back wall for scenes in the garden. The costumes are of the period, and there are limited changes, Cromwell wears the same black velvet throughout both Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies.    

Nathaniel Parker as King Henry VII (picture source)

I really like the use of tableaux, a simple but affective way of changing scene or illustrating a point. For example at the end of the play, all those who died throughout the two plays are frozen in the background whilst Cromwell talks about them, he then joins them, showing both his involvement in their deaths and also foreshadowing his own.  

All the cast were of of high calibre, apart from I'm afraid Leah Brotherhead, who I'm afraid let the side down a bit. Her Jane Seymour didn't have enough guile, she didn't seem to be a worthy opponent to Anne. Yes, Jane was supposed to be 'milksop', a respite from Anne's quick temper, but I imagined Jane's niceness and gentleness just to be another form of manipulation. Brotherhead's Jane came across as slow-witted and her voice verged on the whiny. I feel a bit harsh now, I think it's because the other actors were so talented, that Brotherhead's weakness were just more apparent.

The stand out performer, for me, was Lucy Briers who played Katherine of Aragon and Jane Boleyn (Lady Rochford). Both characters were distinctly different. She managed to portray Katherine's dignity and resilience, and her jowls quivered with indignation. Ben Miles (Thomas Cromwell) was also very good.

(photo source)

My favourite scene was the when Thomas Cromwell goes to the tower to question William Brereton, Henry Norris, Francis Weston and George Boleyn after they are charged with adultery with the Queen. The four accused are seated in a semi-circle around Cromwell, as Cromwell questions them they are spotlighted and when the interviews are over they exist the stage. It was very well scripted, and the actors gave excellent performances, and become trapped and manipulated by Cromwell into turning on each other.

I could go on for hours, I was incredibly impressed by Bring Up the Bodies and would highly recommend you go see it if you get the chance. As far as I know, there are still tickets available. Our seats, Grand, Row B 17 & 18, were a good choice, and we had a superb view of the stage. We where in the back section, but second from the front. I think it is worth paying the extra £7 to be seated one row back from the front, as your view may be obscured by the lights and safety bar in the front row. I'm just under 5"7 and did feel a little cramped, but this is to be expected at an old theatre. If you're tall than me, you might want to consider sitting in row D of the Grand, as it has more leg room, but on the downside, there is another safety bar which might obscure your view.     

Octavia E. Butler, Kindred

After reading Wild Seed in April I've been on the hunt for some more Octivia Butler. My local library is sadly lacking the patternister series, but they did have Kindred. 

The Plot: Dana has just moved to a new house with her husband, whilst unpacking boxes she begins to feel nauseous and dizzy, her home disappears and she finds herself by the edge of a river. She has been transported to nineteenth century Maryland, an extremely dangerous place for a black woman. Luckily, just as she is threatened with a gun, she returns to her apartment, but this sorjourn is the start of a terrifying pattern where she is thrown between the two time periods, and endangered in both.

ISBN: 9781472214812

Rating: ««««« (5/5)

Full review after the jump:

Kate Manning, My Notorious Life by Madame X

I picked up My Notorious Life by Madame X in a huge library haul the other week, and I'm so glad I did. It's been a while since I've been really enthusiastic about a novel, last month's reads were all a bit meh, but this novel was gripping. I stayed up late and got up early to read it, plus my mum kept stealing it for herself.

The Plot: Axie Muldoon is the feisty daughter of Irish immigrates, growing up in poverty in nineteenth century New York. Rescued by a philanthropist, Axie and her siblings are sent West to be adopted by childless couples, but when the family is split up Axie returns home without her brother and sister. Back in New York Axie is taken in as an apprentice by a doctor, who teaches her the trade that will one day make her notorious.

Rating: ««««« (5/5)

If you enjoy historical fiction or would like to know about the history of abortions and contraception in America I highly recommend you pick up My Notorious Life of Madame X. Though a work of fiction, it is partly based on the life of Ann Trow Lohman, also known as Madame Restell, who practised midwifery for forty years. 

If you're looking for the next novel for your book club, this is it. Madame X is a book that you can't wait to talk about and it is guaranteed to provoke a reaction. 

For my full review see under the jump *warning may contain spoilers*

Conn Iggulden, The Conqueror Series

As mentioned in my March monthly round-up, I've been reading Conn Iggulden's Conqueror series. As I've now finished a further two books, I thought it was high time I filled you in with what I thought about them. By the way- if you want to read my review of Iggulden's other historical fiction series, follow this link.

source

Rating: ««¶¶¶ (2/5)

The first book in the Conqueror series details the birth of Genghis Khan and his rise to power, the following novels detail his conquests through China, Russia and Europe and the power struggles of his descendants. The fifth book (which I have yet to read) is centred on his grandson Kublai Khan.

Although I enjoyed the series, I thought the first two were the strongest, and I did tire of all the battle scenes. I think part of the reason I got bored was that I read all of the books in quick succession, if I had left a gap between them I perhaps wouldn't have found it so repetitive. I know some people who are new to the series will like that they don't have to wait for the next instalment, but for me it was too much. I greedily read the first two books, but by the time I got to end of third I was flagging, though I felt like I'd invested to much time in the series not to see it through to the conclusion. Though of course, when I finished Empire of Silver (number 4) I realised the story hadn't ended at all. 

For more of my thoughts, see below the jump:-

Swords & Sandals

Maybe it's because of Game of Thrones withdraw, but recently I've been reading a lot of historical fiction of the swords and sandals variety. 

Previously, when I've delved into historical fiction, it has been more on the line of bodice rippers like Philippa Gregorgy (my guilty secret), but after reading an article in The Times  a couple of weeks ago about women's growing dominance in the swords and sandals genre, I thought I should give it a try. I was worried that these book would be a bit 'blokey' but I've really enjoyed reading them!  

A brief synopsis of the novels pictured above, before I give you the full low down on what I think:

Boudica: Dreaming the Eagle, Manda Scott: set in ancient Britain before the Roman invasion, the country is occupied by fierce warriors, psychic dreamers and warring tribes. This is the first in the series of book that charts the life of Breaca, from childhood to legend. 

Emperor: The Gates of Rome, Conn Iggulden: Two young friends grow up together in a affluent, but unstable Roman household just outside the capital city, Rome.  Trained in combat by a former gladiator, the two boys are ready to test their mettle in the legion and the senate. First in a series about Julius Caesar 

Holy Warrior, Angus Donald: Second book in a series about Robin Hood. Alan, now in his dotage, recounts his early life as a trusted companion of the notorious outlaw. Robin and his band of merry men are now respectable and are favourites of King Richard the Lionheart. To settle a debt they must join the king's crusade to reclaim the holy city of Jerusalem. 

All three of these novels share some similarities; bloodthirsty battle scenes, court politics, bildungsroman narratives and rich, historical detail. They are not however equal, if I was going to pick one to recommend it would be Manda Scott's Boudica. It seamlessly blends together  a fictional and fantastical story with carefully researched historical fact. Plus, I have an affinity with feisty ginger women.  

Colin Iggulden's Empire, is a strong start to a series and I'm looking forward to reading the next one. It is less complex than Boudica however. I felt that Iggulden has borrowed from the glut of Roman films (Gladiator, Ben Hur, The Eagle, Spartacus) without really adding anything new- that isn't to say I didn't enjoy the book, it just seemed to be a pretty conventional narrative. Boudica on the other hand, felt fresher, perhaps because I'm less familiar with the myths, religion and cultural practices of the ancient Britons. The abilities of the dreamers and druids made the novel blurred the historical genre into fantasy, so if your a Game of Thrones fan, you may enjoy this. The magical element to the novel gave  Boudica the edge over Empire, in my opinion as it made the story more innovative and imaginative. 

Another point in the favour of Boudica is the strong cast of characters. There are plenty of complex female protagonists, that have the physical prowess, charisma and leadership that is more commonly assigned to male characters. The secondary characters are also interesting and three dimensional.   

You can probably give Holy Warrior a miss, it is a weak sequel to Outlaw. The main problem of this novel is it deviates to far from the Robin Hood legend, the characters would have been better off staying in Sherwood forest rather than marching off to Jerusalem. There are some dodgy racial undertones in this novel, and the massacre of Jewish people in particular wasn't written very well or handled sensitively enough in this book. I don't think I'll be carrying on with this series, which is a shame as I had fun reading the first one. 

What do you think? Are you tempted to give reading a swords and sandals epic a try?

Geraldine Brooks- People of the Book

I was at a loose end and didn't have anything to read, so I picked up my mum's copy of People of the Book. Mum usually goes for gossipy, family saga novels, so my expectations were pretty low, but it turned out People of the Book is rather an enjoyable read.

Plot: Hanna, an expect of rare books, has been tasked to conserve the priceless and unique Sarajevo Haggadah*. The previous owners of the book have left tiny traces of themselves between the pages, an insect wing, salt crystals, a wine stain and a white hair. It is through these artefacts Hanna is able to uncover the history of the book and the stories of the Jewish people.

* a Haggadah is a Jewish texts that is read at Passover and instructs people on the order of Passover Seder.

This is a fictionalised history of the Sarajevo Haggadah, though from what I've read the true history is equally fascinating. The manuscript was saved from the Nazis by a librarian who risked his life to smuggle it out of the country. It was then kept safe by a Muslim cleric.  

My thoughts and a review of the book after the cut (may contain spoilers):-

Tan Twan Eng- The Gift of Rain

The Gift of Rain is currently available of Kindle for £0.99, I strongly suggest you snap it up.

The plot: Set in Penang, Malaya, this novel spans decades, from the dying days of the Chinese imperial court, to the collapse of the British empire to Japanese hostilities in World War Two.

The protagonist is Philip Hutton, who feels alienated because his dual British and Chinese parentage, until he meets Hayato Endo.  Endo, a Japanese diplomat becomes Philip's friend and mentor, teaching him about Japanese culture and the martial art aikido.

 With the outbreak of World War II, and Japan's brutal occupation of Penang, Philip comes to realise he has been betrayed by Endo, who is a Japanese spy. Philip becomes an unwitting traitor as he is forced to collaborate with the occupying forces in a hope to save his family. 

This novel is emotionally draining. Tan Twan Eng is a very talented writer, he made me sympathise with so many of the characters, but especially Philip, who's life is so tragic that I felt worn out by the time I'd finished reading. That's not to say it's not a good book- it's just very sad. 

Wartime collaboration is a contentious issue, usually when people talk of collaborators it is negative. Collaborators are seen as weak, cowardly traitors that should be shamed and punished. The Gift of Rain, shows how love and loyalty can be manipulated, and how people believe they are doing the wrong thing but for the right reason. Though The Gift of Rain examines the morality of collaboration, it isn't preachy and it isn't simplified. Both Philip and Endo have their reason for assisting the Japanese with the invasion of Penang, there reason's are not presented as an excuse. They are not blameless just because they are coerced.  

The scope of the novel is huge. I really enjoyed when the narrative broadened out, and included glimmers of Buddhist religion, Japanese philosophy and Chinese history and folk-tales. Penang sounds like a fascinating place, an interesting mix of different cultures, after reading this book I really want to visit. 

Although I learnt about the Second World War in school, we mainly focused on the Western front, so I am woefully ignorant about the battles in south-east Asia. Before reading The Gift of Rain, I was unaware that Malaysia was a former British colony, that during the war had been shamefully left undefended when invaded by the Japanese army. It is something, that after reading this novel, I really want to educate myself on.  

If you enjoyed this, I'd recommend Burnt Shadows, by Kamila Shamsie. As like The Gift of Rain, the novel depicts World War II in south-east Asia.