Books Blog : historical fiction

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

KickinLibrarian@evpl — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:04:00 GMT

When I went home a little while back, I saw a copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in my little sister's room. Feeling a bit nostalgic, I went home and started reading the battered copy on my bookshelf. I don't know how many times I have read this book (almost as many as Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird), but I always come away feeling like I have just read it for the first time.

Betty Smith published A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in 1943 and it was an immediate success. The story focuses around Francie Nolan, a young girl growing up in the early twentieth century with a fun-loving, but alcoholic father, realistic mother, and younger brother. Struggling against poverty and isolation from her peers, Francie finds solace in the library where she plans to read every book in the collection. The story continues over the next five years of Francie's life. Her struggle to gain her mother's love, her desire to better her own life, and finding love are all issues that Francie encounters growing up in Brooklyn.

I don't want to give away too much of the story for those of you that haven't read it because A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a book that I believe everyone should read at least once. Francie and her family have struggles that many people can relate to, and you can't help but wish to be the friend Francie so desperately needed. If you are wandering around the library one day searching for something to read, remember to grab a copy of this book.

Elementary, my dear Peabody ...

myzticrhythmz@evpl — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:37:00 GMT

There are some books you read to stay current and informed, and some that you read because you "should" or you "have to". Then there are the books you read simply for the pure enjoyment of reading them.

One of my favorite fun reads is the Amelia Peabody mystery series by Elizabeth Peters. This series features intrepid Egyptologist Amelia Peabody Emerson (aka "Peabody") and is set between 1884 and 1923, mostly in Egypt. Our heroine is a wry, progressive woman, madly in love with her husband Professor Radcliffe Emerson (aka "Emerson," or the "Father of Curses" to the native Egyptians), and ever-watchful of her precocious son Ramses. What makes this series so appealing is the interplay between characters, the witty dialogue, and the realistic way Peters paints turn-of-the-twentieth-century archaeology.

I have not read this series in order but have gone back to the beginning to pick up some of the first books. My most recent read was Lion in the Valley. This story has Peabody, Emerson, Ramses and their entourage excavating pyramids, accompanied by a companion for Ramses and a wayward young woman in Amelia's care. The latter come with their own troubles, and when you add a couple of kidnappings, a couple of murders, and the return of Amelia's arch-enemy, the "Master Criminal," the Emersons (and readers) are in for quite an adventure.

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

GoldensRule@evpl — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:27:00 GMT

An absolutely gem of a little book, this is one that has become popular through word of mouth. Set on the iIsland of Guernsey immediately following WWII the book is a series of letters from the islanders to young author, Juliet Ashton in London. Based upon historical fact, Guersnsey was occupied by the Germans during the war, it presents the best and the worst in human beings. The book club was a spur of the moment invention of an islander named Elizabeth to give an alibi to herself and her friends for being out after curfew. Elizabeth is eventually sent away to a prision camp for harboring a fugitive and it is through the letters of her friends that we learn her story and those of the many endearing members of the society. Finally Juliet is so captivated by their stories she journies to Guernsey to meet them and to see for herself how both the island and its people have survived the occupation. A beautifly written book populated with delightful characters who have survived a horrific period in their history. This is fictionalized history at its best. Copies are available at EVPL.

Life on the colonial frontier

myzticrhythmz@evpl — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:55:00 GMT

I always enjoy a well-done piece of historical fiction. Granted, sometimes it can be *too* well done, when the history outweighs the fiction.

This is not the case with Midwife of the Blue Ridge, by Christine Blevins. As a first-time novel, this is a pretty good book.

It's the mid-1700s, and midwife-apprentice Maggie Duncan comes to the American colonies as an indentured servant. After surviving a harrowing voyage and the unwanted attentions of a British nobleman, Maggie arrives in Virginia and is purchased by Seth Martin to help his family on their homestead. Though her life with the Martin family is difficult and sometimes dangerous, the midwife makes friends and finds a place among the settlers. Longhunter Tom Roberts is present as Maggie's sometime love interest.

Blevins included a lot of detail about life in colonial America that was new to me, especially the elements of day-to-day existence. I was not always clear, though, on whether this book was trying to be a romance, an adventure story, historical fiction, or a combination of all of them. I found the instances where Maggie was practicing her midwifery skills fascinating. I would have loved to have seen some notes on where the author found her information on eighteenth-century herbalism and medical practices. Also, there are a few somewhat violent scenes that might not appeal to those looking for a gentle read.

Overall, this was a good, easy-to-read book. If you enjoy historical fiction, give this a try and let me know what you think!

"Murphy's Law" by Rhys Bowen

Dewey@evpl — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:05:00 GMT

Looking for a delightful, light hearted mystery? Then give the Molly Murphy series a try. The first title in the series, Murphy's Law, follows Molly on her journey from Ireland, where she is wanted for murder, at the turn of the 20th century to New York. Arriving in New York Molly becomes a suspect in the death of one of the passengers on the ship she sailed on from Ireland. During the investigation she encounters Captain Daniel Sullivan of the New York Police Department.Sparks flare. Rhys Bowen has captured what life was like for the Irish in New York in the early 1900s. If you’re looking for a mystery series with a few unexpected twists and turns, check out Molly's adventures.

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer

Guatemama@evpl — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:24:00 GMT

In looking for the next "good" book to read I happened upon a review of this title and was quickly drawn in by... well, just about everything. It centers around an unlikely book group. It makes mention of and draws parallels with some great authors and their literary works - the Bronte sisters to name a few. With a setting in London and the Channel Islands just after the German Occupation of World War II, this novel appealed to my love of historical fiction. And it is a debut novel... something I am always fascinated to find and explore!

As I began to read, I was put off just a little by the book's format, a series of letters written between the people of Guernsey and a young author in London, but quickly found this quite charming. (Not to mention this succinct style worked well for me -- a mother of two young children!) I was quickly and thouroughly drawn into the correspondence between this varied group of people. And though I thought I knew what I was getting into with this book, I found it to be anything but predictable. I was hooked from the first page to the last and even with a joyously happy ending I was left wanting to know more. And hoping to read more from Mary Ann Shaffer and her aunt/co-author Annie Barrows in the future!

Find The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society at EVPL

More reviews of this book