Tag: historical fiction

Maaza Mengiste’s—The Shadow King

When Mussolini decides to colonize Ethiopia, Kidane rouses men from nearby villages to fight against the Italian armies. With scarce resources and old fashioned weapons, they are hardly a threat to Italy’s modern machinery, including mustard gas. Ethiopians are disheartened when every family suffers losses and their leader, Haile Selassie, secretly absconds from the country. But when Hirut notices one of the soldiers resembles their king, Kidane dresses him as Selassie and rouses Ethiopians to fight again.

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Lisa See’s — Daughters of the Sun and Moon

An important historical fiction as well as a gripping tale of three Chinese women from different backgrounds fated to save each other.

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Barbara Erskine’s—Lady of Hay

Jo’s editor approves a series of articles that Jo intends to research and write for Women in Action. One is about hypnosis and regression that she is sure she’ll disprove. Jo interviews Dr Bennet, a well-known hypnotist and agrees to be hypnotised. Instead of believing she can’t go under, Jo finds herself as Matilda, a woman who lived in Wales 800 year ago. She becomes obsessed with Matilda’s life and finds these regressions begin to take over her life.

What is it that connects her so deeply to Matilda’s life and her association with King John? And how are some of the men she knows in the present bound to this long-ago era?

Maggie O’Farrell’s—The marriage portrait *****

In mid-1500 Florence, Lucrezia is the least favoured child of the grand duke and duchess. Her older sisters either tease her or ignore her, her brothers are indifferent. Her sister, Maria is about to marry Alfonso, grand duke of Ferrara, but an illness intervenes, causing her death. Alfonzo’s roving eye remembers tiny Lucrezia and negotiates their marriage. Lucrezia is far too young, but her father sees this as a wise political move and she is married to the duke by age fifteen. Is she old enough and wise enough to survive the turmoil within his court? And what of the rumours that the duke has never conceived a child in all is amorous endeavours? Will her life be in danger if she can’t become pregnant?

This well-written novel is loosely based on historical characters and facts. I was spellbound from page one where Lucrezia is aware that she is probably going to be murdered. I rate this as the top book I’ve read so far this year.