Tag: historical fiction

Lisa See’s — Daughters of the Sun and Moon

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

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 *****

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.

Isabel Allende’s —Island Beneath the Sea *****

Isabel Allende’s —Island Beneath the Sea *****

On Valmorain’s arrival from France, he finds he is responsible for the sugar cane plantation on the island of Saint-Domingue at his father’s death.He purchases nine-year-old Tété who soon learns to manage his house. In her teenage years, he rapes her and uses her as his concubine. When he removes their first-born child, Tété’s life couldn’t be worse. With a slave rebellion in site, Tété’s moves Valmorain’s son from his first wife to New Orleans.

This historical fiction set in Haiti during the slave trading era held a mixture of points of view: from plantation owners to the slaves who practised voodoo and tried to maintain their African roots.