Tag Archive for: Historical Fiction

The Unselected Journals Of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1

The Unselected Journals Of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1Title: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1
Author: Beth Brower
Series: Emma M. Lion #1
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Audio
Pages: 107
Length: 3h 15m
Narrator: Genevieve Gaunt
Reason Read: Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’m glad I decided to follow my book club’s recommendation and start the Emma M. Lion series. I really enjoyed the format as it made for an interesting read. I also love the Victorian era England setting. The characters are so much. I especially love Emma’s feistiness and penchant to do what she wants in a time when it was frowned upon. I’m excited to see what happens in volume 2.

Hang The Moon

Hang The MoonTitle: Hang the Moon
Author: Jeannette Walls
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Audio
Pages: 349
Length: 12h 29m
Narrator: Jeannette Walls
Reason Read: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

I love prohibition era stories so when I read the synopsis for HANG THE MOON, I was super excited to read it. I didn’t realize until about a third of the way through the story that Walls was using Queen Elizabeth I’s life as inspiration for the main character. At first, I liked the allusion but then it just got to be too much. I wished it hadn’t so closely followed that history because I kept wondering who each character represented in Tudor era England. The story was also a little slow and, at times, really grim and sad. (I get it. Both of the these times in history were grim and sad. I had just hoped for something a little more inspiring.) I’m glad I read the book, even if it was a little disappointing.

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A Song To Drown Rivers

A Song To Drown RiversTitle: A Song to Drown Rivers
Author: Ann Liang
Genre: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism
Format: Audio
Pages: 324
Length: 10h 22m
Narrator: Natalie Naudus
Reason Read: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

A SONG TO DROWN RIVERS is a story that’ll stay will me for a long time. It’s a beautifully tragic story about love, loss, betrayal, politics, and war. I’ve loved Asian folktales since I was a child and this one did not disappoint. Xishi, Fanli, Zhengdan, and Fanli’s friend (I don’t know how to spell his name since I listened to the audiobook and I can’t find it on Google). The ending felt a bit rushed and the end end reminded me of the movie Eternity. It made me wonder if it was really hopeful or actually more tragic. So much to think about.

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The Spectacular

The SpectacularTitle: The Spectacular
Author: Fiona Davis
Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 368
Length: 12h 20m
Narrator: Kimberly Farr, Rachel L. Jacobs
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

I really love the historical aspects of Fiona Davis’ novels. In THE SPECTACULAR, I loved the setting of the mid 1950s and early 1990s, and I loved learning some of the history about the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall. I had no idea about the Mad Bomber (or Big Apple Bomber in the novel) and I had no idea it was the case that put criminal profiling on the map. That was all fascinating. I thought the mystery aspect of the book was a bit far-fetched, but it kept me interested and reading. The romance disappointed me as it was quite a bit lacking.

The Circus Train

The Circus TrainTitle: The Circus Train
Author: Amita Parikh
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Audio
Pages: 352
Length: 14h 39m
Narrator: Imogen Church
Reason Read: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved THE CIRCUS TRAIN. While I don’t feel like it’s reminiscent of THE NIGHT CIRCUS like the blurb says it is, I thought the story and characters were interesting, rich, and fraught with heartache, challenges, and perseverance.

I loved the concept of a traveling circus by train in Europe before and during World War II. The history helped shape the story and give it more depth. It was very interesting to see World War II from so many different perspectives and locations. I really enjoyed the author’s note at the end explaining the creative license vs. the reality.

The circus itself helped turn an otherwise troubling and deadly time into a life worth living despite the pain. I loved Lena, Theo (father), Alexandre (love interest), and Clara (governess). They all shined and made the story a pleasure to read. I won’t be forgetting this story any time soon.