THE PLOT: ‘Stone Blind’ by Natalie Haynes is a retelling of the ancient Greek myths about Medusa. For the uninitiated, Medusa is the snake-haired Gorgon who can turn people into stone with a look. Told in multiple POVs, the novel charts … Continue reading Review: Stone Blind
THE PLOT: ‘The Mad Women’s Ball’ by Victoria Mas (translated by Frank Wynne) is literary fiction about three women in the Salpêtrière Asylum in Paris, 1885. Based on an historical event; once a year the asylum hosted a ball where the … Continue reading Review: The Mad Women’s Ball
THE PLOT: ‘Still Life’ by Sarah Winman is about a young soldier called Ulysses who meets 64-year-old Evelyn in Italy in the final months of WWII. In this brief encounter Evelyn introduces Ulysses to art, culture and the beauty of Tuscany. … Continue reading Review: Still Life
THE PLOT: ‘Daughter of Black Lake’ by Cathy Marie Buchanan is a historical novel set in Iron Age Britain. Hobble is a young woman with a lame leg, but she is blessed with the gift of prophecy. Her mother, Devout, blames … Continue reading Review: Daughter of Black Lake
THE PLOT: ‘The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp’ by Eva Rice is historical fiction about a country girl who becomes a famous singer. Set in 1960’s Cornwall, Tara Jupp loves singing in the church choir, stealing horse rides and following her beautiful … Continue reading Review: The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp
THE PLOT: ‘Theatre of Marvels’ by Lianne Dillsworth is a historical novel about a mixed-race actress in Victorian London. Zillah has left the slums of St Giles to star as ‘The Great Amazonia’ – a savage from deepest, darkest Africa. However, … Continue reading Review: Theatre of Marvels
THE PLOT: ‘Cecily’ by Annie Garthwaite is a historical novel set during the Wars of the Roses. It follows Cecily, Duchess of York, throughout her marriage to Richard of York – de facto heir to the English throne. Though Cecily’s mother … Continue reading Review: Cecily
THE PLOT: ‘The Mirror & the Light’ by Hilary Mantel is the final novel in the ‘Wolf Hall’ trilogy. Set in England between 1536 and 1540, it chronicles the downfall of Henry VIII’s principal advisor – Thomas Cromwell. Born the son … Continue reading Review: The Mirror & the Light
THE PLOT: Anna of Kleve: Queen of Secrets is the fourth book in the ‘Six Tudor Queens’ series by Alison Weir. Starting with Anna’s life as a princess in the German duchy of Kleve, it follows her short-lived marriage to … Continue reading Review: Anna of Kleve
THE PLOT: Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen is the third book in the ‘Six Tudor Queens’ series by Alison Weir. Starting with Jane’s upbringing at Wulfhall in Wiltshire, the novel depicts her as a meek and timid country girl with a … Continue reading Review: Jane Seymour
Amina's Bookshelf 