Historical Fiction Books

The birth of Venus

Advantages: an easy read
Disadvantages: The ending was an anti-climax

...to read it. I found the beginning slow and was warned of this so I persisted. Although the novel was charming due to its Florentine setting, I felt that the conclusion to the mystery set up at the beginning of the novel was an anti-climax. At times I found myself looking at the page numbers and wishing that I was further along. However I would say that maybe my lack of historical knowledge ruined my enjoyment of this novel as at times it seemed imperative ...

books1987 13.08.2008 · Read Full Review
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Review of The Birth of Venus - Sarah Dunant

sad story plumbs depths of human tenacity

Advantages: occasionally moving; well written
Disadvantages: sad; heavy-going

This is a wide ranging novel, whose overall theme would seem to be that there is no end to what men can endure. Throughout the novel, pain and fear are the dominant feelings; mud and blood are the prominent visuals. Although this is typically considered a great novel, I am not convinced that I enjoyed reading this novel, because I, personally, prefer a different style of writing. Stephen Wraysford is a young man visiting Amiens, France in 1910 at ...
...the wife of his host, a young woman trapped in a loveless, passionless marriage, and the first part of the novel is concerned with their passionate journey together. The relationship develops so swiftly as to be almost unbelievable and none of the characters comes across as particularly likeable, despite the sad back stories the lovers are given by Faulkes. Soon the action moves to the trenches in France where Jack Firebrace, a miner, is listening ...

brokenangelkisses 09.11.2008 · Read Full Review
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Review of Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks

This will have you "Turning In Your Grave!!!

Advantages: A total page turner.
Disadvantages: Can be graphic

Whilst browsing in the book aisle in my local Tesco I spotted this novel and thought it looked interesting. It was one of Richard and Judy's Summer Reads selections, so I decided I'd buy it. I hadn't previously heard of the author, but the front cover had a look of gothic Horror and the macabre. Once started I found it very difficult to put down....... **A BRIEF SYNOPSIS** too avoid giving away too much..... Gabriel Swift, made motherless at his ...
...yrs old. Gabriel avoided the poor-house by the kindly intervention of the local Rector, who saw potential in Gabriel. The Rector gave him a decent education as well as a roof over his head. By the early 19th century Gabriel finds himself in London under the tutorlage of the renowned Anatomist Dr. Edwin Poll. A city ripe with the pursuit of knowledge, the hospitals and Lecture theatres fit to bursting with eager students, but a definite lack of ...

kath66-2008 26.08.2008 · Read Full Review
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Review of The Resurrectionist - James Bradley

Tara Road

Advantages: excellent read
Disadvantages: None

This is a very absorbing light novel expanding over 2 decades of a families life. It is a story of love,deceit,friendship and courage. It is about two women one is from Ireland and the other is from America.They trade houses but do not meet. The book centres on the life of Ria Lynch in Ireland who is very happily married to Danny Lynch. They settle down down and had a family and life was very good. Danny's career had taken off so financally they ...
...long time Danny starts to spend more time away from home and his family. So because of Danny's unfaithfulness Ria decides to switch homes with the lady from America. It goes through the women's lives and experiences their highs and lows. I found that once I started I just could not put it down so housework got abondoned . If you are looking for a Holiday read this could be the book you are looking for. ...

ruth1957 18.06.2007 · Read Full Review
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Review of Tara Road - Maeve Binchy

Beautifully Written

Advantages: Offers readers beautiful and haunting descriptions, drawing them intimately into the lives of her characters.
Disadvantages: Because the pace is slow in spots and the plot jumps around, this book is a brainy read, not something to pass the time at the beach.

...making them feel intertwined in the plot and connected to its characters. This book is a snapshot of into the world of segregation, as seen through the eyes of a little black girl. Her family takes in another girl whose father is in jail and whose mother needs to work to support her and her brother. This girl's name is Pecola, and she longs for the blue eyes of a little white girl, and her story will leave readers full of emotion. When I read this ...
...to memory parts I particularly fell in love with. I have read it many times since, and love it more each time. I originally read it for an assignment, and would recommend it to juniors and seniors in high school who need to choose a book for some type of report. It is a lovely and interesting read. ...

lauraedodge 05.10.2003 · Read Full Review
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Review of The Bluest Eye - Toni Morrison