Maggie O’Farrell’s “Hamnet” is about Shakespeare’s family, although he is never mentioned by name. The title refers to Shakespeare’s son Hamnet, aka HMaggie O’Farrell’s “Hamnet” is about Shakespeare’s family, although he is never mentioned by name. The title refers to Shakespeare’s son Hamnet, aka Hamlet, who died as a child. However, the primary character in the book is the Bard’s wife, Agnes. We see Shakespeare’s life through her lens, as someone who had to bear her husband’s long absences in London while Agnes and the children remained in Stratford.
Agnes first meets Shakespeare when he comes to her family’s farm to tutor her brothers in Latin. She marries him and moves to his family’s home in Stratford, subsequently bearing three children: Susanna, and twins Judith and Hamnet. The book’s narrative alternates between Agnes’s early life and subsequent events leading up to Hamnet’s death.
I love books that successfully convey a sense of time and place, which is why I very much enjoyed Maggie O’Farrell’s “Hamnet.” The author gives us a realistic portrayal of what life was like in Elizabethan England. “Hamnet” is the best type of historical fiction. It doesn’t sensationalize but rather lets us reimagine Shakespeare and his family as real people. ...more
“Booth” by Karen Joy Fowler is the fictionalized account of the family of John Wilkes Booth. This book was mostly a miss for me. On the plus side, it
“Booth” by Karen Joy Fowler is the fictionalized account of the family of John Wilkes Booth. This book was mostly a miss for me. On the plus side, it was well written and researched, and provides a realistic sense of time and place. However, I’m not particularly interested in the mundane details of the lives of Booth’s parents and siblings, and that’s mostly what we get. This book clocks in at nearly 500 pages, and John Wilkes himself is an ancillary character until the last 100 pages. The author also provides historical snippets about Lincoln throughout the book, which I found more distracting than enlightening.
In the author’s note at the end of the book, Ms. Fowler relates how she was inspired to write “Booth” by a spate of mass shootings in America:
I wondered about the families of the shooters—how would such a family deal with their own culpability, all the if-only’s? Would it be possible to rejoin the devastated community? What happens when the person you love is a monster?
That is the book I was expecting, not what was delivered in “Booth.”
DNF at 70%. I simply did not have the will to slog through the remainder of this behemoth. I’m giving “The Mirror and the Light” a 2.5 for the writingDNF at 70%. I simply did not have the will to slog through the remainder of this behemoth. I’m giving “The Mirror and the Light” a 2.5 for the writing, which is compelling. However, the narrative becomes bogged down in the middle of book and never recovers. It is a good 200 pages too long, and that’s being generous. ...more
I have a problem with “The Auschwitz Photographer” being categorized as nonfiction, biographical, or even, as one reviewer described it, “quasi-noveliI have a problem with “The Auschwitz Photographer” being categorized as nonfiction, biographical, or even, as one reviewer described it, “quasi-novelistic.” It’s historical fiction. That being said, the authors did commendable work in bringing us the story of Wilhelm Brasse, a Polish prisoner who survived the death camp by becoming a photographer for the Germans. It’s a sad and often horrific tale, but ultimately it’s a testament to one man’s will to survive and to honor the lives of those lost....more
I like the concept of “The Deep” with its dual storyline of the Titanic and Britannic, ships of the White Star Line that sank four years apart. HoweveI like the concept of “The Deep” with its dual storyline of the Titanic and Britannic, ships of the White Star Line that sank four years apart. However, I found the book’s execution disappointing. Too many secondary characters and much extraneous silliness about the occult, paranormal, and evil spirits of the sea.
I generally like historical fiction but this one gave me pause. The very real people dramatized aren’t here to defend themselves, and some of the characterizations are decidedly negative. ...more
"The Second Mrs. Astor" by Shana Abe is a serviceable work of historical fiction. The book provides a well researched, detailed look at the lives of t"The Second Mrs. Astor" by Shana Abe is a serviceable work of historical fiction. The book provides a well researched, detailed look at the lives of the rich and famous in the early 20th century. "The Second Mrs. Astor" covers the life of Madeline Force Astor from her courtship and marriage to John Jacob Astor through the Titanic sinking, and subsequent birth of her son. After reading this book, I was intrigued about Madeline Astor and wanted to know more. I would have liked the story to cover more of her life and subsequent marriages. Perhaps there is enough material for a second novel about the second Mrs. Astor.
This one was not for me. Michael Chabon’s “Moonglow” is a mashup of memoir, family history, and historical fiction. It’s a series of tales involving mThis one was not for me. Michael Chabon’s “Moonglow” is a mashup of memoir, family history, and historical fiction. It’s a series of tales involving mother, grandmother, and grandfather in no particular order. There is grandmother’s mental illness and grandfather’s sex life, prison experience, exploits in WW2, and obsession with rockets. I have no idea how much is fact or fiction and don’t really care. I wasn’t charmed by the concept nor did I find the characters interesting. I managed to finish “Moonglow” but will pass on anything further from this author....more
“The German House” takes place against the backdrop of the Frankfurt Auschwitz trials of 1963. The novel’s protagonist is Eva Bruhns, a young woman em“The German House” takes place against the backdrop of the Frankfurt Auschwitz trials of 1963. The novel’s protagonist is Eva Bruhns, a young woman employed as a Polish-German translator at the trials. Eva’s parents own the German House restaurant, and Eva lives with her parents, sister, and younger brother in an apartment above the restaurant. Eva is romantically involved with Juergen Schoormann, a young man from a wealthy family.
This novel addresses an important and difficult topic: how Germans of the World War II and postwar generations reconciled their country’s atrocities during the war with their growing prosperity. In Eva’s case, she hears the horrific truth first-hand from witnesses at the trial, and sees the festering antisemitism of her fellow Germans. Eva is forced to confront painful truths about both her country and her own family.
I found this novel interesting, but ultimately disappointing. There are too many characters, issues, and subplots that are introduced, only to be dropped or hastily resolved. Eva’s fiancé, Juergen, is a troubled young man whose only redeeming quality as a marriage prospect is his net worth. Juergen’s father suffers from dementia, and Juergen’s younger stepmother cares for him. Eva’s younger sister, Annegret, is a nurse and there is a story line there that is also fascinating but ultimately a disappointment. Frankly, I found Annegret a more compelling figure than Eva, and would have liked more exposition of her story. We also meet David Miller, a young Canadian investigator at the trial, and learn his background. Rather than adding to the storyline, all of these subplots become a distraction. I would have liked more focus on the trial, and Eva’s role in it. Another book in need of a good editor. ...more
I eagerly anticipated the release of “V2” by Robert Harris as two of my key interests are space exploration and historical fiction. The book is set inI eagerly anticipated the release of “V2” by Robert Harris as two of my key interests are space exploration and historical fiction. The book is set in 1944 as WW2 is grinding to its inevitable conclusion and many Germans realize the war is all but lost. The V2 is seen by Nazi Germany as perhaps its last chance to change the course of the war to their advantage.
The book focuses on two main characters: British WAAF Officer Kay Caton-Walsh and German rocket technician Dr. Rudi Graf. The book alternates between the stories of these two characters, with Graf in Occupied Holland working on the V2 and Caton-Walsh is sent to Belgium, where she uses her mathematical skills to determine the launch sites. Several real-life characters also make an appearance, including Wernher von Braun. Harris devotes a critical portion of the book to describing Nordhausen, the underground V2 manufacturing site where Nazi prisoners toiled and died in appalling conditions.
Like all good historical fiction, I learned something about this period in time from reading “V2.” On the whole, however, this was a disappointing read. I had the most problems with the Caton-Walsh character, who seemed a bit too reminiscent of the women profiled in “Hidden Figures.” I never felt she was a real person and as a result it impacted my view of this book. ...more
Like many others, I initially read A Farewell to Arms as an assignment in my high school English class, and loved it at the time. I recently revisitedLike many others, I initially read A Farewell to Arms as an assignment in my high school English class, and loved it at the time. I recently revisited it by listening to the audiobook (with wonderful narration by John Slattery). The story is about Frederic Henry, an American who volunteers as an ambulance driver for the Italian army in World War I. While recovering from war injuries, Frederic falls in love with a British nurse, Catherine Barkley. The novel is episodic, alternating between the war and the interaction between Frederic and Catherine. I am happy to report that A Farewell to Arms holds up fairly well for me, although the character of Catherine Barkley is often grating. The writing is beautiful, and all these years later, the ending still touched me....more
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