• Book reviews

    Book review: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

    Title: The Four Winds

    Author: Kristin Hannah

    Genre: Historical Fiction

    Publisher: Macmillan

    Publication date: 2nd February 2021

    My rating: ★ ★ ★

    Summary:

    “Texas, 1921. A time of abundance. The Great War is over, the bounty of the land is plentiful, and America is on the brink of a new and optimistic era. But for Elsa Wolcott, deemed too old to marry in a time when marriage is a woman’s only option, the future seems bleak. Until the night she meets Rafe Martinelli and decides to change the direction of her life. With her reputation in ruin, there is only one respectable choice: marriage to a man she barely knows.

    By 1934, the world has changed; millions are out of work and drought has devastated the Great Plains. Farmers are fighting to keep their land and their livelihoods as crops fail and water dries up and the earth cracks open. Dust storms roll relentlessly across the plains. Everything on the Martinelli farm is dying, including Elsa’s tenuous marriage; each day is a desperate battle against nature and a fight to keep her children alive.

    In this uncertain and perilous time, Elsa—like so many of her neighbors—must make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or leave it behind and go west, to California, in search of a better life for her family.

    The Four Winds is a rich, sweeping novel that stunningly brings to life the Great Depression and the people who lived through it—the harsh realities that divided us as a nation and the enduring battle between the haves and the have-nots. A testament to hope, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit to survive adversity, The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.”

    My review:

    The Four Winds narrates the bitter and heartbreaking story of the dangers, hardships and tragedies that millions of people across the United States faced during the Great Depression. Following the Martinelli family through a treacherous journey from the Great Plains to southern California, the reader is immersed into a riveting storyline full of ups and downs that profoundly reveal what it means to be human.

    I was immediately drawn to the main character, Elsa, who is described by others as plain and dull but soon shows to possess many wonderful qualities as a mother and later on as a leader. Even though her life is filled with misfortune and trouble from an early age, she never ceases to amaze with her determination to provide the best possible life to her family. Her wonderful children and parents-in-law were all beautifully developed and multi-layered characters and I also enjoyed getting to know the other minor characters that were introduced later in the book when the family moved to California.

    The journey across the US is not an easy one for Elsa and her children as they come across hunger, poverty and many people with ill intentions. Kristin Hannah is brilliant at storytelling and, just like her past books, she is a master at making the reader feel completely immersed in the plot and connected with the characters. It was hard to read certain parts in the book and witness the struggles this family, and many others, lived through. However, the courage and resilience that each character showed during these moments of hardship were incredible and there were several distinct moments in the book that are hard to forget.

    Few books have made me stop and reflect on life, but somehow Kristin Hannah’s books are always at the top of that list. Although my heart felt heavy while reading most of this book, I cannot recommend it enough. This period was an incredibly difficult time for many and is often underrepresented in books so I am pleased to see it highlighted in The Four Winds. It’s a poignant story with wonderful characters that should be read by all, even those who may not originally think of reading a Historical Fiction book. I cannot wait for the next book by this author as I already know that it would be another great read.

  • Discussions

    A comparison of my favourite Historical Fiction authors

    I am back after taking some time off to redesign and move my blog to self-hosted! It was a challenge but I ultimately enjoyed learning more about WordPress and how to use it to optimise my blog. I hope you like the new design and would be interested to hear your thoughts on it.

    I have decided to start a new series comparing some of my favourite authors from different genres as part of Studious Saturdays. Historical Fiction is one of my favourite genres and the perfect choice for the first edition!


    Jeffrey Archer

    Some people standby you in your darkest hour while others walk away; only a select few march towards you and become even closer friends. – Only Time Will Tell

    I first started reading Historical Fiction when a friend recommended The Clifton Chronicles series. It follows the life of Harry Clifton, a young boy and son of a dockworker who is ambitious and determined. The series is beautifully told and exciting and the continuity between each book is brilliant. I read all seven books in the space of a few months and was in awe of Jeffrey Archer’s storytelling ability. Soon after I decided to read his other books, A Prisoner of Birth and Kane and Abel, which only confirmed my original opinion of his work.

    Some of Jeffrey Archer’s books are quite controversial and have been criticised for his somewhat extreme political beliefs. If you are able to look past this then I would highly recommend looking into his books as his storytelling is excellent and few authors are able to weave such intricate tales.


    Kristin Hannah

    Today’s young people want to know everything about everyone. They think talking about a problem will solve it. I come from a quieter generation. We understand the value of forgetting, the lure of reinvention. – The Nightingale

    I read The Nightingale in one sitting and still remember the range of emotions I felt after each major highlight of the book. I was determined that Kristin Hannah would become one of my favourite authors and was keen to discover her other books. The Great Alone was one of my highlights in 2019 and I am hoping to also soon read The Four Winds.

    Perhaps the most iconic feature of Kristin Hannah’s books is the superb descriptions of the setting. She is a master at transporting the reader to both the time and place at each chapter and this alone creates a very authentic reading experience.


    Diane Chamberlain

    Perhaps now that she’d told the story, it would lose its power over her. She hoped she would never have to repeat it to anyone ever again. – Big Lies in a Small Town

    I stumbled upon Diane Chamerblain’s writing when I was looking for books written in a similar style to Jodi Picoult. Although there are similarities between the two authors, I find Diane’s writing to be more versatile and her books often follow two timelines which is an interesting characteristic in many Historical Fiction books.

    I highly recommend The Dream Daughter and Big Lies in a Small Town to Historical Fiction fans and also readers who enjoy strong narration and compelling and emotional storytelling.


    Characters

    Character development is one of the most important aspects of Historical Fiction. Personally I prefer books with a strong protagonist and several multidimensional secondary characters. In this area I must give credit to Diane Chamberlain as I believe that her characters are always very relatable and real. I often find it difficult to relate to characters whose struggles are too detached from every day life but Diane is an expert at pacing out her characters’ development where by the end of the book the main protagonist feels like a completely different person. This also happens somewhat in Jeffrey Archer’s The Clifton Chronicles series although to a lesser extent.


    Plot and storytelling

    One of the most powerful mechanisms in Historical Fiction is good storytelling and a plot which is exciting yet relatively easy to follow. Diane Chamberlain often has books with dual timelines which I thoroughly enjoy. However, Kristin Hannah and Jeffrey Archer both use simple yet effective language in a confident manner and in such a way that the reader is automatically drawn to the storyline. Their books are based on intricate and fascinating plots in time periods which are very well researched and implemented therefore creating a unique and engaging experience for the reader.


    Setting

    No author can paint a picture in terms of setting as well as Kristin Hannah can. I was amazed by her ability to describe the settings in her books with such beautiful language and bring in the character’s emotions into the atmospheric surroundings. She does this particularly well in The Great Alone to the point that it is almost overwhelming.


    Overall feel

    All three authors have different strengths that set them apart from others in the Historical Fiction genre. However, they all left me with different feelings and emotions. Character development always defeats plot for me and both Jeffrey Archer and Diane Chamberlain triumph in this area. More recently I have begun to admire setting in Historical Fiction as it is a genre where this can be very powerful and there is no doubt that Kristin Hannah has successfully demonstrated her talent in this field.


    Question time

    Who are some of your favourite Historical Fiction authors? Do you agree with my comparison of these three authors?

  • Book reviews

    Book review: Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield


    Title: Once Upon A River

    Author: Diane Setterfield

    Genre: Historical Fiction

    Publisher: Transworld Digital

    Publication date: 24th January 2019

    My rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

    Summary:

    A dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the Thames. The regulars are entertaining themselves by telling stories when the door bursts open on an injured stranger. In his arms is the drowned corpse of a little child.

    Hours later the dead girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life.

    Is it a miracle?

    Is it magic?

    Or can it be explained by science?

    My review:

    “There are stories that may be told aloud, and stories that must be told in whispers, and there are stories that are never told at all.”

    When a lost girl appears in a pub by the river, carried by a man who collapses as soon as he enters the building, the community is astounded by the situation but quickly come together to care for the girl. The mystery deepens when several people come forward, certain that the lost girl belongs to their family. This intriguing beginning was quick paced and well developed, already showing a lot of promise only a few chapters into the book.

    Once Upon A River may be classed as Historical Fiction but often crosses the line into Fantasy with its folklore and fantastical elements. The author does this gradually by dipping into new realms with these writing mechanisms and slowly building up the setting and backstory with hints of possible magical elements that may explain the situation surrounding the lost girl. I found this to be one of the strongest aspects of the book and was pleased to see how well it was incorporated into the main storyline.

    Another important factor which explains the richness of this book is the unique setting and the eloquent descriptions and language which worked incredibly well in bringing in the reader to the present moment. I was often completely lost into the book while I was reading which doesn’t often happen to me so I was pleasantly surprised at just how well the setting was mapped out.

    Ultimately it is always the characters which make Historical Fiction books feel special and unique and I was happy to see a lot of character progression with most of the characters in the book. I was originally unable to foresee how their stories would overlap as several characters did not seem relevant to the plot until a long way into the book however each character ended up fitting well into the storyline without having a predictable outcome.

    Once Upon A River is a vivid and enchanting tale told through the eyes of ordinary people in an extraordinary setting. It flows just like a river would and unfortunately the pace was lost somewhere towards the middle of the book however it quickly picked up speed and ultimately left me satisfied and even wishing for a sequel. The storytelling was exquisite and has left me eager to explore other books by this author.

    “And now, dear reader, the story is over. It is time for you to cross the bridge once more and return to the world you came from. This river, which is and is not the Thames, must continue flowing without you. You have haunted here long enough, and besides, you surely have rivers of your own to attend to?” 

  • Book reviews

    Book review: The Watchmaker of Dachau by Carly Schabowski


    Title: The Watchmaker of Dachau

    Author: Carly Schabowski

    Genre: Historical Fiction

    Publisher: Bookouture

    Publication date: 20th January 2021

    My rating: ★ ★ ★  ☆

    Summary:

    “‘Snow falls and a woman prepares for a funeral she has long expected, yet hoped would never come. As she pats her hair and straightens her skirt, she tells herself this isn’t the first time she’s lost someone. Lifting a delicate, battered wristwatch from a little box on her dresser, she presses it to her cheek. Suddenly, she’s lost in memory…

    January 1945. Dachau, Germany. As the train rattles through the bright, snowy Bavarian countryside, the still beauty outside the window hides the terrible scenes inside the train, where men and women are packed together, cold and terrified. Jewish watchmaker Isaac Schüller can’t understand how he came to be here, and is certain he won’t be leaving alive.

    When the prisoners arrive at Dachau concentration camp, Isaac is unexpectedly pulled from the crowd and installed in the nearby household of Senior Officer Becher and his young, pretty, spoiled wife. With his talent for watchmaking, Isaac can be of use to Becher, but he knows his life is only worth something here as long as Becher needs his skills.

    Anna Reznick waits table and washes linens for the Bechers, who dine and socialise and carry on as if they don’t constantly have death all around them. When she meets Isaac she knows she’s found a true friend, and maybe more. But Dachau is a dangerous place where you can never take love for granted, and when Isaac discovers a heartbreaking secret hidden in the depths of Becher’s workshop, it will put Anna and Issac in terrible danger…

    My review:

    In The Watchmaker of Dachau, we meet several characters who are captured in Dachau concentration camp and other characters forced to work in one of the commander’s homes. These mix of characters form the base of a poignant and somber story which is fascinating from the start and is based on a real life story in an attempt to bring more awareness to some of the tragedies during WWII.

    Isaac is taken in by Becher, one of the commanders, as soon as he is brought to Dachau concentration camp once the guards discover that he fixes objects. Some of the events that occurred on his way to the camp as well as once he arrived were tragic and I found some parts difficult to read. However, the friendship he forms with Anna, one of Becher’s housekeepers, brings an air of hope and positivity when they find a series of mysterious letters. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this friendship develop despite the bleak contrast of their surroundings.

    The most curious character is most certainly Friedrich, Becher’s young son who doesn’t understand much including why his family have hired staff or the events happening at the Dachau camp. Although his character is originally portrayed as juvenile and naive, this brings about an element of positivity as he tries to form a connection with both Isaac and Anna in various ways despite often being scolded with his parents whenever they found out. This bond transforms into something even more beautiful in the epilogue which is ultimately a celebration of life and a bittersweet way to connect these characters and highlight their differences and similarities.

    The writing in The Watchmaker of Dachau flows beautifully and the short chapters kept me invested in the storyline until the very end. I would have preferred if the book was more lengthy and descriptive as there were certain parts which skimmed years. However, the connection which this characters formed was a beautiful symbol for the struggles many faced during the war and the story a necessary one to be told.

    The Watchmaker of Dachau is out to buy today!

    Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a free advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

  • Book reviews

    Book review: The Skylark’s Secret by Fiona Valpy


    Title: The Skylark’s Secret

    Author: Fiona Valpy

    Genre: Historical Fiction

    Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

    Publication date: 29th September 2020

    My rating: ★ ★ ★ 

    Summary:

    Loch Ewe, 1940. When gamekeeper’s daughter Flora’s remote highland village finds itself the base for the Royal Navy’s Arctic convoys, life in her close-knit community changes forever. In defiance of his disapproving father, the laird’s son falls in love with Flora, and as tensions build in their disrupted home, any chance of their happiness seems doomed.

    Decades later, Flora’s daughter, singer Lexie Gordon, is forced to return to the village and to the tiny cottage where she grew up. Having long ago escaped to the bright lights of the West End, London still never truly felt like home. Now back, with a daughter of her own, Lexie learns that her mother—and the hostile-seeming village itself—have long been hiding secrets that make her question everything she thought she knew.

    As she pieces together the fragments of her parents’ story, Lexie discovers the courageous, devastating sacrifices made in her name. It’s too late to rekindle her relationship with her mother, but can Lexie find it in her heart to forgive the past, to grieve for all that’s lost, and finally find her place in the world?

    My review:

    Told in dual timelines and spanning several decades, The Skylark’s Secret explores what it means to be a mother and to find one’s place in the world. Family relationships are tested are friendships are formed with issues such as class and background forming the backbone of this story.

    As with other books by this author, setting plays a huge role in shaping the essence of the plot and story line. Scotland, and in particular the village and sea, were an interesting choice and it was fascinating to see the changes between Flora’s story line in the WW2 setting and Lexie’s in the 70s. I skimmed over a lot of the marine language however thoroughly enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the Scottish Highlands.

    Historical Fiction told in dual timelines is often hard to follow however the two storylines were beautifully intertwined with a lot of similarities in the two characters’ paths. Unfortunately I couldn’t connect with either of the two main characters in the same way that I usually do with other previous books by this author. Some of the minor characters were quirky and interesting but could not hold my attention and I ultimately left and came back to the book several times.

    This is a beautiful story of resilience and compassion with impressive storytelling and a fantastic setting. Despite several slow parts and a set of average characters I finished it with a smile on my face and sense that it will be a pleasurable read for many fans of the genre.

    The Skylark’s Secret is out to buy today!

    Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a free advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.