The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar is a mix of well-researched historical fiction and magical realism, taking place in colorful 18th century London. I had an idea of what this book would be before I read it, but it turned out to be something else--pleasantly so. Take Hulu's Harlots and Emma Donoghue's… Continue reading Review: The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar
My Dear Hamilton follows the true and extraordinary life of Elizabeth ("Eliza") Schuyler Hamilton--wife of the famous (or infamous) Alexander Hamilton. We all know Hamilton has gained popularity in recent years with the musical, but Dray and Kamoie's novel tells this saga of early American from Eliza's point of view, and in turn, presents an… Continue reading Review: My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie
Princess: The Six Daughters of George III by Flora Fraser tells the little-known lives and trials of Princesses Royal (Charlotte,) Augusta, Elizabeth, Sophia, Amelia, and Mary. The daughters of George III came of age during great changes in the British Empire, and experienced great changes themselves--outside of the norm for 18th/19th century princesses. What is… Continue reading Review: Princesses: The Six Daughters of George III by Flora Fraser
Golden Hill opens in 1746 Manhattan and follows the mysterious and enigmatic Mr. Smith. Smith keeps both the characters and reader guessing his motives and identity, as he arrives in New York with a voucher for a sum of money larger than anyone of his age and station should have. It is important to… Continue reading Review: Golden Hill: A Novel of Old New York by Francis Spufford
Slammerkin tells the story of teenaged Mary Saunders in 18th century London, who resorts to a life of selling her body in an effort to move past her working class, poverty stricken upbringing. The first thing I want to say is that Emma Donoghue is such a talented writer. I hadn't read anything by… Continue reading Review: Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue
I haven't gotten into the habit of reviewing non-fiction books, as I often find them hard to review in the same way I review fiction. Nevertheless, I will try to make more of an effort to do so. Never Caught seems like an exception to me, though. Dunbar has written what I would classify… Continue reading Review: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar
A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett is a fast-paced story spanning 18th century Scotland, London, and Virginia. We follow Mack McAsh and Lizzie Hallim, both strong-willed, independent people from differing socioeconomic classes. Mack has been born to the harsh life of coal mining; young men often yolked to a mine and landlord for life… Continue reading Review: A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Marrying Mozart by Stephanie Cowell tells the story of young Mozart's relationships with the four Weber sisters beginning in 1777 Manheim, Germany. The Weber family follows the patriarch's direction in the appreciation of and vocation in music. They host musical nights every Thursday at their home, and it is on such a night that the family… Continue reading Review: Marrying Mozart by Stephanie Cowell
I don't know how I didn't discover Beverly Swerling until now, but wow--Shadowbrook was right up my alley! Scouring Amazon for 18th Century fiction paid off! Shadowbrook takes place during the Seven Years War (French and Indian War), and for anyone who doesn't know, I have an obsession with the Daniel Day-Lewis version of… Continue reading Review: Shadowbrook by Beverly Swerling
A More Perfect Union by Jodi Daynard is the third book in the Midwife trilogy, and follows the mixed race son (Johnny) of Eliza Bolyston and Johnny Watkins. The book opens in 1794, some 15 years after the events of books 1 and 2. Johnny Watkins, "passing as white", returns to Boston from the… Continue reading Review: A More Perfect Union
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