Tag Archives: History

Krisis by Lindsay Smith

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Kisses and CursesTitle: Krisis
Author: Lindsay Smith
Series: Sekret #0.6
In: Kisses & Curses (Lauren Burniac)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, History, Psychics
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Square Fish
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: “Comrade, that is not a feasible option-”

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Synopsis

A seer who can see into the future is placed in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis and maybe only she can stop the world from ending.

Thoughts

I really enjoy stories that are based around actual moments in history. However, I’m not one who tends to read up much on history – probably because in high school we did a lot of American history and ANZAC history, but nothing about our Indigenous Australians, and many, many things that they basically try to pretend didn’t happen. But I digress… this short story (and apparently greater series) is set in Communist Russia. A period of history that I know next to nothing about. And now want to know even more of.

Stories about people with extra abilities, like telekinesis, telepathy, future telling… they are stories that I tend to be drawn to. The fact that this partners an aspect of history that I know little of just makes it all the more appealing. I also loved reading the author’s introduction to this story – the idea for the series came from a fascination with this period of history, and what would happen if even the privacy of your own mind was taken away. Even though this short story isn’t quite about that, it is a great introduction to the world and the idea overall.

Nuclear warfare scares me. If someone presses that button, the world will effectively end. Regardless of the way in which it happens. Revisiting a period in history where this very nearly happened and giving it a paranormal twist really works for me. It’s something that is a terrifying Krisis, and the potential for the mayham is, I think, seared into all of our souls. I can’t wait to see where this series will take me…

 <- Skandal Review Sekret Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Tough Mothers by Jason Porath

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Tough MothersTitle: Tough Mothers
Author: Jason Porath
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Feminism, History
Pace: Slo
Format: Non-fictional text
Publisher: Dey St.
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: She’d get up at daybreak, work all day long, come back for supper, and then set out again.

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Synopsis

50 women from history – Mothers, Grandmothers, and Godmothers – who lived fully, brashly, and boldly and changed the world… these are Tough Mothers

Thoughts

I loved Rejected Princesses. I loved this. There are no other words for my feelings when it comes to this book. Finally, finally there are some great books out there on the many women in history! The fact that this is one about women who are mothers and also completely kick ass makes it much better. It’s a reminder that we can be mothers as well as politicians, doctors, just women of power and change in general. I actually can’t wait to show these books to my future (theoretical) children – to show them the many different things that they can become. And even the women who have helped to pave the way for this.

I had only one small issue (if you can call it that) with this book – there are a lot of American women in these pages. Now, granted, I almost never see an Australian woman in well, anything (unless she’s some random bikini clad surfer, not sure how we got that rep)… so I wasn’t expecting to see anyone from my country in there (there were 2, I danced around my loungeroom when I read about them). But, I swear Rejected Princesses had a lot more people from the international stage than Tough Mothers. I kind of put it down to the fact that the author is American – there is a lot of amazing history there, and, really, you could write a whole book just about some of those women.

This was the perfect book for me to read while I was trying to slog through some articles for my lit review. Each entry was a quick, interesting read that helped to keep my mind engaged. It was also visually engaging and beautiful, so that made it all the more pleasant and pleasing. I’m actually really disappointed that it’s come to an end…

 <- Rejected Princesses Review Gogo Mama Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Magic Flutes by Eva Ibbotson

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Magic FlutesTitle: Magic Flutes
Author: Eva Ibbotson
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, History, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Picador
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Charles was heir to a baronetcy and a famous estate in Wiltshire; she accepted him and had to endure the four years’ martyrdom that followed his injury in Flanders.

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Synopsis

SPRING 1922

Tessa is a beautiful, tiny, dark-eyed princess who’s given up her duties to follow her heart, working backstage at the Viennese opera. No one there knows who she really is or that a fairy-tale castle is missing its princess – and Tessa is determined to keep it that way.

But secret lives can be complicated. When a wealthy handsome Englishman discovers this bewitching urchin backstage, Tessa’s two worlds collide – and in escaping her inheritance, she finds her destiny…

Thoughts

An Austrian princess, a millionaire and an opera, what better setting and couple for a romance? The fact that it is based in Venice in 1922 and features some of the most enchanting imagery I’ve read in a while? It’s just beautiful. This is such a heart-warmingly sweet story that I finished it inside a day. Actually, I refused to do any of the work that I have piling up simply because I wanted to bury myself in the beauty and the romance of this tale.

I like Tessa – she is constantly described as waif-like. And, initially, she is seen as being weak and quiet. A silent almost pushover like woman. Yet, as the story develops, her quiet demeanour reveals a backbone of steel. Even in love and lost to the world that she knows and loves, she is able to hold her head high. At least in public, the heartache of unrequited love and finding one’s soul mate is so beautifully tragic. And sweet. And kind. And just, in general, heart breakingly gooshy.

Actually, I struggle to find the words for this novel. It is filled with a great (if not predictable) love story. The stunningly described backdrop, the slow realisation that the two are in love and the constant challenges thrown in their way take you on an amazing journey. The fact that there is a historical setting and an understanding of the cultural and social outlay at the time. It just makes the story all the better, and far more enthralling to read.

 <- A Company of Swans Review The Morning Gift Review ->
Image source: Amazon

A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson

Book Review, , ,

Overview

A Company of SwansTitle: A Company of Swans
Author: Eva Ibbotson
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, History, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Picador
Year: 1985
5th sentence, 74th page: Of late, too, there had been competition from other and younger dancers – from Pavlova, who had also come to Europe; from the divine Karsavina, Diaghilev’s darling, who with Nijinsky had taken the West by storm.

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Synopsis

FOR HARRIET MORTON, BALLET IS THE ONLY ESCAPE FROM HER DREARY HOME AND STRICT FAMILY. THEN A RUSSIAN BALLET MASTER COMES SEARCHING FOR DANCERS…

Defying her father, Harriet runs away to join the ballet on a journey to the Amazon. In a grand opera house, deep in the heart of the wild jungle, she performs Swan Lake – and falls in love with a mysterious British exile. But Harriet’s father has tracked her down… and her new life is under threat.

Thoughts

This is the last Eva Ibbotson book on my shelf. The last one that I have read (this year). I’ve read them all at least three times. And it’s kind of a nice note to end her five adult books on. Harriet is probably the most urchin-like and innocent of the five heroines. And her journey to romance is both the sweetest and the most tragic.

Everyone feels a little supressed by the expectations of their parents. But, in Harriet’s case, this takes a downright nasty and dangerous turn. Not being able to live or believe in anything seems like the worst possible life to me. Having people that don’t agree with anything that you wish for… there is this beautiful strength and passion that is to be found in Harriet. There is a line in this story about when she decides to finally give up on loving others. She has accepted that she won’t ever be loved, but it is the loss of giving love that provides a breaking point. This resonates beautifully with me. After all, receiving love might be easy, but giving it is the true pleasure.

Rom is probably the darkest and most British of the Ibbotson suitors. Or at least, the most mysterious. I love how his acknowledgement of Harriet’s innocence and purity ensures her safety, even while he plans a greater future for them both. His counterpart (Harriet’s original suitor) is so at odds with Rom and seems to highlight all of the worst things about a well-educated man. It is something that provides no end of entertainment throughout, and makes it incredibly easy to read this book in one night…

 <- A Song for Summer Review Magic Flutes Review ->
Image source: Books’ Are a Girl’s Best Friend

Rejected Princesses by Jason Porath

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Rejected PrincessesTitle: Rejected Princesses
Author: Jason Porath
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Easy reading, Feminism, History, Non-fiction
Pace: Slow
Format: Non-fiction
Publisher: Dey St.
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: Suddenly, Ka’ahumanu was running things on her own.

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Synopsis

100 women from the pages of history, literature, and folklore. Fearless, bold, fierce, these are the… Rejected Princesses.

Thoughts

I loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved (okay, you get the point) this book! I even informed my partner that this is a perfect book from what to select (our entirely theoretical) future baby girls name from.

The things that I loved about this book:

  • The pictures – it was so pretty and beautifully laid out!
  • The entries were graded – I knew what sensitive topics / maturity levels I was getting into before I started the entry
  • It was short and pithy – every tale got to the point, but was engaging straight away
  • There was no sugar-coating it – these women were tough, and had some interesting stories, but they weren’t princessed up.
  • My mind is opened to the women of history

Not only was this book a great look at some of the amazing women of history (and even how they’ve shaped our futures), it was also just a really fun and beautiful read. The entire message behind this collection is that women are strong and can do anything. But it wasn’t preachy, it was fun, and delivered in such a way that you could give this to the younger generation of girls. Something that can allow us to see that we can all be whatever we want to be.

 <- Black Saturday Review Tough Mothers Review ->
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Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterley

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Hidden Figures

Title: Hidden Figures: The Untold Story of the African Women Who Helped Win the Space Race
Author: Margot Lee Shetterley
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Feminism, History, Memoirs, Science
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: William Collins
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: If Dorothy Vaughn had been able to accept Howard University’s offer of graduate admission, she likely would have been Claytor’s only female classmate, with virtually no postgraduate career options outside of teaching, even with a master’s degree in hand.

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Synopsis

GENIUS HAS NO RACE. STRENGTH HAS NO GENDER. COURAGE HAS NO LIMIT.

The phenomenal true story of the black female mathematicians at NASA whose calculations helped fuel some of America’s greatest achievements in space.

Before John Glenn orbited the earth or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, some of the brightest minds of their generation, known as ‘human computers’, used pencils and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space.

Starting in World War II and moving through to the Cold War and the Space Race, Hidden Figures is a powerful, revelatory tale of race, discrimination and achievement in the modern world. Now a major motion picture starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst and Kevin Costner.

Thoughts

I bought this book because I’ve seen the ads for the movie. I, as always, wanted to read the book before I watched the movie – there’s just something far more satisfying about reading the words before watching the adaptation. And I was not disappointed in the slightest. Although this is a pretty heavy going book. At least for someone like me, who has almost no knowledge of American history and, more specifically, the challenges faced by African-Americans throughout the past.

I love the world of science and maths, you don’t agree to do an undergrad and postgrad degree in the area if you don’t! NASA, however, has always been a bit of an abstract interest – I’m more into the environmental aspects of science than the physics. But, after reading this, I want to find out more about the contributions that NASA has provided the rest of the world. The fact that it was a great way to break down social and racial stigmas kind of made it all the more appealing. And this is including the role of Langley and its conception in WWII.

One of the things that I loved about this book was that it didn’t just focus on one or two women. Rather, there was a whole slew of women who contributed to the space race, and this is reflected by the telling of their stories. Although three main women continued to appear again and again, there were a number of other individuals who were mentioned and illuminated throughout this story.

For anyone with an interest in politics, equality, science, maths, or just really likes a good story, I would definitely recommend this novel! It certainly opened my eyes (and my mind).

<- The Upside ReviewWild Review ->
Image source: Amazon UK

The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson

Book Review, , ,

Overview

The Morning GiftTitle: The Morning Gift
Author: Eva Ibbotson
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, History, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Picador
Year: 1993
5th sentence, 74th page: Once he had a lusty son or two, he’d forget all this nonsense about the Trust.

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Synopsis

Ruth lives happily in the magnificent city of Vienna. Then the Nazis invade and her world is turned upside down.

Her parents flee to London, but Ruth is accidentally left behind. A family friend offers her an escape route: a marriage of convenience to be dissolved as soon as they reach England. But Ruth’s feelings for Quin soon take her by surprise, and her efforts to set him free do not quite go as she plans…

Thoughts

This is such a beautiful love story, set against an amazing backdrop of one of the most horrible moments in recent history – the beginning of WWII and the rein of Hitler. The juxtaposition between the romance and the horror works really nicely, and although it does give a face to what some Jewish people experienced in this time, it is mostly about the glory of falling in love. Not just that first, cute, puppy love, but that moment you realise you need to be with someone for every moment of the rest of your life – that you’ve found not only a friend and a lover, but a partner to your life.

I honestly think that this is my favourite Eva Ibbotson novel – it’s a little more mature than her other stories. After all, it deals with pregnancy and death and the horrors of WWII. But, it’s also my favourite story because I find Ruth the easiest to relate to – she’s a science student with a love of life. Yet, she’s still trying to find out who she is and what she’s going to become (a point that I’m currently at in my life). She’s also completely overwhelmed by her first experiences of the adult world (again, I’m still going through this). Yet, although she is a scientist, she is also a music lover.

The two aspects of Ruth that are constantly warring throughout this novel are also echoed in the two love interests. Heini is music personified (mostly because he is irreparably talented). On the other hand Quinton is science, he is rough, slightly uncultured and insanely intelligent. Personally, I like the intelligent guy – Heini is a little too self-centred in his pursuit of music and not exactly partner material. Although I love the outer contrast of the inner conflict that Ruth undergoes throughout this story. It’s also a mark of her ability to grow from a young, sheltered girl into a strong, educated woman… maybe one day I’ll undergo that transformation.

 <- Magic Flutes Review The Secret Countess Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Gypsy Crown

Title: The Gypsy Crown
Author: Kate Forsyth
Series: The Chain of Charms #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, History
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Macmillan
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Alida, swift as she was, could not run all day.

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Synopsis

Emilia Finch and her cousin Luka are gypsies. For them, that means they live a strongly traditional life, rich with story, music, dance, and magic, governed by the laws of the clan and the ways of the road. To the repressive Puritanical government of 17th century England, however, the gypsies are thieving, fortune-telling vagrants who are most likely allies of the devil.

While the Finches have managed to steer clear of trouble, it finds them when they decide to raise dowry money for one of their daughters, by performing in Kingston square one ill-fated market day. A series of terrible events lands the family in jail, charged with murder. Only Emilia and Luka manage to escape, promising to bring back help and free them.

The only problem is — how? Emilia believes in the legend of the charms: it is said that the luck of the Rom has turned sour ever since a long-ago gypsy matriarch broke her chain of charms, giving one charm to each of her five children. Since then, the gypsies have been persecuted and the families have dispersed. If they can gather the charms from the families, Emilia thinks, the strong magic of the Rom will somehow bring her family freedom. Luka, on the other hand, is more practical he wants to enlist the help of the other clans to help the Finches escape.

Emilia and Luka must race through the countryside, navigating a hornets’ nest of Rom-hating Puritans, Royalist spies, and traitors, if they are to complete their quest before the magistrate delivers a death sentence.

Thoughts

There’s something fun and special about a well-written story that is based in history. I’ve never been one to actually study history (mainly because I found it boring in high school), so reading a book that is so beautifully crafted around a historical moment is thoroughly enjoyable. Plus, it’s a great way to learn about English history, alongside the tolerance of others. Forsyth drives home the importance of accepting those who are different to us, even if we don’t quite understand them.

I love the focus on the Rom (gypsies) – it’s a culture that is quite fascinating in all of the movies and books that I’ve read (a bit romanticised, but still…). And it is the epitome of those who are ostracised by the greater public. The law and the church begin this epic journey by imprisoning Emilia and Luka’s family for effectively being Rom and sending the two teenagers on a whirlwind adventure to save their family. Although, there is also the feeling of ‘coming-of-age’ to the tale. Say goodbye to childhood and hello to responsibility.

This is a great, fun, easy reading about two young children starting the adventure that will (hopefully) save their family and teach them to be adults in their changing world. It is placed at the turning point in English history and I love the factual threads which run through this story. Plus, the animal companions that accompany Emilia and Luka on their journey is just adorable (albeit a little hard for them to disguise).

 <- The Butterfly in Amber ReviewThe Silver Horse Review ->
Image source: Fishpond

A Song for Summer by Eva Ibbotson

Book Review, , ,

OverviewA Song for SummerTitle: A Song for Summer
Author: Eva Ibbotson
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, History, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Picador
Year: 1997
5th sentence, 74th page: For a moment Marek let his mind dwell on Nausicaa, the golden girl at the heart of the Odyssey, who had left her maidens to bring help and succour to the weary Ulysses as he came from the sea.

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Synopsis

Ellen never expected the Hallendorf school to be quite so unusual. Her life back in England with her suffragette mother and liberated aunts certainly couldn’t be called normal, but buried deep in the beautiful Austrian countryside, Ellen discovers an eccentric world occupied by wild children and even wilder teachers, experimental dancers and a tortoise on wheels. And then there is the particularly intriguing, enigmatic, and very handsome Marek, part-time gardener and fencing teacher. Ellen is instantly attracted to the mysterious gardener, but Hitler’s Reich is already threatening their peaceful world, and only when she discovers Marek’s true identity and his dangerous mission does Ellen realize the depth of her feelings for him – and the danger their newfound love faces in the shadow of war.

Thoughts

A good romance always includes a guy (or girl) that makes one humungous fuck up, and potentially ruins everybody’s lives. After all, boy meets girl, they fall in love, nothing happens isn’t exactly the greatest of stories. And, this is one of the best ways in which a man completely ruins everything, and yet, you are left gunning for the fantastic characters. And that’s just one part of the plot.

One of the aspects of this story that I love is the history of Ellen’s family and their acceptance for one another. Her mother and two aunts are feminists who burnt their bra and organise rally after rally for the rights of women. They fight tooth and nail to not have to be a housewife, so the fact that Ellen chooses this avenue for her own life is completely shocking to them. partnered with the fact that she is incredibly smart and university educated just seems to drive that knife deeper for her matriarchal family. But, when Ellen makes her desires clear, they accept it and continue to love her. It is little wonder that Ellen herself is filled with so much love and kindness throughout this entire story. After all, this is what family and caring about one another is truly about.

Set in Austria as WWII is breaking out, there is a sense of beauty, innocence and the looming tragedy of war. But, really, what I love the most is Ellen’s capacity to love. She loves the silly teachers at the school she moves to; the unruly children; and the unorthodox family from which she comes. But, it is the fact that she continues to love and accept after tragedy takes her future away. She continues to find a way to take care of her people and those who matter to her, even as her heart continues to shatter into a thousand pieces. And, through it all, she finds a way to have a life that, while it may for a while be devoid of exactly what she wanted, she creates something that matters. Although that sounds a little bereft, there is a happy ending that literally bought a tear to my eyes.

 <- The Secret Countess Review A Company of Swans Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

The Secret CountessTitle: The Secret Countess
Author: Eva Ibbotson
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, History, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Young Picador
Year: 1981
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘She’s new,’ he said.

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Synopsis

Anna, a young countess, has lived in the glittering city of St Petersburg all her life in an ice-blue palace overlooking the River Neva. But when revolution tears Russia apart, her now-penniless family is forced to flee to England. Armed with an out-of-date book on housekeeping, Anna determines to become a housemaid and she finds work at the Earl of Westerholme’s crumbling but magnificent mansion. The staff and the family are sure there is something not quite right about their new maid – but she soon wins them over with her warmth and dedication.

Then the young Earl returns home from the war – and Anna falls hopelessly in love. But they can never be together: Rupert is engaged to the snobbish and awful Muriel – and anyway, Anna is only a servant. Or so everybody thinks . . .

Thoughts

It doesn’t matter how many times I read this novel, I fall in love every single time. After all, it’s the most beautiful love story set in picturesque England. Kind of Downton Abbey-ish, but with one of the best love stories I’ve ever read. It is simple, subtle and sneaks up on both you and Anna as you read. Honestly, you can’t help but smile as you turn the last page of the book. And, sometimes all you want to do is go back to the beginning all over again.

I’ve always struggled with reading historical fiction – I’m not really all that knowledgeable about it, and quite often, I get so bogged down in the details that I lose the story. Maybe I should really just do some research into the periods I’m reading about, but that would just take away from my time spent in the story… but I digress. Ibbotson’s work doesn’t get so bogged down about the details (in this case the years surrounding World War I) that you can’t find the story anymore. Instead, the history around World War I is just a great back drop to a story that expands the ages – like all good love stories.

So far this makes it sound like I love romances. But, mostly, I find them kind of tedious and frustrating to read. Boy meets girl, girl meets boy, love, sappy, bleugh… and, although this novel does mostly follow that pattern, there’s just that something extra that makes it interesting enough to read. Interesting enough that I have read this at least once a year since I got given it for Christmas.

 <- The Morning Gift Review A Song for Summer Review ->
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