I've now read all of the Morland Dynasty books -- a series of historical novels beginning in medieval times, giving an overview of British history thrI've now read all of the Morland Dynasty books -- a series of historical novels beginning in medieval times, giving an overview of British history through the saga of one Yorkshire family. It's evident that this, Harrod-Eagles' 100th book, will be the last in this series, as there is an epilogue telling us what happened to the main characters during and after World War II, the start of which concludes the narrative. The Gathering Storm opens in 1936, when much of the upper class in England was concerned with the new King, Edward VIII, and his relationship with Wallis Simpson. (The press successfully kept this a secret from the average English person for quite a while.) Harrod-Eagles seems a bit more sympathetic toward Mrs. Simpson than many other authors (cf. Rhys Bowen's Lady Georgie series). Still, the abdication shocks and dismays everyone. The Morland family -- by now quite extended, as it would be after several hundred years -- includes both members of the aristocracy and commoners of varying fortunes - from an American millionaire to a wealthy Engnlishwoman who owns the original family estate, to a few young people with their own way to make in the world. Of course, they are involved in most of the questions of the day -- from the Spanish Civil War to Hollywood films to the terrors of Stalin's Russia to the rise of Hitler and the beginnings of the Holocaust. Since this is one of my favorite historical periods to read about, both in fiction and nonfiction, I didn't learn as much from The Gathering Storm as I did from many of the preceding books, but I still enjoyed the story and the characters of the family members. I envy anyone who can start with The Founding and read all 36 books. My one complaint about this Kindle edition is that it was almost impossible to read the family trees at the start of the book -- which are very useful in keeping the characters and their relationships straight. I'd advise reading these books in paper form for that reason....more
From time to time I go back through Goodreads and list books I know I've read in the past -- usually I'll just rate them with stars based on my memoryFrom time to time I go back through Goodreads and list books I know I've read in the past -- usually I'll just rate them with stars based on my memory. I'd listed Tigana in this way, and when a 25th anniversary edition was announced on Kindle, I bought it, thinking it was worth rereading. But as soon as I began the first page, I realized I had not read it before! It was nearly impossible to put down after that.
Unlike many of Kay's books set in the universe where there are two moons, blue and white, it was not evident (to me at least) what the parallel countries in our own world were. (I note that some reviewers thought it was Renaissance Italy....) The lands being fought over in Tigana seem more like the Balkans to me than anywhere else, but this may be wrong. In any case, several small provinces/states are being ruled primarily by two opposing great powers -- one seems a lot like the Roman Empire, the other -- I'm not sure.Tigana is the story of a rebellion and of an assortment of very different men and women who lead the rebellion. It is a thrilling and satisfying tale, and I recommend it highly (as I do all Kay's books)....more
A number of authors seem to be ending their beloved series lately, Jacqueline Winspear among them. When we first met Maisie Dobbs, she was still dealiA number of authors seem to be ending their beloved series lately, Jacqueline Winspear among them. When we first met Maisie Dobbs, she was still dealing with the after-effects of World War I, or The Great War, as it was then called, to the extent of visiting her fiancé, severely injured in the war, in a nursing home where he will never recover. In that first book, as in many of those following, Maisie, trained as a psychologist and operating as a private detective, deals with the aftermath of that was, and later with the "gathering storm" leading up to World War II. Now, in the last book of the series, the war is over, but of course the world has not completely returned to normal. When Maisie discovers a group of very young people squatting in her late father-in-law's London house, she begins an investigation that will reveal covert activities that took place during the war.
This was not my favorite of the series, as far as the mystery plot went, but the ending wrapped up the personal story lines satisfactorily. Ms. Winspear has already written a few standalone novels and I hope she will continue to do so. If you have not read the Maisie Dobbs series from the beginning, my recommendation would be to start from the first book. Ms. Winspear is a master at character development....more
Imagining St. Brendan and his voyage to the New World. You may want to read this in conjunction with The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin -- a descriptioImagining St. Brendan and his voyage to the New World. You may want to read this in conjunction with The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin -- a description of a Kon-Tiki-like voyage in a leather coracle. Buechner mixes adventure and spirituality and it gave my book group much to talk about. (All these books that were read in my church book group are dated quite vaguely, as I unfortunately did not keep track at the time.)...more
What to say about this book? How to characterize it? It is at once a house history (a genre I've loved ever since reading Norah Lofts' books 60 years What to say about this book? How to characterize it? It is at once a house history (a genre I've loved ever since reading Norah Lofts' books 60 years ago or more), a family history, a book about nature, about art, a ghost story.... The reader can tell that parts of the book are informed by the author's 'day job' as a psychiatry professor, but not excessively so. The many characters who populate the isolated home in western Massachusetts, from Puritan days to the present and even the future, are very real people -- even though some are actually animals or insects. While in no sense a polemic, North Woods will give you much to think about as we continue to deal with the effects of climate change. And there are illustrations, poems, songs, even a mystery. I suspect that even though it was the first book I finished reading in 2024, it will be the best one I've read by the end of the year. Highly, highly recommended....more
A rare "Jack ashore" tale in the Aubrey/Maturin series. Excellent as all of them are. Highly recommended, I wish I had time to reread the whole seriesA rare "Jack ashore" tale in the Aubrey/Maturin series. Excellent as all of them are. Highly recommended, I wish I had time to reread the whole series....more
I hope this series continues for a long time! Perveen Mistry, a Parsi solicitor who works in her father's law firm in what was then Bombay, is a fasciI hope this series continues for a long time! Perveen Mistry, a Parsi solicitor who works in her father's law firm in what was then Bombay, is a fascinating heroine. In some ways a modern woman in the 1920s, having gone to Oxford to study law and having a feminist viewpoint, she is also constrained by the customs and traditions of her faith as well as by her love for her family and the difficulties faced by a woman in a traditionally male occupation. In this book, the Prince of Wales is making a state visit to India at a time when Mahatma Gandhi has begun his work for Indian independence. A murder along the parade route involves Perveen and her father, with help from her best friend and the reappearance of Colin Sandringham, from the previous book. I enjoyed not only the mystery, but the description of Bombay in the 20s and information about the little-known Parsi faith and community. Highly recommended....more
Maisie Dobbs, whom we first met in the years just after World War I, is now in the midst of World War II. Many changes have occurred in her life, whicMaisie Dobbs, whom we first met in the years just after World War I, is now in the midst of World War II. Many changes have occurred in her life, which I will not remark on in case someone reads this who has not had the pleasure yet of the preceding 16 books in the series. A young woman who is a pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary (tasked with ferrying airplanes from factories and repair facilities to RAF airfields) believes her plane was shot at by someone from a farm below. When a friend crashes and dies near the same location, with no real explanation, she asks Maisie Dobbs to investigate. To further complicate things, Eleanor Roosevelt is scheduled to visit England and there are fears for her safety. There is much more to this story, which highlights the bravery of the women pilots as well as those on the home front during the war, but does not forget that there were those who worked against the Allies as well. Very highly recommended....more
In this short story, genealogist Morton Farrier explores the family history of his wife and discovers a thrilling tale of a working-class suffragette.In this short story, genealogist Morton Farrier explores the family history of his wife and discovers a thrilling tale of a working-class suffragette. I enjoy reading about the methods Farrier uses. Recommended for those who enjoy genealogical mysteries....more
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