After being driven into exile by the rise of the Nazis, communist writer Anna Seghers wrote this heartfelt and hopeful thriller that combines the suspense of a Hitchcock movie with the real tragedy of a community in the grip of a collective madness.
You may know Circe as the original witch, or as the goddess who tempted Odysseus on his legendary journey, or perhaps not at all. You may for a time forget it all, and instead be pulled into the story of her life recounted, told as its own epic, as she struggles to find her own meaning and agency in the realms of men and gods, when she fits in neither. Perdita Weeks narrates with such power and beauty, sweeping you up in every emotion as Circe's story unfolds.
In January, 1945, East Prussia, refugees are afoot, trying to beat the advances of the Russian soldiers. Thousands of families pushing carts crammed with cherished belongings pass on the road in front of the insulated Georgenhof mansion of the Van Globig family. Eberhard, the father, is serving in the war in Italy, while his wife, Katharina, and 12 year-old son, Peter, live comfortably with their servants and unlimited supplies, seemingly oblivious to the approaching threat. Kempowski builds tension in the household so gradually that once their idyllic lives turn south, even the reader is surprised!
Avery, from a prominent South Carolina political family, is haunted by a nursing home resident, May, who seem to find her familiar. Bridging between 1939 and contemporary times, Avery discovers another stain upon American history, as she delves into May's story. May, originally Rilla, is the oldest of Briny and Queeny's 5 children, when the Memphis Tennessee Children's Home Society under the direction of Georgia Tann steals the kids. The plan making Tann wealthy is to gravely mistreat the young ones and then sell them at exorbitant prices to wealthy clients. A mystery, many untold horrors of the children abducted spill from this authentically told novel, as answers are unveiled to bring these strong characters peace in knowing who they really are!
Sherlock meets Doctor Who but from the point of view of an awesome female lead. Add in some cool mythology, sharp wit, and a lot of adventure and follow up with a dose of the macabre. A great start to a wonderfulf series! (I've bought several copies to hand out as gifts)
This book is nonstop shenanigans and I adored every page. It tackles everything controversial for its time, piracy, infidelity, homosexuality, but the most wild...a brilliant female. It does have its heartbreaking moments, but at its core it's an adventure story, a love story, and a story of growth and acceptance. Most of all, it has a queer protagonist with a happy ending, and that means the most.
This violent, glorious book is about a 16 year old female Berserker who has to flee Norway in 1883 for the American West in order to evade the strictures of the law long enough to seek guidance from a long lost uncle who just may be able to help her contain her instinct to mercilessly slaughter anyone who threatens her family.
Berserker combines all the best parts of Norse mythology, historical fiction, and a solid Western. Think Vikings meets True Grit.
Miles (and decades) away from the unconventional style of A Visit to the Goon Squad, Egan takes a chance on historical fiction and manages to create a beautifully-lush and character-driven story centered around WWII-era New York City. The most compelling voice belongs to a young and ambitious woman new to the once male-dominated workforce, and her story of navigation through a life of newfound independence will cause any reader to root for her survival in a world consistently telling her "no."
Sentenced to live out his days as a Former Person in 1922, Count Alexander Rostov resolves to make the best of his reduced circumstances. With unparalleled charm, he moves through three decades, befriending staff, guests, and foreign journalists, always the gentleman. Fans of Helen Simonson will enjoy the count's quick wit and the minutiae of his days.
