Reviews by Dorothy H. (Folsom, CA)

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This Strange Eventful History
This Strange Eventful History: A Novel
by Claire Messud
3 Generation Family Story (4/9/2024)
Saga begins before WW@ in Algeria. Family journeys to South America, Canada and US. Along the way we learn of their happy and sad times in the face of history. One can relate to older generation trying to influence the younger ones. Author describes emotions of the family …more
Becoming Madam Secretary
Becoming Madam Secretary
by Stephanie Dray
Historical Fiction of the First Female Secretary in Federal Government (11/1/2023)
A fast reading story of Frances Perkins leading up to her appointment by President Franklin D Roosevelt as Secretary of Labor. Prior to the appointment she began in 1910 was an activist for Women and Children wage and hour laws, Tenement owners that owned unsafe apartment …more
Wild and Distant Seas
Wild and Distant Seas: A Novel
by Tara Karr Roberts
Four generations of women seeking their path to their future (10/12/2023)
The author delves into four generations of women, whose journey begins in Nantucket 1849 and travel to South America, Europe and finally back in US. Each generation has their own story and they each have "the power" to know others past. The author paints a picture each …more
This Other Eden
This Other Eden: A Novel
by Paul Harding
Historical Fiction Malaga Island Maine mid 1800-1912 (1/19/2023)
I found the book descriptive and lyrically written about the very poor multicultural people living on the Island. It will make for an interesting book club selection for discussion of interracial marriage, unwanted incest relationships, and eugenics.
Scatterlings
Scatterlings: A Novel
by Resoketswe Martha Manenzhe
South Africia 1927 (10/19/2022)
I was wanting more about the impact of the Immorality Act of 1927 on the residents of Cape Town. I also found it a bit confusing at the start with the "stories" and rituals of the non white residents. As I read further on this lessened. The author is very descriptive of the …more
Smalltime
Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob
by Russell Shorto
True story of Italian immigrants and the Mafia (2/23/2021)
This book is finding your roots on steroids. The author tells of his immigrant great grand fathers journey to the US and how the family became involved in the Mafia in Johnstown PA in the early part of the last century. The author speaks to the conditions that brought the …more
Stories from Suffragette City
Stories from Suffragette City
by M.J. Rose, Fiona Davis
Short stories of Suffragette Women (11/3/2020)
Ten writers have written short stories about women of all walks of life on the day of the largest Suffragette parade in NYC. A timely read.
The Woman Before Wallis
The Woman Before Wallis: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal
by Bryn Turnbull
"Royal" Historical Fiction (7/13/2020)
I liked the book, easy to read and will be a great Book Club selection. I learned about Thelma Morgan (Gloria Vanderbilt twin sister) who is the woman before Wallis Simpson who later married Prince of Wales after he renounced the Crown.

Lots of scandal involving the Prince …more
Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins
Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins
by Katarina Bivald
A Feel Good Story (12/2/2019)
I found this book to be in the style of Fannie Flag, so her followers will enjoy this book.

The story is from the point of a young small Oregon town (Pine Away) girl, Henney killed in a truck accident. The town is conservative, has been struck by the mills closing down, …more
D-Day Girls
D-Day Girls: The Spies Who Armed the Resistance, Sabotaged the Nazis, and Helped Win World War II
by Sarah Rose
Women Resistance WWII True Tales (3/11/2019)
This is a true recounting of British women that went to France and fought in the Resistance, some returned after the war others not so fortunate. Reads like historical fiction. There are footnotes for each chapter that provide a bit more detail. Many sources are noted if …more
The Last Collection
The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel
by Jeanne Mackin
Coca Chanel vs Elsa Schiaparelli The Early Years (2/25/2019)
A fast paced historical novel in pre WWII Paris telling the tale of 2 iconic woman's high fashion designers and their great dislike of each other. Story is told rom the point of view of a young American widow that interact with both designers. Great for book club.
When We Left Cuba
When We Left Cuba
by Chanel Cleeton
Cuban Exile story circa late 50s (1/4/2019)
A young female Cuban exile has come to Miami area with her family. Her story begins when Castro took over Cuba and the impact it had on her life as well as her family. She presents a Cuban side of The Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis, JFK assassination. She is the lover of …more
At the Wolf's Table
At the Wolf's Table
by Rosella Postorino
Survival In WWII Germany (12/24/2018)
Disclosure I received this book as an advanced copy.
Descriptive historical fiction of the food tasters for Hitler and the tasters lives in war torn Germany. A tale of survival. Good for book club.
Meet Me at the Museum
Meet Me at the Museum
by Anne Youngson
A tale of 2 lonely people (4/9/2018)
This tale is told by letter writing over a 15 month period between an English woman who is married and not happy in the marriage and a Danish widower, both in the autumn of their lives. Both are lonely and looking for something more in life.. The letter writing makes them …more
Stay with Me
Stay with Me
by Ayobami Adebayo
Tale of childlessness and deception (8/14/2017)
I liked reading about the Yoruba Nigerian Culture and Political unrest from mid 1980 to mid 2000 as an under story to the main characters lives. The story is told from the perspectives of several family members over a 20 year span. It is interesting to see how the culture …more
The Almost Sisters
The Almost Sisters
by Joshilyn Jackson
Summer Book Club Read (5/12/2017)
Story of sisters in the deep South with a secret in the attic of the family home. many twists and turns. A blend of mystery, romance and history
A Piece of the World
A Piece of the World: A Novel
by Christina Baker Kline
The Story behind Andrew Wyeth's painting Christina's World (12/6/2016)
The author of this historical fiction, presents the back story of the girl in Andrew Wyeth's famous painting. The author tells of the painter and his interaction with Christina and her family. The book is about the family history starting in the 1900s. A good read of an era …more
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
by Kathleen Rooney
Looking back on the road traveled (9/7/2016)
This book is very loosing based on Margaret Fishback 's life. She was a highly paid women in advertising at RH Macy in the 30s. Lillian Boxfish loves to walk about NYC where she has lived since the 30s. The story takes place now that she is 85 and still walks about NYC. As …more
Les Parisiennes
Les Parisiennes: How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved, and Died Under Nazi Occupation
by Anne Sebba
A look at survival of Paris women WWII (7/8/2016)
I found the book to be easy to read and follow the true stories of the women that lived and died during the occupation. The women did what they needed to do to care and feed themselves and loved ones. Some sided with the Germans and paid the price after the war but they …more

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Historical Victorian Novel (5/14/2016)
A great summer read. I liked the blend of romance and mystery set in the Victorian era. Great banter back and forth between the main characters Calista and Trent.
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