BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Strong Passions: A Scandalous Divorce in Old New York
by Barbara Weisberg

Labored telling of a Juicy Scandal (11/25/2023)

This very thoroughly researched book covers in thick (and often irrelevant) detail a scandalous divorce which enthralled New York Society during the 1860s. Given the topic and deep research, this could have been a delicious page-turner for all who love Downton Abbey. Alas, the author's ponderous style drowns the pleasure, and the overload of extraneous detail weakens the story-telling. There is a fine book in here somewhere, but the author and her W.W. Norton editor have yet to bring it forth.

The Wren, the Wren: A Novel
by Anne Enright

Intricate,Skillful Novel By Booker Prize Winner (8/2/2023)

The seventh novel by noted Irish writer, Anne Enright, whose novel, The Gathering, won the Man Booker Prize (2007) is no beach read, The Wren, The Wren merits close attention from demanding readers who will savor her understated poetic novel as she explores the complex intricacies and challenges which engulfed three generations of a contemporary Irish family when its charismatic patriarch walked out the door.

The Montevideo Brief: A Thomas Grey Novel
by J. H. Gelernter

Excellent historical spy novel (4/3/2023)

The Montevideo Brief is the well-written, fast-paced third novel in J.H. Gelernter's series of historical spy novels featuring British international spy, Thomas Grey. Taking place in the first decades of the 19th century, the tale details Grey's adventures as he thwarts Britain's enemies both on land and sea. The influence of Patrick O'Brien's famed British navy series set in the same period, echoes strongly as Grey spends as much time at sea with His Majesty's fleet and he does on shore. O'Brien fans will especially love the book, while others will enjoy Gelernter's insight into European politics, society and culture in the early 1800's.

Exiles: Aaron Falk Mystery #3
by Jane Harper

Splendid Crime Novel (8/9/2022)

The fifth crime novel by multiple-awarding winning Australian, Jane Harper, will be greeted with cheers by all who loved the first four. This time set in the flourishing wine country of South Australia, she again captures small-town Australia, with its strong, hard-working community, vivid characters, and intense loyalties. A mysterious disappearance gets the plot rolling, embracing the reader in a tightly told tale that grips to the very end. A great read for all who savor finely crafted crime novels.

Fencing with the King: A Novel
by Diana Abu-Jaber

Fascinating Family Saga (12/1/2021)

Fencing With the King is an absorbing fictional saga inspired by members of award-winning author, Diana Abu-Jaber's, paternal roots. Her father descends from upper-class Jordanians, and the society and culture of late 20th century Jordon inspire the characters and structure of the story. A professor of English at Portland State in Oregon, Abu-Jaber's weaves of tale of high-stakes family intrigue as seen through the eyes of Amani, a young, attractive Jordanian-American on her first trip to her father's homeland. In the company of her father. This would be a great pick for book clubs whose members enjoy easily digested armchair travel to this intricately beautiful part of the world.

The Lost Notebook of Edouard Manet: A Novel
by Maureen Gibbon

Fascinating Novel Glimpsing into Fraught World of French Impressionism (6/29/2021)

A fact-based fictional account covering the final three years of Edouard Manet (1880-83) , who many regard as the father of French Impressionism..Lightly wearing a deep knowledge of Manet and his circle, Maureen Gibbons depicts the twilight of this syphilis-ridden painter as he reflects on his complicated past and suffering present, including the creation of his final masterpiece, Bar at the Folies-Bergere. Though the novel will be most enjoyed by those knowledgeable about this spectacularly creative giant of late nineteenth century French art, readers with even mild interest in art history will find it an enjoyable journey through aspects of the late nineteenth century roots of European modern art.

The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

Intriguing Historical Fiction (1/31/2021)

The Personal Librarian is the little-known tale of Belle Da Costa Greene, the early twentieth-century woman who was Personal Librarian to financial titan JP Morgan. Widely admired for her knowledge, charm and shrewdness, Greene greatly shaped Morgan's vast book and manuscript collection before becoming the first Director of the Pierpont Morgan Library, once the collection was gifted to the people. As beautiful as she was erudite, Greene made a memorable splash during her decades long career close to New York's cultural center. Soundly researched and fast-paced, this collaborative effort between successful novelists, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, will be welcome fodder for those who enjoy spirited stories starring strong, courageous women, though some will find its occasional romantic lit flourishes somewhat tedious.

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie
by Marie Benedict

Skillful Historical Fiction (11/27/2020)

As avid Agatha-Christiephile's are aware, Christie's mystery novels still sell nearly as many copies as The Bible or works of Shakespeare. The library about this mystery novelist continues to expand as well. This cleverly structured, well-researched, fast-paced, skillfully written fictionalized account focuses on a famous 11-day period in Christie's life, when the already well-known author disappeared without trace, after a shouting match over a Friday breakfast with her husband, Archie Christie.
Benedict's fictionalized novel covering this disappearance twists like a double helix : chapters narrated by Agatha cover her life in flashbacks from October, 1912, when she first met Archie to December 14, 1926 when she reappears after her 11-day hiatus, intertwine with chapters narrated by Archie, which cover his day to day experience from Saturday, December 4, when her car was found by a cliff, to her discovery over a week later, safe and well at an upscale seaside hotel.
This is a must-read for fans of British mysteries, and a sound choice for those who enjoy sharply written, soundly researched historical fiction.

The Thirty Names of Night
by Zeyn Joukhadar

Parts Greater Than Its Sum (9/4/2020)

Covering three generations of a Syrian-American family, this exquisitely written novel offers a welcome voice to the American immigration experience. There are many brilliantly rendered scenes for the reader to savor. One feels, however, that the author is more of a poet than a novelist: one comes away with are memories of vivid descriptions rather than the solid satisfaction of a coherent tale, clearly told.. This work will likely be enjoyed by readers who closely identify with some of its important themes; others may wish the author's book editor had tickled out a more widely relatable story.

The Voyage of the Morning Light: A Novel
by Marina Endicott

Interesting Historical Fiction (5/30/2020)

Set primarily in the first decade of the 20th Century, this historical novel by award-winning Canadian writer, Marina Endicott, describes the experience of a young Canadian woman who accompanies her sister, and her sister's husband, the ship's captain, on a commercial cargo ship's journey around the world. The family returned with a young Micronesian boy to "give him a better life". Inspired by pre-WW I published letters of a sea-faring Canadian, the author successfully captures aspects of life at sea, and the consequences of transplanting a child to another culture. Book clubs might enjoy discussing its important themes, though some readers may find the novel's pace often feels like The Doldrums rather than a fast run at full sail..

Daughter of the Reich: A Novel
by Louise Fein

Well-researched debut novel (3/10/2020)

Daughter of German Jews who escaped to Britain in the early 1930's, Louise Fein's debut novel features the first-person thoughts and experiences of a German girl whose ambitious father is a rising star in Nazi circles. When she falls in love with a childhood playmate, an Aryan-looking German Jew, her life becomes tumultuous. The rapid-paced novel is a well-researched, worthwhile read, though the writing is pedestrian and the characters lack depth and nuance. A possible pick for a women's book club, and others interested in the social history of the 1930's German Nazi regime

Actress
by Anne Enright

Exquisite (10/30/2019)

Man Booker Prize-winning author, Anne Enright, adds another exquisitely-written, cunningly crafted novel, to her growing shelf of superb work. In Actress, Edwards explores the fictional biography of a once famous, now faded, movie and theater star, whose life encompassed many of the large themes of post-war Dublin as well as the prosaic realities of love, motherhood, fame and getting old. A must-read for all who savor great writing and enveloping story-telling

Courting Mr. Lincoln
by Louis Bayard

Exquisitely Written Historical Fiction (1/29/2019)

As a quick skim through American history could show, it's often tough being First Lady; your husband's opponents are vicious while you are alive, and historians even more damning once you are dead. This is certainly true of Abraham Lincoln's wife, Mary.
The Mary Todd Lincoln of popular lore is unsympathetic; it's hard to grasp why Lincoln married her. In this exquisitely written slice of historical fiction, Louis Bayard brings to life the 1840's social milieu of Springfield, Illinois, where brilliant, ungainly Abraham Lincoln is getting his start in politics, and pretty, plump strong-willed Mary Todd is in town looking for a husband. Using historical details with light, accurate touch, Bayard serves up a Mary that Lincoln could find attractive: intelligent, politically engaged, and socially prominent. Among other winning personalities is Joshua Speed, Lincoln's friend and confident, who smooths Lincoln's rough edges.
Perfect fodder for book clubs in search of brilliantly crafted historical fiction.

When We Left Cuba
by Chanel Cleeton

Fitting Fodder For Fans of Historical Romance (12/13/2018)

Set in Florida just after Fidel Castro's 1959 takeover of Cuba , this historical novel features Beatriz Perez, the beautiful, strong-minded daughter of an exiled Cuban patrician family. A quick, fast-paced read: the women are beautiful, the men squared–jawed, the plotting engaging though improbable. Not a novel for readers who seek hefty themes to chew on, it is more a meringue of a book: easy to digest though not sticking with you for long.

Clock Dance: A Novel
by Anne Tyler

Clock Dance Whirls Gracefully (7/21/2018)

A beautifully written, largely Baltimore-based, novel by Anne Tyler. After decades of passively accepting what life puts in front of her, the 60ish central character blossoms forth when she finds herself embraced by a community that truly needs and values her. A warm, insightful book that underscores the importance of community--and of the sidewalks that bind its disparate characters together. A most welcome addition to the Anne Tyler cannon.

The Gypsy Moth Summer
by Julia Fierro

The Nasty Days of Summer (4/21/2017)

Set in an a factional American coastal island in the early 1990's, Julia Fierro's second novel is written with a spritely skill that keeps you engaged despite its two-dimensional characters, murky story-telling, and difficult engagement with Big Themes. One is tempted to recommend this as a beach book though several of its characters are so unpleasant that the reader would be likely to toss it aside in the sand, and take in the view instead.

The Essex Serpent
by Sarah Perry

A Most Engaging Tale (2/12/2017)

A smash 2016 best-seller in Britain, The Essex Serpent should be equally popular in its American edition. Though set in the late 19thth century, Cora Seaborne, the novel's central character, is engagingly modern: independent, opinionated , forever striding off for ten mile walks down muddy lanes. The story largely takes place in Essex, the flat, windswept county northeast of London. A deft, witty writer, Sarah Perry fills Cora's world with a dozen intricately drawn personalities who, along with Cora, illuminate many fascinating aspects of the late Victorian era. One learns that that world was not so very proper after all.

Manderley Forever
by Tatiana de Rosnay

Readable Uncritical Tribute (12/3/2016)

In the preface of this biography of Daphne du Maurier, author Tatiana de Rosnay states that Du Maurier's most famous work, Rebecca, had profoundly effected de Rosnay's development as young writer; indeed, she signed her early work Tatiana du Maurier as homage. Her identification with her subject is further deepened by de Rosnay's sharing a similar Anglo-French upper-class background and tastes. Drawing heavily upon du Maurier's autobiographical writings, de Rosnay tells du Maurier's story from an intimate perspective, as if through her subjects very eyes. De Rosnay's storytelling is uncannily like du Maurier's: she smoothly keeps one turning the pages. The result is readable, uncritical biography about a self-centered woman who wrote a highly readable mid-century classic.

The Tea Planter's Wife
by Dinah Jefferies

Engaging Chick-lit Beach Book (7/8/2016)

The central character in Dinah Jefferies' The Tea Planter's Wife says of a novel she is reading: "It's so vivid, and exciting, you really think you're there." Another character replies: "A little unrealistic though." To which our heroine replies: "True, but I like to lose myself in a story." This passage sums up Jefferies novel: it draws one in with its atmospheric setting on a wealthy tea planation in 1930s Ceylon, and its far-fetched, intricate plot keeps the reader turning pages. Ultimately, however, the author's superficial knowledge of Colonial era Ceylon (she praises the internet and YouTube for their help) and stock characters (handsome heroes, plucky heroines, scheming Other Women) leaves one hungry for more in-depth fare.

The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins
by Antonia Hodgson

A Worthy Sequel (12/30/2015)

Editor in Chief of Little, Brown UK, Antonia Hodgson, follows her award-winning debut mystery novel, The Devil in the Marshalsea, with an equally-enjoyable sequel. The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins continues the tale of Tom Hawkins, now out of the notorious Marshalsea debtor's prison. Though out from behind bars, Hawkins is not out of trouble, and once again finds himself trying to solve a murder case set in the rough and tumble of early 18th century London. Well searched and skillfully plotted, Hodgson's novel is inspired by actual facts, which she then weaves into a rollicking historical mystery.

Reviews by Julia E. (Atlanta, GA)

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