Tag Archives: Summer Reading

July 7, 2014 · 4:40 pm

Review: A Triple Knot by Emma Campion

It’s been a while since I have read an historical novel, so I jumped at the chance to read and review A Triple Knot when it was offered by Blogging for Books. This site has a huge selection of titles in all different genres and they will give you a free book in exchange for an honest review. Check out their site if you are a blogger or want to start a blog and get some free books.

Now for my review of A Triple Knot:

Joan of Kent, like many medieval noble women, has very little choice about whom she marries. Since her cousin is King Edward III of England, he wants to marry her off to Arnaud Amanieu in order to form a political alliance for the crown. When Arnaud’s father turns out to be a scheming ladies’ man who makes inappropriate advances towards his future daughter-in-law, the betrothal is called off.

Joan does fall in love with one of the king’s knights, a man named Thomas Holland. She secretly marries Thomas but while he is away waging battles on behalf of the King, her family forces her to marry another nobleman named William Montagu. Despite the fact that she is compelled to marry someone else, the love and devotion that Joan has for Thomas never waivers. Much of the book deals with their struggles to be together as man and wife.

Throughout all of her trials and tribulations, Joan must also deal with the advances of her cousin Ned who is the Prince of Wales and next in line to succeed his father Edward III. Ned pledges his love for Joan at a very early age and vows to make her his queen. Ned is constantly a sinister presences who keeps insinuating himself into Joan’s already complicated life.

The first half of this book was difficult for me to get through. I found it predictable and some of the descriptions of court life rather lengthy and unnecessary. I have to admit that at one point I was actually tempted to abandon the book. But I pressed on with it and found that the second half of the book was more enjoyable. By that point the characters were better developed and I became more curious about their fates.

This historical fiction is not for everyone. If you have a deep interest in 14^th Century England and the story of Joan of Kent then I would recommend giving A TRIPLE KNOT a try.

Review: The Hundred Year House by Rebecca Makkai

I received an advanced copy of this book from the Viking through NetGalley

The acclaimed author of The Borrower returns with a dazzlingly original, mordantly witty novel about the secrets of an old-money family and their turn-of-the-century estate, Laurelfield.

The Devohr family mansion in the Midwest, which in 2000 is celebrating its 100^th birthday, has a rich and haunted history. The unique setup of this novel traces the history of Laurelfield Estate beginning in 1999 and working back to 1900. The first part of the book centers around Doug and his wife Zee who are living in the coach house of the Devohr mansion. I found this to be the most humorous part of the book as it approaches being an academic satire. Zee works as a professor at the local university and Doug is trying to write a manuscript about an obscure poet, Edward Parfitt, so that he too can get a job in academia. While Doug is trying to get a handle on his writing he develops a connection with Miriam, a quirky artist who is also sharing the coach house.

The second part of the book deals with Grace Devohr and her abusive, playboy husband George who come to live in the house after their marriage in 1954. At this point the tone of the story changes to one that is sad and tragic. Some of the mysteries of the house and its inhabitants that are brought up in part one are solved in this second part. It is very unique that an author can seamlessly combine such different tones as satire and tragedy such as Rebecca Makkai does in this novel.

The third part of the book describes the artist colony which the house is turned into during a 25 year period beginning in 1929. The artists are a mixture of interesting personalities who can be somewhat mischievous. When Gamby Devohr threatens to shut down the colony, the artists ban together and cleverly “convince” Gamby to keep the colony open for at least another 25 years. The author really displays her writing talent in this chapter as well when some of the narrative takes the form of letters and notes.

The final part of the book is the briefest and describes Augustus Devohr and his reasons for building the house for his wife Violet in the first place. It is Violet’s soul that is said to haunt the house. Although the initial construction of the house is not fortuitous, we know from the unique structure of the book that later generations will have a happy ending in the house.

The Hundred Year House in a unique combination of both literary fiction and historical fiction. This is one of those rare books that has something for everyone. If you like a little mystery, some romance or a touch of tragedy then I highly recommend The Hundred Year House.

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Filed under Historical Fiction, Literature/Fiction, Summer Reading

Tagged as Historical Fiction, Literature/Fiction, Summer Reading

June 24, 2014 · 10:52 pm

Euphoria by Lily King

“It’s that moment about two months in, when you think you’ve finally got a handle on the place. Everything clicks and it all feels within your grasp at that moment the place feels entirely yours. It’s the briefest, purest euphoria.”

Nell Stone and her husband Fen are anthropologists studying tribes in the New Guinea region in the 1930’s. The study of human cultures is still in its infancy and Nell and Fen are continually trying to find new and inventive ways of examining the tribes with whom they live. Nell has published a book that has made her a pioneer in the field, but has also incurred the jealousy of her husband. They have just finished living with and studying the Mumbanyo tribe when they meet up with Andrew Bankson, a British anthropologist. Their meeting with Andrew is fortuitous because Andrew’s loneliness and tragic memories of the past have recently driven him to attempt suicide.

It is amazing that Lily King invented the world of New Guinea along the Sepik River for us in the 1930’s. Each tribe that she depicts, the Mumbayno, the Kiona and the Tam, have their own distinctive cultures and rituals. Through the anthropologist’s study of these tribes, the book becomes an interesting commentary on the morality, customs, social roles and sexuality of humans. As Nellie, Bankson and Fen explore and try to learn as much as they can about the people they live with, they are forced to reflect on their own societies and mores.

This book is one in which you will make an emotional connection with the characters. Nellie is inquisitive, strong and compassionate and she finds a kindred spirit in Bankson. Fen, on the other hand, is jealous, petty, selfish and brutish. They way that this trio of characters interact with one another is enthralling. Bankson’s emotional and intellectual bond with Nell is a touching reminder that the simple act of human contact is all we need sometimes to make us feel hopeful. Nell’s relationship with Fen reminds us that sometimes in life we make detrimental choices that having lasting effects.

I loved this novel and I highly recommend it. Lily King has given us a brilliant piece of literature with EUPHORIA and I am not surprised that it has appeared on so many “must-read” summer book lists.

Let me know what you think of this book! Leave feedback in the comments.