Don't you love those books that you just can't put down? The ones that you devour in a single sitting? The ones that you anticipate getting back to when you have to put them down?
Katherine Morton is that kind of author for me. I have read her books eagerly and they provide a welcome escape from daily life. Her books combine mystery, tragedy, suspense and romance in just the right combination that keeps you fully immersed in the story. My favourite Morton novel is The Forgotten Garden, a novel that I have recommended to other readers. I love the way she tells the story across several generations, through the voices of various strong female protagonists. I especially love the way she incorporates fairy tales into the novel, using them to help the reader piece the story together. And though I figured out the biggest mystery before it was revealed in the final pages, it did not fail to capture me.
Morton's newest novel, The Distant Hours, delivers another great story of passion and tragedy and family relationships. Elements of the gothic seep into the story, setting an intense pace at times. Again, the story takes place across several generations; a young woman tries to learn more about her mother by visiting the castle where her mother was billeted as a child during World War II. By interviewing the elderly sisters who inhabit the castle, Edie learns about her mother, while also solving an old unsolved mystery. Again, Morton uses stories to set the tone; a haunting children's book is the basis for the mystery of the novel. While she uses the same formulas in each of her novels, the stories are fresh and it feels like you can connect to the many protagonists who each help to unravel the mystery.
I look forward to continued work by Katherine Morton; I only hope that she can continue to incorporate new story lines so that her work does not become simply a tried and true formula.
Showing posts with label Mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mystery. Show all posts
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The Tudors
I am a huge fan of historical fiction, particularly when it takes place in Tudor England. I don't know what it is about that particular time period, but I love reading about Henry VIII and his six wives, the reigns of his children Mary, Elizabeth and Edward, and the tragic and short-lived reign of Lady Jane Grey. I find that time period so fascinating. I am also a big fan of the show, The Tudors. That show is alive with the colours and passions of the Tudor court, and while it is not 100% historically accurate, it is a pleasure to watch. Like many who are interested in the Tudor era, I am a fan of Ms. Phillipa Gregory's Tudor novels. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Phillipa Gregory- I love her Tudor novels as well as a few others, and I can't stand some of her others. Let me explain by telling you about some of her great ones.
First, the classic. The Other Boelyn Girl wouldn't be so well-known if it wasn't for the poor film rendition. But please, don't judge this book by its movie. It tells the story of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boelyn through the voice of his former mistress and the mother of two of his illegitimate children. She also happens to be Anne's sister. Mary Boelyn is manipulated into place by her scheming family as Henry's mistress. Although he seems to love her at first, his eyes soon start to wonder and Anne steps in to take her place. Cast aside, Mary watches Anne's triumphant rise to the throne of England, as well as her tragic downfall to the executioner's block. After a lifetime of being manipulated and used, Mary decides to take control of her own life, and perhaps even find real love. The Other Boelyn Girl is a unique account of the tragic Boelyn family, portraying Anne in a desperate and unflattering light. It is a well-researched and highly entertaining novel. Equally as good is The Boelyn Inheritance, which tells the story of Henry VIII's third and fourth Queens, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard, as well as Jane Boelyn, sister in law to Anne Boelyn.
In The Queen's Fool, Gregory tells the story of the Tudor court through the eyes of a young girl. Hannah Green is a young Jewish girl, trying to escape the Spanish Inquisition. She finds her way to Edward VI's court where she becomes the court fool, mentored by Will Sommers. She is sent to spy on Mary, and she witnesses Mary's victorious ascension to the throne following the unsuccessful attempt to put Jane Grey on the throne. Hannah is witness to court intrigues and battles, and like Mary Boelyn, she must take control of her own life and find love and a family.
In The Virgin's Lover, Gregory tells the story of a young Elizabeth I as she ascends to the throne and falls passionately in love with Robert Dudley. Robert plots a way to divorce his wife, Amy, and marry the Queen, but when Amy turns up dead under suspicious circumstances, Elizabeth's throne is at risk. Gregory gives her interpretation of a long unsolved mystery, doing so with style.
The Other Queen is another great Tudor novel, narrating the imprisonment and execution of Mary, Queen of Scots by her rival, Elizabeth I. The Constant Princess tells the story of Katherine of Aragon, her short marriage to prince Arthur, his premature death and her marriage to Henry VIII. Gregory even answers the question of the King's Great Matter. Though not a Tudor novel, The White Queen tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, Queen consort to Edward IV and mother to the tragic Princes in the Tower. A Respectable Trade is another great piece of historical fiction, telling the story of a slave, kidnapped from Africa and sent to England where he falls in love with his unhappy white mistress.
Gregory novels I did not like? The Wideacre trilogy, and The Wise Woman. I found them to be way too graphic, depicting things that made me uncomfortable (like incest). She is a skilled writer, but some of her novels are not for the faint of heart (or stomach)! Fallen Skies was pretty good (set in 1920s England), but it just couldn't compare to her Tudor novels.
So, if you like the Tudor period or just a great piece of historical fiction, try Phillipa Gregory. She is able to capture the intrigues and mysteries of the royal court. Her books will keep you absorbed and they're historically accurate enough that you might even learn something!
First, the classic. The Other Boelyn Girl wouldn't be so well-known if it wasn't for the poor film rendition. But please, don't judge this book by its movie. It tells the story of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boelyn through the voice of his former mistress and the mother of two of his illegitimate children. She also happens to be Anne's sister. Mary Boelyn is manipulated into place by her scheming family as Henry's mistress. Although he seems to love her at first, his eyes soon start to wonder and Anne steps in to take her place. Cast aside, Mary watches Anne's triumphant rise to the throne of England, as well as her tragic downfall to the executioner's block. After a lifetime of being manipulated and used, Mary decides to take control of her own life, and perhaps even find real love. The Other Boelyn Girl is a unique account of the tragic Boelyn family, portraying Anne in a desperate and unflattering light. It is a well-researched and highly entertaining novel. Equally as good is The Boelyn Inheritance, which tells the story of Henry VIII's third and fourth Queens, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard, as well as Jane Boelyn, sister in law to Anne Boelyn.
In The Queen's Fool, Gregory tells the story of the Tudor court through the eyes of a young girl. Hannah Green is a young Jewish girl, trying to escape the Spanish Inquisition. She finds her way to Edward VI's court where she becomes the court fool, mentored by Will Sommers. She is sent to spy on Mary, and she witnesses Mary's victorious ascension to the throne following the unsuccessful attempt to put Jane Grey on the throne. Hannah is witness to court intrigues and battles, and like Mary Boelyn, she must take control of her own life and find love and a family.
In The Virgin's Lover, Gregory tells the story of a young Elizabeth I as she ascends to the throne and falls passionately in love with Robert Dudley. Robert plots a way to divorce his wife, Amy, and marry the Queen, but when Amy turns up dead under suspicious circumstances, Elizabeth's throne is at risk. Gregory gives her interpretation of a long unsolved mystery, doing so with style.
The Other Queen is another great Tudor novel, narrating the imprisonment and execution of Mary, Queen of Scots by her rival, Elizabeth I. The Constant Princess tells the story of Katherine of Aragon, her short marriage to prince Arthur, his premature death and her marriage to Henry VIII. Gregory even answers the question of the King's Great Matter. Though not a Tudor novel, The White Queen tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, Queen consort to Edward IV and mother to the tragic Princes in the Tower. A Respectable Trade is another great piece of historical fiction, telling the story of a slave, kidnapped from Africa and sent to England where he falls in love with his unhappy white mistress.
Gregory novels I did not like? The Wideacre trilogy, and The Wise Woman. I found them to be way too graphic, depicting things that made me uncomfortable (like incest). She is a skilled writer, but some of her novels are not for the faint of heart (or stomach)! Fallen Skies was pretty good (set in 1920s England), but it just couldn't compare to her Tudor novels.
So, if you like the Tudor period or just a great piece of historical fiction, try Phillipa Gregory. She is able to capture the intrigues and mysteries of the royal court. Her books will keep you absorbed and they're historically accurate enough that you might even learn something!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Past and Present, Intertwined
I love novels that alternate between the past and the present. When a novel like this is well done, the historical story enriches the story taking place in contemporary times. Two novels that do a brilliant job of intertwining the past and present to make one richly complex story are The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton, and The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson.
The Forgotten Garden is a title that I instantly fell in love with. A few chapters in, I knew that I loved this novel, and the rest of the story did not disappoint. Morton beautifully weaves this story, seamlessly blending mystery, history and fairy tale together, and telling a story across several generations. I was captivated and absorbed by this book and deeply invested in the fate of each heroine. It is an exquisite story- deeply moving, acutely tragic and yet profoundly uplifting and hopeful.
It is 1913. A small child is found at the docks in Australia. The dockmaster and his wife decide to raise the child as their own, since she is unable to tell them who she is or why she is alone. As an adult, Nell sets out to solve the mystery of her past. But it is a complex, layered mystery, and it is not until after her death that her grandaughter is able to fully solve the mystery. This novel takes place at several different points in time. As you read, you slowly put the pieces together until you have a truly wonderful story. I just loved it. I have recommended this novel many times, and everyone who has read it has really enjoyed it as well. I also read Morton's A House at Riverton, and while it can't compete with The Forgotten Garden, it is an excellent read as well.
More recently, I read The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson. This novel takes place in Cornwall, in the 17th century, and in present day. Julia is a woman in a dysfunctional relationship with her friend's husband. He breaks up with her to make amends with his wife, and he gives her an antique embroidery book. Written in the book are diary entries from 19 year old Catherine, an embroider living in Cornwall in 1625. Catherine is kidnapped from her church by pirates and brought to Morocco as a slave. Catherine writes about her terrifying experiences, and Julia journeys to Morocco to learn more about Catherine's story. As Julia encounters Catherine in her writings, she must find her own path, and perhaps her own love story as well. The Tenth Gift offers a glimpse into a different time and place, a different culture, and an oft ignored part of history.
Both novels are enchanting, and Johnson and Morton demonstrate the ways the past can enrich the present. I highly recommend them both.
The Forgotten Garden is a title that I instantly fell in love with. A few chapters in, I knew that I loved this novel, and the rest of the story did not disappoint. Morton beautifully weaves this story, seamlessly blending mystery, history and fairy tale together, and telling a story across several generations. I was captivated and absorbed by this book and deeply invested in the fate of each heroine. It is an exquisite story- deeply moving, acutely tragic and yet profoundly uplifting and hopeful.
It is 1913. A small child is found at the docks in Australia. The dockmaster and his wife decide to raise the child as their own, since she is unable to tell them who she is or why she is alone. As an adult, Nell sets out to solve the mystery of her past. But it is a complex, layered mystery, and it is not until after her death that her grandaughter is able to fully solve the mystery. This novel takes place at several different points in time. As you read, you slowly put the pieces together until you have a truly wonderful story. I just loved it. I have recommended this novel many times, and everyone who has read it has really enjoyed it as well. I also read Morton's A House at Riverton, and while it can't compete with The Forgotten Garden, it is an excellent read as well.
More recently, I read The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson. This novel takes place in Cornwall, in the 17th century, and in present day. Julia is a woman in a dysfunctional relationship with her friend's husband. He breaks up with her to make amends with his wife, and he gives her an antique embroidery book. Written in the book are diary entries from 19 year old Catherine, an embroider living in Cornwall in 1625. Catherine is kidnapped from her church by pirates and brought to Morocco as a slave. Catherine writes about her terrifying experiences, and Julia journeys to Morocco to learn more about Catherine's story. As Julia encounters Catherine in her writings, she must find her own path, and perhaps her own love story as well. The Tenth Gift offers a glimpse into a different time and place, a different culture, and an oft ignored part of history.
Both novels are enchanting, and Johnson and Morton demonstrate the ways the past can enrich the present. I highly recommend them both.
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