The Child From the Sea is an historical novel written by Elizabeth Goudge which she based on the life of Lucy Walter (c. 1630–1658), a woman descended from Welsh royalty known to history as Charles II’s first mistress and thought by some to have married him before he became king. History has not been kind … Continue reading The Child From the Sea by Elizabeth Goudge (1970)
Historical Fiction
The English Air by D.E. Stevenson (1940)
The English Air by D.E. Stevenson was published in 1940, and like other authors who wrote during the early years of WWII when the outcome was so uncertain, (e.g. Nevil Shute and Helen Macinnes) it provides a unique perspective. Letters between the author and her publisher included in the Furrowed Middlebrow edition of the book emphasises … Continue reading The English Air by D.E. Stevenson (1940)
Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R. Lorac (1937)
E.C.R. Lorac is one of the pseudonyms used by the prolific British crime author Edith Caroline Rivett (1894-1958) who until more recently had largely been forgotten. I’ve read a couple of her books and I've liked this one the best so far. It's the thirteenth book out of forty-six written by Lorac that feature Chief … Continue reading Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R. Lorac (1937)
April Blether
'To a generation for whom everything which used to nourish the imagination because it had to be won by an effort, and then slowly assimilated, is now served up cooked, seasoned, and chopped into little bits, the creative faculty (for reading should be a creative act as well as writing) is rapidly withering, together with … Continue reading April Blether
Biggles in the Baltic by Captain W.E. Johns (1940)
I can’t believe I’m writing a review of a Biggles’ book. In spite of scouring secondhand shops and Lifeline sales for at least two decades with my offspring as they built up their collection of Captain W.E. John’s books, this is the first of his books that I’ve ever read. It’s surprising how many grown … Continue reading Biggles in the Baltic by Captain W.E. Johns (1940)
1940 Book Club
Every six months Simon and Karen ask people to read books published in the same year and put reviews online wherever you put reviews (blog, GoodReads, Instagram, etc.). Any sort of book from anywhere in the world is welcomed – the only rule is that it was first published in 1940. I'll be reading Death at the … Continue reading 1940 Book Club
Landfall by Nevil Shute (1940)
Landfall is another book by Nevil Shute that is not only set during World War II but was written during that time. The immediacy of the conflict and Shute’s background in aviation engineering adds credibility to his books. Although the technical detail he employs in all of his stories sometimes goes over my non-technical head, … Continue reading Landfall by Nevil Shute (1940)
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2008)
The Forgotten Garden is the third book by the Australian author, Kate Morton, that I’ve read and it has been the best of the three. The other two books were The Lake House (2016) and The Secret Keeper (2012) which I read in that order. I didn’t pay any attention to the date of their … Continue reading The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2008)
Anne of Avonlea by Lucy M. Montgomery (1909)
Anne of Avonlea is the second book in the Anne series of books by Lucy Maud Montgomery. In this story Anne is sixteen years old and just beginning her work as the new schoolteacher at Avonlea.Although she has left behind her dizzier escapades and dramas, she is still prone to mishaps, but her reactions are … Continue reading Anne of Avonlea by Lucy M. Montgomery (1909)
A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer (1961)
A Civil Contract is quite different from Heyer’s usual style - at least in the books I’ve read so far. There’s no dashing, arrogant and wealthy hero to be won by a beautiful woman with no fortune. He is, instead, a twenty-six year old man facing a ruinous future. Captain Adam Deveril sells out of … Continue reading A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer (1961)
journey & destination 