The past six months have been a challenging time for reading as angst about the state of the world interferes with the stimulation and relaxation of a good book. However, let me highlight a few that have resonated for me.
Echoes of Us by Joy Jordan-Lake
I chose this novel for two reasons: One, I’ve read and enjoyed others by Joy Jordan-Lake and two, it is set in St Simons Island, an idyllic island off the south coast of Georgia. My husband and I have visited SSI twice and been quickly lulled into a relaxed state by its setting and gentle pace. Think long walks on the beach, trees dripping with Spanish Moss, and very friendly locals.
But what about the novel? First, it’s written as a dual timeline, a format I truly enjoy. Second, the history is intriguing. I had no idea that German subs were patrolling the Atlantic just off the American coast during WWII, nor the fatalities that followed. Nor did I appreciate the efforts of the women who belonged to the Women’s AirForce Service Pilots (WASPs) or the advances of radar technology that were vital to Allied success. Beyond that, is a story of friendship, love, bravery, sisterhood, family ties, and duty cleverly interwoven in the two timelines.
One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter
Another WWII novel – such an endlessly fascinating era – but this one, which is set in Italy, explores the Jewish experience in that country through the friendship of two Jewish women, Lili and Esti. When Esti who forges false identification papers for Jews is badly injured, she convinces Lili to escape to the south with Esti’s young child Theo.
One Good Thing is a story of survival, loss, resilience, and enduring friendship. Like many WWII novels, readers learn of the signature cruelty of Nazi rule and the brave efforts ordinary people make to help one another. This was one of those novels that kept me turning the pages well into the night.
The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier
I’ve read and loved many novels by Tracy Chevalier and I’m happy to report that The Glassmaker was no exception. But what makes this novel stand out is the intriguing way that Chevalier takes her main character – Orsola Rosso, a female glassmaker in a male dominated industry – from the 15th century to the time of Covid. This device allows us to appreciate the history of Venice and Murano while at the same time enjoying a beautiful story of family ties, love, changing fortunes, and glassblowing.
Beyond the main protagonist and her immediate family, the most significant characters are Venice and Murano. Beginning in the 15th century, when Orsola first becomes a glassmaker, the centuries then unfold and as they do the fortunes of Venice and Murano change. Through it all we have the story of one woman who refuses to be confined by tradition as she pursues her own dreams all the while hoping to be reunited with the one man she truly loved.
Three novels I can highly recommend. What novels have intrigued you this year?
You can read more about One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter here.
I reviewed Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier in 2012 (!!). You can read that review here.
I had the good fortune of doing an early read of A Tangled Mercy by Joy Jordan-Lake and providing a blurb for the book 🙂 A great story.
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M.K. Tod writes historical fiction. Her latest novel THAT WAS THEN is a contemporary thriller. Mary’s other novels, THE ADMIRAL’S WIFE, PARIS IN RUINS, TIME AND REGRET, LIES TOLD IN SILENCE and UNRAVELLED are available from Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Google Play and iTunes. She can be contacted on Facebook or on her website www.mktod.com.
