![]() Book name: Matrix Author: Lauren Groff Genre: Historical Fiction Goodreads: Link Storygraph: Link Going into this book I had no idea what to expect with its vague title, but I really enjoyed reading this book which is very loosely based on the experiences of Marie de France; who lived in the 12th century and was sent from France to become a prioress at an impoverished Abbey in England. The novel details her life and times at the Abbey and the impact she had on the nuns under her care and the wider community. The novel explores themes such as collective vs individual action, power and ambition, sin & shame, and the impact of human action on nature which Marie and the nuns have to deal with. The language of the book is really vivid, particularly the descriptions of the life at the Abbey and the Visions that Marie receives which is very reminiscent of the style of writing found in religious writing. The story, while fictional is placed within the context of actual historical events and the details that the author goes into in terms and the various roles and functions involved in running an Abbey lends authenticity to the novel. One note of caution is that it does expect the reader to have some understanding of the context the novel is set in terms of the historical background and the religious practices. Apart from that, overall really enjoyed and quite recommend the novel. Favourite Quotes
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![]() Book name: The Song of Achilles Author: Madeline Miller Genre: Classics, Historical Fiction/fantasy Goodreads: <Link> Storygraph: <Link> I'm usually a bit hesitant with reading modern adoptions of historical events or well-known tales such as the events surrounding the Trojan War depicted in Homer's Illiad, but when it comes to Song of Achilles which was the first book written by Madeline Miller, I was pleasantly surprised by how the author managed to tell a compelling and fresh tale around this very popular story. The novel describes the life and times of Achilles and Patroculus told from the perspective of Patroclus. The novel takes a bit of time to get off the ground where in the first few chapters which depict the lead up to the Trojan war and the time Patroclus is sent into exile and meets Achilles for the first time, the duo doesn't appear to be particular likeable where Patroclus appears Star-crossed while Achilles comes across as Cold and aloof. But once you get to the point where they spend time training with the Centaur Chiron the story really comes into its own and you find the characters quite endearing. This may have been deliberate in order to show the growth of both characters where with their experiences during the war you see how Achilles is transformed from a very sensitive and trusting boy to a cold and calculating killing machine. "I watched them marching, rank on cheerful rank. I saw them dreaming of the plunder they would bring home, and the triumph. There was no such dream for us." The relationship between Patroclus and Achilles is at the heart of the story, and while there are some differences in the nature of the relationship between Patroclus & Achilles from the social context of the time, where the relationship had a more ritualistic dimension to it. The author might have been done to make it more relatable to a modern audience, as well as to show how the nature of the relationship between the two evolves over time due to their experiences. “May I give you some advice? If you are truly his friend, you will help him leave this soft heart behind. He’s going to Troy to kill men, not rescue them.” ... “He is a weapon, a killer. Do not forget it. You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature.” The same can be said for many of the secondary characters such as Odysseus and Agamemnon where even though they are make only brief appearances, the author presents them as multi-dimensional characters. For instance, Odysseus is depicted not just as the Wiley/ Endearing character, but also as a cold and calculating person willing to apply violence if the situation demands it. Similarly, the novel briefly shows Agamemnon's prowess with a spear, suggesting that he is not just a general who stays behind and lets his men die for his Greed. The novel also introduces character such as Briseis's, but the story doesn't delve too much into her character in order to keep the focus on the two main protagonists. See my review of for the most beloved where you see more stories of her and the other women of Troy. "The men too became less like dozens of different armies, and more like countrymen. These men, who had left Aulis as Cretans and Cypriots and Argives, now were simply Greeks— cast into the same pot by the otherness of the Trojans, sharing food and women and clothing and battle stories, their distinctions blurred away.. Even years later this camaraderie would remain, a fellow-feeling so uncharacteristic of our fiercely warring kingdoms”. The depiction of the war and how it evolves over time feels very authentic, and shows the depth of the authors research. An interesting point that is brought up was how the war helped to unite the Greeks, which was is a way one of the motives for Homer who wrote the Illiad to depict a Golden age of Greek civilization where they were united under a common cause. “Give us both peace. Burn me and bury me. I will wait for you among the shades. I will— But already he is waking. “Patroclus! Wait! I am here!” Even though going into this book, most readers would be familiar with how the two characters meet their tragic end, the last couple of chapters is simply devastating and provides a very emotional climax for the entire story. One thing I caution is that although the novel can be read by someone with only a vary vague idea of the story and about Greek Mythology , some of the details presented may come across as strange or unfamiliar to a reader who is completely new to the story. However, even for those who are well versed in the story, the novel offers a fresh take on it and allows you to really appreciate the depth of the authors research in staying true to the source material and bringing these characters. Overall would highly recommend it and looking forward to checking out some of the other works by the author. Quotes “She wants you to be a god,” I told him. “I know.” His face twisted with embarrassment, and in spite of itself my heart lightened. It was such a boyish response. And so human. Parents, everywhere.”. “Look at how he will be remembered now. Killing Hector, killing Troilus. For things he did cruelly in his grief. Perhaps such things pass for virtue among the gods. But how is there glory in taking a life? ..Let the stories of him be something more”. ![]() Book name: The Star of Kazan Author: Eva Ibbotson Genre: Childrens book, Mystery , Historical Fiction Goodreads: Link Storygraph: Link Reading the title of the book, I imagined it to be a Fantasy book given its title as well as the cover image which invokes a sense of magic and mystery. The book in fact a historical fiction/ mystery novel which is set in early 20th Century in Vienna which was a part of the Austro Hungarian and German empire at the time. However given the evocative description of the neighbourhoods in Vienna, the Spanish Riding school, brooding castles in the German countryside and food delicacies, it could very well pass for a fantasy novel as well! The novel reads more like a mystery novel with elements of suspense, adventure and even a bit of horror which makes for an interesting read. I like how the story takes unexpected turns, while at the same all the little details and hints fit together and has a satisfactory payoff at the end. The character development is really good with some really memorable character. I particularly liked the worrying professors and the antics they got upto! The novel is also set in a historical context and makes references to historical figures and famous locations in Vienna and is written in a very evocative way. It's clear from the writing that the author is drawing on her own childhood exepriences growing up in Vienna which gives it a very authentic feeling to it. The book is also very interesting in that even though its written in 1999, it has the feel of a 'classic' novel and one can easily mistake the book as having been written much earlier. Another interesting point was even though the book is meant for children, it does touch on some interesting themes. One in particular was the attitude towards servants and the expected patterns of behaviour which I haven't seen covered in that way in any other novel. Recommendation Overall, while I felt that in some places the novel could have been a bit shorter if it didn't go into a few sub plots which didn't seem to fit too well into the main story, I found the characters and storytelling to be very well done and if you like a good mystery set in a historic period, this might be a novel for you. ![]() Book name: Passing Author: Nella Larsen Genre: Novel, Historical fiction Goodreads: Link Storygraph: Link “It’s funny about ‘passing.’ We disapprove of it and at the same time condone it. It excites our contempt and yet we rather admire it. We shy away from it with an odd kind of revulsion, but we protect it.” Set in the 1920s New York, the story mainly revolves around two women; Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry. Irene has settles to a comfortable life when it is disrupted by the arrival of a Childhood Friend Clare Kendry who is 'passing' which is described the practice of people crossing the colour line and all the opportunities and dangers that comes with it. Irene who is the protagonist of the novel through whose eyes we experience the novel is a complicated character and the reader is left uncertain of her true intentions. At times she is in awe of Clare and wishes she is brave of enough to do the same while at other times she is horrified at her recklessness and the risks she takes. This also makes her an unreliable narrator, especially with her views towards Clare Kendry, the reader is left uncertain if she is describing what actually took place or what she imagines took place. Irene seems even unwilling to acknowledge what Clare has done and continues to refer to her by her maiden name and tries to remember her as she was in her youth. Irene considers what Clare has done by 'passing' as a danger not just to Clare but to her and the comfortable life she has built for herself. This is made even more complicated by the fact that Irene herself occasionally Passes in order to go to a fancy restaurant and allow people to think she is white. Hence it begs the question whether Irene even has the right to criticize Clare for Passing when she herself does it. In fact at the start of the novel, you feel that the story is being related by someone who is white Apart from barriers related to race, another theme that I saw strongly as a theme was class barriers. Irene's hostility towards Clare for her recklessness; imagined or otherwise might be due to the fact that Clare is not only 'Passing' the race barrier but also the class barrier as it is stated that Clare comes from a more humble background as a daughter of a Janitor compared to Irene's own status. Another interesting aspect where this is brought up is with regard to Irene's husband Brian who cautions their children with tales of horror such as lynching which Irene seems to dismiss fears of such things. This might be a reflection of the fact that her husband who unlike Irene is unable to pass given his complexion is fully aware of the dangers while Irene seems to take comfort in her class status and the privilege it affords. Recommendation The book is fairly short and it moves at a brisk pace which makes it fairly quick read. However the book has alot to unpack and contains many layers which you might be able to uncover with multiple readings. Quite liked the book and would recommend it. Quotes Clare remarked, thoughtfully : “You know, ’Rene, I’ve often wondered why more coloured girls, girls like you and Margaret Hammer and Esther Dawson and— oh, lots of others— never ‘passed’ over. It’s such a frightfully easy thing to do. If one’s the type, all that’s needed is a little nerve.” For the first time she suffered and rebelled because she was unable to disregard the burden of race. It was, she cried silently, enough to suffer as a woman, an individual, on one’s own account, without having to suffer for the race as well. It was a brutality, and undeserved. Surely, no other people so cursed as Ham’s dark children. “How could you know? How could you? You’re free. You’re happy. And,” with faint derision, “safe.”
![]() Key Details Author: Colson Whitehead Genre: Historical Fiction Goodreads Link: Link This novel by Colson Whithead primarily narrates the experience of Cora; a runaway slave from a cotton plantation in Georgia who attempts to make a bid for freedom via the Underground railroad where in the novel it is depicted as a literal railroad. While the novel is an alternate history, the horrors of Slavery are not a fiction and it tries to depict the conditions of various protagonists who revolve around this deplorable system that has been created and which has sadly been commonplace across countries and cultures. The novel is told from multiple viewpoints and takes place at different point in time, which at times can be hard to follow. But this narrative structure also allows the author to showcase the many different experiences of the oppressed communities, particularly of the female characters who are oppressed both due to gender and racial reasons and depicts the many different paths they had taken to end up in their situation. One perspective I would have liked to have seen is perspective of the communities who serve as the house slaves, slave bosses and Homer who is a willing follower of the slavecatcher Ridgeway who is the main antagonist of the novel. An interesting point that I learnt is about the oppression of Italian and German immigrants who were brought to work as indentured servants on cotton plantations as well, which gives some context to the Gangster ism that in later era's was a feature of the communities. The novel also highlights how hope and beliefs can be such a powerful driving force both for the protagonist Cora whose mothers escaped is part of the lore of the plantation while Ridgeway; the Slave catcher is very clear on the part he plays in upholding the society they had brought about I would caution that, even thought its not needed to follow the narrative, some background information is useful and also helps you appreciate the research that has gone into it. Overall would highly recommend this novel. Quotes What did you get for that, for knowing the day you were born into the white man’s world? It didn’t seem like the thing to remember. More like to forget. - Cora on not knowing her birthday A plantation was a plantation; one might think one’s misfortunes distinct, but the true horror lay in their universality. "To see chains on another person and be glad they are not your own—such was the good fortune permitted colored people, defined by how much worse it could be any moment." |
AuthorAvid reader of Historical fiction, High fantasy novels, Comics & Graphic Novels. Passionate about teaching & the future of education in general. Categories
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