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#243 ~ Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show
Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show
Published by: Random House
Published on: February 2010
Page Count: 448
Genre: Literature / Historical Fiction
My Reading Format: Hardcover review copy provided for the tour by the author’s publicist
Available Formats: Hardcover, audio book, eBook
Giveaway: see the end of my review for more information
Today it is my great pleasure to be Frank Delaney’s host on his TLC Book Tour for his latest novel, Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show. I would like to thank his staff for sending me a review copy. I would also like to thank Random House for a copy to giveaway on this blog! Please see the end of my review for a list of the blogs who are on this tour with me.
I have a lot of fun working as a tour host for TLC Book Tours. They always have great books and authors on tour. Check out their website for more information on this tour and the others that they are hosting.
My Review
Benedict MacCarthy is forced kicking and screaming into manhood when his father, a seemingly happy Irish farmer and family man, runs off with Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show. When he can no longer ignore or avoid what his mother needs him to do, he begins his reluctant quest to bring his father back home. Ben isn’t the only one coming of age in 1932. Ireland is as well. She is a maturing democracy during an election year that proves to be pivotal. As Ireland is determining its political future, Ben must find the strength to believe in himself and take on the responsibilities of adulthood.
It is very difficult to succinctly summarize Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show. There is so much involved with covering the history of and the relationship between two families and the nuances of the political climate at that time. Additionally, I don’t want to give away any part of the story unnecessarily. It was such a joy to lean forward toward my book in anticipation of what would happen next. One of the most beautiful things about this book as that it continued to reveal itself to me through the last paragraph. I finished the book with a satisfied pat on the cover. I want anyone coming to this book to be able to experience the same thing.
Ben, as narrator, is self-aware and purposeful, the mirror opposite of his 18-year-old self. He is always conscious of what he is doing and how he is doing it, sharing his thought and writing processes along the way. Because he’s looking back at his life at a distance, he never assumes that his readers are overly familiar with the time or place in which he grew to be a man. He continues to provide background information throughout the story. I loved the way that Delaney uses Ben to blends traditional Irish storytelling into his novel. These digressions and the flavor they add to the story are what make it unique and refreshing.
I remember my mother telling me about naptime at her house when she was a little girl. My grandmother wore what Mom called nurse shoes, making it nearly impossible to hear where she was in the house. One day, Mom and my Aunt Donna were not taking a nap. Grandma, in her stealth nurse shoes, caught them before they were able to feign sleep and they were just as quickly punished for not doing as they were told. Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show is like my Grandma and her nurse shoes. It’s not a pushover. It requires you to pay attention at all times. Even still, I found that the story snuck up on me, catching me completely off guard. Its references to Synge and Yeats reminded me of my own years as an undergraduate when I was in love with all things Irish. Instead of being punished, however, I was rewarded with one of the richest reading experiences I’ve had in a very long time. Thank goodness for Frank Delaney and his literary nurse shoes.
Giveaway
I am excited to let you know that Frank Delaney’s publicist is graciously providing one of my readers a copy of Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show in conjunction with my tour stop today. I hope that whoever wins this book will love it even half as much as I did. To be entered in this giveaway, leave a comment here by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, March 23rd. I will use Random.org to select the lucky reader. May the luck of the Irish be with you. LOL!
Frank Delaney’s TLC Book Tour Stops
Please be sure to stop by Frank Delaney’s other tour stops:
Wednesday, March 17th: Luxury Reading
Thursday, March 18th: Tales of a Capricious Reader
Thursday, March 25th: Trish’s Reading Nook
Monday, April 5th: Stephanie’s Confessions of a Book-a-holic
Wednesday, April 7th: My Two Blessings
Wednesday, April 14th: 2 Kids and Tired Book Reviews
Thursday, April 15th: Cheryl’s Book Nook
Monday, April 19th: Fizzy Thoughts
Tuesday, April 20th: Rundpinne
Wednesday, April 21st: Worducopia
#242 ~ Twilight of Avalon
Twilight of Avalon: A Novel of Trystan & Isolde
Published by: Simon and Schuster
Published on: May 2009
Page Count: 448
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Review copy sent to me by the author
Availability: paperback and eBook
Giveaway: See the end of this review for more information
My Review
England is in upheaval. It is still trying to recover from the double cross that ended with King Arthur’s death. Constantine, Arthur’s heir, was just a boy when he became the High King and married to Isolde, the daughter of Arthur’s traitor. Isolde is distraught when Con dies in a war with the Saxons and Lord Marche has planted himself and his troops in such a way as to be named the next High King. Isolde has reason to be suspicious of her husband’s death and has barely a friend in the world because of her father and her supposed ties to witchcraft. She tries to keep sane by tending to the wounded and dying troops, but even they distrust her because of her past. She longs to save her country but, being a woman without the protection of a husband, faces more obstacles than she thinks she can withstand. Could the connection she makes with one of the Saxon prisoners be the key to saving her country and herself?
I liked the following aspects about this novel:
- You can tell by the writing that Anna Elliot is passionate about her characters and the subject matter.
- Trystan was such a great character. His sense of honor and justice felt right for that time period.
- The way that Isolde used caring for the wounded soldiers to take her mind off of her troubles and the troubles of England. I also admired the way that she bore the combined burdens left to her by her father and her husband.
- Brother Columba was hands down my favorite character. I loved the simplicity that grew out of what was most likely a very tough and violent past.
- Lord Marche was an interesting villain. It’s interesting how men will be suspicious of a woman manipulating them in whatever means available to her, but readily take the snackiest of men at face value.
- The cover is lovely, isn’t it? It certainly sets the mood for the novel very well.
The following were issues for me:
- Isolde was always getting the cold shivers. I understood why, but it got old after a while.
- Although she apparently did, I never really understood why or found it believable that Isolde loved Con. Perhaps she loved what he meant to England, but I never got a sense of her love for him as a man.
- The time period. I can’t help it. This story had all the elements that would normally interest me. I am not sure what it is about this time and place. This is by far my biggest complaint, but I really can’t fault the book for the time period in which it takes place. It is what it is.
My Final Thoughts
Arthurian England just is not very interesting to me. I kind of hit the same wall while reading Helen Hollick’s The Kingmaking. This is a personal preference, though. I never thought to set the book aside and not finish it. As you will see in my Other Voices section, I am well in the minority here. Readers loved this novel.
+++++++
This review is my first for Caribousmom’s Random Reading Challenge! I found it to be a lot of fun to leave my next read up to the Random Number Generator on Random.org. I book down, 5 to go by August. I wonder what the ol’ Random Number Generator will scare up for me next.
Giveaway
Twilight of Avalon is the first novel in Anna Elliot’s trilogy about Isolde and Trystan. I would love to send my gently read copy of this novel to someone who loves this story or Arthurian England. It just might be perfect timing, because Dark Moon of Avalon, the second book in this trilogy, is being published in May. To enter this giveaway, tell me what your favorite novel is from this time period. Leave your comment here by 11:59 PM EST. I’ll announce the winner later that week. Good luck!
Other Voices
Trish’s Reading Nook
S. Krishna’s Books
things mean a lot
Devourer of Books
Book Nut
Medieval Bookworm
Charlotte’s Library
#241 ~ The French Mistress
The French Mistress: A Novel of the Duchess of Portsmouth and King Charles II
Published by: Penguin Group
Published on: July 2009
Page Count: 400
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: eBook read on my Kindle
Availability: paperback, eBook,
My Review Louise’s father was of noble birth, but his political affiliations caused him to lose favor with the French crown, diminishing the family finances and the opportunities available to his children. Scraping together the funds to create a modest wardrobe for her, they sent Louise to King Louis XIV’s court in hopes of her finding a husband that would advance her and provide opportunities for her family as well. Raised as a proper Catholic girl, she was a naive addition to the household of Henrietta, Duchess D’Orlean. Fortunately Louise finds the favor of her Madame, sister to King Charles II of England and sister-in-law to Louis XIV. This early placement in the French court links her to her destiny.
- This novel was the February selection of my Historical Fiction Lovers book club. I was excited to get an eBook copy of it because I’ve wanted to read Susan Holloway Scott for almost as long as I’ve started reading historical fiction.
- I enjoyed the juxtaposition between the monarchs and their respective courts.
- For more than half of the book, Louise holds on tightly to her virginity. Knowing that she is to become Charles II’s mistress from the very beginning, there was no question as to whether she would remain a virgin throughout the book. I think I was more impatient for her to give it up than the king was. This goes hand in hand with my other chief complaint – the novel’s focus.
- I would have preferred a novel about the Duchess D’Orlean or a novel about Louise and Charles II. This was a novel about Louise and Henrietta and then Louise and Charles. That is what made this novel seem long and why what would be the most interesting parts of Louise and Charles’ relationship were rushed through. Had this been a novel about Henrietta and Louise was a minor character, it would have been fantastic. Had this novel been about Charles and Louise’s relationship alone, it would have also been a great read. Instead, we got a play by play of Louise’s life with Henrietta and her last days as a virgin, but the political and emotional upheaval at the end of Charles’ life were told in retrospect. Even Louise’s family’s reaction to her move to England was spoken of as an afterthought. Those are the things that I would have cared to read about in more depth.
My Final Thoughts
Although The French Mistress was a missed opportunity for me from a historical standpoint, I enjoyed Scott’s writing overall. I would try another one of her novels. Have you enjoyed one of Scott’s novels? If so, which would you recommend?
Other Voices
Fireworks Over Toccoa Contest
I have recently read Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff. I’m working on my review, which will be posted next week. [Sneak Peak: I think people will find this to be a fun beach read this year.]
In the meantime, I wanted to let you know about an incredible contest being held by St. Martin’s Press. It’s underway beginning this week and will be open until March 30, the novel’s publication date.
Here are the details Sarah sent me (emphasis mine!):
Go to the book’s website. There, you will find:
- A note from author Jeffrey Stepakoff
- An enormous online excerpt from the book
- An audio excerpt
- Crazy awesome sweepstakes
- 1 grand prize winner will win a romantic picnic basket for two complete with caviar, crackers & cheese, cookies, chocolates & truffles and MUCH more (see below – doesn’t that basket look decadent??)
- 300 runners-up will receive a copy of Fireworks Over Toccoa.
Now, go and enter the contest. Good luck!
Garth Stein Giveaway ~ Raven Stole the Moon
I reviewed Garth Stein’s Raven Stole the Moon on Tuesday and I am very excited to host a giveaway of this book today. Sarah from Terra Communications graciously is making this giveaway copy available to one of my readers. Thank you so much, Sarah!
One of the most interesting aspects of this novel was the background on the spirituality of Alaska’s Tlingit people. Raven, for whom the book is titled, is an important figure. The kushtaka were granted special powers by Raven and their role is this novel is the most chilling. To enter this contest, leave a comment here telling me if you’ve read much about the spirituality of indigenous people. If so, what has been your favorite story?
For a second entry, tweet about this contest. Be sure to let me know by including @lithousewife in your tweet.
This contest will be open for 1 week. I’ll accept entries until 11:59 PM EST on March 18. I’ll announce the winner on March 19th. Good luck!
#240 ~ Raven Stole the Moon
Raven Stole the Moon
Published by: HarperCollins
Published on: March 9, 2010 ~ reprint
Page Count: 440
Genre: General Fiction
Format: Review copy sent by Sarah at Terra Communications
Availability: paperback and eBook
If you are interested in reading this novel, please check back later this week. Thanks to Sarah at Terra Communications, I will have a copy to giveaway. Stay tuned for more details. Update: I’ve posted the giveaway, which will be open until 11:59PM EST on 3.18.10.
My Review
Jenna lost her son, Bobby, in a tragic drowning while on a business-related vacation with her family at a soon-to-be-opened wilderness lodge. Two years later at home with her husband Robert in Seattle, Jenna has yet to recover. She’s seen numerous psychiatrists, but has yet to come to terms with Bobby’s death and the changes their loss made to their marriage. After a fight at yet another business related event, Jenna takes off in Robert’s car. At first she just wants to get home. In the end, she just keeps driving, running away from Robert by default. Eventually, she ends up headed on the ferry to Alaska, the home of her Tlingit grandmother and the place where Bobby died. Can returning to the source of so much pain in her life help her move forward, or will it send her further into depression and despair?
The first half of this novel had all the makings of a great episode of “The X Files.” After Jenna lands in Alaska after leaving Robert, she has the most creepy experiences. Because she doesn’t completely trust her sanity, she’s not sure if she believes what she sees. What she may have experienced is creepy and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the potential of kushtaka, the otter people gifted with the ability to shift their shape and “convert” souls. When Jenna wonders if the kushtaka are real and if they may have some connection to the death of her son, I could just imagine Mulder and Scully investigating and having a field day with all the possibilities. During that first half, I was in heaven. I felt that I could relate to Jenna and I wanted her to find her way to where ever it was that she needed to go.
The second half of the novel didn’t work as well for me. I grew impatient with Jenna and her attitude about anyone other than herself. The story became much less suspenseful because it featured Robert and his attempts to find Jenna more prominently. This weighted the novel down and was distracting. I wanted the novel to be about Jenna and her discoveries. I wasn’t so much concerned about Robert. It’s not that he didn’t matter, but I wish there could have been more a more concise way to bring him back into the story without the play by play. Robert also put enough normalcy and reality back into the story that when the kushtaka arc built back up, I missed it. I was no longer prepared for it. Had I recognized it immediately, the end of this novel really would have packed a punch.
My Final Thoughts
I didn’t like this novel as much as The Art of Racing in the Rain. However, Raven Stole the Moon was more challenging and in some ways more interesting. I enjoyed the Alaskan setting, history, and spirituality that were infused throughout. I liked that Jenna and Robert were a mess and were prone to making rotten decisions when under stress. It made them human. The highlight for me was the section where Jenna relives her last moments with Bobby. They were incredibly heartbreaking and powerful. Had Stein maintained the same pacing and level of suspense consistently throughout, this novel would have been absolutely incredible.
Please Benefit from My Experience…
One would think that a person who loves books as much as I do would pay attention to the copyright information. One would be wrong. I dive right to the story and don’t look back. I also apparently assume that a novel published today takes place in modern time unless explicitly told otherwise in the context of the story.Yeah, well that bit me in the back-end while reading Raven Stole the Moon. From the very beginning I had a lot of niggling questions about why Jenna and her lack of a cell phone and why Robert didn’t just go online and check his bank and credit card accounts when Jenna was being so illusive. Eventually, there were some Seattle musical references that finally clued me in to where I was in time. However, had I bothered to read the copyright information I would have clearly seen that this edition is a reprint, not the original publication. Stein published this novel originally in 1998. Copyright information is your friend, people. LOL!
#239 ~ Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel
Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel
Published by: Simon & Schuster
Published on: October 2009
Page Count: 288
Genre: Historical Fiction / Imagined Memoir
Format: Hardcover purchased from Powell’s
Availability: Hardcover, audio book, and eBook
My Review
Lily Casey is a firecracker of a girl. She is brave enough to keep her younger siblings safe during a flash flood, to face up to her parents’ weaknesses, and to take off on her horse by herself at the age of 15 for a multi-state journey to Arizona in order to begin a teaching career. As a woman, she knows what she wants and she knows what is right. She won’t back away from either. She is flexible and won’t let life and it’s messy circumstances paralyze her. Most of all, Lily Casey has a way with half broke horses.
I read The Glass Castle in 2007. I absolutely loved it. It’s the kind of memoir I find the most fulfilling to read. The author experienced a difficult childhood. Instead of being cynical and perpetually bruised, she finds her inner strength, takes responsibility for herself, and makes a great life for herself. So, when I heard that Jeannette Walls wrote a novel, I knew I had to read it. I wasn’t sure what to think about the “true life novel” aspect, but I didn’t let that stop me. It did make me stumble a bit over defining its genre. It is historical fiction as it takes place in the early 20th century. That part was easy. What was difficult is that I couldn’t really just leave it at historical fiction. Half Broke Horses was written in the first person from the perspective of an actual woman, making it feel like a memoir. Walls calls it a “true life novel.” I settled with Historical Fiction / Imagined Memoir.
As with The Glass Castle, I loved Walls’ writing and her ability to bring the past to life. Although she only knew her grandmother as a young child, the voice she gave to Lily Casey was authentic and powerful. What touched me the most was the sense of place. I felt I grew to know the farmland of Texas and Arizona where Lily lived. I see how it shaped her. This novel is just as much a love letter to Walls’ grandmother as it is to horses, farming, and the American West. It was interesting to read this along side of Mudbound. In Half Broke Horses, the love of the land was natural and life affirming whereas in Mudbound, it was destructive force. Half Broke Horses made me long for a good deep, clean breath taken in wide open spaces while Mudbound made me feel dirty. While I loved both Lily Casey and Laura McAllen as characters, I respected Lily more for the way that she took action when times got tough. I very much admired her moxie and spirit.
I loved Half Broke Horses. As, with any life, there wasn’t consistent action over the course of the novel, it worked better for me as a pre-cursor to The Glass Castle than it did as a straight out novel. Knowing that Lily Casey was the author’s maternal grandmother before I began, I read this book from the beginning more as a family history than a novel anyway. Anyone who has read and loved The Glass Castle would enjoy this. If you haven’t read The Glass Castle and have wanted to, you could read them in either order. I don’t think you could go wrong either way. If you like to read about strong women who make the most out of their lives, you will love Lily Casey as much as I did.
Other Voices
Age 30+ … A Lifetime of Books
A Novel Menagerie
Bibliophile by the Sea
Bookworm’s Dinner
Scobberlotch
Ready, Set, March!
I passed by my nightstand this morning and fully took in the stack of books there waiting for me. The other day I kind of stacked up what’s to come and seeing it this morning made me want to write a post about them. I did a little research (because I’m meme challenged) and discovered that the What’s on Your Nightstand meme hosted by 5 Minutes for Books is a fourth Tuesday challenge. If I didn’t write this post today, I’d never write it. I’m that kind of a blogger. So, I’ve decided to go it alone and ramble on about what’s on my nightstand/a look ahead at the month of March.
March is going to be a busy month for me. I agreed to participate in four book tours. Now, before you ask me if I did that deliberately, I did. I hemmed and I hawed. I thought and I considered. In the end, I agreed. Two were books I already had, but two were new to me. Not too bad. I will also make my appearance on That’s How I Blog. I cannot wait! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 30th at 9pm.
March that Has Already Been
My first March tour stop has already taken place. I reviewed The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran last Thursday. I read this book in February and really enjoyed it. If you haven’t already, check it out. There’s a giveaway!
The second book, Raven Stole the Moon by Garth Stein, is finished and I even have the shell of the review written. I was offered this book by Terra Communications somewhat at the last minute and nearly immediately said yes. I’m glad I did. It was very interesting and reminded me a lot of the X Files – not because of the characters, but because of the subject matter. After finishing it, I really like the cover. It matches the tone of the book, even it if doesn’t betray the stories more bizarre and suspenseful aspects. There will be a giveaway for this book, so if you’re interested, keep a close eye here next week.
Present Day March
I am currently reading Real Life & Liars by Kristina Riggle.
- What’s cool about this book is that the author is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, my home town. If that isn’t enough, I received a signed copy of this book for my birthday from Trista, my best friend, who just so happens to be friends with Kristina. In the world of Kevin Bacon, I’m only one degree removed from her. LOL!
Kristina was in the 2009 class of The Debutante Ball, so reading this book would qualify for The Debutante Ball Reading Challenge. I’m not an active participant in this challenge, but it’s oh, so tempting. If there is anywhere in my life where I’m exercising some restraint, it’s in signing up for challenges. There’s no harm in pointing out when something you’re reading intersects with a challenge you support, right? If you enjoy reading first time authors, you should really check out Jen (Devourer of Books) and Swapna’s (S. Krishna’s Books) challenge.
When I finish this book, I will also – FINALLY – be able to participate in GalleySmith’s Literary Road Trip. I’ll do a little write up about Grand Rapids as well. I’m excited to share a little bit about where I came from here. I love my hometown and my home state.
The March to Come
Here’s where we get to what is waiting in the wings. Hold on to your seats everyone. This is quite ambitious for me:
- Venetia Kelley’s Traveling Show by Frank Delaney. I have wanted to read him for forever, so I really couldn’t turn down the opportunity. Back in my high school/college days, I was what some might consider obsessed with Ireland and many things Irish. U2 was constantly playing, pictures of Bono everwhere. I was reading and becoming consumed with James Joyce and George Bernard Shaw. As a lover of historical fiction, I’m not sure what has taken me so long to get to Delaney. March, the home of St. Patrick’s Day, is a wonderful month to rectify that. My tour date is May 16th, so be sure to stop before you hit the green beer.
- Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. I’m reading this in preparation for my appearance on Nicole from Linus’ Blanket’s That’s How I Blog show on March 30th! So exciting! If you haven’t had a change to listen in and chat during in Nicole’s show, you really should. Another reason why I’m excited about this is because Revolutionary Road is my oldest requested book at just over a year on my shelves. Disgraceful!
- Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. This is another book I purchased with Christmas money. Even though I’ve linked up with TLC Book Tours for this book in May, I am reading it early so I can put together some questions for a Q&A with Colum. I’m hoping that all works out well. I’ve been really bad about getting around to Q&As over the past year.
- Seeing Stars by Diane Hammond. I received an unsolicited ARC of this novel from HarperCollins. Then I remembered that TLC was hosting Diane’s tour, so I signed up. This is about a mother/daughter move to Hollywood to pursue the daughter’s acting career. It should be a fun diversion from winter. Check back here on March 31st for my tour stop.
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The Song of Hannah by Eva Etzioni-Halevy. I’ve had this review copy for nearly as long as Revolutionary Road. It will be the first book I read for Beth Fish Reads’ What’s in a Name 3 challenge. - Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff. I was pitched this book on the strength of the reviews it has already received from some of my favorite bloggers, including our very own Amy from My Friend Amy. How could I pass that up? Who isn’t in the mood for a little romance every now and again?
- Arcadia Falls by Carol Goodman. I requested an ARC of this novel through Shelf Awareness – a dangerous practice that I’ve stopped. LOL! This should be a pretty suspenseful read and I like those every so often.
- The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees. Can I tell you how excited I am to read this book? I grew up loving Louisa May Alcott. When I was in the 5th grade, my parents gave me a collection of her novels for Christmas and to this day they are among my prized possessions, even though that copy of Little Women is so warn and abused. When I read about this book and Trish from Hey Lady, Watcha Readin’ posted about an online bookclub in April, I commented right away. I’m so glad that I made the cut. We’ll be dishing about this book on Trish’s blog the evening of April 14th. It should be a great time!
Outsider in Amsterdam by Janwillem van de Wetering. I am reading this novel for Jen’s (Jen’s Book Thoughts) Detectives Around the World theme week, which is April 11 – 17. I don’t read a lot of mysteries, but I loved the opportunity to choose a detective from the land of “my people” – the Dutch. LOL! That week I’ll be posting my review of this novel as well as a post about Amsterdam. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. Jen has put so much work into this event. There are 20 other bloggers who will be participating. It’s amazing! If you haven’t already, you should stop by and vote for your favorite detectives in March Madness format.
That about raps it up for me. Ten books is probably a good week for some, but it’s quite possibly more than I’ve read in a month ever. No pressure if I don’t get to the last three this month, but I would love to get those in.
I hope that you have a lot of fun bookish plans in place this month, too.
Random Bookish Questions & Winners
- Why do some novels get “a novel” appended to their title while others don’t?
- How is it determined whether a book is first published in hardcover of trade paperback? Is it a genre issue? The strength of the author?
- Why don’t all publishers use the same paper that HarperCollins used for the below pictured edition of Gregory Maguire’s Wicked? It smells so good! All books should smell that good.
Trust me. This book smells wicked good.
Now that I’ve asked my questions with no real hope of a response (but if you know, please do share!), I’d like to announce the winners of two of my recent giveaways:
Winner of O, Juliet:
All knowing Random.org selected #5. #5 just happens to be Kathy from Bermudaonion’s Weblog! Congratulations, Kathy! I’ll get your book out to you this weekend.
Winners of The Kitchen House
I still haven’t lost the glow after meeting Kathleen Grissom. I am really excited to be able to send the following two winnners signed copies of her wonderful novel, The Kitchen House!
It’s lucky #10 and #6. Congratulations to Ti from Book Chatter and Jeanne Duperrault. Please send me your mailing addresses and I’ll get your books in the mail to you!
Have a great weekend, everyone! I’m off work until Tuesday, so I’m looking forward to reading, blogging, and more reading.
#238 ~ The Wives of Henry Oades ~ Review & Giveaway
The Wives of Henry Oades
Published by: Ballantine Books
Published on: February 2010
Page Count: 384
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: ARC snagged through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer program
Availability: paperback and eBook
Today it is my great pleasure to be Johanna Moran’s host on her TLC Book Tour for her novel, The Wives of Henry Oades. I would like to thank LibraryThing and her publisher for sending me a review copy. I would also like to thank Random House for a copy to giveaway on this blog! Please see the end of my review for a list of the blogs who are on this tour with me.
I have a lot of fun working as a tour host for TLC Book Tours. They always have great books and authors on tour. Check out their website for more information on this tour and the others that they are hosting.
My Review
During the late 19th century, Henry Oades was looking to get ahead in his career and make an even better life for his family when he agreed to take a position that required he move his family from England to a much less civilized New Zealand. His wife Meg didn’t really want to leave her family, but supported her husband because it would only be for a few years. What neither of them anticipated was the hostility between white settlers and the native Maori increasing after their arrival. One evening, in revenge of a Maori beating, Henry’s family is kidnapped while he is away at work. From there begins a heart wrenching nightmare almost beyond comprehension. After holding out hope longer than most people felt sane, Henry eventually leaves New Zealand for America. In San Fransisco, he discovers a love for farming and eventually falls in love with a young widow. Shorty after Henry and Nancy marry, Meg brings her family out of captivity. When Henry and his first family reunite, a struggle of a much different kind begins.
When I saw information about The Wives of Henry Oades while reviewing the list of Early Reviewer books last year, I knew it was one that I’d have to read. I could not imagine what it would be like to be in Henry Oades’ shoes. He believed he had lost his entire family and it was only reluctantly that he set off to start his life over again. Just when he found purpose and contentment, he learns that his original family was alive and well. What would you do? Worse yet, what would or could a woman in the late 19th century do if she was given up for dead and her husband remarried? What would or could a young widow with a small baby do when her new husband’s dead wife shows up on her doorstep. I was so thrilled to learn that I had snagged it because I was going to be able to find out.
This book was a perfect match for me. I love that it was told mainly through the voices of Meg and Nancy, Henry’s two wives. I was intrigued from the very first when Meg and Henry set off to New Zealand and I didn’t want to put the book down until it was finished. Some parts were difficult to read, especially the scenes of the kidnapping and the direct aftermath, but I could not stop reading. I also found it interesting how Berkeley society, now seen as such a liberal, accepting place, could not see the difference between purposeful bigamy and an accident of fate that fell upon both halves of Henry’s family. The community was too busy titillating themselves with what might be happening behind the Oades’ doors to take take stock of what really did.
The Wives of Henry Oades was inspired by a legal extract about the Oades case that Moran’s father brought home to her mother. What an interesting launching pad of a novel. I enjoyed it all the way through. I do have one lingering question about a decision Henry makes along the way, but mentioning that here would give too much of the story away. My question aside, there would be an evening’s worth of topics to discuss after reading this novel. It would also be interesting to read this novel and The 19th Wife back to back and discuss the impact of bigamy on the women involved during the 19th century. I highly recommend this novel. There are so many ways to look at this novel and the events it brings to life. I would love to hear what you think.
*****
Giveaway
I am excited to offer one lucky reader an opportunity to win a copy of this novel from the publisher. To enter, leave a comment to this post with your thoughts about how bigamy impacts the women involved. There is so much to say about it. As much as I could never see myself coping well with that kind of living arrangement, I wonder how much cleaner my house would be if I had a sister wife around here…
This giveaway will be open for entries until Thursday, March 18 at 11:59 EST. I will use the wonderful Randomizer to select the winner and will make the announcement soon thereafter.
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Check out Johanna Moran’s other TLC Book Tours Tour Stops:
Monday, February 15th: Luxury Reading
Wednesday, February 17th: Book Club Classics!
Thursday, February 18th: My Friend Amy
Friday, February 19th: Beth Fish Reads author guest post
Monday, February 22nd: Jenn’s Bookshelves
Tuesday, February 23rd: The 3 R’s Blog
Thursday, February 25th: It’s All About Books
Friday, February 26th: Thoughts of an Evil Overlord
Monday, March 1st: Rundpinne
Tuesday, March 2nd: Peeking Between the Pages
Wednesday, March 3rd: A High and Hidden Place
Friday, March 5th: Stephanie’s Confessions of a Book-aholic
Monday, March 8th: Bibliofreak
Tuesday, March 9th: A Lifetime of Books
Wednesday, March 10th: Starting Fresh
Thursday, March 11th: Savvy Verse and Wit
Monday, March 15th: The Calico Critic
Book Blogger Con
Have you heard about the 1st Annual Book Blogger Convention that will be held in NYC during the BEA? You should check it out. I know it will be a fantastic experience. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend due to family obligations, but I'll be trolling blogs for up to the minute news.
WE Magazine’s A Woman Blogger to Watch
Literate Challenges
What's in a Name? 3
Random Reading Challenge
