Image Credit: Pan MacMilan The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow is her first novel. In Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, Mary is the middle sister of the five Bennet girls. In the 18th century a young woman, if not born into wealth, must marry into it. To achieve this she must be born beautiful. Of the Bennet sisters, only Mary was plain and of such a retiring … [Read more...] about The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow – Book Review
The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner – Book Review
Image Credit: Pan MacMillan Australia The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner is her debut novel. In the summer of 1941 Hitler’s army has invaded Poland and soldiers are rounding up Jews. After her husband is killed and her parents taken away, Roza flees with her 5-year-old daughter, Shira. They reach the small village of Gracja, where they are reluctantly given refuge … [Read more...] about The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner – Book Review
Jane in Love by Rachel Givney – Book Review
Jane in Love by Rachel Givney is a modern-day take on the Jane Austen story. While history indicates that the real Jane Austen was content with her writing and uninterested in finding a suitor, in this version Jane decides to give love and marriage a try. For the prospect of becoming an aged spinster and having to rely on the charity of family and friends no longer appeals … [Read more...] about Jane in Love by Rachel Givney – Book Review
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave – Book Review
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave is her first novel for adults. On Christmas Eve 1617, the families of 40 fishermen watch in horror as a sudden storm off the island of Vardo, (Norway’s north-easternmost point), sweeps their menfolk into the turbulent waves. As the community gather in the Kirke on the Sabbath, the women realise that all their men are gone and they … [Read more...] about The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave – Book Review
Miss Austen by Gill Hornby – Book Review
Miss Austen by Gill Hornby is a brilliant original novel that explores the reasons why letters written by Jane were burned by her sister, Cassandra. This act of seemingly wilful obliteration has troubled academics for centuries. Jane Austen (b: 16 December 1775, Steventon, England, d: July 1817, Winchester, England) wrote six full-length novels. Two of these were published … [Read more...] about Miss Austen by Gill Hornby – Book Review