I know what you’re thinking — only two books today! I’m amazed at myself, too. I’ve been reading a few other things but just haven’t been able to finish them yet. However, the two books I did complete were more than satisfying. One is historical fiction while the other is a story about history (you’ll see what I mean in the review). Both are wonderfully focused on questions of humanity and justice. If either looks at all interesting to you, I highly recommend.
The Winter Orphans by Kristin Beck: Inspired by the bravery and heart of the children of the château de la Hille and the people who helped them survive WWII and escape Nazi soldiers and French gendarmes, The Winter Orphans is a tribute to human endurance and kindness. The story is told from the perspectives of real-life Swiss Red Cross workers Rösli Näf and Anne-Marie Im Hof-Piguet, as well the fictional Ella Rosenthal, a Jewish teenager who lives at the château with her sister, Hanni. Beck strikes a delicate balance, conveying the horror of the war while always centering and respecting the people experienced it. A heartrending and ultimately hopeful novel, The Winter Orphans — and even more, the events it is based upon — remind us that we should always do what is right over what is easy and that a few good people can make a difference even in impossible circumstances. My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey: An engaging character study and a great little intro to English history and the War of the Roses. You might not expect a book about a man lying in the hospital reading and badgering everyone who enters his room with theories about Richard III and demands for more books would be particularly exciting… and you would be right. It’s not exciting or adventurous, but it is hard to put down. Now, granted, I am exactly the audience for this, as someone who loves history and research. However, that is also just the skill of Tey’s writing, that she can take you down this historical rabbit hole and soothe but never bore you.
It truly is a fly-by roundup today, so I’m off again, wishing you all a lovely reading week! Be safe and be happy.
—b
Book It With Becca 