I realized that I have read a lot of historical fiction books this year- but I haven’t talked about all of them! Some were 5 star reads, some didn’t quite make that cut. Some of the titles were old, and some brand new; regardless I enjoyed all of them and wanted to share them with you so here is my end of summer historical fiction round up of 2021! Check them out and let me know what you think!
Hour of The Witch by Chris Bohjalian
I have read my fair share of novels about the Salem Witch Trials but this story reaches back even further in time to 1662 And tells the story of Mary Deerfield who is trying to divorce her abusive husband- in an era when divorce meant estrangement from one’s community. A woman trying for divorce is not to be believed easily and the tables quickly turn on Mary as her case for divorce turn into her needing to prove her innocence of not being a witch- a crime punishable by death. This story held my interest and was a compelling, if not overly cheerful read. If you are looking for well done historical fiction, based on North America’s first divorce case for domestic violence, with a serious tone then give this book a try!
My Name Is Mary Sutter by Robin Olivera
This is a book about 25 year old Mary Sutter, who desperately wants to become a surgeon. She has been applying, and getting rejected, from various medical colleges, when the civil war breaks out. This is a great opportunity for Mary, the chance to insert herself into the medical field when there is such a desperate need for doctors that she won’t be turned down- or will she? Mary has to fight her own battles while the civil war rages. Mary must persevere through much pain and heartbreak to achieve her dreams- will she be able to withstand everything coming her way?
Caroline by Sarah Miller
If you were a fan of the Little House on The Prairie books as a child you will like this one. If you were like me, and never quite got into the Little House books when you were you- you still might like this book. I sure did! Caroline is the retelling of the Little House on The Prairie told from the Mama’s (Caroline’s) point of view. I have always thought that the people who traveled out west were very strong people to be able to leave behind everything they ever knew and brave the frontier in an effort to make a better life for themselves. Caroline depicts the struggles that these people faced by retelling the events from Little House not the Prairie from an adult point of view. So good!!
That Churchill Woman by Stephanie Barron
Jenny Churchill was not a woman who conformed to societies’ norms. We hear so much about her son, Winston Churchill, but what about the woman who gave birth to him? It is never easy to be an American who marries into High Society in England, especially at the turn of the 19th century. Oh the games Jenny had to play in order to have her cake and eat it too… I was hesitant to pick up this book as Jenny was known for her philandering ways, however the book did not go into any great detail in any of her escapades; instead Stephanie Barron portrays the tough road Jenny Churchill had to pave in order to give her sons a bright future.
The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
This is Ms Cleeton’s latest novel, about the Cuban War for Independence in the 1890s and Spanish American War, shortly thereafter. This story rotates between Evangelina Cisneros,the daughter of a revolutionary who is imprisoned and mistreated by the Spanish, who possesses a face that could become the poster child for America’s intervention in Cuba, some might even call her the most beautiful girl in Cuba… Then there is Grace Harrington, who desperately wants to be a reporter in an era when women were not taken seriously as journalists, and who is walking a tightrope between the two warring newspaper companies in New York City. Lastly we meet Marina Perez, who gave up everything her wealthy family had to offer to marry her childhood friend and love of a lower class, together they throw everything they have, including their lives, into fighting for the cause of Cuba’s independence from Spain. The stories of these 3 women intertwine during the course of life changing events. This story is based on the true story of Evangelina Cisneros, who was declared the most beautiful woman in Cuba by newspapers in the US during the Spanish-Cuban war in the 1890s.
The Gown by Jennifer Robson
This story alternates between 3 women about the making of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown. It is just after World War 2 and life is still very hard in England. Life is dark and dreary and there just seems like there is no bright spot…until the wedding announcement is made that Princess Elizabeth is getting married! Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin(a Jewish survivor from France) are head embroiderers for one of England’s most prestigious fashion houses- will they get to be a part of history being made?
Fast forward to the present day and Heather is a young woman just starting her career when her grandmother dies, leaving more mysteries and links to the past than Heather ever expected. These 3 women’s stories intertwine in unexpected ways weaving a vibrant tale of hidden hardships, unexpected friendships, and resilience.
If you are in the market for a book to read I hope you will find this list helpful! Remember you can follow me on Pinterest by tapping the Pinterest link on this website and then tapping the follow button on the profile page of my Pinterest- that way you can easily keep track of all the books I talk about and refer back to them in the future!