Historical Fiction/Romance
Three words: Romantic, Reminiscent, Heartfelt
Review: This book had a Great Gatsby vibe - albeit, it’s setting was vastly different from Gatsby, the themes of forbidden love, money, social status and time period all ran parallel to one of my old favorites. This book got me part way through quarantine and I was able to read it with ease despite my throbbing headache and Covid fogginess. This is not the happiest of stories, yet it is happy. It is not the saddest of stories, yet it is sad. Overall, I found it to be a nicely written story with thoughtful character development. The latter made me like and dislike each character several times throughout the novel, illustrating and capturing the humanness of them; making the story believable and time period specific. I would definitely recommend this novel for someone looking for a book that is realistic, romantic (but not overly so, and not sexual), as well as an escape. The book does thrust you into another time- but doesn’t focus solely on the war or politics as many historical fiction books from the time period do.
Summary: Selina Lennox is a beautiful, wild natured young woman in post WWI England. She feels as though it is her duty to live life freely and fiercely since her older brother, Howard cannot. She ruffles feathers- namely her mother’s and older sister’s. Although Selina acts like she doesn’t care what others think, she does. Lawrence is an artist, a photographer. He captures the beauty and realness of subjects often overlooked. Lawrence’s love is unrequited. Alice is Selina’s young daughter, awaiting her mother and father’s return from a business trip to Burma. Feeling stuck and unloved in her grandmother’s cold estate (literally and figuratively), she is sent on a whimsical treasure hunt by her mother’s letters.
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