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  & 2 users

• Current

Type: fiction

Status: I recommend

Author: Julian Barnes

Tags: british england historical crime race britain justice punishment authors edwardian figures historical_

Description: The developing story of George, a young man growing up destined to be an outsider in EnglishThe developing story of George, a young man growing up destined to be an outsider in English society, and Arthur, a doctor whose fantasies start to pay the bills. To say more would be to give it away; all in all, a struggle for identity all around. Excellent. High recommendations. -EEB...

2007-03-12

• Current

Type: fiction

Status: I recommend

Author: Sheri Holman

Tags: women history british england historical medicine medical 19th_century cholera prostitutes

Description: The second of a trifecta of books about prostitutes in historical England, The Dress LodgerThe second of a trifecta of books about prostitutes in historical England, The Dress Lodger is raw and eerie. Sheri Holman writes about a 15-year old girl desperately trying to save the life of her ill child, by any and every means necessary, while the cholera epidemic poisons the city of Suderland and threatens to spread not only through the city, but the world. Haunting and grim, the book remained in the forefront of my memory for days, regardless of whether or not I wanted it there. Recommended. --Erin E. Betters...

2006-07-09

  & 3 users

• Current

Type: fiction fiction

Status: neutral neutral

Authors: Emma Donoghue Emma Donoghue

Tags: british 18th historical, England, Century, prostitute, women history british england historical 18th_Century prostitute

Description: The third of a trifecta of historical novels about English prostitutes which I will review,The third of a trifecta of historical novels about English prostitutes which I will review, Slammerkin is perhaps the most self-aware and perhaps the one I enjoyed the least. As with The Dress Lodger, Slammerkin doesn't lie about the harsh realities of life in its time period; whereas The Crimson Petal and the White shows upper-class life at its most lighthearted, Slammerkin dwells on the bleakness of the lower and middle classes, with rare glimpses of the aristocracy. For me, this was too dour without reward. Those not hoping for the occasional lighthearted breath of air will not find it here. Although I can't criticize this as a novel, it's not what I was looking for. --Erin E. Betters...

2006-07-09

  & 3 users

• Current

Type: fiction

Status: favorite

Author: Iain Pears

Tags: british historical muder-mystery

Description: Engrossing. A murder mystery set in Cambridge, circa 17th century. The book is divided intoEngrossing. A murder mystery set in Cambridge, circa 17th century. The book is divided into quarters; a different character tells each quarter, and each fingers a different suspect. Brilliant in the lineage of The Name of the Rose. Highest recommendations to those who enjoy such books. IMO, Pears' best work, by far. -Erin Betters...

2005-11-05

  & 20 users

• Current

Type: fiction

Status: favorite

Author: Jane Austen

Tags: british romance historical victorian society

Description: Jane Austen may be light lit, but she had a knack for capturing cross-class interactions andJane Austen may be light lit, but she had a knack for capturing cross-class interactions and sticky social situations before it became the stuff of brat pack gold. Brilliant! Highly recommended. -Erin Betters...

2005-11-03

  & 32 users

• Current

Type: fiction

Status: favorite

Authors: Susanna Clarke Susanne Clarke Susana Clark

Tags: fantasy history british fiction magic historical alternate

Description: Sometimes compared to Jane Austen, I call this Harry Potter, for grown-ups. Ingenious and mesmerizing,Sometimes compared to Jane Austen, I call this Harry Potter, for grown-ups. Ingenious and mesmerizing, this book will make you believe that magic really did exist. Fabulous. Highest recommendations. -Erin Betters...

2005-11-02