It has been so enormously long since I last posted. I've been happily consumed by satisfying work, and the research for an article I'm writing about the "Hard Winter," 1779-1780, during the Revolutionary War. I'm just barely grabbing moments for non-work reading these days.
A question for any reader out there: Did you ever read a novel set during the American Revolutionary War that you enjoyed, or that you remember reading? I can't recall a single one, other than The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, which I really appreciated.
I'm in the mood for Revolutionary-War era fiction, given my recent research. We're well into the 250th anniversary of the Revolution, and I hope fiction and non-fiction will be appearing, but thus far, given that I have heard nothing about any new historical fiction on this topic, I fear there will be nothing.
Right now I'm reading the 2024 translation of the acclaimed German author Bernhard Schlink's The Granddaughter. It's so thought-provoking, so fascinating, I'm riveted, but then again, it's not easy reading, emotionally speaking. It's emotionally hard, as are all his novels. Very worthwhile, however. A young woman brought up in the GDR (East Germany) weds a young man from the FDR (West Germany). Lots going on. It all runs so deep. So deep.
I read The Sequel recently, the thriller-mystery novel by Jean Korelitz, and the sequel of her bestseller The Plot. This one was stupendously clever, I grant you, but the characters are colder than ice and worse than that. So if you need a novel to sustain you in harrowing times, this one is not it.
I really enjoyed Nancy Thayer's audiobook, The Summer We Started Over. Family fiction, set on Nantucket, and I thought it extremely well done. I highly recommend it for these times. Very soul-satisfying.
I'm sorry I have not provided links to any of these books. If I have time tomorrow or later, I will. I hope you will be able to find them if you are interested.
One of my all-time favorites is Dawn's Early Light by Elswyth Thane. The main character is a young Englishman who arrives in Williamsburg just before the Revolutionary War. He is shocked by the fervor of the patriots he meets but they welcome him and slowly he begins to love and feel allegiance to his new country. It was reprinted in paperback and Kindle not long ago.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for suggesting Dawn's Early Light! It sounds fascinating. I will look it up and try to get a hold of it. Thanks!
DeleteHi Judith, good to hear from you. I have often noticed that I don't run into much fiction about the American Revolutionary War (or at least not adult fiction). If you come up with good suggestions, I woul be interested. I did note the one that Constance suggested.
ReplyDeleteI just finished a book for the Japanese Literary Challenge, Silent Parade by Keigo Higashino. I have read a good number of his mysteries and I enjoyed that one. I haven't decided what to read next. Except maybe some short stories.
I loved The Plot but The Sequel was kind of far-fetched I thought! I do like Jean Hanff Koreltz though and I've read most of her novels.
ReplyDeleteI am also interested in reading Dawn’s Early Light. The American Revolution is such an exciting and interesting period but books set during the world wars seem to be all the rage.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to hear from you again! I periodically check your site, and lo, a new post today :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read much fiction set during this time--I really enjoyed Barbara Hamilton's 3-book series that has Abigail Adams solving mysteries.
I absolutely loved The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, but that is a bit later--1789.
I like Jeff Shaara, and he has a few novels set in this timeframe. Once I am done with his Civil War books, I will probably dive into these. Rise to Rebellion is the first, I think.