103 Book Review BACK IN TIME H istorical fiction is on a roll. It’s arguably more popular than ever and it seems there’s no
stopping our appetite for books that are set in the past or that switch between time zones. The bicentenary of Jane Austen was celebrated this year and, with numerous adaptions, her classic books remain as contemporary as ever. more recently The Essex Serpent (Serpent’s Tail)
by Sarah Perry springs to mind as Winner of the book of the Year at the 2017 british book Awards along with titles by winning, prolific and popular authors such as Hilary mantel, philippa Gregory and patrick O’brien. This year the Walter scott prize for Historical
Fiction 2017 was won by Sebastian Barry with his book Days Without End (Faber & Faber.) “This big-hearted, beautiful and splendidly sweeping tale of war, survival and love in the American West is a storytelling masterpiece” (
Lovereading.co.uk) and continues to fly off the shelves and win awards. All of these books
have strong characters and storylines and are crammed full of drama, loves, betrayals, trials and tribulations. Not only are these themes that pass the test of time but they also merge together to form the perfect summer read absorbing the readers whilst transporting them to a different time and place. Birdcage Walk by author Helen Dunmore and published by Cornerstone is the book that caught my eye. sadly it was the author’s last book though many claim it is her best. set in Georgian britain it portrays the impact of the French Revolution on ordinary people in bristol and describes the challenging and powerful, female experiences of the era as well as considering their legacy for future generations. Dartmouth itself
is steeped in history
and much of it connected to the sea and the Navy. memories are the theme of the new book published by The Britannia Museum Trust - Britannia’s Voices: 60 Years of Training at Dartmouth by Joslin Fiennes. (Copies available at the Community bookshop for £7). This is a history
of how the college prepares its future officers for life at sea told through the memories of cadets from the 1930s to 1980s. These include the experiences of 13 year old school boys, graduates as well as the first women officer trainees. It is based on an oral history exhibition of the same name, which will be touring the country in the coming months.
Dartmouth Castle is the dramatic backdrop for a new children’s book by local author Catherine Bond. Moonmirror is the story of 3 children who dig up the bones of an old pirate and invent a time machine which, during the lunar eclipse, magically sends them hurtling back in time to The english Civil War. A truly swashbuckling adventure for lively young minds with the added twist of a fiercely loyal robin and a one-legged seagull! (Copies available at the Community bookshop). And a final note for another book set in
Dartmouth, which though not set in the past involves a character who returns to Dartmouth after 30 years. The Little Kiosk By The Sea by Jennifer Bohnet and published by HQ is an easy and heartwarming summertime read. packed with humour, romance, a sprinkling of familiar names and places and even a bit of sun it’s sure to tug on those nostalgic heartstrings!
This page is sponsored by the Dartmouth Community Bookshop - see advert opposite by Emma Jones
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