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Books > Fiction > Genre fiction > Historical fiction
Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Beekeeper of
Aleppo. "A powerfully moving debut . . . Ukraine's tragic history
painfully echoes its current crisis, and on every page the
Ukrainian spirit shines out, unbowed, unbent and unbroken." Kate
Quinn, author of The Diamond Eye In the 1930s, Stalin's activists
marched through the Soviet Union, espousing the greatness of
collective farming. It was the first step in creating a man-made
famine that, in Ukraine, stole almost 4 million lives. Inspired by
the history the world forgot, and the Russian government denies,
Erin Litteken reimagines their story. In 1929, Katya is 16 years
old, surrounded by family and in love with the boy next door. When
Stalin's activists arrive in her village, it's just a few, a little
pressure to join the collective. But soon neighbors disappear,
those who speak out are never seen again and every new day is
uncertain. Resistance has a price, and as desperate hunger grips
the countryside, survival seems more a dream than a possibility.
But, even in the darkest times, love beckons. Seventy years later,
a young widow discovers her grandmother's journal, one that will
reveal the long-buried secrets of her family's haunted past. This
is a story of the resilience of the human spirit, the love that
sees us through our darkest hours and the true horror of what
happened during the Holodomor. May we never forget, lest history
repeat itself.A share of proceeds will be donated to DEC's Ukraine
Humanitarian Appeal. "A compelling and intimate story of love and
survival. Harrowing and haunting . . . yet, at the same time, it is
sensitive, beautiful and inspiring. Everybody should read this
story, especially now. I cannot recommend it highly enough."
Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo "A stunning
portrait of Ukraine and its people, of strength, of endurance, of
the fight for survival during the forced famine, the Holodomor, but
also a tender story of Katya, a grandmother whose hidden history
holds the power to guide her granddaughter through the darkness of
loss and grief, toward life and a limitless future. A remarkable
read not to be missed." Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were
Yours "This beautifully written snapshot of Ukraine's history is
both timely and heart-rending, sensitively bringing to life the
culture of a nation devastated by an enemy invader. How shocking it
is that it's a history that's being repeated today. And how
important a reminder that where there's life, there's hope." Fiona
Valpy, author of The Dressmaker's Gift "Emotionally riveting and
honest . . . simultaneously shines an unflinching light on
historical atrocities while it celebrates the resilience of the
human spirit. You won't soon forget this stunning debut." Paulette
Kennedy, author of Parting the Veil"The Memory Keeper of Kyiv is a
meticulously researched novel . . . depicting a country whose
people managed to dig deep enough to find the strength,
determination and heart to survive." Deborah Carr, author of An
Island at War "Breathtaking. Devastating. Erin Litteken's The
Memory Keeper of Kyiv chronicles a defining but forgotten moment of
Ukrainian history." Amanda McCrina, author of The Silent Unseen"The
Memory Keeper of Kyiv is a truly enlightening read . . . I
recommend this to anyone looking for a personal way to connect with
Ukraine's history." M.B. Henry, author of All the Lights Above Us
Sy’s ʼn boeremeisie, hy ʼn Jood. ʼn Boerejood, ja, maar nogtans ʼn Jood. Vir hulle liefde is
daar geen toekoms as hulle dit nie self skep nie.
Terwyl hulle jonk is, dink hulle nie aan die toekoms nie, leef hulle vir die nou, glo
hulle die verskille kan oorkom word. En Izak Katz, weet Elizabeth, maak altyd ʼn
plan. Altyd.
Hy, met sy lag, sy terg, die sagtheid in sy oë. Die paadjie wat aan hulle toebedeel is,
is ongelyk. Soos die middelmannetjie in die drif. Hulle weet van mekaar vermy,
van voorgee sodat niemand iets vermoed nie. Van wag. En van liefhê … Totdat
Elizabeth gedwing word om ʼn doodsbelofte te maak. En sy weet, sy wéét, hierdie
keer is dit verby, nie eers Izak sal nou meer raad hê nie.
The Rebirth of Venus is the last part of The Botticelli Trilogy,
following A Tabernacle for the Sun and Pallas and the Centaur. Set
in the 1480s and 90s, it tells the story of murder, not only of the
leading men of the age, but of the age itself, the Renaissance
dying in Savonarola's bonfires. Tommaso de' Maffei was charged with
the task of taking the Platonic wisdom to England, but in England
he finds he has lost touch with the truth of his philosophy, and he
returns to Italy in the early 16th century to find what, if
anything, survives from the golden age he lived through.
'Eleanor Porter is a major new voice in historical fiction.' Tim
Clayton Where will her loyalty lead her?Once accused of witchcraft
Martha Spicer is now free from the shadow of the gallows and lives
a safe and happy life with her husband, Jacob. But when Jacob heads
north to accompany his master, he warns Martha to keep her healing
gifts a secret, to keep herself safe, to be a good wife. Martha
loves Jacob but without him there to protect her, she soon comes
under the suspicious eye of the wicked Steward Boult, who's heard
of her talent and forces her to attend to him. If she refuses, he
promises to destroy the good life she has built for herself with
Jacob. Desperate and alone, Martha faces a terrible decision: stay
and be beholden to Boult or journey north to find Jacob who is
reported to have been killed.. The road ahead is filled with
danger, but also the promise of a brighter future. And where her
gifts once threatened to be her downfall, might they now be the
very thing that sets Martha free...? The brilliant follow-up to
Eleanor Porter's first novel of love, betrayal, superstition and
fear in Elizabethan England. A story of female courage, ingenuity
and determination, this is perfect for fans of Tracy Chevalier.
'Eleanor Porter is a major new voice in historical fiction. With
her beautiful use of language and compelling storytelling she
conjures the past with a vividness that lingers in the mind long
after the final page.' Tim Clayton Praise for The Wheelwright's
Daughter:'It's a gripping story and such accomplished writing. I
really enjoyed every moment of working on it.' Yvonne Holland,
editor of Philippa Gregory and Tracy Chevalier 'A brilliant debut
novel' 'An interesting read and an impressive debut novel' 'A
wonderfully written story' 'A skilfully crafted story of love,
betrayal, superstition and fear in 16th century England.' 'This is
a story of courage, trust, betrayal and love.' 'A great historical
novel I loved.'
The epic, cross-continental tale of a love so strong it conquers the Great War, revolution, and even death itself.
As the Archduke Franz Ferdinand arrives in Sarajevo one June day in 1914, Rafael Pinto is busy crushing herbs and grinding tablets behind the counter at the pharmacy he inherited from his father. It’s not quite the life he had expected during his poetry-filled student days in libertine Vienna, but it’s nothing a dash of laudanum, a summer stroll and idle fantasies can’t put in perspective.
And then the world explodes. In the trenches in Galicia, fantasies fall flat. Heroism gets a man killed quickly. War devours all that they have known, and the only thing Pinto has to live for are the attentions of Osman, a fellow soldier, a man of action to complement Pinto’s introspective, poetic soul; a charismatic storyteller and Pinto’s protector and lover.
Together, Pinto and Osman will escape the trenches and find themselves entangled with spies and Bolsheviks. As they travel over mountains and across deserts, from one world to another, all the way to Shanghai, it is Pinto’s love for Osman that will truly survive.
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