Tag: Historical Fiction

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Neighbors and Other Stories

Written by Diane Oliver, Review 3, of 2024

Short story collections are chronically underrated, and this collection is no exception. The author, Diane Oliver died in an accident in 1966 at age 22 and the world lost the opportunity to read more of her work. This collection was compiled and released nearly 60 years after her death. The masterfully narrated stories in this collection are understated, impactful, and painfully timely. Two of my personal favorites were “Mint Juleps not Served Here”, “Health Service” and “Frozen Voices” but many others also left a mark. Though Oliver’s stories were written during the Civil Rights Movement and early integration, many of their themes and descriptions are unfortunately still relevant today and hit home as a professional who works in health and human services. 

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this ALC!

Categories: Fiction, Short stories 

Content Warning: Racism, Violence, Infidelity, Colorism, Classism

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Blog Fiction

Night Came with Many Stars

Book 48, 2021- Night Came with Many Stars by Simon Van Booy

“I mean the thing that makes family. Not blood but the certainty that you’re never going to be lonesome. That all the joy and all the suffering that we get in life is something that will always be shared.”

Simon Van Booy “Night Came with Many Stars”

This was an unexpected hit for me. I’d read great reviews of Van Booy’s other works but I tend to turn away from family dramas and I wasn’t sure I’d be engaged by this one. One of the most beautiful elements of this book is the recognition of the importance of families of birth and those made by choice and circumstance. I also appreciated that the story covers many of the darker elements of family life in a way that is surprisingly gentle and humanizing. I fell in love with many of the characters over the course of the novel and was sad to have to say goodbye in the final moments of audio. Would highly recommend this novel and especially the audio version. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC. 

Recommended for: those who love stories told over multiple generations, those who enjoy stories of non-traditional families, and those who like to ponder the human condition. 

Content Warnings: Abuse, Sexual Assault, Abortion, Drugs, Addiction, Death, Violence, Incarceration

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Blog Fiction

Love and Fury

written by Samantha Silva, Book 37 of 2021

“You say that I am hard on all women. But no harder than I am on myself. I want a serious and thoughtful examination of authentic human emotion and experience, not false sensibility that imprisons us, but a genuine one that empowers us. Not only for me, but you for you too“.

Mary Wollstonecraft
Samantha Silva, “Love and Fury”

This book is not for the faint of heart. The content warnings include child abuse, animal cruelty, drug overdose, suicide, rape and more. Despite all this, the story’s overall message is that of hope. I knew little of Mary Wollstonecraft before this book, but now I’ll certainly seek out more of her writing. Her story, told skillfully through Silva, is one that I’ll carry with me. Mary Wollstonecraft was a women well before her time and her story as told in “Love and Fury” is a compelling look at the strength humans have even when broken and flawed.

The narration is wonderful- besides the terrible American accent, which I will forgive since the rest was outstanding- and I was emotionally engaged throughout.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this early copy of audiobook. It was truly wonderful.

Recommended for: anyone who wants to rethink history.

Content warnings: child abuse, animal cruelty, drug overdose, suicide, rape (basically don’t read this if you’re in a vulnerable mindset).

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Fishing for Birds

by Linda Quennec, Book 7 of 2021

“The only literature worth reading is the kind that comes close to killing you a bit at a time. The kind that tells the truth. Life is a marriage of pain and happiness together they make joy, if you can see it.”

Linda Quennec, Fishing for Birds

I wholeheartedly agree with the quote above and found that in most ways this novel fits the description. Each of the three narrators provide insight into both universal pains felt by all people and the specific pains each woman feels at different phases of life in a way that made me question how I see my own life and the roles others play in it. I would highly recommend this book and don’t want to spoil it for anyone. 

P.S. I want to be Ivy when I grow up

Other thoughts about this book:

Things I love: Everything listed above and… that the book took place only on islands and the unique challenges and supports of being enclosed in a community. I loved the Canadian accent of the narrator and northern culture that was highlighted, it felt familiar and authentic to me (living in Northeast Wisconsin). I loved the historical and natural details and research that went into the writing. 

A few things I didn’t love: Some of the chapters felt a bit unnecessary to me. Though the prose was enjoyable and I enjoyed the description of island life.

Recommended for: Pretty much and person who identifies as a woman. It was an engaging and accessible read that I feel like would speak to different women in different ways at different points in life. Would make a great book club read! 

Content Warnings (may contain spoilers): Adoption, Death of a Spouse, Death, Familial Conflict

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The Rib King

written by Ladee Hubbard, Book 5 of 2021

“All of this requires effort on my part. This effort is called work. And when I work I expect to be paid. Paid? That’s right. Cash.”

Jennie – The Rib King by Ladee Hubbard. 

This book was not at all what I expected in the best way. I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction from African American perspectives but this was a truly unique story. It centers on Mr. Sitwell, a groundskeeper for a wealthy white family who over the course of the first half of the novel, rediscovers some unsettling memories from his past that lead to some unsettling repercussions.

I found myself unable to unplug from the story, needing to find out where the characters would end up. I enjoyed the split structure of the novel. The first and second half are told by two different narrators separated by several years. My one complaint about this was that it felt like it left some key questions unanswered. I’ve seen some reviews compare it to the Academy Award winning film Parasite and I do see some interesting parallels that could make for a great book club discussion. Honestly, I could see a lot of ways this book would make a great book club choice. I’ll be thinking about this one for awhile… 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me an early copy of this audiobook in return for my honest feedback. 

Recommended for: Anyone wanting a new take on historical racial injustice and its intersection with capitalism. Anyone interested in considering the role our biological and chosen families play in our lives and what we owe each other. 

Actions I will take in response to this book:

  • Constantly monitor how the legacy of white supremacy continues to this day and interrupt its modern manifestations. 
  • Pay black women for their work and support black owned businesses.

Content Warnings: Death of a Parent, Violence, Death, Race Violence 

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Blog Fiction

Deacon King Kong

written by James McBride, Book 45 of 2020

“If I didn’t have Jesus and his cheese, I’d kill somebody. That’s what Jesus did for me 67 years, he kept me sane and on the right side of the law.”

Hettie, Deacon King Kong

For a book that starts with a shooting in the New York City projects, I laughed a lot more than I had I thought I would. This book has it all: murder, mystery, history, romance, and large amounts of holy cheese. I wrote an exceptionally long essay on my thoughts on this book, all the things I loved about it and the themes and as I wrote I realized it all sounded so very depressing. I even tried to explain it to my husband and he could not see how any of the plot could be funny but I can assure you both, it is. 

The more I think about this book, the more depth it gains. I could talk for hours about this book, unfortunately I’m on vacation for a few days with just my husband here at home with me. Please read this book and talk with me about it. Save my dear precious husband from having to listen to me say things like … “I know you didn’t read Deacon King Kong but …” or “You know in the book I just read…”. He will appreciate it and love you forever. 

A note on Dominic Hoffman’s narration of this book: It’s great, it’s emotional, it’s well timed, and I suspect contributed significantly to my enjoyment of this book. At times he seems to say things in the wrong accent, understandably as he flips casually through several, which was a bit confusing. 

Recommended for: Anyone looking for something with social commentary that will still make you laugh out loud (a tall order these days). 

Actions I will take in response to this book 

  • Prioritize reading, listening, and sharing concerns and experiences of BIPOC. 
  • Leverage my privilege in the service of others. 
  • Exercise empathy for marginalized groups who are hesitant to trust the government and bureaucracy due to histories of exploitation and neglect. 
  • Continue to work toward implementation of policies that allow all people equitable access to health and wellness. 

“And no resident in their right mind would go over their heads to the mighty Housing Authority honchos in Manhattan, who did not like their afternoon naps disturbed with minor complaints about ants, toilets, murders, child molestation, rape, heatless apartments, and lead paint that shrunk children’s brains to the size of a full-grown pea in one of their Brooklyn locations, unless they wanted a new home sleeping on a bench at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.”

― James McBride, Deacon King Kong