A Place Called Winter

I very much enjoyed A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale which is set in England and Canada in the early 20th century.  Harry Cane, an English gentleman, is forced to leave his wife and young daughter when a relationship he had with another person is exposed.  Harry goes to Canada and is befriended by an unscrupulous person who leaves him with a farming family for a year so Harry can learn how to farm.  This turned out to be a good idea and Harry gets on very well with the family and later establishes his own farm.  There is another thread to Harry's story where the reader finds him in an asylum.  Gradually the two story threads come together as we find out what happened to Harry. This is a love story built around the harsh terrain of the time and world events from which there was no escape.  41/2/5

Secret Daughter

I very much enjoyed Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda.  The story begins in countryside India in 1984 when Kavita gives birth to a daughter.  A short time later, she again gives birth to a daughter and she takes her to an orphanage in the city of Bombay (now Mumbai).  Later an American couple adopt the girl, calling her Asha.  The story moves through time so the reader still knows what happens to Kavita and to Asha in her life in America.  Kavita never stops thinking about her daughters and wonders what happened to Asha.  This is a beautifully written story and it shows the reader the gender imbalance in India.  41/2/5

September Book Club

We had a lovely meeting at our host's home last week.  Most of us were there this time.  Two of our ladies were overseas.  One in the USA and the other in London.  Those who were on holidays last time told us about their travels.  They had many stories to share.  Our host provided a delicious supper and she bought a number of great new books.

 

Touch & Go

I read Touch & Go by Peter O'Sullivan which is set in Brisbane.  Dan, a lawyer, investigates a sexual harassment case.  The victim, Kim, is later murdered and Dan's wife, Elise, is accused of the murder.  Dan was caught in a compromising position with Kim.  S and Elise saw them and her motive is thought to be jealousy.  Dan does not believe Elise killed Kim and he tries to discover who did.  The case goes to trial and a conviction seems inevitable. 3/5

Friendship

 I enjoyed reading Friendship by Emily Gould which is set in England.  Best friends Bev and Amy are nearing 30 and not married.  They face challenges as Bev finds she is pregnant after a "one night stand" and Amy is not enjoying her job.  Their lives turn in different directions and their friendship is tested.  Will their friendship survive? 4/5

The Other Side of the World

I enjoyed The Other Side of the World by Stephanie Bishop which is set in 1960s England and Australia. Henry and Charlotte migrate to Perth with their very young daughters.  They face a difficult and foreign reality.  Charlotte never wanted to leave England and she is desperate to return. Where will the family find happiness?  Beautiful writing. 4/5

Empress Dowager Cixi

I very much enjoyed Empress Dowager Cixi by Jung Chang which is a biography of the last empress of China.  This story is well-researched by the author who wrote Wild Swans.  The story begins in the mid-1850s when the Emperor chooses some concubines.  The Empress Cixi dies in 1908 so her story is also the story of China for the years that she lived.  It is a very interesting story, almost reads like a suspense novel as the reader is always thinking - what will happen next?  The Empress has a lot to deal with during her life including foreign invasions, assassination attempts, weak Emperors, political machinations.  I knew nothing of this story and am very pleased to have learned about it.  The writing is excellent and compelling, not at all dry.  Anyone interested in history would enjoy this book.  Highly recommended. 41/2/5.