No Small Shame tells the story of Mary O’Donnell, a Scottish immigrant to Australia around the time of the Great War. Mary has always been infatuated with Liam, a man she has known since childhood. As they grow older, Liam suffers the loss of his mother and becomes disaffected and irresponsible. Neither wish to follow … More Review: No Small Shame
Gulliver’s Wife takes place in early 18th century London, telling the story of a mother and daughter, Mary Burton Gulliver and Bess Gulliver. The hard-wrought balance that Mary has achieved on her own as a successful midwife is thrown into disarray by the return of her husband, Lemuel, who has far-fetched claims about his time … More Review: Gulliver’s Wife
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The Stars in the Night, by Clare Rhoden, is an accomplished novel, telling the story of two brothers, Harry and Eddie. Their destinies are changed forever when they decide to sign up for battle, first in Gallipoli then France. The brothers’ bond is fierce and Harry does everything in his power to keep Eddie safe—their … More Review: The Stars in the Night
The delicate power balance between maids and their employers in Singapore is just one aspect of this layered, moving novel. Bitter Leaves is a celebration of the strength of human spirit and the bonds that can form between people regardless of their differences. At the same time it condemns the inequality existing in a society … More Review: Bitter Leaves
In this debut novel by Judy Crozier, set in Victorian London, a woman finds her life opening up with possibilities after her husband falls seriously ill and drifts towards death. Adelaide has always done what was expected of her. After a brief time as a debutante she is abruptly married off to George, a friend … More Review: What Empty Things Are These
Originally posted on Arcanum:
Jacqueline was the pretty one. Everyone said so. On Saturday mornings, the two girls went shopping for their mother. The fishmonger, the baker and the grocer. Teresa peered through the glass of the Tudor shop fronts—the window displays of buttons made into the shape of a lady at the haberdashery and…
The Lace Weaver tells the story of two young women, Lydia and Kati, whose lives are swept up by forces of war and displacement. It is a sweeping tale full of love and tenderness, loss and upheaval. Kati is a master weaver, the creation of intricate lace shawls is part of her Estonian heritage, the … More Review: The Lace Weaver
I was delighted to discover that Stone Circle is on the shortlist, along with 11 other authors, for the Chaucer Awards 2018 for pre-1750’s historical fiction. It’s my first shortlisting, and firsts are always very exciting.
Originally posted on Arcanum:
She carved a space beside the left ventricle. It was cramped and dark, almost airless. But she kept it there over passing months. She kept it tidy, placed flowers to stop it from closing over. The heart, she realised, was like the weft and weave of a rug. The people came…
Kate Murdoch Author 