Lost Voices by Christopher Koch

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Genre - Historical

Twice winner of the prestigious Miles Franklin Award – An interesting book narrative of one family intertwined from the early 1940’s with the Dixon family at the time living in Glenorchy. Hugh Dixon being an only child was brought up with the expectations from his parents of a career as a lawyer, doctor or accountant. Hugh’s love was drawing and his ambition was to be a book illustrator which was unheard of in those times.

His father was brought up as the second son and from wealthy parents, with good schooling. However his brother was the favourite and his education ended up being a lawyer. His father had nothing and alienated from his brother and family, had to start from scratch. He runs into a gambling debt which puts his career in jeopardy, as well as that of his wife and son and possibly a jail sentence.

Hugh at the age of eighteen contacts his great uncle who befriends him and although Hugh fails his matriculation, his great uncle pays the money for art school.

The struggles and resentments in the family history bring Hugh to discovering who he really is and makes a great read and well deserved Booker Award.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Ancestor Stones by Aminatta Forna

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Genre - Historical fiction

This is a beautiful series of stories told by several generations of women from Sierra Leone. The first stories tell about a time when the Chief was still the leader, the Gods were of the landscape, and the country and its people were thriving. The subsequent stories tell of the coming of a new God and the changes in their society brought on by the influx of foreigners. The final stories provide a gruelling insight into Civil War.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell

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Genre- Historical Fiction

Jacob de Zoet is a clerk for the Dutch East Indies Company stationed on an island formed off Nagasaki by the Japanese to keep the foreigners separate. Set in late 18th and early 19th centuries, this was a fascinating story about the early years of Japan's contact with the rest of the world. Well worth reading.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

Remarkable creatures by Tracy Chevalier

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Genre - Historical fiction

This is the story of Mary Anning, an extraordinary fossil hunter who lived in the 1800’s. This is a fictional account of real people and events during this time of stimulating scientific debate. Fossil evidence from the English seaside town of Lyme Regis was of great interest to Natural History Museums and was also very challenging to the prevailing religious view of the times. Mary’s fossil discoveries came at a time when men dominated the field of science and she has to fight for recognition of her work. She is helped in many ways by her unusual friendships with the feisty and intelligent spinster Elizabeth Philpot . Despite their differences in age and background their relationship remains strong through their shared love of fossils. This novel has captured many of the details of daily life for women from both the working and upper classes and brought these characters together in an exciting quest beyond the limits and conventions of their world.

---- Reviewed by Sue, Belgrave

The Warrior's Princess by Barbara Erskine

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Genre - Mystery




Best read from Barbara Erskine, read this book in 3 days. Once again she makes you feel part of the story. I wait with baited breath for the next one. I wish she could write as fast as I read her books.

---- Reviewed by Georgina, Guest

Sappho's Leap by Erica Jong

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Genre - history


This is a book to be read on a hot sunny day in the shade of an olive grove, or failing that, a sacred ti-tree grove, while eating pomegranates and sipping wine, near the sea, (where you may even see Aphrodite rising from the foamy waves).
Jong has researched the few available facts that have been recorded about Sappho the poetess, and woven an adventurous historical tale, combining Greek mythology, poetry , fact and fable in an imaginative easy read.

Sappho flourished in Lesbos circa 600BCE and was a contemporary of Aesop, Heraclitus and Nebuchadnezzer .

Sappho was a fiesty, intelligent and passionate woman. Jong has used the remaining fragments of her poems and songs to take us on an absorbing journey through Sappho's loves, fame, political intrigues and tragedies, while incorporating the rich and complex culture of archaic Greece.

---- Reviewed by Clare, Mooroolbark library

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

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Genre - Historical


It is wonderful to see how many people are interested in reading this beautiful story. It can only help the world to better understand the plight of the poor people of Afghanistan who have suffered decades of death and destruction. This is the story of two strong women and their will to survive unimaginable hardships. It is a sad story but I was drawn into the lives of Laila and Mariam and learnt a lot about the modern history of Afghanistan.

---- Reviewed by Sue, Knox Library