BURNING BRIGHT by Tracy Chevalier

I am a huge fan of Tracy Chevalier but was somewhat disappointed in this book. When I discovered that she had written a book about one of my favourite poets, William Blake, I immediately set out to obtain a copy so I can read it. Not only did the book hold a promise of further insight into the remarkable and complex character of this poet, but it gave me scope to imagine I would be gaining more understanding of the French Revolution and its' connection with the British continent. Burning Bright is set in London in 1792, on the eve of the French Revolution. The story focuses on the Kellaway family who move from Dorsetshire to London in pursuit of the job offered to the father by John Astley who owns Astley Circus. The narrative of the story is richly endowed with descriptions of 18th century London which makes you highly appreciative of Chevalier's research and ability to transport the reader to any chosen time and place. I found the story, however, slightly weak. The children who are primary characters in the story are supposed to present a strong connection to Blake's two books of poems, namely Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. Even though the connection can be seen through Maisie Kellaway who arrives in London as a young, innocent country girl and leaves it as a pregnant, unwed girl of 15, I found that William Blake's complexity as a poet and revolutionary appeared weak in the book and did not bear heavy significance to the story. The intention as such was there but it failed to materialize because of Chevalier's weak portrayal of Blake, as seen through the eyes of others. The successful and perfectly resolved ending of the book also does not resonate with Blake's theory of a wide gap between the ideal and reality created by the uncertainty of humanity.

THE LOST HOURS by Karen White

This is my first book by Karen White. This was a brilliant story but I found its' narration overly sentimental and Karen's lack of self-restraint as a writer leaving very little to the imagination of the reader. I found the overly sentimental prose irritating which made me want to gallop through the book rather than savor it. Phrases such as 'digging deeper to moist earth, exposing its secrets' and 'the fall of years was like pierced lace over old secrets' complicated the narration unnecessarily and sometimes appeared confusing. I still don't understand what 'pierced lace over old secrets' actually means or how it can be possible.... Situated in the deep south this book is about grief, grief, and more grief interlaced with deep seated secrets which I found more frustrating than intriguing.  From Piper the equestrian, whose dreams of Olympian glory were aborted by her horse who fell on top of her, to her grandmother Annabelle who ended up with Alzheimer's because of her ruined life, to beautiful Helen who went blind at 14 and was considered as punishment to her grandmother who raised her, to Helen's brother, Tucker, whose wife committed suicide and who lived with overwhelming guilt, to their grandmother Lilian, who kept a dark secret and would not talk about her past until days before her death at the age of 90.  Even the oak trees on the Savannah plantation that housed these unfortunate souls grieved for their brothers who were cut down and who 'shout out their grief when the breeze off the river at night stirs them'. Karen White's lack of self-restraint made the characters too accessible and the story, therefore, somewhat predictable. I would have enjoyed this book much, much more if I was allowed to imagine the state of characters' emotions as they were experienced. Feeling like someone is holding your hand leading you through the story describing everything to you in detail because you are not capable of understanding it yourself, does not endear the reader to the writer. I prefer authors who treat their readers with respect acknowledging their ability to read between the words but then again you would have to write in such a way that meaning there can be found. It's an art form.

THE TAILOR'S GIRL by Fiona McIntosh

Another wonderful book from Fiona McIntosh. If you like stories set post World War I, you will love this book. Dealing with the phenomenon of shell shock and legacy of warfare, this story is brilliantly crafted to arouse sentiment in the reader and enhance the reader's understanding of such a complex time as this. You will be transported to post war London and through a brilliantly woven story learn about the lucrative trade of tailoring and high fashion, of enduring love and tenacity. When a Jewish tailor's daughter Eden Valentine, meets a war veteran with no memory at the London hospital, she agrees to help him escape. She names the soldier without a name 'Tom' who makes his home with her and her father.  Eden and Tom fall in love and marry against the Jewish tradition and her father's wishes. Tom proves to have a great head for business but doesn't know why. Future looks very bright for the young couple until one day Tom's memory of his past life returns and the memory of his present life leaves. It is then that Tom's real identity is revealed. In reality Tom is Alex Wynter, aristocratic heir to the country manor Larksfell Hall. The story becomes intense with each page as Eden's and Tom's paths diverge but seek to once again come together. This book is a real page turner. I hope you enjoy it, I certainly did.

REMARKABLE CREATURES by Tracy Chevalier

Another beautiful book from the brilliant mind of Tracy Chevalier. The story takes us to Lyme Regis in England and centers on two women whose fossil discoveries challenged the religious and geological thinking of early 1800's. Daring to tread into a man's world where they received small recognition for their accomplishments, they fall into the category of women pioneers who despite their lack of education, are now being recognised for their strength, courage and brilliance. This is a true story of Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot who were fossil hunters and whose alliance stands as a monument of the power of friendship. Tracy Chevalier has a remarkable ability to transport the reader to a different time and period through her detailed and careful use of language and evocative image making the reader appreciative of her  thorough research of the subject at hand. I wept when I read the ending of this story but more so when reading the postscript, for I was once again reminded that the characters were real women who once lived and walked upon the shores of Lyme.

THE LAST RUNAWAY by Tracy Chevalier

Tracy Chevalier is a literary genius. If you want to read a book rich with historical content and moral values, this is the book for you. The book explores a 19th century American movement called the Underground Railroad through which 30,000 Negros managed to escape slavery assisted by white abolitionists, freed slaves and many members of the Quaker community. The Last Runaway is set in 1850 and follows a sheltered Quaker girl immigrating from England to America with her sister who is to be married to an English man living in Ohio. Within days of landing in America, and before reaching Ohio, her sister Grace dies of yellow fever leaving Honor alone in a new country that she needs to make her home. Honor joins the Quaker community called Friends in Ohio and marries Jack, a dairy farmer. Her strong Quaker instincts lead Honor to become involved in the rife runaway movement assisting slaves to escape to Canada where freedom awaits them. Tracy Chevalier achieves the optimum balance of realism and sentiment in this heart warming and enlightening book which is extremely hard to put down. Read The Last Runaway, you will be glad you did.