Return to Me

Sometimes a book touches me in a special way. That happened recently when I read Lynn Austin's “Return to Me” - the first in her Restoration Chronicles series. (I should actually say devoured – I finished it in two days)

It's the story of the Jews returning to Jerusalem after having been exiled in Babylon for decades. One would think it would be a joyous occasion. In one sense it is – the children of God return to their Holy City. However, families are torn apart when many of the Jews choose to stay in Babylon. The journey itself takes weeks and when the travelers do finally arrive, the leadership can't agree on what to do. Petty jealousies abound and rifts begin to occur.

Told in multiple points of view with vivid description and realistic dialogue, I was quickly immersed in the story. Issues such as doubt, forgiveness, betrayal, love, hate and redemption are woven throughout, and gave me much to think about in my own life.

I haven't read a lot of Biblical fiction, but I after enjoying this and Tessa Afshar's trilogy I'm hooked. How about you? What have you read that changed your life?

The Love Of Historical Novels

Ball gowns, tailcoats, horses, carriages, polite manners, Lords and Ladies, drafty castles...*Sigh*. I love the romance of years gone by. I suppose that’s why my bookshelves are lined with historical novels.

My introduction into this genre started with Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery when I was eight years old. That summer, my parents piled me and my siblings into our Chrysler New Port with a pop-up trailer in tow and drove from Southern Ontario to Prince Edward Island. Along the journey, my parents took turns reading the novel aloud. Oh, how we cried one evening in that orange-clad camper when Matthew died!

While listening to the tales of Anne Shirley, I remember being intrigued by the time period. Montgomery added details of one-room schoolhouses, the making of plum pudding (don’t forget to cover it!), purchasing household products like hair dye from peddlers, puffed sleeves, and abused slates!

Not only do historical novels help transport the readers to a different time and place, but one learns about history through a pleasurable pastime. Some writers in this genre readily admit to doing poorly in history class when they were in school. But once they read about historical events within a novel, somehow history came to life. Now they have a passion for it!

I have learned so much through fiction. Here are a few favourites with strong historical backdrops:

 

Carol Cox’s series, A Fair To Remember was set in 1893 at the World’s Fair in Chicago. She provides wonderful detail to this impressive event.

 

Lynn Austin’s novel, A Woman’s Place, was set in the early 1940s. It’s the story of four women who work in factories making airplanes during the war.

Judith Miller and Tracie Peterson’s series, Bells of Lowell delve into the lives of 19^th century women who sought employment in the mills as America developed its textile industry.

Do you enjoy historical novels? What are some of your favorites?