Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood; Two Lives by Vikram Seth; The Judas Kiss by Victoria Holt
I read "Cat's Eye" and returned to the complex relational world of a 12-yr-old girl, and as the adult narrator discovers her own wisdom … read more regarding the cruelty of others, I wished I'd read this when I was a teenager.
Two Lives was particularly poignant to read because the collection of letters and documents were so similar to what we'd just read after the recent death of a Holocaust survivor in our own family.
And just for fun, a unique twist on the usual Victorian romance/mystery novel: The Judas Kiss by Victoria Holt. The story lines in her novels seem predictable at first, but many surprises emerge, which take the main character to unexpected places, discovering unexplored inner resources and new strength in her own capabilities. The same author also has historical novel series about all the history of English royalty. I now have the succession of the monarchy almost committed to memory(!), because of these vivid portrayals of the stories and legends of the royal families and their associated power brokers in the church and the military.
Joe Harbin, St. Paul: "The Book of Ebenezer Le Page," by G.B. Edwards. It describes the German occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II. ... It is funny, warm, honest and touching. I don't rate books, but if I did, Ebenezer would earn nine out of 10 stars -- and the only reason it isn't a 10 is because it ends!
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