Southern Lady, Yankee Spy ~ Elizabeth R Varon

On a recent visit to Washington DC and Richmond, Virginia I found the sheer volume of U.S. war and military history quite overwhelming – in the end I couldn’t face one more statue of a general on a horse. I was most interested in the history of Abraham Lincoln, one of my historic heroes, and this led inevitably to the history of the Civil War. Among the (literally) hundreds of written histories of the period, I was intrigued to find a section on the role of women in intelligence-gathering and smuggling soldiers as well as information across enemy lines.

Elizabeth Varon’s book tells the story of Elizabeth van Lew, independent and socially rebellious daughter of a much-respected Old Southern family in Richmond which was then the capital of the Southern States. It seems she was somewhat ambivalent in her views: she loved Richmond and enjoyed the antebellum lifestyle of the southern belle, her family had slaves and were totally part of the establishment. Yet Elizabeth believed slavery to be fundamentally wrong; “…Slave power is arrogant – is cruel – is despotic- not only over the slave, but over the community, the State…” and began before the outbreak of war to try to influence by petitioning politicians to resist the call to secession by the adamantly pro-slavery States. The hysterical propaganda of the press made it difficult for anyone to stand against secession.

Clearly her early efforts failed, but it was the start of van Lew’s efforts to help the Union (that is, the northern Yankees) win the war. She was able to use her own femininity as well as her family’s good name, to gain access to high-ranking officers and plead for mercy for prisoners, because the patronising indulgence towards women made her appear non-threatening.

As the war dragged on and captured Union soldiers were kept in horrendous conditions in makeshift prisons, van Lew became the centre of an underground network which smuggled food and information into the prisons as well as helping to execute the escapes of many soldiers. Her own personal fortune financed a lot of the activity, and she also recruited African American slaves to the cause because of their trust in her.

Throughout the war years, van Lew had to come to terms with the fact that many Unionists were not really abolitionists but simply wanted to subdue the rebellious confederacy; in fact Lincoln himself was ambivalent about slavery until he realised that freeing the slaves was the only way to win not only the war, but international support.

She fought on, meanwhile continuing to get vital information on military strategy, proposed army attacks etc. through the Confederate lines to the Northern commanders, and was highly commended for her courage and efficiency. When the south was finally beaten, the final act of destruction in Richmond was for the city’s forces to set fire to all businesses and government buildings as they retreated, so the hated Yankees would not have a city to take over.

As for van Lew, she was at first rewarded by the victors, with official praise and a prominent and prestigious career position, but her identity inevitably became known and she was reviled as a traitor and later labelled as a ‘madwoman’ in the city that she loved.

One can only wonder why her political views did not cause her simply to migrate to a more liberal city in the North – but the story as reconstructed, including parts of her own diary, show that she was a proud Virginian who wanted to see her city and State tale a more humane position and free its slaves, while maintaining its essentially genteel lifestyle.

The book is a bit dry to get into, and the number of characters had me confused about who was on which side, particularly as I have never really studied the Civil War. However, overall it is a fascinating story of a very courageous and very resourceful woman who helped hundreds of prisoners, ran a very professional spy ring from her own home right in the middle of Confederate supporters who would surely have killed her if they had discovered her, and was a leader in the abolition of slavery.

Helen

Burial Rites ~ Hanna Kent

This first novel by an Australian author is a fictional version of the last few months in the life of the last person to be executed in Iceland – a woman, Agnes Magnusdottir, convicted of the murder of two men and sentenced to death by beheading in 1828.

The lack of prisons meant that prisoners were billeted with families – Agnes was sent to live with a peasant family on their remote farm, regardless of their wishes, by an officious District Commissioner whose cold-blooded adherence to the task of execution brooks no arguments.

Agnes was duly delivered, in chains, to the farm where no welcome waited; in the words of the farmer’s wife, Margret …”Just make sure the bitch stays away from the knives in my kitchen.” The young assistant church minister appointed to force repentance from Agnes is also there, riddled as he is with self-doubt about his mission, and provides the only note of kindness to the prisoner.

The story unfolds, partly in first-person memories and observations by Agnes, partly by the hapless young Reverend Toti as he attempts in vain to win her confidence with religious platitudes, and partly as description of the family’s various ways of coming to terms with this unwelcome tenant. Gradually Agnes proves herself to be an industrious and undemanding servant and we sense a change in the family’s attitude towards her with the exception of the younger daughter, Lauga. 

The strength and humanity of the characters portrayed is matched by merciless descriptions of the poverty and grinding hardship of their lives in what appears to be a cruel and unrelenting climate – I could almost feel the cold and smell the unspeakable living conditions and feel the hunger of their meagre existence.

Although there is no need to guess about the inevitable conclusion – it is historical fact - the gradual revelation of the course of Agnes’ life and the story behind her conviction for murder are absolutely riveting reading, and I read the book in two days. 

Apart from what must have been a mammoth exercise in research, Hannah Kent has drawn an unforgettable picture of life in general in early 19th century Iceland, and has done it with great empathy, not only for Agnes Magnusdottir but for the family who were forced to share her last months of life, and the whole social structure of the society at that time. It is not a pretty picture. It is a great book.

Helen

Chris Eaton, A Biography ~ Chris Eaton

Have you ever Googled your own name and wondered about the people that you share it with?  Well, Chris Eaton has and the result is a work of fiction centered around the lives of various male and female Chris Eatons along with a few other quirky characters.

Perhaps we all know, have met, crossed paths with, a Chris Eaton in our own lives?  I know I have, he's a charming Englishman who works at our Sydney head office and briefly worked with me in Queensland a few years ago.

You won't find a linear story here, but what you will find is your life paralleled with one of the Chris Eatons within the narrative.  Encompassing a broad spectrum of lives lived, this is by turns a funny but thought provoking novel.  At various points I did think that I was re-reading Moby Dick with the amount of facts and figures being presented on a multitude of topics, whether true or not I'm not sure as I don't think that the narrator was altogether reliable at times, but some of it was very interesting.

I did, to my surprise, find myself really enjoying this book.  It was very well written, and I was interested in many of the topics (punk rock, salt ...... otoliths).  I could not believe the book included the obscure otolith!  These little buggers are dominating my life at the moment, causing me severe vertigo at their worst and light headedness at their best, and no-one around me has ever heard of them, yet here they were speaking to me from the page (Kindle) LOL.

There were many thoughts, feelings and interactions in this novel that I could identify with, and it made me realise that we are ALL THE SAME.  We don't need to share the same name to experience the same hopes, fears, loves and life lessons.

This really is something different to read, and I can recommend it as a well written thought provoking independent novel.

Maxine

Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues ~ Trisha Ashley

"When Tansy Poole inherits a run-down shoe shop tucked away in the village of Sticklepond, 'Cinderella's Slippers' is born - providing the footwear to make any fairytale wedding come true.

Carrying everything a bride would want to walk down the aisle in, Tansy's shop soon expands to carry shoe-themed wedding favours, bridesmaid gifts and even delicious chocolate shoes. It's the dream destination for any shoe-lover!

If only everything in her personal life could be as heavenly - but with a fiancé trying to make her fit into a size 8 wedding dress, not to mention the recent discovery of disturbing family revelations, Tansy takes refuge in the shop's success.

But one man isn't thrilled by the stream of customers hot-footing it to Cinderella's Slippers. Actor Ivo Hawksley, resident of the cottage next to the shop, is troubled by a dark secret in his past and has come to Sticklepond to nurse his own broken heart.

However, Ivo realises that he and Tansy have a link in their past and soon, they both find out how secrets shared can make a very strong bond indeed."

Interesting story set in England - the romance growing, tug of love with step sisters playing absolutely the ugliest and relations throwing red herrings into every situation.

Robyn S.

Belly Dancing for Beginners ~ Liz Byrski

"Gayle and Sonya are complete opposites: one reserved and cautious, the other confident and outspoken. But their very different lives will converge when they impulsively join a belly dancing class. Marissa, their teacher, is sixty, sexy, and very much her own person, and as Gayle and Sonya learn about the origins and meaning of the dance, much more than their muscle tone beGayle and Sonya are complete opposites: one reserved and cautious, the other confident and outspoken. But their very different lives will converge when they impulsively join a belly dancing class. Marissa, their teacher, is sixty, sexy, and very much her own person, and as Gayle and Sonya learn about the origins and meaning of the dance, much more than their muscle tone begins to change.

Belly Dancing for Beginners is the third novel by British-born Australian author, Liz Byrski."

Loved it as usual.

Robyn S.

In the Company of Strangers ~ Liz Byrski

"Ruby and Cat's friendship was forged on an English dockside over sixty years ago when, both fearful, they boarded a ship bound for Australia. It was a friendship that was supposed to last a lifetime but when news of Cat's death reaches Ruby back in London, it comes after a painful estrangement.

Declan has also drifted away from Cat, but he is forced back to his aunt's lavender farm, Benson's Reach, when he learns that he and Ruby are co-beneficiaries.

As these two very different people come together in Margaret River they must learn to trust each other and to deal with the staff and guests. Can the legacy of Benson's Reach triumph over the hurt of the past? Or is Cat's duty-laden legacy simply too much for Ruby and Declan to keep alive. Written in the style of a family drama, though the characters are unrelated but their paths all cross at one central point- Benson's Reach in the Margaret River, Western Australia. Benson's Reach is a rundown property that produces lavender products and rent out cottages to tourists. Declan and Ruby have inherited co-partnership of the lavender farm and lodging at Benson's Reach following the death of the owner, Catherine.

Ruby is about 70 years old and has a complex history and friendship with Catherine, after her death she leaves London and returns to the place that stores many hurtful memories.

Declan, Catherine's nephew is middle aged- awkward, nervous and indecisive. He's a little lost by the bequest and so jumps at the opportunity for his old friend, Alice to join him at the farm to provide him with some strength to cope with the circumstances. Alice, recently released from prison is ashamed of her past and trying to overcome the pain she caused her family.

Lesley is the first tourist to arrive at Benson's Reach while it's new owners are finding their feet. She leaves behind her home in Perth, including her newly retired husband who she feels stifled by. Lesley finds herself attracted to Declan, ten years her junior. There's also young Todd who's 15 and has been abandoned by his mum and trying to find his place at Benson's Reach though his insecurities interfere with trying to make it a home."

This was a lovely story,  loved every page.

Robyn S.

12 Edmondstone Street ~ David Malouf

"Beginning with his childhood home, David Malouf moves on to show other landmarks in his life, and the way places and things create our private worlds. Written with humour and uncompromising intelligence, 12 Edmondstone Street is an unforgettable portrait of one man's life".  

I read this because I love his writing but found it pretty difficult to take his first nation reference to Aboriginals.  I know it was written in a different time but it grated too much with me.

Robyn S.