Poetry of Reading: July 2020

Interesting Perspective on Van Gogh's Life: "Sunflowers" by Sheramy Bundrick

by Natasa Djordjevic - 8:46 AM

"I'd heard about him but had never seen him, the foreigner with the funny name who wandered the countryside painting pictures."

Sunflowers is a rich novel of historical fiction that combines in-depth factual research with a vivid portrayal of Vincent van Gogh’s world. The author paints a softer, more human image of Vincent van Gogh. She deals compassionately with his mental illness, passionately with his talent and delicately with many of the social issues surrounding 19th century France. The author sets her novel in the last year of van Gogh’s life, which was a fertile ground for art, history, and mental illness

Sunflowers is told in the first-person perspective of Rachel, a young girl whose parents had died and her only option was to live with her spinster aunt. Instead, she ended up on a train to Arles, France, and forced into the life of prostitution. Rachel develops a friendship with Van Gogh after she finds him sketching her when she seeks refuge from the brothel in a public garden. A naive girl and innocent at heart, Rachel is deeply moved by van Gogh’s artistry. She sees past his erratic moodiness into the heart of his gift and slowly falls in love with him. He too falls in love with her, but that love competes with his passion for his art and weakness from his illness. Sunflowers tell the story of how these two unique souls make their way through the world, both together and individually.

The authors' passion for art and the artist is clear in her writing and style. There is also very strong character development in Sunflowers and I like how the author took factual information about Vincent Van Gogh’s life and added the fictional elements. The descriptions are so well written that I could vividly see his paintings in my head and feel emotions he meant to convey through his art.

This story is an emotional, artistic, whimsical journey through the life of a troubled artist. It makes Vincent a person instead of just a historical figure and gives life also to those who influenced him and loved him.

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by Natasa Djordjevic - 8:09 AM

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The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna by C.W. Gortner

by Natasa Djordjevic - 8:29 AM

I love it when I read a book featuring a strong female character, and that’s exactly what I found in this book. The author did an impressive job of painting a picture of the setting and the characters for the reader. Full of excitement, intrigue. The hardships they went through were written so realistically, I felt like I was right there in it all.

Princess Dagmar of Denmark or Minnie is a daughter to Denmark’s King Christian IX and sister to Alexandra, who would marry Edward VII and become Queen of the United Kingdom. Minnie knows she too must marry and would rather marry for love. When she meets Nicholas Alexandrovich or Nixa, the Tsarevich of Russia, Minnie is taken. However, as fate would have it, Minnie marries Nixa’s brother, Sasha, Tsarevich Alexander of Russia, and eventually becomes Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna of Russia. Minnie must adjust to Russia, a new religion, and rules of the royalty. Minnie exceeds in her role and is a driving force within the Russian government. Although, times are changing in Russia and things become dangerous for Minnie and her family. Minnie sees that the government also needs to change. When her beloved Sasha passes Minnie’s son, Nicholas becomes Tsar. Nicholas’ wife, Alexandra, is not as diplomatic as Minnie and finds herself in a war of wills with Minnie. As actual war finds its way to Russia’s door, Nicholas heeds his wife’s opinion and that of her mystic Rasputin over Minnie’s and brings the downfall of the Russian empire with him.

With historically accurate detail, The Romanov Empress gives an in-depth and entertaining look at the amazing woman behind the story’s last Tsar of Russia. Told from Minnie’s point of view from the time she was a teenager through her son’s death, we get a full view of her life.

As always, Gortner does a magnificent job in setting his scenes. Maria’s dazzling wedding, endless parties and charities in the early years, rumblings of unrest in bombings galore, and the eventual takeover of Russia by the Bolsheviks suck the reader in by the author’s generous usage of descriptions and sensory details. He strikes a subtle balance between descriptive passages and dialogue that gives the reader a wonderful imaginary world to explore the events portrayed. All this without going overboard and drowning the reader in too many details.

The Romanov Empress does a superb job of making Maria Feodorovna come alive. The writing is very eloquent and elegant. Mr. Gortner also breathes new life into the Russian imperial court with all their customs and traditions. I also thought he did a marvelous job in portraying the mindset of the Romanovs.

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by Natasa Djordjevic - 8:56 AM

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The Queen's Governess by Karen Harper

by Natasa Djordjevic - 9:21 AM

This book is a wonderful historical novel from the point-of-view of Elizabeth I’s governess, Kat Ashley, so it offers a unique perspective on the Tudor period during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Elizabeth II. Anyone who’s read anything about Queen Elizabeth I has come across the name Kat Ashley. She’s the woman who took over the responsibility of raising the outcast princess after her mother lost her head. I’ve come across Kat in many books, so it was a treat to finally read her story.

Katherine’s story begins with an unforeseen accident that land’s Kat as Thomas Cromwell’s nurse. Proving herself to be trustworthy and highly educated for a girl of her means, Cromwell sends Kat to be further educated so he could use her as a spy to help elevate his status at court. Placing Kat as the go-between for himself and Lady Anne, Cromwell soon discovers many secrets that can be used to his advantage. Quickly gaining the trust and friendship of the new-crowned Queen Anne, Kat is now privy to more knowledge than she could have ever imagined. With the Queen’s failed attempts to produce an heir for the throne, Henry’s favor soon turns to young Jane Seymour. Wanting to please the King and increase his coffers, Cromwell is quick to draw up a list of treasonous charges regarding Anne to place before an eager King. With Anne’s fate sealed, she placed her one loyal friend Kat in charge of her small daughter. Caring for Elizabeth as she would care for her child Kat forms the beginning of the Princess who will later become one of the greatest Queen England has ever seen. Together they survived through claims of illegitimacy, scathing scandals, and imprisonments in the Tower of London. They also survived the turbulent reigns of three monarchs.

It is an interesting view, hearing a story from the one who was probably the closest to Elizabeth, her “earthly mother.” It sheds a light at a fresh angle on the court of Henry the VIII. For anyone who loves British history, especially the Tudors, this is a very entertaining book. Even though I knew what was coming next, Karen Harper made it very alive and flowing.

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by Natasa Djordjevic - 7:44 AM

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A unique view of Greek mythology: Circe by Madeline Miller

by Natasa Djordjevic - 8:16 AM

“But in a solitary life, there are rare moments when another soul dips near yours, as stars once a year brush the earth. Such a constellation was he to me.”

Madeline Miller’s “Circe” is a daring and imminently readable retelling of the story of ancient Greece told from the viewpoint of the fierce feminist Circe. Though immortal herself, Circe’s keen observations of the self-serving pettiness of Olympians, Titans, and heroes alike present a unique and refreshing analysis of the great Greek myths.

Circe, who is the daughter of the Titan Helios, the ancient god of the Sun, and the ocean nymph, Perse, is more than a goddess. She is a sorceress, a witch, capable of creating powerful spells that she can cast on both the immortal gods and mortals. As she is only realizing her powers as a witch, she casts two spells that lead Zeus to banish her forever on the deserted island of Aiaia. However, she is not living her banishment in solitude. She has visitors. Some are good while others are innately evil, but none of them is boring. And the parade of immortal gods and mortals who appear to Aiaia is an interesting tour through the finest of the myths. We have brief glimpses of the rest of the Titans and Olympians. Odysseus and Daedalus play a vital part, but we also get to witness the delivery of Pasiphae’s child, the monstrous Minotaur, Scylla the six-headed sea beast, Medea, and Icarus.

Circe has not exactly had a comfortable life, from her early childhood she is emotionally abused and neglected by her family, but she came through all those difficulties and used them to her advantage, to strengthen herself, and it made her better than everyone around her. Her life in exile on the island of Aiaia, brings her only loneliness, but she endures, eventually learns to control her rage and discovers empathy and love. Although the setting is a mystical world of gods and monsters of Greek mythology, the character of Circe is so relatable on a personal level because of excellent characterization and beautifully descriptive prose.

Circe features many surprises, common in Greek Mythology, resulting from gods and men trying to outsmart the fate, but it is also a story about love, self-discovery, loss, regret, revenge, anger, developing one’s inner strength. But most of all, it is about the woman who has to create herself; shape her own paths against all the odds, and a straightforward story of a mother who’ll do anything to protect her child. A perfect mixture of mythology and fiction writing, and a beautiful and honest ode to Homer.

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by Natasa Djordjevic - 8:33 AM

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Book Wrap Up Jun

by Natasa Djordjevic - 7:23 AM

Jane the Quene by Janet Ambrosi Wertman (✬✬✬)

An interesting look at Jane Seymour. Thought the author did an excellent job of sticking close to known history while inserting her take on what might have been. I did not come away liking any of the main characters, but a good read all the same.

Embers by Sándor Márai (✬✬✬✬)

A well-written novel with an interesting perspective on getting old and thinking back on your life. Keeps you interested to the end to see what is next. Somewhat predictable story but the writing is well done.

Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn (✬✬✬✬)

It was a captivating story. The author did an impressive job of keeping it light and fun while developing the plot.

The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian (✬✬✬)

This was an interesting read and a subject that needs to be explored. The characters were well developed and gave a glimpse of the atrocities that took place in that era. However, I thought the ending was unbelievable and too melodramatic.

The Traitor's Wife by Allison Pataki (✬✬✬✬)

This book is well researched, so if you enjoy historical fiction, you will probably find this an enjoyable read. It is written from the perspective of Peggy Arnold’s servant, Clara. It develops a fresh perspective on Benedict Arnold and why he became a traitor in the American Revolution, largely because of the demands and manipulation of his wife.

Snobs by Julian Fellowes (✬✬✬)

Entertaining and somewhat thought provoking, however not a real page turner. It was very slow to start and got more interesting towards the middle and end.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (✬✬✬)

“Red Queen” is a pleasant to read, with an intriguing premise and a fast-paced, eventful storyline, not to mention a killer cliffhanger that leaves me wanting more. It’s a shame that the characters weren’t as well-developed or likable.

The Scroll of Seduction by Gioconda Belli (✬✬)

This book would have been better if the story line stuck to Philippe The Handsome and Juana The Mad’s love story. The secondary lust story between a naïve, convent-bred, swoon teenager and an older man in mid-life crisis is unnecessary and boring.

Push Not the River by James Conroyd Martin (✬✬✬✬)

This book is a very good historical novel that captures the imagination while keeping true to the era in which it is set. All the aspects that make an exciting read and with the heroic female in the lead role. A story of family tragedies, love, jealousy, war and a spirit that rises to the occasion.

Death Of An Aristocrat by Anya Wylde (✬✬✬✬)

I enjoyed the first book in this series, “Murder at Rudhall Manor.” I was hoping for an equally enjoyable experience with this sequel, and it didn’t disappoint. It was an easy and light read that made me laugh out loud a few times. There were several twists and turns in the story, and I didn’t figure out the ending in advance, which is very satisfactory. There was just the appropriate amount of humor to make it an entertaining read. I was glad to be back with Lucy and Lord Adair and I hope there are many more mysteries for them to solve together. Those who love comedy mingled with history and cozy mystery should read this.