Books matching: family history secrets
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- #1
Save:"The Quincunx" by Charles Palliser is a sprawling Victorian-style mystery novel set in 19th century London. The story follows young John Huffman as he navigates a complex web of secrets, coincidences, and revelations while trying to uncover his family history and potentially claim his inheritance. The plot is intricate and convoluted, with rich period details seamlessly woven into the narrative, making it a highly absorbing read that keeps the reader engaged till the end.
Palliser's writing style has been compared to that of Charles Dickens, with meticulous attention to detail and evocative descriptions of London and its inhabitants. The novel is dense, detailed, and rewarding, offering readers a glimpse into the hard life of the time, from hidden secrets and family mysteries to encounters with both high and low society in the bustling city of London.
It must have been late autumn of that year, and probably it was towards dusk for the sake of being less conspicuous. And yet a meeting between two professional gentlemen representing the chief branche... - #2
Save:In "Fighting Monsters Part 1" by Sam Hall, readers are introduced to Morgan, a character dealing with mental illness and a unique ability to see monsters. As she navigates her family drama and discovers her own powers, she is supported by a group of monsters who are surprisingly sweet and supportive. The book combines real-life issues with fantasy elements, witchcraft, and romantic scenes, creating a story that pulls readers in from the beginning. As Morgan uncovers her past and embraces her destiny, she is accompanied by intriguing characters and a blend of magic and emotional depth that keeps readers engaged.
- #3
Save:'The Monsters of Templeton' by Lauren Groff is a multi-layered novel that follows the journey of Willie Upton as she returns to her small hometown of Templeton under shameful circumstances. Upon her return, she embarks on a family history research project to uncover the identity of her father, delving into the sordid and complicated past of her ancestors who have lived in the same town for generations. The book weaves together elements of romance, mystery, supernatural occurrences, and historical fiction, creating a complex but connected tale of a town and its inhabitants. Through multiple narratives, the author explores themes of family, friendship, and the impact of one's roots on personal identity.
Lauren Groff's writing style in 'The Monsters of Templeton' is praised for its beauty, imagery, and ability to captivate readers. The book features multiple points of view, time periods, and genres, blending elements of contemporary stories, historical fiction, and mystery. The author skillfully constructs a narrative that intertwines the past with the present, creating a compelling story that keeps readers engaged with its unique storytelling approach.
As I sat there, stunned, watching the distant sunrise rub the dark from the sky, I felt almost as if Sarah's Templeton were layered atop my own; as if a sheet of tracing paper had settled upon the roo... - #4
Save:'Akin' by Emma Donoghue follows the journey of 79-year-old Noah Selvaggio, a retired college professor, who unexpectedly becomes the guardian of his 11-year-old great nephew, Michael. As Noah plans a trip to Nice, France to uncover mysteries about his mother's past during WWII, he is faced with the responsibility of caring for Michael, whose mother is in prison and grandmother has passed away. Together, Noah and Michael embark on a trip where they delve into family secrets, wartime history, and form a bond that helps them understand each other better.
The novel explores the evolving relationship between the elderly Noah and the young Michael, set against the backdrop of Nice, France. Through a series of old photographs and interactions, the two characters learn from each other and attempt to solve the mystery of Noah's mother's activities during the war. The writing style of Emma Donoghue is described as fluid, making the story readable, with moments of humor and empathy that deepen the connection between Noah and Michael.
Noah corrected her: not old. He was only seventy-nine, till next Monday. When he’d been young, your seventies had counted as old, but not these days. Say, youngish up to sixty; then middle-aged, or yo... - #5
Save:"Behind the Scenes at the Museum" by Kate Atkinson is a multi-layered novel that follows the life of Ruby Lennox, who narrates her family's story starting from her own conception. The book delves into the lives of multiple generations of the family, exploring themes of dysfunction, tragedy, humor, and resilience. Through a combination of first-person narration by Ruby and third-person accounts of her ancestors, the story weaves together a complex and compelling narrative that spans the twentieth century.
The writing style of the book is described as witty, humorous, and poignant, with a unique structure that includes footnotes detailing family histories and secrets. The narrative alternates between past and present, offering insights into the characters' thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Despite some readers finding the story occasionally confusing or dark, the book is praised for its engaging storytelling, intricate plot twists, and memorable characters.
ON THE clock on the mantelpiece in the room across the hall. The clock once belonged to my great-grandmother (a woman called Alice) and its tired chime counts me into the world. I'm begun on the first... - #6
Save:'The Haunting' by Margaret Mahy follows the story of Barney, a young boy who starts experiencing strange dreams and sightings coinciding with the death of his great uncle Cole. As Barney is haunted by his possibly dead great uncle, he navigates through the mysterious occurrences with the help of his family, particularly his sisters Tabitha and Troy. The plot unfolds as the children gradually unravel the mystery of their long-lost great uncle and discover unexpected secrets about their family. The story is told from Barney's perspective, showcasing the complex family relationships and the way the haunting is dealt with in a manner relatable to a child's perspective.
- #7
Save:Southern Gods by John Hornor Jacobs is a horror novel set in the Deep South of Arkansas in the early 1950s, blending elements of Southern gothic and Lovecraftian horror. The story follows Bull Ingram, a former marine, as he is hired to track down a mysterious blues musician named Ramblin' John Hastur whose music is rumored to have supernatural powers. Meanwhile, Sarah Williams returns to her ancestral estate, uncovering dark family secrets that intertwine with the looming threat of ancient gods and forbidden music.
Jacobs weaves together a tale of suspense, mystery, and horror, introducing readers to a world where music can animate the dead, ancient gods lurk in the shadows, and sacrifices are made to prevent the return of an Elder God. The narrative unfolds through multiple viewpoints, blending elements of country blues, southern gothic, and Lovecraftian mythology to create a chilling and atmospheric story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Ingram sat in the office, on a cul-de-sac off Poplar, facing Corso over an expanse of mahogany desk. Ceiling fans stirred the smoke in the air. At the far end of the office, beyond a plate-glass windo... - #8
Save:The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah is a dual timeline novel set in the Burgundy region of France. The story follows Kate, a sommelier preparing for the Master of Wine exam, who returns to her family's vineyard in France. While helping clean out the cellar, she uncovers hidden family secrets dating back to WWII, including a mysterious relative named Helene. The narrative alternates between Kate's present-day struggles and Helene's experiences during the war, intertwining themes of family, history, and the complexities of wartime loyalties.
I wouldn’t have admitted it to anyone, but the truth was this: I had vowed never to return to this place. Oh yes, I had dreamed of it a thousand times, the sweep of vines marching across rolling slope... - #9
Save:Set largely in China, readers become acquainted with the families of Sparrow and Kai at the Shanghai Conservatory in the 1960s, pulling the narrative forward from the Communist Revolution to the demonstrations at Tiananmen Square and even providing updates after that event. The book shows a relationship between mathematics and music. As a genealogist, I was particularly drawn to the mentions of the Book of Records. As a musician, I was drawn to the rest of the story. The writing was strong. A more in depth knowledge of twentieth century Chinese history would make the work more enjoyable than it already was. The book was well deserving of its shortlisting for the Man Booker Prize. Thien's magnum opus reminded me of The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes, a fictionalized biography of Shostakovich trying to survive under the thumb of Stalin. Thien's book is an ambitious, multi generational, multi layered story, beginning in Vancouver but focusing on the cultural revolution in China. Thien's quiet writing belies the emotional depth of a story that describes people trying to endure and retain their human spirit through their love of music and art. It is advisable to pay attention because, although brilliant, this is not an easy read that has many characters and a lot happening with the risk of significant ramifications. By the time I reached the events at Tiananmen Square I was completely hooked. I wish I had known more about Chinese history and government before I started. This is a novel of epic scope and ambition, a complex family story that starts in the China of the 1950s and ends in the present day. The pivotal events are the Cultural Revolution, and specifically the destruction of the Shanghai Conservatory and the denunciations of the musicians there, and the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and their violent aftermath. There are also many other themes largely musical but also some intriguing digressions on Chinese writing and mathematics. Thien's characters are memorable and I found the book compulsively readable and moving. For most of the book I thought this was one of the best books I had read all year, but later I felt a little let down, firstly because of a glaring factual error in which she claims that Bach and Busoni were born 300 years apart the true figure is no more than 181 and also because the story lost a little impetus and clarity of focus towards the end. I still think it is the best book on the Booker shortlist and would make a worthy winner. This is a wonderful written family saga of recent Chinese history with a lovely focus on music, epic novels and love. A young man watches China transform after a brutal civil war, falls in love with western music, endures the Cultural Revolution and throughout the events leading up the Tienanmen Square massacre. Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeline Thien is a multi generational novel about the Chinese Cultural Revolution and afterwards that puts all other multi generational novels to shame. It's really good, combining wonderful and vibrant character studies with excellent writing and story structure. Thien deserves all the praise she's received for this book. Marie is a girl living Vancouver, Canada, with her mother, her father having returned to China and committed suicide, when they are joined by Ai ming, a college student fleeing China in the aftermath of Tiananmen Square. She leaves them to go to the US in hopes of being granted asylum and Marie never sees her again. In adulthood, Marie undertakes a search for Ai ming, who may have returned to China. As her search goes on, the story is told of how Ai ming and Marie's family were connected and goes further back to the story of Ai ming's parents and grandparents, as they survive WWII, Mao's reign as dictator and on into the turmoil of Tiananmen Square. It's a lot of history, and a quantity of characters, but Thien juggles the storylines adeptly and makes each character from Big Mother Knife to Marie herself, vivid and complex. This is a novel well worth reading. Also, it's a page turner.
IN A SINGLE YEAR, my father left us twice. The first time, to end his marriage, and the second, when he took his own life. That year, 1989, my mother flew to Hong Kong and laid my father to rest in a ... - #10
Save:The Devouring Gray is a young adult novel set in the small town of Four Paths, where five teenagers, including newcomer Violet Saunders, must come together to uncover dangerous secrets and face an ancient evil. The story is filled with unexpected twists, eerie characters, and dark magical elements that blend family history, present-day challenges, and supernatural powers into a captivating and atmospheric read. As the teens navigate political dynamics, hidden agendas, and the looming threat of the monster in the Gray, they must unravel mysteries, confront their own powers, and decide where their loyalties lie.
His sister, May, dealt the Deck of Omens facedown on the grass between them. The all-seeing eyes on the backs of the five cards stared emptily at the canopy of leaves above. Justin’s skin prickled as ...
