(These are historical fiction books that I read in 2010, but were not necessarily released in 2010.)
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
From my review: “It is a simple story, one without a lot of surprises, and yet it is so poignant and beautifully written that I loved listening to it. Henry and Keiko’s story is told with reverent tenderness amid the injustice and horror of the internment camps. Ford chose to focus on the characters…The result is an authentic, character-driven novel where the issues of racial prejudice and injustice are clearly demonstrated in the lives of those most effected.”
The Lotus Eaters
From my review: “Ms. Soli has written a devastatingly true novel – not true in the sense that it is based on a real person – but true in that it is so real and authentic that the experience of reading it is like submerging yourself in Helen’s experiences. She writes in uneven prose – gorgeous descriptive sentences interspersed with jagged fragments – so that the reader is left feeling restless, unsettled, and unsure. The journey that Helen takes from eager new journalist to jaded photographer almost hurt to read, and yet I couldn’t stop until I knew what happened.”
Middlesex
From my review: “This book is simply historical fiction at its absolute finest. I loved this tale from beginning to end – from the story of Lefty and Desdemona in Smyrna and how the Turkish invasion of the city allowed them to hide their forbidden romance; to the courtship of Cal’s parents Tessie and Milt, their romance evolving from foreplay by clarinet. Eugenides has created a fully-fleshed cast of characters and told their story in true family saga style.”
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
From my review: “Hoffman is the rare kind of author who can write both authentic characters and vivid settings using all five senses, and I felt wrapped in the world of Savannah while I read. I could feel the heat, smell the magnolias, taste the cinnamon rolls and fried chicken. I could see Mrs. Odell in her huge hat and dime store slippers, outrageous Miz Hobbs in her yellow feathered “chicken” peignoir and her policeman paramour with his Zorro mask. The writing moves smoothly between hysterically funny and heart-breakingly poignant, as the author gives us CeeCee’s story, but also the story of these amazing women in the 1960s South.”
The Help
From my review: “There is really nothing I can say about The Help that hasn’t already been said, except maybe this: If you haven’t read it yet, what on earth are you waiting for? And if you do audiobooks, that is definitely the way to go with this one – the readers were amazing.
The Gendarme
From my review: “Mustian’s first novel is astounding in both the beauty of the writing and the depth of story and character. He has brought to life an episode from history and yet done it the hard way – by writing from the perspective of perpetrator rather than victim, and yet still giving the reader a sympathetic character. And in the midst of the haunting story, he deals with issues like guilt, atonement, and forgiveness.”
How to Be an American Housewife
From my review: “The two women’s perspectives are drawn extremely well, with Shoko’s halting voice and stilted grammar demonstrating not only her lack of English skills, but the practical, stoic nature which allowed her to make a new life for herself. Suiko is unable to see herself accurately amid the constant struggle between wanting her mother’s approval and yet resisting her traditional ways. I enjoyed exploring the contrast between Japan and the US, between mother and daughter, with these characters, and look forward to Ms. Dilloway’s next book.”
Great list! I really loved The Lotus Eaters, and Hotel and the American Housewife books were good, too.
Anna´s last post ..Update on the Free Jane Austen E-books from Sourcebooks
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Anna – I’m already ready to reread Lotus Eaters, that’s how much I loved it!
I have read a few of the books on your list, all of which I enjoyed. Every single on of the books you mentioned that I haven’t read are on my TBR list, so I am glad to see that you enjoyed them!
Stephanie´s last post ..Book Review- Dangerous Neighbors
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Stephanie – you’ve got some great reading ahead of you, then!
Twitter: thebirdsistersgmail.com
says:
Yay for CeeCee! I love Beth Hoffman’s novel. Love love love it!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Me, too, Rebecca.
I’ve loved the books on your list that I’ve read (Hotel, Help, Middlesex) so I’ll definitely be adding the rest to my TBR. Great summaries!
Melissa´s last post ..Friday Favorites- I Capture the Castle
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Thanks, Melissa – hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
Twitter: teresasreading
says:
I haven’t read any of these yet, but they are all on my list. I am glad that you enjoyed them.
Teresa´s last post ..Brava- Valentine by Adriana Trigiani
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Teresa – good list you’ve got going.
Twitter: youvegottaread
says:
That is ONE PACKED LIST! I’ve read all of them but one (the last one). I’d say this is more than just best historical fiction, it is just the best best!
Sandy´s last post ..Nothing But Ghosts – Beth Kephart
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Sandy – yes, they were all great – and you should definitely read How to Be an American Housewife!
What a great list of books! I have read and loved both American Housewife and CeeCee so now I am definitely looking forward to the others! They’ve been on my list and I actually have a couple at home but just haven’t gotten to them yet.
Jo-Jo´s last post ..Java With Jo
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Jo-Jo – I am seeing a lot of books that are on my shelves on people’s end-of-the-year favorites lists, and it’s making me want to get to all of them right now!
Twitter: Vasilly
says:
The Help is such a great book! I have Lotus Eaters on my stack of books to read on break so I’m happy to see it on your best of list.
Vasilly´s last post ..Review- Flight Vol 7
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
V – you’ll love The Lotus Eaters – it’s incredible!
Twitter: nomadreader
says:
Fun! Both The Help and The Lotus Eaters are on my TBR for January and February. I think I’m in for a treat!
nomadreader (Carrie)´s last post ..book review- The Warden by Anthony Trollope
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Carrie – you’ll have a great January and February, then.
Ooh, I’m excited by this list because I just got Hotel on the Corner through the holiday swap and have had Middlesex for a very long time
Aarti´s last post ..Musings- Vietnamerica – A Familys Journey
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Aarti – they’re both excellent – I hope you like them as much as I did.
Great list! I’ve read several and want to read a few more of them.
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Kathy – these end-of-the-year lists are dangerous to the old to-read stacks, aren’t they?