The Great Man: A Novel, by Kate Christensen

The “great man” of the title is fictional painter Oscar Feldman, who painted only female nudes and overshadowed the important women in his life.  After his death, however (which occurs several years before the novel begins), these women who loved him–his wife, long-time mistress, twin daughters, and sister–take center stage, telling their stories (and secrets) to two admiring biographers, and coming into their own as they do so.  An entertaining, quick read, with a lot of interesting things to say about art, love, and how we are never ultimately in charge of our own biography.  Winner of the 2008 Pen/Faulkner Award for Fiction.

RATING: * * * A good read
Reviewed by: stc

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The Lace Reader, by Brunonia Barry

I most enjoyed the detailed descriptions of the local settings in this novel set in late 20th century Salem, Mass. Much of the story takes place around downtown Salem, its harbor and the harbor islands. The information that the author works into the plot about Ipswich lace and the women who produced it in the 1820’s was also fascinating.

RATING: * * * A good read
Reviewed by: kh

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The Heretic’s Daughter, by Kathleen Kent

Kathleen Kent’s debut novel tells the story of her ancestor Martha Carrier, hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.  It is told from the point of view of Martha’s nine year old daughter Sarah, who–with her brothers–was also imprisoned.  Sarah and her brothers confessed and were then released; their mother was not so lucky.  Less about the trials than the society in which they occurred (the witch trials don’t make an appearance until halfway through the book), it paints a vivid picture of life  in late-17th century Massachusetts.  As seen through Sarah’s eyes, the harshness, conformity, and cruelty of that life is heartbreaking, but fascinating–I couldn’t put this book down. 

For more on this period, I also recommend In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1892, by Mary Beth Norton, which links the crisis to fears caused by the Indian Wars.  Kathleen Kent recommends this on her website, and it’s clear from reading The Heretic’s Daughter that she is sympathetic to Norton’s thesis.  Another recent book on this topic is Salem Witch Judge: The Life and Repentance of Samuel Sewall, by Eve LaPlante.  LaPlante, a descendant of Samuel Sewall, writes an interesting biography of  the only judge presiding over the Salem witchcraft trials who ever repented for his actions, and later wrote essays supporting gender equality, the abolition of slavery, and humane treatment of Native Americans.

RATING: **** Very, very good
Reviewed by: stc

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Mama’s Bank Account, by Kathryn Forbes

Forget your worries and spend a few hours in San Francisco of the early 1900’s with Katrin and her family. Warm,wonderful stories, these would be great to read aloud to children or just enjoy yourself. Also the basis of the movie, “I Remember Mama.”

RATING: * * * * Very, very good
Reviewed by: kh

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Finding Nouf, by Zoe Ferraris

A mystery story, but more interesting was the author’s depiction of present day Saudi Arabian society. She has lived in Saudi Arabia. As portrayed in this novel, this country is not high on my must visit list with its brutally hot climate, constant threat of religious police intervention and strict segregation of men and women. Part of the plot turns on the extreme frustration felt by women due to the very limited lives they are forced to lead.

RATING: * * * A good read
Reviewed by: kh

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Company of Liars, by Karen Maitland

I listened to the book on CD. The narrator was very good, the book not my favorite. One reviewer mentioned “unremitting realism.” It is set during the plague year of 1348, well written and held my interest but with too many characters knocked off for my taste.

RATING: * * OK
Reviewed by:  KH

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