The Whipping Club by Deborah Henry

A heart-wrenching novel about painful abuses in Irish Catholic Institutions

Synopsis:

Deborah Henry's new historical novel, THE WHIPPING CLUB (T.S Poetry Press, March 2012) is a literary page-turner and a tale of redemption, set against the backdrop of violence and deeply entrenched prejudice in 1960s Ireland as told through the heartrending experience of one inter-faith family. In it, an Irish Catholic woman, Marian, in love with a Jewish journalist hides the birth of her out-of-wedlock child to save her future marriage. The child she has relinquished does not end up with an American family as promised. Instead, he is committed to a notorious Catholic orphanage where there is little hope for his survival.

Tormented by feelings of remorse and guilt that have plagued her throughout her marriage to the boy's father, the woman must confront the truth and reveal her long-buried secret. While putting her marriage and family at risk, she determines to save her son and in so doing correct the terrible wrongs of her own past and challenge a system that chronically serves up children to abusive clergy.

Using a hidden Ireland as a backdrop, an island in which thousands of adults and children were forcibly separated in the 1950's and 1960's, the novel explores the sacrificial secrets we keep to protect our loved ones and their impact on a marriage, a family and a society. THE WHIPPING CLUB raises powerful questions about the nature of sin, guilt, and redemption by chronicling a young boy's perilous travels through a corrupt system and one couple's heartbreaking struggle to bring him home.

The Whipping Club is a timely novel that makes a powerful statement, revealing the sufferings of victims and families at the hands of the Catholic Church in the mid 1900’s. Although the story focuses on Ireland’s orphanages, Magdalene Laundries, and homes for unwed mothers, parallels can be drawn in many other countries where survivors of similar institutions are coming forward.

The story centers around one family. Marian is a Catholic teacher at a Zionist school who falls in love with a young Jewish man named Ben. When she discovers she is pregnant, she tries to tell Ben, but his mother’s antagonism at her religious background forces her to keep her secret. Instead, she enters into a special hospital/home for unwed mothers where she puts her son up for adoption, assured he will find a good family in America.

Marian and Ben marry and they have a young daughter. All seems perfect until one day, she learns the son she gave up for adoption is still in the Catholic orphanage she originally left him in. Ben and Marian take legal action to acquire custody of their son, Adrian, and begin to assimilate him into their lives. But he is under the custody of the nuns at the orphanage and they, together with the court system, maintain their hold and custody of the boy.

Not for the faint of heart, this novel addresses several complicated and painful issues that are coming forward in today’s society. For the sake of the survivors, it is important to learn about what truly happened, to understand, and to learn from these mistakes so that such things never occur again. As a Catholic myself, it was a shattering experience to read about the harsh punishments, cruelties, and sexual abuse against innocent children and the prejudices against unwed mothers. I admired the fact the author took care to not only portray depraved or cruel religious members, but also those who were loving and kind, albeit the former outweighed the latter in numbers.

What I admire is that the author had the courage to deal with such contentious issues such as deeply ingrained religious beliefs, transgressions, mercy, and the devastating consequences of not speaking out. This novel has depth and punch. It is not a light read – one should not skim over the words light-heartedly. Rather, readers need to prepare themselves to face a realm of emotions as they read and try to understand the true purpose for which the author wrote such a story. This heart-wrenching tragic drama has depth and richness. Despite the painful topic, the author leaves the reader with hope at the end. Bravo Deborah Henry for having the courage to address such tragic and painful realities in our recent past.

Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini

A fascinating story about love and courage set during America's Prohibition.

Book Summary:

From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini, a powerful and dramatic Prohibition-era story that follows the fortunes of Rosa Diaz Barclay, a woman who plunges into the unknown for the safety of her children and the love of a good but flawed man.

As the nation grapples with the strictures of Prohibition, Rosa Barclay lives on a Southern California rye farm with her volatile husband, John, who has lately found another source of income far outside the federal purview.

Mother to eight children, Rosa mourns the loss of four who succumbed to the mysterious wasting disease that is now afflicting young Ana and Miguel. Two daughters born of another father are in perfect health. When an act of violence shatters Rosa's resolve to maintain her increasingly dangerous existence, she flees with the children and her precious heirloom quilts to the mesa where she last saw her beloved mother alive.

As a flash flood traps them in a treacherous canyon, only one man is brave-or foolhardy-enough to come to their rescue: Lars Jorgenson, Rosa's first love and the father of her healthy daughters. Together they escape to Berkeley, where a leading specialist offers their only hope of saving Ana and Miguel. Here in northern California, they create new identities to protect themselves from Rosa's vengeful husband, the police who seek her for questioning, and the gangsters Lars reported to Prohibition agents-officers representing a department often as corrupt as the Mob itself. Ever mindful that his youthful alcoholism provoked Rosa to spurn him, Lars nevertheless supports Rosa's daring plan to stake their futures on a struggling Sonoma Valley vineyard-despite the recent hardships of local winemakers whose honest labors at viticulture have, through no fault of their own, become illegal.

Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini is fascinating novel set during Prohibition in the southern United States. I loved the retro cover. It reminded me of many classic novels that I enjoyed so many years ago, or finding an old dusty classic hidden at the back of a library's bookshelf. This novel weaves through time as it follows the trials Rosa and Lars face as they attempt to escape their past and avoid treachery in their new life. One immediately feels sympathy for poor Rose who is trapped in a loveless marriage with an embittered man who refuses to provide the necessary care for her ill children and regularly abuses her.

This is an epic story that weaves itself over several years and takes the reader into the heart of wine country during the era of Prohibition. The author gave us an in-depth look at the struggle of vineyard owners at a time when wine-making was severely and how they struggled to survive. Insight was also given as to how celiac disease was first diagnosed and treated.

The novel was easy to read. Its characters, both protagonist and antagonist, were well written and realistic. It is nice to learn about lesser known eras in unusual settings, and this novel certainly made that mark. Beautiful prose, rich descriptions, and an endearing story of courage and hope make this an awesome read.

The Healing by Jonathan Odell

An engrossing novel about slavery!

Mississippi plantation mistress Amanda Satterfield loses her daughter to cholera after her husband refuses to treat her for what he considers to be a “slave disease.” Insane with grief, Amanda takes a newborn slave child as her own and names her Granada, much to the outrage of her husband and the amusement of their white neighbors. Troubled by his wife’s disturbing mental state and concerned about a mysterious plague sweeping through his slave population, Master Satterfield purchases Polly Shine, a slave reputed to be a healer. But Polly’s sharp tongue and troubling predictions cause unrest across the plantation. Complicating matters further, Polly recognizes “the gift” in Granada, the mistress’s pet, and a domestic battle of wills ensues.

Seventy-five years later, Granada, now known as Gran Gran, is still living on the plantation and must revive the buried memories of her past in order to heal a young girl abandoned to her care. Together they learn the power of story to heal the body, the spirit and the soul.

Rich in mood and atmosphere, The Healing is the kind of novel readers can’t put down—and can’t wait to recommend once they’ve finished.

The Healing is a novel about an old woman named Gran Gran. The former slave lives alone in an abandoned mansion on a Southern plantation. In her youth, she worked as a midwife and healer to the slaves. Once revered for her skills, as time progressed, the respect she once enjoyed has faded away.

Lonely, she finds herself taking care of a young girl named Violet whose mother died after a botched abortion. Gran Gran shares her memories of her life as a slave on the plantation with the young girl, soothing her grief over her mother’s death. An unhinged mistress, the hardships the slaves suffered because of heartless masters, disease, sorrow, and cruel racial prejudices abounds on every page of this engrossing novel.

Moving between present and past, the author tantalizes by revealing dark secrets and mistakes. But this novel is more than a story of the South. It is a revelation about the difficulties black women faced at the hands of slaveholders - forced separation from children and family, lack of food and clothing, and their resilience to succeed despite numerous adversities.

Odell delves deep into womanhood, never shying away from poverty, rape, and horrendous abuses that were considered normal in the treatment of slaves. And he does so in a way that evokes great respect and sympathy for the women who were not only resilient, but courageous. Above all, this is a poignant novel of hope and courage that will deeply touch readers. I truly loved this book and look forward to reading future books by this very talented author.

Enchantments by Kathryn Harrison

Back Cover Blurb:

1917 was a turbulent year for Russia. Already deeply enmeshed in World War I, there were problems on the home front as well, as the seeds of revolution began to sprout. On New Year’s Day, the body of the “Mad Monk” Rasputin, charismatic healer and confidante of the tsarina, was pulled from the icy river Neva. His daughters, according to his wishes, are placed under the protection of the Romanov royal family. Eighteen-year-old Masha, despite not being gifted with her father’s powers, takes his place at the bedside of the young tsarevitch, Alyosha. The heir to the empire, Alyosha is frequently confined to bed with the effects of his hemophilia, and Masha must do what she can to ease his discomfort. She tells him stories, of her parents and his, but even the most enchanting fictions cannot hide the fact that the Romanovs are under house arrest by the Bolsheviks, and that Alyosha may not survive long enough to die from his disease.

Review

Enchantments is the story of the Russian Revolution, fictionally recounting what happpened to Rasputin's daughters after their father's murder. The tsarina, desperate to grasp on to Rasputin's magical healing powers for her hemophiliac son, takes Masha and her sister to live with them, in the hopes they may possess some of their father's skills. Rasputin's life and murder continue to fascinate to this day. And this is what drew me to this story.

Kathryn Harrison did an excellent job of bringing to life the central characters in this story. I enjoyed the historical details and the poignancy she portrayed regarding the royal family at their anticipated demise. She truly is a talented writer who did a great deal of research. Many of her scenes are gripping and so real, they truly stirred a realm of emotions as I read them. In particular is the scene depicting the murder and recovery of Rasputin's death. At times, I wished for more of Rasputin to be brought into the story through flashback or recounting some of his escapades, but I bear in mind how difficult it is to write a novel set in such a complicated era and within the constraints of required novel length. 

The cover is spectacular and definitely a draw for readers. All in all, this novel is an excellent representation of a most traumatic time in Russia's history and recommended for those who love Russian historical novels.  

The Orchid House by Lucina Riley

A beautiful story!
Synopsis:

As a child Julia Forrester spent many idyllic hours in the hothouse of Wharton Park, the great house where her grandfather tended exotic orchids. Years later, while struggling with overwhelming grief over the death of her husband and young child, she returns to the tranquility of the estate. There she reunites with Kit Crawford, heir to the estate and her possible salvation.

When they discover an old diary, Julia seeks out her grandmother to learn the truth behind a love affair that almost destroyed Wharton Park. Their search takes them back to the 1930s when a former heir to Wharton Park married his young society bride on the eve of World War II. When the two lovers are cruelly separated, the impact will be felt on generations to come.

Lucinda Riley skillfully sweeps her readers between the magical world of Wharton Park and Thailand during World War II with irresistible and atmospheric storytelling. Filled with twists and turns, passions and lies, and ultimately redemption, The Orchid House is a romantic, poignant novel that became an instant bestseller in the UK and Germany.

The Orchid House is a tantalizing story involving a grieving heroine, a secret diary, an ancient mansion, and long buried family secrets. The story’s main character is Julia who is grief-stricken over the death of her husband and son. She returns to her roots – a dilapidated mansion where she once spent countless hours with her grandfather in the conservatory watching him tend to orchids. There she meets the heir to estate and a friendship is sparked between them. The discovery of an old diary, long forgotten, sweeps Julia into the past where she uncovers family secrets and which ultimately help her heal.

Told through some flashbacks between the present and the past, these tantalizing reminisces helped build momentum and kept me enthralled to read further. The story held my interest with its twists and turns and fascinating characters. I immediately sympathized with the heroine whose grief and pain, as well as her gradual healing, was well portrayed. I especially enjoyed how the theme of a rare orchid flowed from start to finish. I cannot say enough about how lovely this book is to read. Utterly beautiful! Completely satisfying!

Synopsis:

Just in time for the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic comes a vivid, romantic, and relentlessly compelling historical novel about a spirited young woman who survives the disaster only to find herself embroiled in the media frenzy left in the wake of the tragedy.

Tess, an aspiring seamstress, thinks she's had an incredibly lucky break when she is hired by famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon to be a personal maid on the Titanic's doomed voyage. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men, one a roughly-hewn but kind sailor and the other an enigmatic Chicago millionaire. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes.

Amidst the chaos and desperate urging of two very different suitors, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat. Tess’s sailor also manages to survive unharmed, witness to Lady Duff Gordon’s questionable actions during the tragedy. Others—including the gallant Midwestern tycoon—are not so lucky.

On dry land, rumors about the survivors begin to circulate, and Lady Duff Gordon quickly becomes the subject of media scorn and later, the hearings on the Titanic. Set against a historical tragedy but told from a completely fresh angle, The Dressmaker is an atmospheric delight filled with all the period's glitz and glamour, all the raw feelings of a national tragedy and all the contradictory emotions of young love.

Review:

The Dressmaker is the story of a young woman who dreams of fleeing the harshness of her life in England where she works as a maid. Alone in the world, her only talent lies in her skill to design and sew dresses. Yet the only work available to her are ones that require housework or the most basic of sewing skills.

So Tess Collins sets her sights on the New World, to America. A chance encounter with Lady Lucile Duff Gordon results in her being hired as an assistant to the world renowned fashion designer. Together they embark on the Titanic. Miraculously the two women survive and are brought to New York. In the aftermath of the sinking, with all the confusion and the pandemonium, Tess struggles to make her way in this new world while trying to get along with her formidable boss. She soon falls in love with two men, one of high social class and the other poor. These love interests, along with a feisty reporter named Pinky, makes for an entertaining sub-plot. 

Author Kate Alcott definitely offers an interesting story. It is important for readers to know, however, that this  novel focuses mostly on the fictional story and characters than on what actually happened on the Titanic. More attention is placed on the aftermath of the sinking than what happened in the final hours before the ship sunk. And this is what I enjoyed most about this tale. 

Through her characters, the author briefly delves into the facts of what happened on the Titanic, especially what happened on Lifeboat One and the quandry between those in the water and those who were fortunate enough to find space in a lifeboat, and more heavily on what happened to the survivors afterwards when they arrived in New York and faced a media frenzy.

The story of the Titanic has been told through film and book, so it is a challenge for any author to tackle such a challenging, complicated historical event. Some of the characters in this story were fictional, while others were drawn from the actual persons aboard the tragic ship. Although I enjoyed reading and learning about the aftermath of the Titanic's sinking and the subsequent subplots that arose with the survivors, I was left yearning for a little more about the circumstances that arose on the ship itself. Some of that was disclosed at the end of the novel. Nevertheless, the story was enjoyable, informative, and accurately written based upon meticulous research. It was tasteful and didn't play upon the tragedy, being so respectfully written. For those fascinated with the Titanic, this makes for pleasant reading. 

Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile by Julia Fox

A remarkable and exceptional recreation of the lives of two nobelwomen.

Synopsis:

Daughters of the formidable Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, Katherine and Juana were born in to a world of privilege and luxury that came at a devastating personal price. They were trained from an early age to understand European diplomacy and to revere their position as defenders of Catholicism against any threat to their religion. In an age of family politics, the sisters were useful only as a way to secure new alliances through marriage; both at the mercy of the men they were to marry. Katherine's marriage to Prince Arthur appeared to go well until he died suddenly after ten months. Marriage to King Henry VIII did not result in the vital heir, and soon Henry was displaying his despotic nature, with the execution of 'traitors' and high-handed affairs. Juana fared no better with Philip of Burgundy, whose naked ambition and cruelty made her life equally difficult. Julia Fox's new biography vividly portrays the harsh realities of being a queen within a world dominated and run by men. She provides a fresh take on the sisters' characters and interior worlds by setting them within their family and Spanish contexts. In the case of both women, this vibrant biography graphically illustrates the dangers of being a royal commodity at such a perilous time, and gives a highly revealing portrait of two forceful female personalities thwarted by the men around them - including the men closest to them who should have cared for them the most.

Opening Sentence:

The snow-covered mountains of the Sierra Nevada were clearly visible from the high, castellated red walls of the citadel as the slight figure of Boabdil, the last king of Granada, slipped out of its gates for the final time.

Review:

Sister Queens is a biography about two Spanish sisters who became queen - Katherine of Aragon and Juana of Castile.

Both were daughters of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. From the very start, Isabella planned and schemed to marry them to the most powerful kings in Europe.

Katherine, heiress of Aragon, was married to Arthur, the elder brother of the notorious King Henry VIII who was a mere prince at the time and who was destined to become her second husband.

Juana, heiress of Castile, was married to Philip of Burgundy, a cruel, ambitious man hungry for power and control.

Philip of Burgundy

This biographical non-fiction book focuses on their equally tragic lives as they fell victim to the aspirations and ruthless power-seeking men in their lives. Although women could hold power and govern lands in their own right, they often faced insurmountable barriers by husbands, brothers, and fathers. Julia Fox did a wonderful job with researching lesser known facts about their lives. What results is an entertaining, sympathetic portrayal of two women who struggled against great adversity.

Although the book focuses heavily on the life of Katherine, likely due to the popularity of the Tudors, she delves a little less, but adequately into the life of Juana. There have been many novels written about these two fascinating queens, however none carry as much detail as Sister Queens. It is evident the author utilized authentic historical sources; she credits them throughout this book's pages, so there is an aura of credibility from start to finish.

I highly recommend this book for everyone interested in English and Spanish history. There is no doubt that Sister Queens will stand as a valuable resource because of its accuracy and veracity for generations to come. It was truly an enjoyable read, rich with life, strife, and trouble.