Martha Hall Kelly follows up her 2016 debut, Lilac Girls, with a novel that takes place a generation before. Lost Roses starts just before World War I, and follows three women across three continents as they attempt to navigate the new realities of war.
The Situation: Eliza Ferriday and her dear friend from Russia, Sofya Streshnayva, are both young wives and mothers, each with their own societal pressures as the beginning of the Great War comes suddenly and unexpectedly. It is when Eliza is visiting Sofya in Russia that she begins to fear for her friend and her safety, though Sofya, a cousin of the Romanov's, is not as concerned. It is only after Eliza has safely returned to the U.S. that the peasants do rise up, and what Sofya would not allow herself to imagine has finally happened. She, her father, stepmother, and younger sister, Luba, are kept captive in their own home, with Sofya's son Max being spared the worst of the brutality only because he is being tended to by the young but troubled Varinka. For Eliza and Sofya, days that used to be filled with planning the next trip and keeping up with the latest fashions are now filled with fear of the worst. But for Varinka, it means a chance at a life she had previously only dreamed of, though she is still haunted by a danger she has known for her entire life.
The Problem: When communication from Sofya suddenly stops, Eliza must assume the worst has happened. And after enduring her own tragedy, Eliza finds the most comfort in working tirelessly to assist the Russians who have turned up in the U.S. in their own efforts to escape a terrible fate. With the information she is able to gather she makes small steps towards finding her friend. Meanwhile, Sofya must struggle to survive and avoid those who would rather see her hang. As she makes her way to Paris, the former royal is brought low as she masters skills that she previously had no need for. But it is her determination to find her son, whom she believes has been taken by Varinka to Paris, that keeps her going and keeps her alert. The war has been difficult for all three women in three different ways, but each have their own reasons for enduring to the end.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set around Word War I, and more specifically the conflict in Russia when the peasants and working class revolted against the Tsar. Sofya Streshnayva, a cousin of the Romanov's, is directly affected as her family becomes targets of those that wish to see the royals eliminated. Meanwhile, in the U.S, Eliza (based on the real Eliza Mitchell Ferriday) must fight local suspicion and anti-foreign attitudes in her attempt to house and care for those that are looking for asylum. And while Sofya represents the royals of Russia who previously enjoyed a life that the peasants and working class could only dream of, Varinka is one of the country peasants that daily lived with the reality of food scarcity and over zealous tax collectors. In alternating chapters where they take turns telling their story, the three women must employ a resilience and determination, not only to survive, but to also get what they want out of post-war Europe and America. Friendship and family are certainly assets, but they must also use their own wits to find their own way and decide for themselves what type of life they wish to lead.
My Verdict: No doubt this novel is going to be compared to The Huntress by Kate Quinn, which also came out earlier this year. They are similar in that they each follow three people and use alternating chapters to tell three different stories and how those lives intersect. They also each deal with war, with The Huntress taking place in the years just after World War II. However, I won't simply compare the two as they are each their own story. For me, Lost Roses achieved that always difficult maneuver of having flawed characters that are still likeable. And even though the novel deals with war, and war is almost always ugly and full of terrible moments, few parts were unbearably uncomfortable, while still showing the horrors of what people go through when a revolution is occurring on their front door. I will say that the device of having different narrators with their own chapters can be tiresome, mostly because it seems so many books use it. Understandably, it would be a different story if the reader were allowed to only follow Sofya, or only Eliza, and it would certainly be different with only Varinka. As it stands, I enjoyed exploring World War I for once, and also focusing on Russia instead of Germany. Any lover of historical fiction will find this book to be a wonderful adventure.
Favorite Moment: When Eliza's mother takes on the high society women that wish to be rid of her new Russian friends.
Favorite Character: Varinka's mother has her flaws, and while she certainly has reason to not be sympathetic to any royal, she still admonishes her daughter for taking a child that is not hers. Despite seeing how much it pains Varinka, she insists on her daughter doing the right thing, even acting against her daughter's wishes in hopes that Sofya is able to locate little Max.
Recommended Reading: If you have not read Lilac Girls, it certainly works to read it after Lost Roses. I read it before, which also works fine.
I enjoyed 2017’s One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus, so it felt natural to pick up her newest novel, Two Can Keep a Secret. Once again, McManus offers up a riveting whodunit filled with very real danger for everyone involved. Murder mysteries can be difficult to pull off, but I hoped McManus would deliver again with interesting characters, and enough turns to keep the reader guessing.
The Situation: Ellery and Ezra are twins who have just moved to the tiny town of Echo Ridge before they are to begin their senior year of high school. While their mother, Sadie, was never the most attentive, only now has an opioid addiction landed her in rehab, which means the twins must now move in with a grandmother they do not know, and to a town they have never visited. From what Sadie has said, and what Ellery has been able to research on her own, Echo Ridge is a town of secrets. Not only was a Homecoming Queen found dead five years ago in the terribly named Murderland amusement park located in town, but Ellery’s aunt and Sadie’s sister, Sarah, disappeared their senior year 19 years ago. Ellery has always been a bit of a true crime nut, and she has always had questions about Sarah’s disappearance, but Sadie never wanted to talk about it. This move to Echo Ridge might be her chance to get some answers to her questions, while also exploring this town’s less than stellar history.
The Problem: School has not even started, and already the trouble begins when an ominous sign appears in town, claiming that Murderland the sequel is coming soon. Naturally, everyone in town thinks of the girl that was found dead five years ago, which also leads them to think of Declan Kelly, the prime suspect in the murder. Though he was never charged, many in town believe he did it, which is problematic for his little brother, Malcolm. He and Ellery strike up a fast friendship, and while he is interested in keeping himself and his family out of the spotlight, she is interested in getting to the bottom of everything that happened, and what is currently happening. The thing is, everyone in Echo Ridge seems to be holding onto a secret, and some are willing to do whatever it takes to keep those secrets buried. But the signs keep showing up, and then another girl goes missing.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in the fictional small town of Echo Ridge, which is situated somewhere in the northeastern part of the U.S. Ellery and Ezra are 17 year-old twins, but the story is told from Ellery and Malcom’s point of view, with Ezra remaining as an important side character. With Ellery, we get the story from someone who did not grow up in Echo Ridge, but has heard stories and has some knowledge thanks to her mother and grandmother. With Malcolm, we get the perspective from someone who watched a close family member become a local pariah since most believe his brother was responsible for the murder that took place five years ago. The book highlights how dangerous and poisonous small-town gossip can be, as well as just how quickly news and information can spread when everyone knows everyone else. Being guilty by association is a real thing, even if no one was officially charged. Also, some people will kill to keep information hidden, while others will do whatever it takes to protect the people they love.
My Verdict: I am happy to report that this book is just as engaging and engrossing as One of Us Is Lying, if not more so. For me, the characters are more thought out, especially Ellery and Malcolm, but even some of the side characters are more complex than I expected them to be. The book does what any suspense or murder mystery is supposed to do, and that is keep the reader guessing while also not being overly complicated. If I had one bone to pick it would be about how many characters are thrown at the reader at the beginning. Granted, Ellery and Ezra have just moved to Echo Ridge, a close-knit community where everyone knows each other, and they all remember their mother, Sadie. Even so, it was difficult keeping everyone straight, as well as their roles in past events, who they are related to, and how they could end up being important later. But all in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this roller coaster ride and am excited to see what McManus comes up with next.
Favorite Moment: When Malcolm has to acknowledge that Ellery is terrible at solving crimes. I am glad the author put that in as there are major clues and connections that Ellery managed to miss, which is surprising for someone as into true crime as she is supposed to be.
Favorite Character: Both Ellery and Malcolm made too many mistakes, so I choose Nana, Ellery's grandmother. Or even Ryan Rodriguez, the cop who lives next door and may be more connected to some of the events than anyone initially believed.
Recommended Reading: Other than One of Us Is Lying, I also suggest picking up Sadie or All the Rage, both by Courtney Summers.
My personal trek through the works of Haruki Murakami continues with Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. As with every adventure into the mind of one of Japan's most famous writers, I knew little of what to expect, except that it would be an adventure that would most likely be a little over my head. I was not wrong.
The Situation: A nameless narrator finds himself enlisted for a job by a strange old man for his skills in data shuffling. Using an ability that allows him to use the two sides of his brain independently, our narrator completes a task he has done many times, but with data and information he does not understand. What is clear is that the information is incredibly important and valuable to the old man, and he is given what appears to be a unicorn skull in return. In another world, another nameless narrator finds himself the citizen of a strange Town protected by a high wall that nothing can cross. He cannot remember his life before the Town, or how he got there, but he is not sure he is all that interested in staying. Having been separated from his shadow and given the job of dreamreader, he continues to get to know the inhabitants of the Town, including the Gatekeeper, the Colonel, and the Librarian.
The Problem: After returning from assisting the old man, it seems there are others who see value in the information the narrator was asked to handle. When he returns to his apartment, he is visited by two men who make it very clear that he has entered into a dangerous situation. Not only does the old man have a few enemies who want the information he is handling, but the company the narrator works for will also not be pleased that he has been shuffling data for someone else. But even that is not the worst of his troubles. The old man has even more to disclose about why the narrator is able to do what he does. As for the dreamreader in the Town, he becomes less sure of his current situation the more he learns about it. What is clear is that his shadow will soon die, which will ultimately mean he will stay bound to the Town forever. It is certainly a peaceful place, with no conflict, and clearly defined roles and jobs for everyone. But with no conflict, there is also no joy, and is that a world worth living in?
Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in Japan and an unknown world just outside of our reality. There are no names for any of the characters, in either place. Instead, characters are known by their occupation, or their relationship to other characters. The chapters alternate between the two worlds, allowing for the parallels between the two to become more and more apparent. They both have a library and a librarian, and they both involve unicorn skulls in some capacity. Also, in both worlds, the narrator is one of the less knowledgeable people around, as far as knowing what exactly is going on and what his purpose is. Both worlds require a fair amount of exploration, and those in charge are not the most forthcoming with information. Both narrators have more agency and choice than they realize, it is all in how they choose to use it. And as usual, familiar elements such as old jazz records, urban ennui, secret passageways, precocious teenagers, cooking, parallel worlds, and nameless characters make this for a uniquely Murakami experience.
My Verdict: As I said, much of this was over my head. I know I missed a lot, and would most likely need to take a literature course on Murakami alone just to understand even a part of what he is attempting to do in a lot of his novels. There is plenty of explanation of what is going on, it just did not help me at all. In fact, it had the unfortunate effect of making for some really boring chapters, especially near the middle. But ultimately, the narrators in both worlds were on a quest, and as strange as they were, they also managed to be interesting. But I could not tell you whether there is a happy ending, only that there was an ending, and the narrators seemed content with the choices they made. I certainly do not recommend it for the Murakami beginner, but if you enjoyed 1Q84, you may be able to work your way through this one too.
Favorite Moment: When the narrator in Japan has his apartment methodically and systematically destroyed by a hired muscle man.
Favorite Character: There is a librarian for both worlds, and the one in the Town had a compelling story. I think...once again, a lot of this was beyond me.
Recommended Reading: Kafka on the Shore is good for Murakami beginners, but I also like to recommend both 1Q84 and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.
Taking a chance on a new author is always a gamble. At best, a reader is rewarded with a fantastic story and a new author to follow. At worst, it can feel like you have wasted your time, and it takes an incredible amount of convincing to attempt to read anything the author writes in the future. Most of the time, after one bad book, or even one that is simply mediocre, that is the end. The premise behind The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib was enough for me to decide to take that chance, while also keeping my fingers crossed.
The Situation: Anna Roux, a former professional dancer from Paris, France, followed Matthias, the husband she is madly in love with, to the United States. While he has a job waiting for him, she searches for a ballet company to join, but does not find one. So instead, to fill the hours when Matthias is gone, she becomes a cashier at a local grocery store. Unfortunately, her attempts at staying busy are not enough to keep loneliness and insecurity at bay. Slowly but steadily, Anna starts to restrict what she eats, and her workouts become longer. She only wants to lose a little more weight and reach her goal. But when she reaches it, she decides it is not enough and sets a new, even more impossible one. More food gets banned from her diet, until eventually she is attempting to survive on apples and popcorn, while her body is cannibalizing itself in a desperate attempt to keep functioning. This is how Anna finds herself at 17 Swann Street with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa.
The Problem: Even with Matthias's full support, his promise to visit every day, and the group of girls already at 17 Swann Street that seem both supportive and nice, Anna's recovery will not be easy. In fact, on most days, she believes it will be impossible. Who can eat that much cream cheese? Don't they understand that she is vegan? And why yogurt? The women she shares the house with are nothing if not helpful, even though they have their own battles to fight. Emm has been at 17 Swann Street the longest, and shows no signs of being able to leave any time soon. Quiet Valerie does not participate in popular activities such as the morning walks, but she does write Anna letters, preferring it over actually speaking. And Julia, who is always hungry, stays in a room that shares a wall with Anna's, and the two become friends. And then of course, there is Matthias, the husband who makes the 45-minute drive everyday to see the wife who is suffering with a disease he cannot understand. If she wants to get better, if she wants to return to her life with her husband, she will have to decide not to listen to what anorexia is telling her, and believe that staying alive is worth it.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in 2016, and mostly deals with main character Anna's time in 17 Swann Street, a treatment center for women with eating disorders in St. Louis, Missouri. When the chapters are not focusing on Anna and her treatment at the facility, they are telling stories of her life right before she began seriously limiting what she eats, and before she finds herself being forced to eat six times a day, while also meeting with a nutritionist, a therapist, and participating in group therapy. Occasionally, a chapter will only contain an update on Anna's condition as recorded by a medical professional at 17 Swann Street. Naturally, there is a lot of talk about food and eating, as well as how easy it is to take even the smallest freedoms for granted when not committed to a treatment facility. But also, the book is a look into how anorexia works. Even though Anna is visibly wasting away, and she knows it, she still cannot make herself eat. The guilt is too much, and the justifications come too easy, as does the anger when someone attempts to tell her the truth. For Anna, if the choice is down to either eating or dying, then the latter is a very real option.
My Verdict: For many people, anorexia is a difficult disease to understand. On the very surface, it appears to be the easiest thing in the world to fix. Just eat something! But of course, it is not that simple, and that is what Zgheib manages to get across. Not only that, but she does so in beautiful prose and in a different format from what we are used to. Yes, there are paragraphs and chapters and dialogue, but they are laid out differently. Almost stream-of-conscience, but with more clarity and organization. I found it to be beautifully written, but for many, the break from the standard use of quotations for dialogue will be annoying, or at least distracting. If readers can push past that, they will be treated to a well-written, though frustrating and heart-breaking story of several women whose greatest enemy is themselves.
Favorite Moment: When the women go to a local nail salon, and all of the colors they choose are from the Essie brand. The actual brand is never mentioned, but I own enough Essie polishes to recognize many of the color names.
Favorite Character: While Matthias may be a pillar of strength and support, for some reason I cannot call him my favorite character. Maybe it is the enabler side of him that is turning me off. Instead I choose a woman who is only referred to as 'Direct Care.' She is never given a name, but is the person who seems to keep the closest eye on the women at 17 Swann Street.
Recommended Reading: While it is a very different book, I recommend Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.
Martha Hall Kelly follows up her 2016 debut, Lilac Girls, with a novel that takes place a generation before. Lost Roses starts just before World War I, and follows three women across three continents as they attempt to navigate the new realities of war. 
