By Anderson McKean of Page & Pallette
Fall is for Reading
Without a doubt, fall is my favorite season for reading. Writers tend to save their more literary, sweeping stories for this time of year. The following novels are engaging works of historical fiction by remarkably talented authors, the kind of beautifully written, intriguing books I am drawn to on these cool fall days
The Marriage Portrait
by Maggie O’Farrell
In The Marriage Portrait, the critically acclaimed author of Hamnet delivers an intimate, intoxicating historical novel about the all too short life of Lucrezia de Medici, Duchess of Ferrara. O’Farrell’s mesmerizing descriptions of 1560’s Italy immerses us in the secrets and intrigue of life in the royal court, and provides an compelling portrait of a courageous young woman’s battle for her very survival.
DEMON COPPERHEAD
by Barbara Kingsolver
Inspired by Charles Dickens’s David Copperfield, Barbara Kingsolver has written a gripping, emotionally powerful coming-of-age story set in 1990s Appalachia. Through the voice of her unforgettable protagonist, Kingsolver shines light on failures in foster care, the collapse of the coal industry and the rise of the opioid epidemic. This remarkable novel portrays a neglected community, but one that triumphs over hardship thanks to people with pride, love, and character.
GILDED MOUNTAIN
by Kate Manning
In Gilded Mountain, the bestselling author of My Notorious Life has given readers an enthralling coming-of-story revealing the harsh conditions and grave labor injustices in a 1900s Colorado mining town. Our heroine, Sylvie Pelletier, is a fierce young girl who is determined to stand up for what is right. Manning conveys her meticulous research through lyrical prose, resulting in a fascinating, transportive novel that I could not put down.
THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFOND MOY
by Jamie Ford
In his captivating new novel, the beloved author of The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet beautifully weaves together the stories of seven generations of women — each impacted by a significant loss or tragedy, the effect of which is passed down to their ancestors. Jamie Ford delivers an insightful, thought-provoking story that marries history with science, asking us to question the extraordinary ways in which our past shapes our future.