Other books that might interest you

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  The Unkindness of Ravens - A...

  Kathleen M. Hill

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  In 1846, seventeen-year-old midwife's assistant Caitlin Nee lives on a tenant farm with her family in County Galway, Ireland. She has two great ambitions: to become a wise woman like her mentor Bridie and to win the heart of handsome, mercurial Liam O'Shea. Then one night an unsettling dream about ravens—harbingers of death—proves prescient when a potato blight turns her halcyon world into a living nightmare. Starvation, sickness and loss will soon become a daily reality, and no one is spared from horrific events and heartbreaking choices. Caitlin's own family—romantic Orla, proud Seamus, pious Colin, fey Mary, and her Mam and Da—will all be tested by the devastating Great Hunger. The Nees, like many other Irish families, work hardscrabble land for the imperious Lord Wentworth. They live in constant fear not only of dying from want but also of being evicted from their cabins if they can't pay the rent. For the landlord, hunger and poverty are the fault of the victims rather than neglect and inadequate relief measures on the part of the government. After accidentally hearing a conversation at Wentworth Hall, Caitlin is made aware of the cruel indifference of His Lordship that will result in tumbled homes and mass graves throughout his estate. Will her family suffer a similar fate? Despite all of the sorrow and devastation around them, love grows ever stronger between Caitlin and Liam. They make plans for a future life together once the famine is over. But when tragedy and rebellion force Liam to emigrate to America, Caitlin must decide whether to stay in Ireland or to follow her heart. Based on contemporary anecdotes, The Unkindness of Ravens: A Tale of the Great Irish Famine tells the story of a disastrous historical event through the eyes of a strong-willed young lass who embodies the resilience of the Irish spirit.

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  Dishonour in Denmark

  Andrew Wareham

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  The Royal Navy is larger than it has ever been—nearly eight hundred ships and one hundred and twenty thousand men—and it is too small for the tasks demanded of it if the war is to be won. 
   
   
   
  British hardwood forests have been destroyed, with the exception of the untouchable New Forest. It is impossible to build enough ships to make up for losses, let alone to expand. At least twenty of the ships at sea are unfit for service, may well sink in the next storm. 
   
   
   
  The sole answer is to find an ally with a large fleet, or to capture the ships required, which is easier said than done. 
   
   
   
  Denmark has a large ocean-going fleet, but is neutral and terrified of France. Nick Turnhouse is tasked to find a way of taking the Danish fleet, laid up in Copenhagen, intact and immediately usable. 
   
   
   
  There is a way—provided he and the government of the day are prepared to sacrifice honor and decency. Perfidious Albion may yet prevail.

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  Captain Fracasse

  Théophile Gautier

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  Captain Fracasse by Théophile Gautier is a dazzling adventure novel that blends romance, swashbuckling action, theatrical charm, and lyrical prose into an unforgettable tale of courage and reinvention. Set in seventeenth-century France, this vibrant story transports readers to a world of wandering performers, duels at dawn, noble intrigue, and passionate devotion.
  
  The novel follows Baron de Sigognac, a young nobleman reduced to poverty and isolation in his crumbling ancestral castle. Though born into privilege, he lives a life of quiet despair—until fate arrives in the form of a traveling troupe of actors seeking shelter from a storm. Captivated by their lively spirit and especially by the beautiful and mysterious Isabelle, Sigognac abandons his lonely estate to join their company on the road.
  
  When one of the troupe's actors dies unexpectedly, Sigognac steps into the vacant comedic role of "Captain Fracasse," adopting a flamboyant stage persona that contrasts sharply with his reserved nature. Through this transformation, he begins a journey not only across France but also toward self-discovery. As Captain Fracasse, he finds confidence, purpose, and a sense of belonging among the colorful performers who become his chosen family.
  
  Yet the road is far from peaceful. Rival suitors, jealous nobles, and dangerous swordsmen threaten both the troupe's livelihood and Isabelle's safety. Sigognac must confront his own insecurities and prove his bravery in real-life duels that echo the drama of the stage. Love, honor, and identity intertwine as he navigates a society divided by class, ambition, and power.
  
  Gautier's richly descriptive style paints vivid scenes of countryside inns, bustling towns, and theatrical performances, immersing readers in the textures and rhythms of an era long past. The novel celebrates the magic of performance and the transformative power of art, while also exploring timeless themes of loyalty, resilience, romance, and personal reinvention.
  
  Both an adventure story and a poetic tribute to the world of theater, Captain Fracasse remains a classic of French literature. With its spirited hero, sweeping romance, and elegant storytelling, it continues to captivate readers who long for tales of daring exploits and heartfelt devotion.

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  The Death Ship

  B. Traven

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  The Death Ship tells the story of an American sailor, stateless and penniless because he has lost his passport, who is harassed by police and hounded across Europe until he finds an 'illegal' job shoveling coal in the hold of a steamer bound for destruction. The Death Ship is the first of B. Traven's politically charged novels about life among the downtrodden, which have sold more than thirty million copies in thirty-six languages. 
  Praise for The Death Ship:  
  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A damn good high seas adventure novel with all the trimmings. This one lived up to expectations. 
  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It's a funny first-person yarn by a happy-go-unlucky societal misfit that's reminiscent of Mark Twain. 
  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ One of these books you read once and never forget. 
  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ When you see B. Traven on the spine of a book, just pick it up... hurry home with it.

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  3 Stories Set in St Petersburg -...

  Nikolái Gógol, L T Meade, Anton...

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  There is something about the number 3.    
  The Ancient Greeks believed 3 was the perfect number, and in China 3 has always been a lucky number, and they know a thing or two.   
  Most religions also have 3 this and 3 that and, of course, in these more modern times, three’s a crowd may be too many, except when it’s a ménage à trois.  It seems good things usually come in threes. 
  Whatever history and culture says WE think 3, a hat-trick of stories, is a great number to explore themes and literary avenues that classic authors were so adept at creating. 
   
   
  01 - 3 Stories Set in St Petersburg 
  02 - The Cloak by Nikolai Gogol also known as 'The Overcoat' 
  03 - The Blue Laboratory by L T Meade 
  04 - Misery by Anton Chekhov 
   
   
  01 - 3 Stories Set in the Mountains 
  02 - An Alpine Divorce by Robert Barr 
  03 - The Final Problem by Arthur Conan Doyle 
  04 - The Footprints in the Snow by H F W Tatham

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  The Mill on the Floss

  George Eliot, (Mary Ann Evans)

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  "The Mill on the Floss," published in 1860, is a novel by George Eliot (the pen name of Mary Ann Evans). It is a poignant portrayal of Victorian England and captures the complexities of family dynamics, societal expectations, and personal aspirations. The story centers on Maggie Tulliver, a passionate and intelligent woman struggling to satisfy her emotional needs in the rigid provincial community of St. Ogg's. Her relationship with her brother, Tom, and their conflicts with family and society form the crux of the narrative. The novel explores themes of gender norms, education, and the tension between individual desires and social conventions.

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