To celebrate the publication of The Dazzle of the Light, Georgina Clarke’s new novel inspired by London’s notorious 1920s crime syndicate the Forty Thieves, Ellie from VERVE is bringing you six more unmissable historical reads to sink your teeth into this winter…
Little by Edward Carey
The origin story of Madam Tussaud you never knew existed! Set in the late eighteenth century and accompanied by dozens of vivid illustrations, Little takes you from the poverty of pre-revolutionary Paris to the grandeur of the royal court. It’s mischievous, macabre and incredibly moving; perfect for fans of A Tale of Two Cities or Tim Burton’s movies. (See also: The Swallowed Man – Carey’s weird and wonderful retelling of the ‘Pinocchio’ parable.)
Bottled Goods by Sophie Van Llewyn
A fascinating and truly unique novella-in-flash that explores the communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu in 1970s Romania through the lens of folklore and magical realism. Full of wonderful imagery and written in short chapters that are each just a couple of pages long, it’s the ideal book to pick up when you need five minutes to decompress.
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
As immersive and richly-detailed as the painting at its centre, The Marriage Portrait whisks you away to Renaissance Italy and into the heart of the Florentine court. Inspired by Robert Browning’s ‘My Last Duchess’, O’Farrell’s novel combines coming-of-age drama with domestic suspense and a murderous conspiracy. Warning: you’ll be itching to visit Florence after this! (See also: Hamnet – another of O’Farrell’s fabulous, literary-inspired novels.)
Delayed Rays of a Star by Amanda Lee Koe
Koe’s clever, cinematic narrative takes its inspiration from a 1928 photograph which put three very different women centre-stage: future Hollywood icon Marlene Dietrich; the world’s first Chinese-American film star, Anna May Wong; and notorious director Leni Riefenstahl. We follow this trio as their lives spiral and intersect across Europe and America, exploring politics, power, complicity and control.
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
Family saga meets the classic heist novel in 1960s New York. Whitehead tackles themes of race, class and masculinity but still manages to keep you emotionally connected to the characters and fully invested in their criminal exploits, all the while maintaining the edge-of-your-seat suspense that’s the hallmark of a successful thriller. Not to be missed. (See also: The Underground Railroad – and the brilliant TV adaptation directed by Barry Jenkins.)
Olga by Prof Bernhard Schlink
A powerful meditation on memory and morality which spans from the late nineteenth to early twenty-first century. After Olga falls in love with Herbert, their relationship is shaped by societal prejudice, cross-continental travel and the tumultuous events that will mark German history forever. The book is interspersed with letters that will have you rooting for Olga and her stubborn devotion. Perfect for fans of Schlink’s bestseller The Reader (or its Kate Winslet film adaptation!)