Recent historical fiction releases offer narratives centered on characters striving for freedom and improved circumstances. Eithne Farry reviews three such novels that explore these themes through distinct historical settings and personal journeys.
Little Spark
Jess Kidd's "Little Spark" is set in 1868 and 1881 and follows the story of Bodkin Bell. As a child, Bodkin possessed unusual abilities, including picking pockets, summoning storms, and utilizing a unique static charge in her body, which she honed in a traveling act with her guardian, Cornelius Bell. The narrative finds Bodkin imprisoned and Cornelius on the run, while Bodkin's own heart condition deteriorates. Her rescue comes from Lady Hesperia of Point Mote manor, an estate known for its automata. However, Bodkin soon uncovers hidden dangers and mysterious connections within this steampunk-infused tale.
This Door of The Seas
"This Door of The Seas" by Val McDermid and Jo Sharp is inspired by a 17th-century expedition of Scottish settlers to Darien, a coastal region in what is now Panama. The book recounts the ill-fated attempt to establish a trading colony in the seemingly idyllic but ultimately inhospitable locale, which was also claimed by the Spanish. The narrative is constructed through letters written by scientist Dr. James Wallace to his wife Eliza and Sir Robert Sibbald. The expedition faced numerous challenges, including illness, a lack of resources, poor leadership, and the involvement of unmotivated individuals, leading to dire consequences for settlers who had left a famine-stricken Scotland in pursuit of a better life.
The Ruins
Becky Docton's debut novel, "The Ruins," spans from 1937 Devon to 1956 Kandy, Sri Lanka. It centers on Lucie, a child who grows into a young woman burdened by unexpressed anger. The story shifts between a dilapidated English country mansion and the vibrant, chaotic atmosphere of Colombo. The focus remains on Lucie's emotionally challenging journey and the impact of her fractured family history. Despite an unhappy marriage and a series of miscarriages, Lucie finds the courage in her 26th year, prompted by two significant encounters, to seek a future that promises freedom.
