Out today: historical novels by Nancy Horan and Lisa See
Two reviews: House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan and Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See
It’s new release Tuesday!
I was lucky enough to be approved, through NetGalley, for ARCs of two historical novels both of which I will be recommending in-store.
The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan1
Books by Nancy Horan are an automatic order at Owl’s Nest Books. Her novel about Frank Lloyd Wright, Loving Frank sold several hundred copies from our tiny store, due to the handselling talent of one of our former staff — it was picked up by at least half-a-dozen local book clubs.
With the current climate south of the Canadian border, The House of Lincoln reminds us of an important part of history — just as many people out there want to push us backward as pull us forward. Lincoln was considered nearly radical when he was elected, but he was not without his own prejudices against Black people and other minorities. But what made him the man he was was that he consistently questioned his own beliefs.
Horan shows us Lincoln through the eyes of the people of Springfield, IL. Of various races and cultural backgrounds, they weave a tapestry of what the USA was like in the time just before, during, and after the US Civil War. While the book tipped a bit toward sermonizing in places, I don’t necessarily see that as a detraction — a lot of people in this world still need to hear the sermon. Canada is also very guilty of racism throughout its history, especially in our treatment of the land’s Indigenous peoples.
Definitely a recommended read.
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
Another book that reflects as much on the present as on the past, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women sheds light on the lack of real research into health issues that affect women. Ignorance of how women’s bodies function has resulted in many unnecessary deaths around the world.
The book also draws parallels with the present the control of women’s bodies, from the buying and selling of concubines and other servants, to the restriction of their movement to the inner rooms of the family compounds, to the physical manipulation of footbinding that leaves our main character constantly off-balance, quite literally.
It was not until I reached the end of the book that I discovered that this book is based around the history of a real woman, Yunxian Tan, who lived in 15th century China. Despite the restrictions Covid-19 placed on her usual research methods, Lisa See has once again successfully transported her readers into the past.
Links lead to Owl’s Nest Books. Please considered buying these titles from your local independent bookstore.