Category: Historical fiction

The Beekeeper’s Pupil – Sara George

The Beekeeper’s Pupil - Sara GeorgeThis is a story of two men: one is blind but has “vision”, to study the biology of bees; the other has sight, his manservant/assistant. The context is fascinating, an estate outside Geneva in the 1780-90s. So, like Darwin, the book describes painstaking research undertaken by amateurs. Experiments proceed by careful observation, by trial-and-error, but there is no documentation of course. Their bee research has another context, the French Revolution. This is a very fine book.  (thanks Erin).

Remarkable Creatures – Tracy Chevalier

Remarkable Creatures - Tracy Chevalier.jpegThis is the story of two women in the early 1800s in Lyme Regis England. They are both fossil hunters and remarkable finders, but this is in the era before extinction is proposed, and the issues of taking women seriously is paramount.  A very good read.  (thanks Thea).

Museum Of Extraordinary Things – Alice Hoffman

museum-of-extraordinary-things-alice-hoffmanOne of the best features of this book is the setting: New York and more specifically Coney Island in Brooklyn in 1911. The “museum” is really an exhibit of freaks of nature, both living and dead, most faked/manipulated. The Professor character is wonderfully wicked, but love wins out. Part of the story is a mystery, to add to the flavour.