Barts Book Club: the most beautiful historical novels
At Barts Boekje we love reading, that should be clear by now. Especially now that the days are getting shorter, we enjoy lighting the candles and curling up on the couch with a good book. This month's inspiration: the most beautiful historical novels.
Heartbreaking and unforgettable: 'The Nightingale' is one of those books that takes a moment to recover from. You follow two sisters during the Second World War in France. Vianne lives in the countryside and tries to protect her family while sheltering a German officer. Isabelle lives in Paris and joins the French Resistance, for which she carries out secret missions. The war drives the sisters apart, but ultimately their bond proves indestructible.
A beautiful family chronicle and a history lesson in one, that's how you could best describe 'The House with the Ghosts'. The book is set in a politically divided Chile from the early twentieth century to the 70s. Then the military dictatorship put an end to the socialist rule of Salvador Allende. You will be drawn into the story of Esteban Trueba and the special women in his life, while learning everything about the harrowing history of the South American country. Also beautiful from the same author: Violeta, which also describes the aftermath of those turbulent 70s.
A homegrown historical novel, which you may already know from the film of the same name. 'Bridal Flight' tells the story of the three young brides Ada, Marjorie and Esther, who want to build a life in New Zealand after the war. They take part in an international air race and travel via London to their new homeland in 1953. During the flight they meet Frank, who will change their lives forever. Fifty years later, the women meet again at Frank's funeral and more and more pieces of the puzzle fall into place. A special insight into the lives of the first Dutch emigrants who left for New Zealand and a slightly painful (but oh so beautiful!) love story.
