Book Review: The Cartographer of No Man's Land by P.S. Duffy

Synopsis:

From a hardscrabble fishing village in Nova Scotia to the collapsing trenches of France, an astonishing debut novel about family divided by the great war.

Nova Scotia, 1916. Angus MacGrath, a skilled sailor and navigator, is lost—caught between a remote wife, a disapproving father, and a son seeking guidance. An ocean away from his coastal village, missing is Ebbin Hant, Angus's adventurous brother-in-law and best friend. Ebbin's unknown fate sets Angus on an uncharted course with profound consequences for those he loves and those he comes to love.

In search of his own purpose and hoping against all odds to find Ebbin, Angus defies his pacifist upbringing and enlists. Assured a safe job as a military cartographer in London, he is instead assigned to the infantry and sent to the blood-soaked mud of the front-line trenches in France, where he begins his search.

At home his young son, Simon Peter, once wide-eyed about the war—clipping stories and sneaking propaganda—must navigate uncertain loyalties ina village succumbing to war fever. Separated by the ocean they once sailed together, Angus and Simon Peter search for what it takes to survive, each trying in his own way to return to the other. Every character in this exquisitely told story seeks to protect what matters most in the face of war's upheaval.

Drawing on extensive research and years of sailing in Nova Scotia, and inspired by the silent testament of sacrifice in the battlefield cemeteries of France, P. S. Duffy brings us a breathtaking work of historical fiction, epic in scope but intimately rendered. The Cartographer of No Man's Land is a novel about the immutable thirst for meaning in a shifting, uncertain landscape.

Penguin Books Canada |  October 29, 2013 | 352 pages

My Review

Set on the front lines of World War I Europe and also in a small Nova Scotia fishing village, P.S. Duffy's The Cartographer of No Man's Land is a engaging novel of life during war.  The narrative shifts between the stories of Angus MacGrath, an officer with the Canadian Army stationed in France, and that of his young son Simon Peter, who must get through life back at home in Nova Scotia without his father to guide him. 

Duffy does an excellent job developing the novel's principal characters, especially Angus.  When Angus joined the Army he was under the impression that he would serve as a cartographer in London, a position that would allow him to safely search for information on his best friend and brother-in-law, Ebbin, who has been reported as missing in action.  Angus, however, ends up as an infantry officer in France, serving in the trenches with his battalion.  While this turn of events provides Angus with ample opportunity to uncover Ebbin's fate, it is a situation in which he is uncomfortable as he doesn't feel he has what it takes to adequately lead the men under his command.  As the novel progresses, however, it becomes evident that Angus is a good officer, one who is committed to the welfare of those who serve under him.  

I've read a number of novels set during WWI, many of which do an excellent job of conveying the horrors of life in the trenches.  The Cartographer of No Man's Land is no exception to this, but what distinguishes it from the other novels I've read is that it also showcases the guilt many injured soldiers felt about being out of harms way while their comrades were still fighting, and how they yearned to get back to the front lines to help them (even in cases where they were medically discharged from the military).  I also enjoyed how Duffy characterized the various men who served with Angus.  Another aspect of this novel I particularly like is the fact that it focuses on the war efforts from the Canadian perspective.  A good portion of this novel takes place in the lead up to the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which was won by the Canadians and is considered the most significant battle in Canadian history, and its aftermath.  When the narrative shifts back to Nova Scotia the reader is able to gain an appreciation for life in wartime Canada, including how Canadians of German descent were treated, how little understanding or sympathy there was for those soldiers who returned home with less than sound minds, and how difficult it was for soldiers to readjust to life away from the front lines.   

While I enjoyed both Angus and Simon Peter's stories, I think it is Angus' tale that makes The Cartographer of No Man's Land such an engaging book.  There is a lot going on in this novel, but it never feels as if it is too much as Duffy does a good job of tying everything together.  I do think more could have been done with respect to Angus' wife, Hettie, especially given Duffy alludes to certain aspects of Hettie's life that the reader may wish were explored further.  Ultimately, however, this novel isn't about Hettie and as a result the fact that her character didn't receive more attention did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. 

Well-written, with interesting story lines and characters, The Cartographer of No Man's Land is highly recommended to anyone looking to read a great work of World War I-era historical fiction. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Source: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Tiny Cathedral Windows - The Spanish Guitar: A Guest Post by Author Deborah Swift

I'm super pleased to welcome author Deborah Swift to the blog today for a guest post on the Spanish guitar.   Deborah is currently touring the blogosphere with her latest novel, A Divided Inheritance.  If you haven't already checked out my review for this fantastic novel, you can do so by clicking here.

Take it away, Deborah! 

************
Much of the research I do for my novels never sees the light of day. I first posted about Spanish guitars on my blog whilst I was writing A DIVIDED INHERITANCE, but it seemed a shame to let the research lie there without giving it another outing.

Up until the 17th century there were no real guitars - the only instruments similar to a guitar were the lute and, in Spain, where the novel is set, the vilhuela.

In the early 17th century the Guitarra Morrisco became popular in Spain in the Moorish areas where what we know now as flamenco guitar and dance began. This type of guitar spread to other European countries where it became known as the Baroque Guitar or sometimes simply the Spanish Guitar.  A good example of this sort of Baroque guitar can be seen in Vermeer's painting "The Guitar Player."

Vermeer's "The Guitar Player"

Also evident here is the inlaid decorative edge and "rose" or fretwork, which was a feature of this period in many instruments. In the 17th century there were specific craftsmen who made a living carving this sort of decorative panel. They are so beautiful and intricate. 



They are crafted from of wood, or for the more detailed ones, parchment, cut in ornamental layers to give a three dimensional effect.

 

I was tempted to invent a "rose" carver just so that I could feature a description of someone making one of these, but unfortunately I have quite a few craftsmen populating my novel already – what with swordsmiths and lace-makers and tile-painters!

The designs of these ‘roses’ are similar to those of "rose" windows such as in the great cathedrals, but in miniature.


As it is, in the book my Spanish guitarist is a "bit-player" in my cast of characters - nevertheless, I think the look and feel of the guitar is important to the book, and I listened to a lot of flamenco guitar whilst writing.

Pictures and more information from http://www.vihuelademano.com/rosesinvihuelas.htm

About the Author

Deborah Swift used to work in the theatre and at the BBC as a set and costume designer, before studying for an MA in Creative Writing in 2007. She lives in a beautiful area of Lancashire near the Lake District National Park. She is the author of The Lady’s Slipper and is a member of the Historical Writers Association, the Historical Novel Society, and the Romantic Novelists Association.

For more information, please visit Deborah’s website. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter. 

Book Review: A Divided Inheritance by Deborah Swift

Synopsis:

A family divided by fortune.  A country divided by faith.

London 1609…

Elspet Leviston’s greatest ambition is to continue the success of her father Nathaniel’s lace business. But her dreams are thrown into turmoil with the arrival of her mysterious cousin Zachary Deane – who has his own designs on Leviston’s Lace.

Zachary is a dedicated swordsman with a secret past that seems to invite trouble. So Nathaniel sends him on a Grand Tour, away from the distractions of Jacobean London. Elspet believes herself to be free of her hot-headed relative but when Nathaniel dies her fortunes change dramatically. She is forced to leave her beloved home and go in search of Zachary – determined to claim back from him the inheritance that is rightfully hers.

Under the searing Spanish sun, Elspet and Zachary become locked in a battle of wills. But these are dangerous times and they are soon embroiled in the roar and sweep of something far more threatening, sending them both on an unexpected journey of discovery which finally unlocks the true meaning of family . .

A Divided Inheritance is a breathtaking adventure set in London just after the Gunpowder Plot and in the bustling courtyards of Golden Age Seville.

Pan MacMillan | October 23, 2013 (UK) | 528 pages

My Review

Deborah Swift's latest novel, A Divided Inheritance, transports the reader back to early 17th century London, England and Seville, Spain.  The story opens in London, where Elspeth Leviston lives with her father, a lace merchant.  Believing that she will carry on the business after her father dies, Elspeth's assumption is put to the test when Zachary Deane, a man claiming to be her cousin, shows up at her home and is taken under the wing of her father.  While Elspeth's father is determined to teach Zachary everything he needs to know about the lace trade, Zachary doesn't prove to be the most dependable of pupils.  In  an effort to force him to mature, Elspeth's father sends Zachary on a grand tour of Europe.  Soon after Zachary leaves, however, Elspeth's father suddenly passes away, leaving her with an uncertain future and tying her to Zachary in a way she never imagined.  Determined to force Zachary to give back what she feels is rightfully hers, Elspeth sets off for Spain to find her cousin.  But life in Spain proves to be more demanding and dangerous than either Elspeth or Zachary imagined, and they soon find themselves caught up in events well beyond their control. 

One of my favourite things about this novel is that it is rife with historical detail. It is obvious Swift put a good deal of research went into the writing of this book.  This research is never just dumped into the story; it is skillfully woven into the narrative.  As a result, the detail enhances the reading experience and helps to make the reader feel as if they are living events of the novel right alongside the story's protagonists.  The novel's characters are another strong point.   All characters, whether they be primary or secondary, possess significant depth.  Elspeth and Zachary in particular, the novel's principal characters, are well-drawn and developed.  While it is obvious from the outset that Elspeth possesses a quiet strength that will serve her well in troubled times, Zachary initially comes across as an irresponsible and uncaring young man.  Yet, despite his faults, Zachary isn't unlikeable.  This ensures that the reader's sympathies don't lie solely with Elspeth.      

Complementing the novel's main plotline is one that ties into the religious turmoil of early 17th century Spain.  This component of the narrative focuses on the Ortega's, a family of Moriscos (Muslim converts to Christianity), whose lives and livelihoods are endangered by the rising threat of expulsion from Spain.  Linking directly to Zachary and Elspeth's story, the plight of the Ortega family showcases the intolerance and destructive power of the Spanish Inquisition.  Not being overly familiar with this period of Spanish history, this element of the book was not only interesting to read but also highly educational.  

Despite coming in at over 500 pages, A Divided Inheritance doesn't feel long.  Swift's prose is fluid and the narrative never drags, making the book difficult to put down.   While A Divided Inheritance is the first of Deborah Swift's novels I've had the pleasure to read, it definitely won't be the last. 

Highly recommended to fans of historical fiction, especially those interested in Jacobean England and/or Inquisition-era Spain. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Source: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 
A Divided Inheritance is currently on tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.  Click here to check out the tour schedule. 

About the Author

Deborah Swift used to work in the theatre and at the BBC as a set and costume designer, before studying for an MA in Creative Writing in 2007. She lives in a beautiful area of Lancashire near the Lake District National Park. She is the author of The Lady’s Slipper and is a member of the Historical Writers Association, the Historical Novel Society, and the Romantic Novelists Association.

For more information, please visit Deborah’s website. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

October Reading Wrap-Up

While I didn't accomplish as much as I'd hoped to blogging-wise in October (this seems to be a recurring theme LOL), I still managed to have a great reading month.   Here's a list of the books I finished (click on the title, where applicable, to read my review):

• Colossus: The Four Emperors by David Blix;

• Attachments by Rainbow Rowell;

• Illuminations by Mary Sharratt;

• Rough Passage to London by Robin Lloyd (review to come);

• Divergent by Veronica Roth;

• Insurgent by Veronica Roth;

• The Loyalist's Wife by Elaine Cougler;

• The Final Sacrament by James Forrester;

• Banquet of Lies by Michelle Diener;

• Allegiant by Veronica Roth; and

• The Cartographer of No Man's Land by P.S. Duffy (review to come)

Of these novels, I was most impressed with Colossus: The Four Emperors and The Cartographer of No Man's Land.   Unfortunately, the Divergent trilogy did not end on a high-note for me.   I really enjoyed the first two novels in the trilogy - Divergent and Insurgent - but the final novel, Allegiant, was a disappointment. 

What were the highlights (or lowlights) of September book-wise for you?

A Few Thoughts On Banquet of Lies by Michelle Diener PLUS a Giveaway

Synopsis:

A young noblewoman flees to London and poses as a servant to evade a murderer in this richly detailed and “compelling” (Publishers Weekly) historical novel.

Frightened for her life after her father, a British spy, is murdered, Giselle Barrington flees with the secret document her father gave her for safekeeping. Needing to hide from those now chasing her, and knowing that no one would look for a wealthy young society lady in a kitchen, she takes a job as a cook for a nobleman, determined to use her anonymity to uncover the murderer. Life below stairs gives her a new perspective on the hard realities of servants’ lives, even though she’s a highly paid one. And when her employer is drawn not only into her investigations, but also to her, they find themselves faced with the power imbalance between servant and master.

Gallery Books | October 22, 2013 | 352 pages

My Thoughts

• Michelle Diener's latest novel, Banquet of Lies, is set during the Regency period and features as its heroine a young woman - Giselle Barrington - who is forced to flee home to London from Sweden after the murder of her father.   In possession of secret documents her father entrusted to her before his death, Giselle is forced to hide her true identity in order to keep the documents (and herself) safe from her father's enemies.  Unable to assume her place in society, Giselle takes a position as a cook in the home of a nobleman, Lord Aldridge.   It's a position Giselle hopes will allow her to uncover the truth about her father's murder without revealing who she really is.  But Giselle's new employer and co-workers quickly realize there is much more to Giselle than meets the eye.  Can Giselle continue to keep her identity secret?  Can she discover the truth about her father's death? 

• Banquet of Lies is a fun novel that readers will quickly devour.  Giselle is resourceful young woman, one who is determined to solve the mystery of her father's death even if means she places her own life in danger.   

• In addition to the mystery aspect of the novel, Banquet of Lies also features some romance.  This romance, which builds slowly as the novel progresses, helps to give the book a lighter feel even though certain aspects of the plot deal with heavier themes. 

• Giselle is a heroine readers will be able to easily empathize with, but one of my favourite elements of this novel is the cast of supporting characters.   Giselle's fellow servants, with the exception of the butler, are a delight, and I enjoyed Giselle's interactions with them.   Lord Aldridge's associates, Lord Dervish and the Durnhams, prove to be equally compelling characters even though they aren't featured prominently in the novel.   My favourite supporting character, however, is Georges, chef to a Duke and good friend of Giselle's.  George doesn't appear until closer to the end of the story but he injects some timely humour into the narrative.

• Although Banquet of Lies is an enjoyable novel, I didn't find certain components of the narrative to be plausible -- Giselle's ability to successfully pass for a cook being one of the big ones.   While this won't necessarily be an issue for all readers, I generally prefer plausible storylines to those that leave me thinking "well, that never would have actually happened."  Despite this, Banquet of Lies has enough going for it that I'm now planning to read more of Michelle Diener's novels, especially those that feature some of the supporting characters found in this book.  

• An engaging novel with a likeable heroine, a solid cast of characters, and a quick-paced narrative, Banquet of Lies is recommended to historical fiction fans looking for something fun, fast and thrilling. 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Source: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Banquet of Lies is currently on tour.  Click here to check out the tour schedule

About the Author

Michelle Diener writes historical fiction. Her Susanna Horenbout and John Parker series starts with IN A TREACHEROUS COURT.  Set in the court of Henry VIII, it features the real historical figures of artist Susanna Horenbout and Henry's Keeper of the Palace of Westminster and Yeoman of the King's Robes, John Parker.  It was followed by KEEPER OF THE KING'S SECRETS, also featuring Susanna Horenbout and John Parker, and DANGEROUS SANCTUARY, a short story with the same characters, set between the two books, is currently available as an ebook only.
A new historical novel, set during the Napoleonic Wars in London in 1811, THE EMPEROR'S CONSPIRACY, was released on November 27th, 2012.

Michelle also contributed a short paranormal story to the ENTANGLED Anthology entitled BREAKING OUT. All the proceeds of the sale of ENTANGLED go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Michelle grew up in South Africa, and now lives in Australia with her husband and two children.

For more information, please visit Michelle's website.  You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Giveaway

I'm pleased to host a giveaway for one copy of Banquet of Lies.  Giveaway details are as follows:

- Giveaway open to US residents only;
- To enter simply leave a comment below with your email address;
- The giveaway will be open until midnight (EST) on November 10, 2013;
- The winner will be selected using random.org

Good Luck! 

Giveaway Winners and an Update

As you may have noticed, I've not been around the blogosphere all that much lately.   I was sick a couple of weeks back and it took awhile for my energy levels to return to normal.   I feel pretty much fully recovered now, however, so I expect I'll soon be posting here again on a more regular basis and stopping by other blogs :-)   In the meantime, I have a couple of giveaway winners to announce, both of whom were selected using random.org:

Confessions of Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey: Traveler

Historical Fiction Giveaway Hop:  Elysium   

An email has been sent to both winners.  Congratulations!  

A Few Thoughts On The Final Sacrament by James Forrester

Synopsis:

One Secret Will Be His Undoing.

1566. William Harley, Clarenceux King of Arms, has risked his life to protect a secret document, which could endanger Queen Elizabeth’s place on the throne and plunge the country into civil war.  But when his family goes missing, Clarenceux is put to the final test.

Will he abandon queen and country to save the ones he loves, or sacrifice everything for the good of the nation?

Filled with Mortimer’s signature historical detail and vivid characters, The Final Sacrament delivers a dramatic close to the Clarenceux saga that highlights the adventure and spiritual struggles of Elizabethan England.

Sourcebooks Landmark | October 22, 2013 | 496 pages

My Thoughts

• The Final Sacrament is the third and final installment in James Forrester's William Clarenceux trilogy, following Sacred Treason and The Roots of Betrayal (check out my review for the second novel here).  

• Like the first two novels in the trilogy, The Final Sacrament centres around a secret marriage agreement that would render Elizabeth I illegitimate.  After agreeing to take possession of the document, Clarenceux spends much of the first two novels evading capture by enemies of the state who want to knock Queen Elizabeth off England's throne and replace her with a Catholic monarch.   In The Final Sacrament, however, Clarenceux's enemies strike at him right where it will hurt the most -- his family.   Does Clarenceux continue to keep the document from his enemies and help prevent a civil war?  Or does he sacrifice England's security to ensure the safety of the people he loves most? 

• While The Final Sacrament isn't as action packed as Sacred Treason or The Roots of Betrayal, I think this novel is the strongest and best of the three.  Clarenceux is faced with some difficult, heart-wrenching decisions in this book, and Forrester does an excellent job of conveying and communicating Clarenceux's thought process as he seeks to determine an appropriate course of action.  Clarenceux's love for his family is clearly evident, but so too is his earnest desire to keep the secret document from getting into the wrong hands.  

• Clarenceux's faith plays a large role in this novel.  Although Catholic, Clarenceux holds an important position within Elizabeth I's court, and is a close friend of Secretary Sir William Cecil.  Determined to maintain his faith even though England continues to become increasingly Protestant, Clarenceux is able to reconcile his faith with his support for the monarch, showing that being Catholic doesn't automatically make one an enemy to Elizabeth I.  Ultimately, it is his faith that helps Clarenceux determine a correct course of action in relation to the secret document.  

• While they appear only as secondary characters in the novel, I enjoyed the interactions between Sir William Cecil and Francis Walsingham.  I especially liked Forrester's characterization of Walsingham, and would love to see him write a novel focusing on Elizabeth's spymaster.   

• As a historian, Forrester (pen name for Ian Mortimer) is able to infuse his novel with a strong sense of time and place.  Through Clarenceux and his family, Forrester is able to provide readers with a glimpse into daily life in Elizabethan England.  Even though the narrative of this novel is fictitious, through Cecil, Walsingham, and their enemies, Forrester is able to showcase certain threats faced by Elizabeth during her reign. 

• Even though Forrester provides enough background from previous novels to ensure The Final Sacrament can be read as a standalone, I recommend starting this series from the beginning. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Source: I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

About the Author

James Forrester is the pen name of acclaimed British historian Ian Mortimer, author of nonfiction works including The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England (a Sunday Times bestseller). He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in 1998, and was awarded the Alexander Prize (2004) by the Royal Historical Society for his work on the social history of medicine. www.jamesforrester.co.uk



The Final Sacrament is currently on a blog tour, check out the following blogs for other reviews:

10/11 - Lori's Reading Corner
10/16 - The Girdle of Melian
10/18 - Found Not Lost
10/21 - Radiant Light
10/22 - Turning the Pages
10/23 - Confessions of an Avid Reader
10/24 - Broken Teepee
10/25 - Laura's Reviews