A Snug Life Somewhere is about Penny Joe Copper, daughter of a roustabout shingle weaver, who is caught up in a 1916 union tragedy known as the Everett Massacre. Her brother Horace is killed, as is the cousin of a radical organizer, Gabe. When her love affair with Marcel, a music student seven years her junior, is thwarted, she is pulled into Gabe as campaign to avenge the Everett Martyrs.She follows Gabe to Mexico (where they live in a household of Bolsheviks bent on smuggling jewels), then to Chicago (where she rediscovers Marcel, steals a Faberge egg and escapes from Gabe). Then a second event intervenes at the Seattle General Strike of 1919. Penny Joe returns to Seattle to confront Gabe and meets up with a mysterious stranger who turns out to be J. Edgar Hoover. Should she give the Faberge egg to Hoover as evidence against Gabe or just disappear and start a new life? Is she ever going to reunite with her lost love, Marcel?
My review:
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, so I was drawn to this book which was set in a time period that I haven't read much about. We learn at the beginning that the brother of the main character, Penny, has been killed, so it gets off to a heavy start. Penny's parents have sort of turned her out on her own so she is on her own to deal with her feelings of grief and because of the vulnerable state she is in, she gets mixed up with a character, Gabe, who is not exactly the best influence on her. Yet she follows him to Mexico and their story winds and weaves from there.
While this book is fiction, the style of writing almost reminded me of a non-fiction book and felt less like a novel. It read a bit slowly for me at various points, but it seems like I am in the minority in feeling that way since others who reviewed it, loved it, so take my opinion on it with a grain of salt.
What is your favorite genre? Mine is historical fiction and I especially love books set in France.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review, and the opinions are my own.
Like you, I like historical fiction very much -- that, bios and mystery. Sounds like I don't have to rush out for this one, though the premise sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I appreciate your thoughtful response to my novel, A Snug Life Somewhere. Historical fiction is a tricky balance between the history and the fictional characters' story.In this one, an old woman is looking back on her life,and if you've spent any time listening to old folks, they have to put in a lot of context. This is history as seen through Penny Joe's eyes. And the story of her early life, which starts off with a tragedy and ends with a kind of quiet personal victory. A quirky book,and probably not exactly what the reader expects. Jan Shapin
ReplyDeleteI, too, am drawn to historical fiction books as I love to experience their lifestyle, which is usually quite different than the present world, but the human issue is always the same!
ReplyDeleteHistorical Fiction is my favorite genre too. I actually learned about the Everett Massacre in one of my favorite books, The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen. I will definitely add this to my list.
ReplyDeleteI also really enjoy historical fiction and this sounds like it takes place during a super interesting time period!
ReplyDeleteHistorical fiction is one of my favs! I don't read enough of it, that's for sure. I find that after I read some books (Those Who Save us, The Help) that include history and are just SO GOOD that it's hard for me to find others that I'll like just as much. I did read The Perfume Collector which has some history bits and pieces in it and really did enjoy that one, so I guess I can find them. Just few and far between!
ReplyDeleteI like historical fiction too. I tend to read a lot of thrillers because I love fast paced reads.
ReplyDeleteI liked The Last Town too. You should find this one interesting. Jan Shapin
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really interesting! I might have to add it to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite genre is romance, especially romantic suspense. But I do really love historical fiction, too, as I like how it weaves a "history lesson" with fiction, making it an educational, but enjoyable read!
I mostly read non-fiction :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't know a great deal about this time and place in history but it sounds fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on the tour. I'm featuring your review on TLC's Facebook page today.
Ever since I was little I've always loved historical fiction. But in general, I'm pretty much open to reading most anything since you really never know where your next favorite will be.
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