Family saga / generational saga fiction

Book SynopsisAn anthology of fiction from the American novelist, poet, farmer and activist features the entire tale of the fictional small Kentucky town of Port William in chronological order spanning from 1864 to 1945 and encompassing 23 stories and four novels.

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Book SynopsisFor three years a mysterious potato blight devastated Ireland''s cla-cháns, townlands, and cities. Nearly a million died.Was it the prospect of starvation, the snows of Black ''47, or the fear of typhus that made the Bodkins leave? Or was it the dream of America''s freedom and opportunity that drove the family from Galway onto an Irish coffin ship known as Cushlamachree? Their destination was Brooklyn.An unimaginable hurdle confronted the seven young Bodkin siblings, only days after docking in New York. Would the fever get them, too? But they managed to survive into adulthood as they were led by their two oldest brothers-Dominic and Martin.Dominic, a fledgling surgeon on the Alabama battlefields of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, spends thirty-five years delivering and caring for thousands of Brooklyn babies. Martin, a Civil War veteran, and later an ironmonger with his own shop, ultimately is the progenitor of a large family of New York Bodkins. Briarhill to Brooklyn is a novel, grounded in facts, in which Jack Bodkin tells the story of his Irish Catholic family''s 1848 migration from County Galway, Ireland, to Brooklyn, New York, in the era of the Irish Potato Famine.

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Book SynopsisRemarkable first novel... vividly written, almost painterly' The New York Times Book ReviewOn her first day at a new school, Lily befriends one of the daughters of infamous painter Evan Trentham. He and his wife are trying to escape the conservatism of 1930s Australia by inviting other like-minded artists to live at their home. Lily becomes infatuated with this wild, bohemian lifestyle and longs to truly be a part of the family.But as the years pass, Lily observes the way the lives of these artists come to reflect their art. Yet it's not Evan, but his own daughters, who pay the price for his radicalism. Almost 30 years later, Lily contemplates the ordinary path her own life took, how she has played it safe, but does freedom come at a cost?Shortlisted for the HWA Debut Crown 2017Winner of the Stella Prize 2015Winner of the Tina Kane Emergent Writers AwardUniversity of Canberra Book of the Year' 2016Longlisted for the Dublin IMPAC Literary AwardShortlisted for the Victorian Premier'sLiterary Award for an Unpublished ManuscriptShortlised for the Dobbie Literary AwardShortlisted for the Indie Book Award for Debut FictionShortlisted for the NSW Premier's Prize for New WritingShortlisted for an Amazon Rising Star AwardWalter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction Academy Recommends' ReadFull of lush, mesmerizing detail' The New YorkerEmily Bitto writes so well about art, childhood, infatuation, loneliness--you name it. The Strays is a knowing novel, and beautifully done.' Meg Wolitzer, author of The InterestingsAn immensely pleasurable read.' Bookseller + PublisherEmily Bitto has written a very stylish and enjoyable debut novel.' The Sunday MailA marvellously accomplished and assured debut... Rich in atmosphere and beautifully observed.' Caroline Baum, Booktopia

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Book Synopsis‘See that patch of blue sky,’ he said. ‘Whenever you see one, that’s where I’ll be – thinking of you.’Against the chaotic backdrop of World War II, Grace Murphy is working as a midwife in Doncaster Royal Infirmary with her two friends, Clodagh and Patsy. In between delivering babies and tending wounded airmen, the girls endure bombing raids, rationing and the hardships and heartbreak that war brings. But in the faces of the new babies she welcomes to the world, Grace always looks for hope, as she dreams of a time when the war will end.When the midwives get the chance to go to a dance at the nearby RAF Finningly, they jump at the offer. The hangar is crowded with happy dancing couples but when the glamourous Spitfire pilots saunter in, looking dashing in their leather flying jackets and brightly coloured silk scarves, Grace can’t resist taking a peek. And the moment Grace meets pilot, Richard Carmichael, she knows he will capture her heart.With every daring flying raid, Grace and Richard risk losing each other forever. All Grace can do is look out for Richard in the patches of blue sky, and hope that fate will bring them their very own wartime happy-ever-after…Chrissie Walsh is back with this heart-breaking tale of love against the odds, perfect for fans of Fenella Miller, Daisy Styles and Margaret Dickinson.What readers are saying about Chrissie Walsh:‘Chrissie Walsh is a wonderful writer who brings the past to life and will make readers feel as if they are living the story and not just reading it. Her characters are strong and resourceful protagonists who find themselves with no other choice but to battle against all the obstacles in their way.’‘This was a very, very, very good read from start to finish I didn't want to put it down.’‘What a great story, didn't want it to end. Great characters and certainly made great reading. Looking forward to reading more from this author.’‘What a lovely book the story flowed beautifully. The characters were introduced slowly so as not to confuse the reader and they all brought something different to the book.’‘Just brilliant! From the first page to the last I was completely enthralled.’

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Book SynopsisThe first instalment in a BRAND NEW series from bestselling author Patricia McBrideWith war looming, it's a dark chapter for the Library Girls1940, LondonWhen Cordelia accepts the post of head librarian in Silver Town Library, her mother is more than a little disapproving. The East End has high levels of poverty and illiteracy, and her mother says it’s no place for a woman of her status.But Cordelia is determined to make a difference in these times of strife, and along with her colleagues, Jane and Mavis, she begins to help the local community.And maybe even a romance will blossom, giving Cordelia the strength to make it through the chaos and destruction that constantly threatens their livelihood.Against a background of war, air raids and rationing, it becomes clear the library is more than a building filled with books - it is the beating heart of a community refusing to be torn apart.Praise for Patricia McBride'A brilliant read - the sort of book you can immerse yourself in completely ... You couldn’t read the story without it reaching your heart, or without wanting to know what will become of these women' Fran Smith, author of The Painted Penny Stamp

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Book SynopsisThe first instalment in a BRAND NEW series from bestselling author Patricia McBrideWith war looming, it's a dark chapter for the Library Girls1940, LondonWhen Cordelia accepts the post of head librarian in Silver Town Library, her mother is more than a little disapproving. The East End has high levels of poverty and illiteracy, and her mother says it’s no place for a woman of her status.But Cordelia is determined to make a difference in these times of strife, and along with her colleagues, Jane and Mavis, she begins to help the local community.And maybe even a romance will blossom, giving Cordelia the strength to make it through the chaos and destruction that constantly threatens their livelihood.Against a background of war, air raids and rationing, it becomes clear the library is more than a building filled with books - it is the beating heart of a community refusing to be torn apart.Praise for Patricia McBride'A brilliant read - the sort of book you can immerse yourself in completely ... You couldn’t read the story without it reaching your heart, or without wanting to know what will become of these women' Fran Smith, author of The Painted Penny Stamp

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Book SynopsisFrom Amazon charts bestseller Pam Howes comes an emotional and uplifting saga about the power of family and a community trying to rebuild their lives after the terrible war that nearly destroyed everything... 1956, Liverpool. With the shadow of the war looming over them and bomb craters littering the surrounding streets, hope feels far away for the residents of Victory Street. When they learn that the Queen has chosen to visit them on a tour of Liverpool, the delighted neighbours bring back the wartime spirit. Can they possibly get the street ready in time? Even a royal visit cannot take away Bella Harrison''s worries. Her son, fourteen-year-old Levi, has just told her he wants to move to America to join the rest of his father''s family. The news has so shocked Bella that she''s not sure she''ll be able to sing for the Queen, jeopardising all their plans for the big day. Life has been hard for Levi, growing up as a mixed-race boy in Liverpool, but he''s the light of Bella''s life. The thought of losing him brings back the terrible memories of her father and sister dying during the war. If everyone pulls together to make the Queen''s visit an unforgettable celebration, perhaps she can persuade Levi that Victory Street is where he belongs. But when Levi receives heartbreaking news from America and his move becomes uncertain, Bella starts to wonder if all her efforts to keep him in Liverpool have been for the right reasons. Can Bella find it in herself to sing for the big celebration, and make the right choice for her beloved son? A totally unputdownable, heart-wrenching historical novel, packed with family secrets, perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Diney Costeloe and Nancy Revell. What readers are saying about Pam Howes: ''Utterly impossible for me to put down. A heartbreaking story... I really haven''t been able to put this one down and found I had devoured the entire book in just one sitting... I have loved this book so much, I wish I could give it five hundred stars.'' Little Miss Book Lover 87 ?????????? ''I was hooked... I wiped tears away tears... If you love a really good wartime saga, then this is definitely the book for you!'' Stardust Book Reviews ??????????

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