Author: Anthony Doerr

This is a story (starting in ancient Greece) within a story (during the 1400’s) within a story (Korean War years) within a story (the 2020’s) within a story (the 2100’s). Sound confusing? I thought so too at first but I was so engaged in the various stories that I had no trouble keeping the characters straight.

A man in ancient Greece has written a story for his niece who is dying. Anna has learned to read a little and finds bits of the text. Omeir has been conscripted into the army who is about to seize control of Constantinople. Zeno is taken prisoner during the Korean war; when he returns home he begins to translate the story from scraps of the text. Seymour is an autistic boy who is increasingly upset over the environmental issues of the day. Konstance was born on a ship that is heading for an unknown planet.

The way the lives of the characters unfold and the way they are woven together is very entertaining.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Louise Kennedy

I can’t resist a book set in Ireland and written by an Irish writer. And if the author is a woman and the story takes place during the Troubles, even better.

From the prologue you can assume there won’t be a happy ending. Cushla is a teacher who occasionally works in her family’s pub. When Michael stops in at the pub one night there is an instant attraction. Although it isn’t specifically mentioned one is Protestant and one is Catholic. When Michael is murdered is Cushla’s affair with him the cause and is her favourite student the link between Michael and the murderer?

Goodreads Rating: * * * *