Love diving into stories set in the past? You’re in luck. Kicking off the year, there’s a host of new escapist historical fiction that will immerse you in a bygone era
Your next obsession, right here
THE GIFTS
Set in 1840, this tale stretches from the remote islands of Orkney to the bustling streets of London, following four women – Etta, Natalya, Annie and Mary – as they seek freedom and purpose in a world built for men. There’s sisterhood, pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a woman and even a spot of magic. A unique and captivating read that we truly adored.
THE HEMLOCK CURE
The Hemlock Cure tells the story of the women of Eyam, a Derbyshire village battling the plague. Mae is attempting to practise medicine, supported by the village midwife, Isabel. Despite potions, witchcraft and the fact that it’s eerily narrated by Mae’s dead sister, it’s hard to ignore the story’s parallels to today’s world. It touches on religion (Mae lives with her father, a religious fanatic), the double standards faced by women and, not to mention, the fact that the village is attempting to quarantine itself against a deadly disease. Sound scarily familiar?
THE FLAMES
Set in early 20thcentury Vienna, it’s easy to dive into this story thanks to its colourful descriptions of the era. The book is full of scandal, love, betrayal and heartache, inviting readers to view the world how it was back then through the imagined viewpoints of real-life women. Artist Egon Schiele’s muses – Adele, Gertrude, Vally and Edith – are given voices that come through loud and clear as they navigate a society that’s hard on women. It’s interesting to imagine what their lives were like and the risks they took
