Wednesday, February 18, 2015

'Downton' Chat: Season 5, Episode 7

Welcome to Downton Chat here at Edwardian Reviews!  I must admit, I am a shameless Downton Abbey fan.  I've been watching since the very first season and, although much has changed, I am still a diehard-Dowtonian!  Since this blog is all about the Georgian and Edwardian periods, I thought I would introduce a weekly "Downton Chat"!  Basically, I will share my thoughts with you about the latest aired episode and I hope you will do the same.  Caution: Spoiler alerts ahead!  With that, off we go!

What I loved about this week's episode:
  • Atticus and Rose: I absolutely love Rose; she's one of my favorite characters on the series.  She's witty, free-spirited and who can resist her gorgeous outfits?  I think Atticus is a perfect balance for her character.  I think he's charming and I love the fact that's he's Jewish, creating a subtle divide within the family.  Traditionally, aristocratic families married within social circles and religions.  The fact that Rose fell in love with a man that is Jewish shows that she is a non-conformist....just one more thing to love about Rose.  How do you feel about her choice?
  • A peek behind the Dowager's veil: Not literally, of course!  One of the tenderest moments in the series, I thoughts, was Violet's admitting that Isobel is her friend and confident.  There was always that quiet bond, but to see Violet speak of it, especially to Mary was a priceless moment for me!
  • Edith coming clean: Poor Edith!  Can this lady ever get a BREAK in love?  I confess, Edith isn't one of my favorite characters, but I was happy to finally see her tell the truth to Cora.  Although the rest of the family is still blissfully unaware of the scandal, I have a feeling the truth will be coming out in the end.  Knowing Edith's luck, it'll probably be in some shameful and heart-wrenching way...but let's hope not!  Maybe there's some happiness for Edith and a light at the end of the tunnel for her and Marigold...
That does it for this week's Downton Chat!  I hope you've enjoyed it!  Please feel free to leave some comments about your thoughts on this week's episode.  Until Sunday, Downtonians! x

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Q&A with author Elizabeth Cooke!

I am so pleased to welcome Elizabeth Cooke to Edwardian Reviews!  I reached out to Ms. Cooke via Twitter after reading Rutherford Park.  I had some questions about the novel and Ms. Cooke was kind enough to take the time to answer some of them for me!  Take a look at her responses below:

How did the idea for Rutherford Park unfold?  
Elizabeth Cooke: Twenty-four years ago, I had an idea for a book. It was based on my grandfather's memories of working for a large Victorian house. I wanted to write about the 'upstairs-downstairs' tales that my mother had regaled me with over the years, and also the story of a particularly large Shire horse that my grandfather had named Wenceslas. Sadly though, I was told : 'Sorry. There's no market for historical fiction like that'.
 
So I put the idea away and wrote (and had published) six psychological thrillers, two comedies, and two supernatural thrillers. But in 1999 the historical ideas started resurfacing, and I had a major breakthrough with my book 'The Ice Child'.

Now let's scroll on eleven years. It's 2011, and a lot has happened to me in that time (see 'biography'!). My tally of published books has now risen to eleven, the last one being non-fiction ('The Damnation of John Donellan'). I also run a small business with my husband. And one night I'm shutting up shop. It's the middle of winter and dark, and we're struggling with the door locks and alarm system, when the phone rings and I hear the voice of my American agent, Liv Blumer. From across the misty darkness of the Atlantic she asks, 'Liz, have you seen Downton Abbey? We love it here. Have you ever thought about writing an 'upstairs/downstairs' sort of story?'

 Oh yes. I certainly have!.......and I thank my American editor, Wendy McCurdy, for thinking of me above anyone else.

It's funny how life works. Sometimes you just have to wait for the world to turn a little. I owe such a huge thank-you to my grandfather (on whom I based Jack Armitage)...and of course to the original Wenceslas, who remains Wenceslas in the books - my grandfather's adored and beloved baby who was taken away to war.

 It wasn't his only loss. In 1916, a year after Wenceslas left, my grandfather's own son William left for France with the Border Regiment. William died in the hell on earth that was 1st July 1916, the Battle of the Somme. What we owe to these men - boys, really - who fought in France is almost impossible to appreciate.

So I hope you enjoy the 'Rutherford' series. The books that waited nearly a quarter of a century to be published. The third in the trilogy will be published in September 2015 and is called 'The Gates of Rutherford'.

What preliminary research did you need to do before starting to write the novel? 
EC: I researched a lot about London society, early aircraft and flight, Edwardian fashion, Paris, and the outbreak of war. I like research and continue researching while I'm writing, if necessary. 

If you had the chance, which character would you like to have a cup of tea with? 
EC: John Gould... rich, handsome, romantic...who wouldn't! :D

If your novel was adapted for film, who do you envision playing the main characters?  
EC: Oh my Lord.... Kristin Scott Thomas would make a wonderful Helene. And who else for Harry but Eddie Redmayne.

You mentioned The Gates of Rutherford is out in September!  Gosh!  That seems like a long way away!  Will there be more novels in the Rutherford series?  
EC: 'The Gates' is number three. I have the fourth plotted out but we shall have to see. Meanwhile I'm just finishing a non-fiction that I was half-way through before Rutherford was commissioned.

And that does it!  Many thanks to Ms. Cooke for her time on this blog!  If I've finally convinced you to read Rutherford Park and The Wild Dark Flowers, click on the links below! :) 

Monday, February 16, 2015

Wanted: Titanic inspired historical fiction reads!

Who can resist the riveting stories we've all come to know from the infamous disaster of 1912?  The sinking of the Titanic undoubtedly rocked the world.  All manner of societal hierarchy was virtually washed away (pardon the pun!) that fateful night and it didn't matter what class you hailed from - all lives were put to the ultimate test.

I began my search for historical fiction novels that either centered around or had SOMETHING to do with the Titanic.  I came across The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott and was immediately intrigued by its storyline:

Tess, an aspiring seamstress, is stunned at her luck when the famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon hires her to be a personal maid on the Titanic's doomed voyage. When disaster strikes, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat - her employer also survives. On dry land, savage rumours begin to circulate: did Lady Duff Gordon save herself at the expense of others? Tess's dream of becoming a skilled dressmaker is within her grasp but now she is faced with a terrible choice. Suddenly she finds herself torn between loyalty to the fiery woman who could help her realise her ambitions and the devastating truth that her mentor may not be all she seems. Authentic and honest, The Dressmaker is a compelling and vivid story that will have you holding your breath until the last page.

EDIT:  I found the book trailer for The Dressmaker on Kate Alcott's official website.  Check it out!


I am still on chapter one, but I am really enjoying it thus far!  I am still trying to research any other historical fiction novels that have anything to do with the Titanic and its voyage.  Thus, I pose my first question to YOU, dear readers!

Do you have any Titanic inspired historical fiction novel recommendations?

I would love to know your thoughts and recommendations!  Is this an untapped historical fiction genre waiting to be discovered?!  Thanks for all your thoughts and happy historical reading!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Review: Rutherford Park by Elizabeth Cooke

Intrigue and scandal with so many interesting characters!
Rutherford Park by Elizabeth Cooke
Genre: Historical Fiction, 20th Century
Pages: 336
Source: Audible
Time Period: 20th Century, pre-WWI
Setting:Yorkshire, England
My Rating: 5/5


For the Cavendish family, Rutherford Park is much more than a place to call home. It is a way of life marked by rigid rules and lavish rewards, governed by unspoken desires…

Lady of the house Octavia Cavendish lives like a bird in a gilded cage. With her family’s fortune, her husband, William, has made significant additions to the estate, but he too feels bound—by the obligations of his title as well as his vows. Their son, Harry, is expected to follow in his footsteps, but the boy has dreams of his own, like pursuing the new adventure of aerial flight. Meanwhile, below stairs, a housemaid named Emily holds a secret that could undo the Cavendish name.

On Christmas Eve 1913, Octavia catches a glimpse of her husband in an intimate moment with his beautiful and scandalous distant cousin. She then spies the housemaid Emily out in the snow, walking toward the river, about to make her own secret known to the world. As the clouds of war gather on the horizon, an epic tale of longing and betrayal is about to unfold at Rutherford Park….

Favorites:
  • Beautifully Written, Vivid and Picturesque: Elizabeth Cooke proves she is a master of "showing, not telling."  Each page is full of breathtaking description which makes you feel like you have stepped back in time.  Her ability to weave and craft different story lines is impeccable.  You feel truly invested in each character and not a single character falls short of development.  
  • Intriguing Character Development: Each character has their own qualities and characteristics which makes them different and compelling.  The characters are layered and each plays a vital role in progressing the storyline.  Be sure to pay attention to each one -you never know what twist or turn Elizabeth Cooke has in store for you!
  • Twists and Turns:  Elizabeth Cooke has crafted a story which constantly keeps you guessing and the stakes rising for the characters.  You never know what scandal lies on the next page.  Each character has their own plot, but at the end of the day, the characters are a family, and one scandal affects not one, but all of them.
Would I Recommend? YES!  If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, this novel is for you.  With a multitude of interesting and developed characters all kept in play by a masterful storyteller, Elizabeth Cooke's novel will keep you reading well into the hours of the night!