Author Archives: Debbie Terranova
A compelling tale of war and love in the Russian winter of 1941
The Tolstoy Estate by Steven Conte My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is one WWII historical novel that deserves attention. Thoroughly researched, beautifully written, and with a cast of interesting but flawed characters, Conte masters the ‘feel’ of a … Continue reading
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Tagged Eastern front, historical fiction, Red Army, Tolstoy, Wehrmacht, World War Two, WWII
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Beautiful prose about an arduous journey
Devotion by Hannah Kent. My rating: 4 of 5 stars. More than anything, I love the way Hannah Kent writes. Her use of language is inventive, perceptive, lush, evocative. Somehow she worms her way inside you, the reader, so that … Continue reading
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Tagged Australia, historical fiction, magical realism, migrants german, Migration, religious persecution
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An intriguing novel about WWII intrigue
The Imitator by Rebecca Starford My rating: 4 of 5 stars An enjoyable novel about the role of women in WWII espionage. By the author’s own admission, the characters are in the main invented and the story is loosely true, … Continue reading
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Tagged espionage, historical fiction, London, MI5, spy, women in war, World War Two, WWII
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Easy read, compelling story
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens My rating: 4 of 5 stars Despite the dark themes of alcohol addiction and domestic violence, this novel is a delight to read. In particular, the writing is tight, succinct, and appropriate. The … Continue reading
Review of ‘Still Life’ by Sarah Winman
Still Life by Sarah Winman My rating: 4 of 5 stars I fell in love, and then out of love, with this novel. The writing – which utilizes an expansive vocabulary that had me reaching for the dictionary – is … Continue reading
What was it like in a WWII internment camp?
A rare first-hand chronicle of internment that sheds new light on Australia’s wartime history. Mr Koike’s diary, which survived despite all odds, is beautifully translated and edited. Continue reading
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Tagged Diary, internment, internment camp, Japanese, Java, Loveday, Pacific War, WWII
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A gripping 1880s migrant adventure
Paradiso A Novel by Steve Capelin My rating: 4 of 5 stars A gripping tale of hope and despair on the high seas. Set in 1879-80, a group of migrants from the struggling north of Italy chases the promise of … Continue reading
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Tagged adventure, Australia, historical fiction, Italian, Little Italy, migrants
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A gently-written novel about heartache and healing
The Labyrinth by Amanda Lohrey My rating: 4 of 5 stars What does a mother do when her only son is in prison with a life sentence? She buys a crumbling shack by the sea and builds a labyrinth in … Continue reading
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A memorable memoir by Brisbane author, Krissy Kneen
The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen by Krissy Kneen My rating: 5 of 5 stars When Krissy Kneen was a speaker at my authors’ group a few months ago, I was intrigued by her latest book. I’ve read some of … Continue reading
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Tagged aleksandrinke, Eastern Europe, Egypt, family history, folklore, Krissy Kneen, memoir, Slovenia
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Human rights tyrants and how to stop them
Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man’s Fight for Justice by Bill Browder My rating: 5 of 5 stars Yes, there may be sceptics. But I have no doubt that the events leading up to … Continue reading
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