First Saturday of the month, time for the super monthly tag Six Degrees of Separation, which is hosted by Kate at Booksaremyfavouriteandbest, Six Degrees of Separation #6degrees picks a starting book for participants to go wherever it takes them in six more steps. Links to my reviews are in the titles of the books chosen.
This month our starting book is…
Wifedom by Anna Funder
Australian journalist Funder’s latest book which I’ve not read yet is about George Orwell’s long suffering and very-hard-done-by wife, Eileen. My link is to a novel about Orwell…
Barnhill by Norman Bissell
After Eileen died, and Orwell couldn’t find a woman who’d consent to marry him (he asked three!) he retreated to a remote farmhouse on Jura, where all the ideas that had been fermenting in his brain came together and 1984 was the result. Bissell’s well-researched novel brings this period in the mid 1940s to life.
My link is to another Scottish Island
Raven Black by Ann Cleeves
The only other book I’ve read set on a Scottish Island is Anne Cleeves’ first Jimmy Perez novel, volume one of the Shetland Quartet. A girl ends up dead, and Perez is under pressure to solve the murder before Up Helly Aa – the Shetlanders’ Viking fire festival. A super start to the series. My link is via Raven to
The Strays of Paris by Jane Smiley
Smiley’s Parisian animal fable has a racehorse as protagonist, supported by a whole host of other animals: a dog, a pair of ducks called Sid and Nancy, a rat and a raven called Raoul. It’s a delightful animal tale, but very whimsical indeed. The hardback has lovely Map Endpapers, as does…
Winnie the Pooh by A A Milne
Ernest Shepard’s lovely endpapers of the 100 Acres Wood are simply the stuff of childhood, and were probably the first maps I came across in a book.
My link is Winnie, also the name of a character in…
The Housekeepers by Alex Hay
This historical heist thriller was a real hit with me this summer. Set in 1905, it begins with Mrs King, the housekeeper of a mansion on Park Lane, being sacked. Mrs King, however, has many secrets herself, and also knows all the secrets of the house. She is planning a huge heist on the night of the ball to be held there. A huge cast of supporting actors, including Winnie the prostitute help her put her revenge plan into action. Complex and twisty, this was a great read. My final link is via the robbery to …
The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers by Thomas Mullen
It’s the 1930s at the height of the great depression, and former public enemy number one, John Dillinger, has been sent to his grave. Stepping up to the top spot on the G-Men’s wanted list are the Firefly Brothers. As the book opens, Jason and Whit Fireson wake up to find themselves laid out on tables in the morgue, both riddled with bulletholes. They should be dead but inexplicably they’re alive. So the Firefly brothers get a miraculous second chance. Beyond the gangster fun, Mullen explores the hard times that punctured the American Dream and produced the bad boy heroes which gave this period-thriller substance making it a pleasure to read.
That’s my six degrees done for the month. Are you having a go too?
Ah good job! That was a ride, I personally didn’t knew the set starter book 😅
Oof- 3 women refusing to marry you? That’s kinda harsh. Just hoping he didn’t just asked anyone he’d have a chat with 😂
I’ve not read Wifedom either, but Anna Funder is an interesting author – Stasiland was excellent.
Another book set on a Scottish island is ‘Island’ a dark novel by Jane Rogers about a woman seeking her birth mother. I worked in adoption at the time and I recall the author phoning our organisation to check out some facts about adoption practice.
She of Mr Wroe’s Virgins, which I loved. I seem to remember I didn’t get on with Island, but that was long ago!
That first link is brilliant – very well done. I enjoyed The Firelfly Brothers too
Love your links, especially the endpapers! The only one I’ve read is Raven Black which I enjoyed – and the rest of her Shetland books.
Interesting chain, Annabel! From what I’ve read about Wifedom, I shal be giving it a miss…
It appears she uses Orwell’s wife to comment on her own failed marriage. Shame, as Stasiland was so good.
Winnie the Pooh was a great childhood favourite and I still love the books. The Strays of Paris sounds like a book I’d love (reminding me just a little of the cartoon, Chien Pourri), and the Housekeepet seems very interesting. I think I did read your review or a mention of the latter on one of your posts and had taken note of the book
Oh and the end papers are lovely.
Well, Winnie the Pooh is a great entrant to the chain!. I like Ann Cleeves’ books, but haven’t read a Jimmy Perez one yet. Perhaps I should. I didn’t get on with The Strays of Paris I’m afraid: I really don’t do whimsical. But the rest of your clever chain all sound well worth a go.
The Smiley was very whimsical, I agree!
I love seeing Winnie the Pooh worked in!! Very good!
When I saw at the top that you went from Wifedom to Winnie the Pooh I was intrigued to say the least – map endpapers – a love after my own heart Anna…