Reviewed on Richard & Judy on Wednesday 23 January 2008.
A rich historical novel set amongst the backdrop of the Crimean War. Mariella is used to the comfort of London Society, the cosy drawing rooms and social occasions and is not prepared for the reality of war when she embarks on a journey to see her injured fiancé and search for her missing cousin. The mention real historical figures such as Florence Nightingale add to the authentic feel of the novel, sweeping you along as Mariella evolves in to a strong independent woman. This is one you will not want to put down.
A spellbinding novel of love and courage set in the England, Italy and Florence Nightingale's Crimea. A Richard and Judy Book Club bestseller - includes a fascinating and moving brand new final chapter.
Russia, 1854. As the Crimean War grinds on, Rosa Barr - young, headstrong and beautiful - travels to the battlefields, determined to join Florence Nightingale and save as many of the wounded as she can.
For Mariella, Rosa's cousin, the war is contained within the pages of her scrapbook, her sewing circle, and the letters she receives from Henry, her fiancé, a celebrated surgeon who has also volunteered to work within the shadow of the guns. But when Henry falls ill, and Rosa's communications cease, Mariella finds herself drawn inexorably towards the war.
Following the trail of her elusive and captivating cousin, Mariella's epic journey takes her from the domestic restraint of Victorian England to the ravaged landscape of the Crimea. As she ventures deeper into the dark heart of the conflict, Mariella discovers her own strengths and passions through Rosa's tough lessons of concealment, faithfulness and love.
'I loved everything about this book. With a cracking plot, wide in scope and yet exquisitely detailed, it conveys the world of England in the 1850s... her best so far' - Sally Zigmond, Historical Novels review
Author
About Katharine McMahon
Katharine McMahon was our Guest Editor in April 2010 - click here - to see the books that inspired her writing.
Katharine McMahon is the author of seven historical novels including The Alchemist’s Daughter, a Waterstone’s Paperback of the Year in 2006, the bestselling Rose of Sebastopol, a Richard & Judy Book Club selection in 2008, and The Crimson Rooms. She has taught in secondary schools, performed in local theatre and worked as a Royal Literary Fund fellow teaching writing skills at the Universities of Hertfordshire and Warwick. She lives in Hertfordshire. She relies on research to uncover connections and revelations in history which will plant the seeds for a novel - and is currently engaged, with some trepidation, in a book set during The French Revolution.
