Spirited by Julie Cohen – my Review for the Blog Tour
It is rather fitting that today, 14th July is my
birthday and I am celebrating by taking part in the Blog tour for the new novel by Julie Cohen –
Spirited. This book is a real celebratory treat in itself.
Having already read and enjoyed a couple of contemporary womens fiction novels by this Author I was delighted when I heard that she has diversified into my favourite genre of historical fiction for her latest book.
Effortlessly sliding into historical fiction like
a consummate professional historian the author takes us to Victorian England and
immerses us into the lives of 3 very different women.
We have the main protagonist Viola, a young woman still
reeling from the recent death of her beloved photographer father, trying to
carve a place for herself in a world which favours men and struggling to fit
into her new role as a wife. Newly wed to her dearest childhood companion
Josiah, married life seems lacking in the warmth, love and passion she craves
but doesn’t understand.
Henriette is filled with passion, for her notoriety and
renowned skill as a spirit medium, for her hard won independence and for life.
When the two womens paths cross and it becomes apparent that
Violas talents as a photographer seem to reveal ghostly presences, it is
inevitable that the women are following a similar spooky path and a friendship
develops.
But just who is Henriette and what is her secret, can she be
trusted? Why can’t Josiah forget his time in India and a mysterious former
relationship he is at pains to keep close to his heart? And who is the third
woman living an even more secretive life, so secretive we don’t learn who she
is until well into the story.
Brimming with historical detail, bursting with atmosphere,
Spirited wove its magical spell around me and had me deeply enthralled. I am an
abiding enthusiast for historical fiction and this just ticked all my boxes.
Its clever, with several mysteries, a love story (or two) at its very heart and
there is a hint of the supernatural amidst the beautiful literary tones and
richly descriptive writing.
If you enjoyed Affinity by Sarah Waters, The Essex Serpent
by Sarah Perry or The Corset by Laura Purcell, Spirited will fill the gap in
your historical reading. I loved it and can’t wait to see if this author
produces more work in this genre to which she has adapted so wonderfully.
The Blurb
Three women carry unspeakable truths in their heart. At what cost will they find their freedom?
In Victorian England, Viola is an amateur photographer struggling with the grief of her father’s death and the sterile atmosphere of her marriage to her childhood friend, Jonah. When she discovers a talent for capturing ghostly images on camera, Viola comes to the attention of a spirit medium, and a powerful attraction between the two women is sparked… As each woman puts herself at risk, secrets are brought to light that will change their lives forever.
Driven by passionate, courageous female characters Cohen explores themes of sexuality, gender and prejudice, firmly establishing her as one of our best storytellers.
My thanks go to @RandomTTours @orionbooks and the author @Julie_Cohen for inviting me along to celebrate the launch of #Spirited.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie Cohen grew up in the western mountains of Maine. Her house was just up the hill from the library and she spent many hours walking back and forth, her nose in a book. She studied English Literature at Brown University and Cambridge University and is a popular speaker and teacher of creative writing, including classes for the Guardian and Literature Wales. Her books have been translated into fifteen languages and have sold over a million copies; DEAR THING and TOGETHER were Richard and Judy Book Club picks. Her most recent novel is the critically acclaimed LOUIS & LOUISE. Julie lives in Berkshire with her husband, son and a terrier of dubious origin.
