A Brief History of Montmaray

De: Michelle Cooper

Narrado por: Emma Bering

“There’s a fine line between gossip and history, when one is talking about kings.”

Sophie Fitzosborne lives in a crumbling castle in the tiny island kingdom of Montmaray with her eccentric and impoverished royal family. When she receives a journal for her sixteenth birthday, Sophie decides to chronicle day-to-day life on the island. But this is 1936, and the news that trickles in from the mainland reveals a world on the brink of war. The politics of Europe seem far away from their remote island—until two German officers land a boat on Montmaray. And then suddenly politics become very personal indeed.

A Brief History of Montmaray is a heart-stopping tale of loyalty, love, and loss, and of fighting to hold on to home when the world is exploding all around you.

“Once in a while, a special book will cross our paths and make us grateful for life and the ability to read. I’m talking about A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper. I’m calling her Australia’s next stroke of literary brilliance.”—Viewpoint

"A smart and stirring choice to usher fans of the Brontës into the twentieth century." ( Booklist)©2009 Michelle Cooper (P)2009 Random House

Reseñas de la Crítica

Starred Review, Booklist, September 15, 2009: "A smart and stirring choice to usher fans of the Brontës into the twentieth century."

Quite enjoyable

I read several of the less than favorable reviews and was quite hesitant to spend the time reading this book. Reviews, I was reminded, are opinions. I found this book quite enjoyable esp when you remember it is written so that you are reading someone’s journal. Like real life, a journal will not be as longitudinal in its flow of events as it would be had it been written strictly as a story.
I also read this book I think it is intended to be an introduction to the next book.
I like Emma Bering’s performance and it amplified the drama and emotions that draw you into a story.
My only criticism is perhaps the author could have been more descriptive in painting the scenery. But, if I wanted a book too wordy that dragged on & on I would have re-read “The Grapes of Wrath”.