Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue

August 8, 2023

Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue

Anne Lister met Eliza Raine when they were both attending boarding school outside York. Eliza is half-Indian, the daughter of a doctor with the East India Company, sent to England with her sister to be educated. When Eliza and Lister (as she prefers to be called) are forced to share a room, Eliza finds herself unexpectedly enchanted by the unusual girl. They are also physically attracted to each other and the two become lovers and inseparable. Ten years later, Eliza is confined to a psychiatric asylum near the school. She writes to Lister, imploring her to write back and come and rescue her. 

Fascinating historical fiction based on the real lives of Anne Lister and Eliza Raine, who became entangled in a forbidden relationship during the Regency period. Lister lived and dressed as a man, preferring to be called either Jack or by her last name, and had several women lovers. I learned about Lister when I read Gentleman Jack by Sally Wainwright, a biography of her unusual life. Well-research historical fiction, fluid writing. Highly recommended for readers of historical fiction or those interested in the history of LGBTQ.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Anne Lister (the real one, not the one from the BBC series)

Haven by Emma Donoghue

July 20, 2022

Haven by Emma Donoghue

After a prophetic dream where God tells him to found a new monastery in a remote location, a priest chooses two monks to accompany him.  His chosen spot is a small island (really, a large barren rock) inhabited only by waterfowl.  No fresh water, no vegetation, no trees, not even any soil for growing food.  The two monks (one elderly, one young) devote themselves to survival and making it work, figuring out ways to collect fresh water, compost soil, and find fuel.  They manage to "MacGyver" every challenge that they face, until they realize that the priest is most likely an insane egomaniac.

I really liked the two monks and about halfway through, I was hoping they would push the priest off the top of the rock into the sea.  Although the priest is supposed to be focused on God, he really is focused on glorifying himself and how future generations of monks will think he was such a fabulous guy.

Not the best of Donoghue's historical fiction.  I do like the cover.  If you want to try one of her historical novels, try Slammerkin instead.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC.