2/06/2012

The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden


I have to admit, I was a bit afraid to begin Elizabeth Camden’s new novel, The Rose of Winslow Street, because frankly, her debut novel, The Lady of Bolton Hill, which came out last summer, was so fabulous. I wondered if she could top it. 

 



I needn’t have worried. 

The Rose of Winslow Street is one of the most unique works of historical fiction I have read in a long time, as regards location, characters, and situations. First, the hero is a Romanian immigrant with a mysterious past. Then there is the heroine, who has a “flaw” not often articulated in a heroine. (I’m trying not to give too much away!) Then there is the house— the one that both Michael and Libby lay claim to. 

Fascinating on every level of the story. Of course as a writer of historical fiction myself, I kept having jaw-drop moments realizing how many things Elizabeth had to meticulously research for this story. Amazing. 

But in the end, it’s all about the characters. At least it is for me. And there were some great ones that lived in these pages. 

If you’ve read The Lady of Bolton Hill, you know that Elizabeth Camden can tell a story. And she just proved it again in The Rose of Winslow Street. 

3 comments:

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Andrea Strong said...

Anne~ How funny! I had the same thought when I received my influencer copy of Rose of Winslow Street.

But I was completely blown away. I think one of my favorite elements is how unconventional Michael's is talent for such a big, burly, manly man. But it came in handy in reminding Libby how much he loved and missed her. (I don't think that was a spoiler. Was it?)

Anne Mateer said...

No, Andrea, not a spoiler. :)

I had to laugh, too, that I wasn't the only one that felt that way!