Historical Novels Review - May 2008

SOUL
Tobsha Learner, Forge, 2008, $14.95/C$16.95, pb, 425pp, 978-0-7653-2010-0

SOUL is the story of Professor Julia Huntington, and that of her great-grandmother Lavinia Huntington. Julia, a renowned geneticist living in Los Angeles in 2002, is commissioned by the U.S. Department of Defense to research the genetically linked propensity to kill without remorse. She comes to realize that she is linked more closely to Lavinia, a spirited intellectual Irishwoman suffering under the unjust standards of Victorian society, more than anyone could have imagined.

The book started off rather jagged and confusing, but finally settled into a strong pace about one-third of the way in. The weaving together – and juxtaposition – of Julia and Lavinia's stories was engaging, and I found that Lavinia and her doomed husband James jumped off the page.

The writing, in places, was maddeningly uneven – strangely shifting point of view within chapters and lovely description; stilted dialog in the modern-day sections and unique and thoughtful metaphors in the Victorian London sections. There were distracting Britishisms in the mouths of American characters, and odd descriptions of modern life (a firefighter walking into a bar for a drink dressed in full turnout gear?). The bottom line is Learner seemed to be more comfortable with the Victorian characters and settings, which ultimately is good news for historical fiction fans.

Overall, however, it was an engaging book and I would recommend it for fans of murder mysteries, psychological thrillers, and those with an interest in the society and sociology of Victorian London.

SEPULCHRE
Kate Mosse, Putnam, $29.95 (NCR), pb, 560pp, 978-0-399-15467-6

SEPULCHRE is a tale of double crosses, murder, and the occult set in the 19th and 21st centuries, the interwoven story of Léonie Vernier in France in 1891, and American Meredith Martin in 2007. Meredith is visiting France for research on her biography of Claude Debussy – and to learn the truth about her mysterious French ancestors. A chance encounter leads Meredith to a piece of nineteenth century music known as "The Sepulchre", and a pack of Tarot cards painted by Léonie Vernier more than a century earlier.

Léonie and Meredith's paths cross – in time and place – again at the Domain de la Cade, outside the town of Rennes-les-Bains, in the Pyrenees of southwest France. The Domain was home to Léonie in the nineteenth century, and an eerily familiar grand hotel for Meredith in 2007. The site of a series of tragedies for Léonie, the Domain also houses an ancient sepulchre which Meredith must find and open – to learn the truth of Léonie's story, and Meredith's past.

Mosse does an excellent job with pacing – the story, though complex, moves quickly and well. The mystery is unique and the historical detail excellent; she has successfully combined historical and speculative fiction elements into a cohesive whole. And while the language and phrasing can be simplistic, even trite, and the characters somewhat lacking in depth, the concept is unique and story itself is still strong. Overall a very enjoyable read.