Book Recommendation: The London House by Katherine Reay
A compelling modern-day narrative with history unfolding through letters and diaries. Read the ReviewThe London House
by Katherine Reay
This book has been on my TBR list since it released in 2021. so when I had a few spare Audible credits stockpiled I bought the audiobook and began listening on a long drive. I was immediately drawn in. I bought this book based on the cover without reading the blurb properly, thinking that it was set during WWII. However, the book is a modern day narrative with a WWII story line unfolding through letters and diaries as the present day characters uncover a wartime mystery.
The Story
Caroline Payne is approached by Mat Hammond, an old friend and historian, who is seeking comment on an article he is writing that exposes a scandalous secret from her family’s past. No one knows better than Caroline that his thesis––which is that history profoundly shapes the present––is correct, because her family has been living in the shadow of this secret, without her even knowing it. But will the secret turn out to be a lie? Here are three things I loved about the book
Three things I loved
Structure: Like I say, I wasn’t expecting a time split novel, but the crafting of the two narratives was so skillfully done. I was deeply involved in both the historical story and present-day stakes. This was my first Katherine Reay book and I will definitely be seeking out more!
Epic historical sleuthing: It’s clear the author has spent time in archives and understands the drudge work of research. However, she made the work feel so compelling and fast paced! The epistolary style of the WWII narrative effortlessly flowed into the modern narrative.
Meditations on truth: At the core of The London House is the thesis that objective truth exists, and that finding it matters. This idea is woven into the fabric of the book so that it never preaches, but only inspires. The way good fiction should.
The London House is available at Amazon US and Amazon Australia.
