A Free Man of Colour

by Barbara Hambly (1997)
ISBN 9780553102581

An historical novel of suspense set in New Orleans in the 1830s, this is gripping story that kept me intrigued.
The hero has three black grandparents but is a free man. He is accused of murder and has to save himself by finding out who the real murderer was. The backdrop to the story includes Carnival costumes, social distinctions of the time, issues of slavery, voodoo and attitudes to the incoming Americans and riverboat men.
Having enjoyed this book I was pleased to find that it is one of a series, so I can follow the fortunes of Benjamin and his family.

Endeavour's Children

by R.J. Tinsley (1992)
ISBN 1-86948-090-2

Found on my bookshelf when out of library books, I started this from desperation for something to read.
To start with I found it irritating, as the descriptions of nautical terminology used so many of what I assume to be the correct words, that I felt like I was being lectured without having taken the prerequisite beginners course. There continues to be a didactic tone to the writing style, but I found it less annoying as I became more attached to the main character. Set in the early days of the European exploitation and settlement of New Zealand and Australia, and based on a true story, this is a jolly good yarn. If the original heroine had a fraction of the spirit of Lisla (with a silent s) in the book, she would have been an amazing woman.
I would really have appreciated a map to go with the story - set mostly in the South Island of New Zealand, and using place names that were known around 1800, i should have done some research to get the geography straight in my head.
I can't find a picture of the cover and don't have a flat bed scanner at home, hence no picture this time.

Lilah

By Marek Halter
Translated from the French by Howard Curtis
2006

Third in the series which includes Sarah and Zipporah, this is a tragedy.
Lilah is the sister of Ezra, and encourages him to lead the exiled Jews to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. At great personal cost she accompanies him.
As the story moves from Susa to Jerusalem via Babylon and its ziggurat, hope gives way to despair. Zealotry and the desire to be pure to please Yahweh lead to the tragic ending.
As with the other stories in this series, Biblical stories are brought to life and ancient cultures described in a way that adds colour.

Disobedience

Disobedience by Jane Hamilton
2000
ISBN 0-385-50117-X

A seventeen-your-old boy, Henry, discovers his mother's affair by reading her email over a period of time. Meanwhile his father and younger sister reenact Civil War battles, with the sister pretending to be a boy. A tarot reader suggests that Henry and his mother were married in a previous life, and Henry develops the theme to consider all members of his family in different combinations in past lives. Henry is growing up and preparing to leave home but is also closely engaged with his family's day-to-day life.

Zipporah

"Zipporah" by Marek Halter
ISBN 1-84617-119-9 Large Print version
2005

A tale of Zipporah who became an important part of Moses' life.
Set in Biblical times and surrounded by the people and happenings of the times, this is a romance. Customs and beliefs of ancient times are described. The central character, Zipporah, is convincingly portrayed as a pivotal person in the development of Moses the leader.
Although the theme is religious, it is possible to read this book without a particular set of beliefs.
Written by a man, but with a strong message of the influence of women on events.
Themes include the treatment of people who are different from the norm, either physically, racially or in beliefs.
This is the second book of the Canaan trilogy. The first centres on Sarah and Abraham. Both include visits to Egypt.
Translated from the French.
Note that the book pictured here is not Zipporah, but shares the same picture "Young Kikuyu Woman" by Karen Blixen of Out of Africa fame.