Historical Stories of Exile
Like its predecessor, Historical Stories of Betrayal, this collection of thirteen short stories is from a group of skilled, talented authors who cover a multitude of different times and places: in this case, everything from ancient Rome to a speculative future. The settings are pleasingly diverse, but each is in Europe somewhere.
While some stories are either overburdened with characters and plot, most are vividly rendered and enjoyable. My favorite is Anna Belfrage’s “The Unwanted Prince,” an excellent tale of a young, exiled prince who is torn from his family’s loving arms. The story includes compelling historical details, touchingly rendered. Elizabeth Chadwick’s “Coming Home” follows a denizen of the Tower of London in the 12th century. This well-known historical author skillfully displays her prowess with smooth prose, layered politics, and the nuances of her characters. “My Sister” by Alison Morton is a vivacious tale of sisterly troublemaking and high-stakes politics in ancient Rome. The Roman details and long-suffering narrator make this tale thoroughly enjoyable. “Kingsman No More” by Charlene Newcomb is a swashbuckling tale of love and derring-do, ripe with passion and purpose. “On Shining Wings” by Marian L. Thorpe mesmerizes the reader with loving details from the point of view of a ger-falcon keeper. Readers can’t go wrong with such a tapestry of historical imaginings. Recommended.
