Take a photo of a barcode or cover
cakt1991 's review for:
The Lost Jewels
by Kirsty Manning
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Lost Jewels is a gem of a book, no pun intended. Inspired by the real-life mystery surrounding the unearthing of the Cheapside Hoard, Manning provides answers to the questions surrounding this mysterious cache of jewels through a masterful blend of fact and fiction.
The thing that stuck with me is how personal the story was, through the development of the main characters, Kate and Essie, and their relationship with one another. Kate loved her grandmother, but came to realize that her grandmother had secrets and a life before her that was key to connecting her grandmother with the Jewels.
Essie’s life in turn was conveyed poignantly, with her humble origins and how she felt she had to care for her large family. I especially loved her bond with her sister Gertie, and loved the way that relationship endured even after Essie left London.
I love how this story overall shows the powerful impact of jewels, in spite of the way they are commodified and dismissed as a result. As Manning notes in her endnotes, “the story of a jewel is always about power, love, and loyalty,” (P.S., 4) a concept that certainly resonates throughout the book.
This book is absolutely stunning, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction.
The Lost Jewels is a gem of a book, no pun intended. Inspired by the real-life mystery surrounding the unearthing of the Cheapside Hoard, Manning provides answers to the questions surrounding this mysterious cache of jewels through a masterful blend of fact and fiction.
The thing that stuck with me is how personal the story was, through the development of the main characters, Kate and Essie, and their relationship with one another. Kate loved her grandmother, but came to realize that her grandmother had secrets and a life before her that was key to connecting her grandmother with the Jewels.
Essie’s life in turn was conveyed poignantly, with her humble origins and how she felt she had to care for her large family. I especially loved her bond with her sister Gertie, and loved the way that relationship endured even after Essie left London.
I love how this story overall shows the powerful impact of jewels, in spite of the way they are commodified and dismissed as a result. As Manning notes in her endnotes, “the story of a jewel is always about power, love, and loyalty,” (P.S., 4) a concept that certainly resonates throughout the book.
This book is absolutely stunning, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction.