Toddson, it's a trilogy about an imaginary island off the coast of Spain, inhabited by a dozen fishermen, three princesses, and a mad king. The first one is called A Brief History of Montmaray, and it's rather like I Capture the Castle, except when it's not. It starts very sweet and domestic, and then the Nazis arrive...

The series goes through to the end of WWII and keeps getting deeper and more emotionally powerful. I loved the characters and the easy way the writer wove them into the true history of the time.

The first three have been published in Australia (that's where Cooper lives) but the 3rd one won't be out in the US until October.

Highly recommended for anyone who is enjoying the current run of Upstairs, Downstairs or who liked I Capture the Castle or, probably, any Ruritanian romances.

Thanks!

Many years ago I actually read The Prisoner of Zenda ... for what that's worth.

Kat, check your spam filter thingie.

Has anyone else read The True Meaning of Smekday? Because it is wonderful and everyone should read it.

Kickstarter for a feminist speculative fiction anthology - they need to raise funds by May 31st.

Do you want to post that in GWW, too, sumi?

Sure.

The first three have been published in Australia (that's where Cooper lives) but the 3rd one won't be out in the US until October.

Oooh! With this info, I ordered a copy from Australia.

I believe it might be possible for me to teach the first book next year -- I will have a 9th grade honors class I think. Hmmmm....Must consider a grant.

The next J.K. Rowling? Bloomsbury is hoping so, anyway.

The book sounds pretty good. I'll probably read it.