A gorgeously absorbing historical novel that weaves its way from Brazil to France to Melbourne, Australia.
Melbourne, 1902. Lawyer Nathan Smithson takes on a case involving two brothers, Edward and Charles Fonçeca. An inheritance is at stake and Charles wants the controlling interest. Charles, a violent alcoholic, declares Edward is illegitimate and therefore has no claim. To sort out the truth of the matter, Nathan must uncover the exotic history of the brothers' parents, who settled in Melbourne in 1861.
Brazil, 1852. Their father, François, is a French naturalist working in Brazil when he is almost killed. Saved by Tupi Indians, he is taken to a farm run by the Fonçeca family. Sixteen-year-old Carolina Fonçeca soon falls in love with the much older dashing naturalist. They begin a passionate love affair, but François is already married. When François and Carolina's union brings two children, a legally fictitious father is created for Charles and Edward.
Based on real events, The Natural History of Love is an extraordinary story – exotic, passionate and fascinating. Caroline Petit skilfully creates an gorgeously intimate narrative based on the imagined diary entries of Francois and Carolina, with lawyer Nathan Smithson neatening up loose ends into a cohesive whole. Absorbing, entertaining historical fiction that takes the reader on a wild journey.
The Natural History of Love, by Caroline Petit
MAY 2022
No comments:
Post a Comment