Imagining Violet by Mary E. Hughes

Imagining Violet, an epistolary novel, by Mary E. Hughes is a pleasant and charming narrative of life in 1890’s Leipzig.

Buy or Pass Recommendation: Recommended for fans of historical and literary fiction looking for a light and pleasant read.

The Good

I followed the author’s advice and restricted myself to few pages or letters a day, and the book is best read that way. I enjoyed learning about the music scene in Leipzig, the differences in the culture, customs and traditions of Germany and Britain, and other titbits of historical information sprinkled throughout the book.

The letters are written in an informal and intimate style that’s easy to read and absorb. There are subtle differences in tone depending on the recipient which adds that extra touch of realism to Violet’s correspondences.

The Bad

Nothing about the book per se. But the epistolary format with its attendant slow-pace and general lack of action means that the book will not be to everyone’s taste.

The Nit-picks

Nothing.

Because the book is based–however loosely–on real people, the author’s imagination is, perhaps, curtailed as to the characters and story. If the author were to write historical fiction that’s not based on real-life figures, she would then be free to incorporate the action and tension missing in Imagining Violet and reach a broader audience.