A review by gohawks
Astray, by Emma Donoghue

4.0

Historical fiction for those not sure if they like historical fiction. This was a great find. I'll admit that I wasn't really considering this book when I saw it at the library, but it was so short I thought I should give it a try. It is a bunch of short stories that are written mostly in the17th - 19th centuries all based on some scrap of newspaper article, letters or journal entries. The unifying theme is supposed to be travel though not every story fits this unless you want to get metaphysical about it. Not every story is a true gem, but none are long enough to bore too badly. And a handful are quite surprising and moving. I have not yet read Donoghue's Room though it is on my bookshelf. What was thrilling about this particular book was the way the author manages to write in so many different voices and styles, possibly a feat made easier by the fact that she sometimes had examples of the character's writings. The most riveting aspect to this book was the context given to each story. After each tale, the author commits a page to the actual inspiration and historical relationship to the stories. Highly recommend this one as a change of pace read.