A Brief History of Montmaray

By: Michelle Cooper

Narrated by: Emma Bering

“There’s a fine line between gossip and history, when one is talking about kings.”

Sophie Fitzosborne lives in a crumbling castle in the tiny island kingdom of Montmaray with her eccentric and impoverished royal family. When she receives a journal for her sixteenth birthday, Sophie decides to chronicle day-to-day life on the island. But this is 1936, and the news that trickles in from the mainland reveals a world on the brink of war. The politics of Europe seem far away from their remote island—until two German officers land a boat on Montmaray. And then suddenly politics become very personal indeed.

A Brief History of Montmaray is a heart-stopping tale of loyalty, love, and loss, and of fighting to hold on to home when the world is exploding all around you.

“Once in a while, a special book will cross our paths and make us grateful for life and the ability to read. I’m talking about A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper. I’m calling her Australia’s next stroke of literary brilliance.”—Viewpoint

Critic reviews

Starred Review, Booklist, September 15, 2009:
"A smart and stirring choice to usher fans of the Brontës into the twentieth century."

Quite enjoyable

I read several of the less than favorable reviews and was quite hesitant to spend the time reading this book. Reviews, I was reminded, are opinions. I found this book quite enjoyable esp when you remember it is written so that you are reading someone’s journal. Like real life, a journal will not be as longitudinal in its flow of events as it would be had it been written strictly as a story.
I also read this book I think it is intended to be an introduction to the next book.
I like Emma Bering’s performance and it amplified the drama and emotions that draw you into a story.
My only criticism is perhaps the author could have been more descriptive in painting the scenery. But, if I wanted a book too wordy that dragged on & on I would have re-read “The Grapes of Wrath”.