I am a huge fan of historical fiction and John Boyne’s seventh novel, The House of Special Purpose (Doubleday:2009) , transported me back in time to a fractious Russia in the early 20th Century. Two worlds are at war, the Tsar’s days of lavish enjoyment run alongside a rebellious populous, the perfect setting for an intriguing story. Boyne’s talent is that when faced with a story that has death, tragedy and loss at its centre, he manages to find the light in his characters that make his stories truly remarkable.

Full review here