Highly recommended - Rated 
Dunmore once returns to a historical novel, as she did in The Siege, which remains one of my favourites by her, along with A Spell in Winter. All her books, whether contemporary or historical, take their plot from the characters.
This book is set in Finland in turbulent (and fascinating) political times, but wears its research lightly.
It is the story of Eeva, daughter of a political activist, who is sent to an orphanage and from there into service, working for a country doctor.
This is a wonderful book, deft and elegant, without being difficult or condescending.
Rural Finland at the turn of the 20th C. - Rated 
I enjoyed Dunmore's description of life in rural Finland at the turn of the century. There was an attention to detail which was fascinating and her portrayal of the characters at the orphanage and the doctor and his family was sympathetic and well-researched. The poverty of the farming communitites is a stark contrast to the comforts of the Swedish speaking bourgeoisie in the early 1900s. With the doctor's help Eeva moves back to Helsinki, and her life amidst the political turmoil of the new city is again an interesting contrast to her childhood years in the security and the purity of the countryside.
Although I enjoyed the beginning of the book I felt we lost Eeva after she moved back to Helsinki. The narrative switched without transition from one character to another without developing to any climax. I was surprised when I reached the end of the book, and was frustrated that some of the characters had slid out of the novel without me noticing.
Another world - Rated 
This is one of those incredibly satisying novels that takes you into an unfamiliar world and then propels you along through terrific characters and a satisfying plot. I never knew I'd be interested in Finland in the 1900s, but I was gripped, and taken into two contrasting worlds of Helsinki the new modern city and the backwoods of the Finnish countryside. It's a love story -- a triangular one -- and it's also about revolution and terrorism and full of suspense.
The characters are by turns noble, touching and sinister -- and sometimes all three.
Thoroughly recommended.
Misleading title - Rated
Although this book is called 'House of Orphans', we actually meet very few orphans, in fact only Eeva, our heroine, and Anna Marie, the lady who runs the orphanage. I would like to have become more involved in their day to day existence.
Eeva is the wonderfully described, somewhat mysterious, central character who starts the book as the only daughter of a Finnish revolutionary. He is sick, and when he dies she finds herself under the restrictive regimen of an orphanage. She is an admirably strong character and retains her integrity in spite of the harsh regime.
When she leaves the orphanage she becomes the maid for a widowed doctor who finds himself aroused by her against his better judgment. It is almost a relief when she decides to leave and return to her home town of Helsinki. Here she meets up with her childhood friend, Laurie, who is embroiled in the fight for freedom against the increasing power of Russia.
The book is a fascinating account of the struggle that was life in Finland at the turn of the last century. I certainly learnt of an historical period that was unknown to me.
Misleading Title - Rated
Although this book is called 'House of Orphans', we actualy meet very few orphans, in fact only Eeva, our heroine, and Anna Marie, the lady who runs the orphanage. I would like to have become more involved in their day to day existence.
Eeva is the wonderfully described, somewhat mysterious, central character who starts the book as the only daughter of a Finnish revolutionary. He is sick, and when he dies she finds herself under the restrictive regimen of an orphanage. She is an admirably strong character and retains her integrity in spite of the harsh regime.
When she leaves the orphanage she becomes the maid for a widowed doctor who finds himself aroused by her against his better judgment. It is almost a relief when she decides to leave and return to her home town of Helsinki. Here she meets up with her childhood friend, Laurie, who is embroiled in the fight for freedom against the increasing power of Russia.
The book is a fascinating account of the struggle that was life in Finland at the turn of the last century. I certainly learnt of an historical period that was unknown to me.
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