Review of A Fine Line
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Kibet Hillary
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Review of A Fine Line
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Fine Line" by David Gilbertson.]
Years after Oswald’s death, Hugo is now in charge of the Ranelagh estate. Murdoch has come looking for work, hoping to repay his mother, who had to buy his freedom after she conceived him with a man of African descent. They were able to come to Europe with his mother, but the man had been killed immediately. Is the story true, or who is Murdoch? Coincidentally, Arthur Meggs, the financial accountant for the Ranelaghs, shortly announces that their fortunes will be depleted if their current expenditure patterns continue. Murdoch has an idea, and though it seems to offer a solution to Hugo’s dilemma, no one foresees what he will do.
I have always enjoyed historical fiction, and I’m glad I picked this one up for review. All four books were incredible, and the only reason it took me a while to finish was my busy schedule. Indeed, this is a book that readers will find hard to put down. At first, it is not clear how the other characters will fit into the whole picture, as some are introduced in different sections. Like an expert weaver, David Gilbertson eventually brings all the characters from the different books together, and one finally realizes what a great story A Fine Line is. Historical fiction has always been one of my favorite genres, and this book not only deepened my love for the genre but also stood out for its uniqueness, time span, character development, suspense, and engaging narrative. In Book Four, when one of the characters, Ann, dies from typhus, one wonders what will become of her daughter, Sarah, and her grandson, Joseph. This is just one of many suspenseful moments in the book.
The book will not only entertain the reader but also provide food for thought, such as the issue of moral responsibility and accountability. A Fine Line also takes readers through many years, from a setting between 1845 and 1865, presenting the important issues that took place in those years. It touches on the Triangular Trade, religious division and tension in Liverpool, cruelty, friendship, the plight of single mothers, and the two world wars. There is nothing I disliked about the book. In fact, this review is not sufficient to highlight everything, as readers will discover what a treasure the book is as they read it. As a result, I heartily rate it five out of five stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. The book will also appeal to anyone who enjoys stories centered on social justice.
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A Fine Line
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Sir Oswald Ranelagh, basing his trade strongly on two principles—trust and utmost good faith—had built a great financial empire. But now Hugo, his grandson, and his wife Emily are heavily involved in charity work, believing they have a moral responsibility to try to right what their grandfather did through his involvement in the slave trade. Many years ago, William Roscoe, Oswald’s friend, had also paid a price for opposing and voting against the slave trade when he was beaten and bloodied. When talking to Oswald, Roscoe had told him that the slave trade had flourished because its cruelty took place in faraway lands, while the commoners only received what they wanted, including sugar, tobacco, and cotton.“That is why this evil trade lasted so long, Oswald,” Roscoe said. “It was because its shame and its cruelty took place out of our sight and out of our minds.”
Gilbertson, David. A Fine Line (p. 34). Austin Macauley Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Years after Oswald’s death, Hugo is now in charge of the Ranelagh estate. Murdoch has come looking for work, hoping to repay his mother, who had to buy his freedom after she conceived him with a man of African descent. They were able to come to Europe with his mother, but the man had been killed immediately. Is the story true, or who is Murdoch? Coincidentally, Arthur Meggs, the financial accountant for the Ranelaghs, shortly announces that their fortunes will be depleted if their current expenditure patterns continue. Murdoch has an idea, and though it seems to offer a solution to Hugo’s dilemma, no one foresees what he will do.
I have always enjoyed historical fiction, and I’m glad I picked this one up for review. All four books were incredible, and the only reason it took me a while to finish was my busy schedule. Indeed, this is a book that readers will find hard to put down. At first, it is not clear how the other characters will fit into the whole picture, as some are introduced in different sections. Like an expert weaver, David Gilbertson eventually brings all the characters from the different books together, and one finally realizes what a great story A Fine Line is. Historical fiction has always been one of my favorite genres, and this book not only deepened my love for the genre but also stood out for its uniqueness, time span, character development, suspense, and engaging narrative. In Book Four, when one of the characters, Ann, dies from typhus, one wonders what will become of her daughter, Sarah, and her grandson, Joseph. This is just one of many suspenseful moments in the book.
The book will not only entertain the reader but also provide food for thought, such as the issue of moral responsibility and accountability. A Fine Line also takes readers through many years, from a setting between 1845 and 1865, presenting the important issues that took place in those years. It touches on the Triangular Trade, religious division and tension in Liverpool, cruelty, friendship, the plight of single mothers, and the two world wars. There is nothing I disliked about the book. In fact, this review is not sufficient to highlight everything, as readers will discover what a treasure the book is as they read it. As a result, I heartily rate it five out of five stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. The book will also appeal to anyone who enjoys stories centered on social justice.
******
A Fine Line
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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haseeb shaikh 1
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A Fine Line is much more than historical fiction; it’s a profound exploration of humanity’s struggles with morality and justice. With its well-rounded characters, suspenseful plot, and thoughtful themes, it’s a book that will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction and anyone interested in stories about accountability and redemption
“I rate this book 5/5 stars for its compelling storytelling, rich historical detail, and thought-provoking themes.”
“I rate this book 5/5 stars for its compelling storytelling, rich historical detail, and thought-provoking themes.”
