Reviewed by annieb123 on
House of the Patriarch is the 18th outing for Dr. Benjamin January in Barbara Hambly's historical series. Released 6th Jan 2021 by Severn House, it's 256 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.
I've been with this series from the beginning and can't think of many other series in any genre which have maintained strength and, frankly, still have remarkably insightful things to say after almost twenty books. This series hasn't ever disappointed. The characterizations are astute and the dignity, intelligence, and humor of Dr. January are inspiring and (to me, a middle class white woman who is also a medical professional) humbling. I really like these characters and feel invested in them. His family and relationships with his wife, children, and colleagues/friends shine with compassion and love.
Ms. Hambly is a gifted and prolific author with several series in several genres. All of her books which I've read are well plotted and written and House of the Patriarch is no exception. It seems to be meticulously and accurately researched and the portrayals of the brutality and casual cruelty and racism are stark (and often distressingly echoed in the current day, sadly). The appearance of showman and entrepreneur PT Barnum and a plot that turns as always on deeper (maybe less salubrious) truths of human nature were unexpected but so well wrought. The language is mild (hell, damn, and such). This is a dark and melancholy book, but so well written and the denouement resonated with me for a long while after turning the last page.
I sincerely hope that the author has many more stories for us.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 7 February, 2021: Finished reading
- 7 February, 2021: Reviewed