(This week is supposed to be a History Bite, but please excuse my excitement for this book!) If you, dear readers, know nothing else about me, you probably know that I love London. So, when I saw The London Restoration on NetGalley I was very excited. And then after reading the description, I got even more excited- London AND Sir Christopher Wren?? I was lucky enough to receive an audiobook review copy, and I knew that my next few weeks of listening would be set. So, today I’m sharing why you need to read The London Restoration!
The London Restoration, Rachel McMillan
London, Fall 1945. Architectural historian Diana Somerville’s experience as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park and her knowledge of London’s churches intersect in MI6’s pursuit of a Russian agent named Eternity. Diana wants nothing more than to begin again with her husband Brent after their separation during the war, but her signing of the Official Secrets Act keeps him at a distance.
Brent Somerville, professor of theology at King’s College, hopes aiding his wife with her church consultations will help him better understand why she disappeared when he needed her most. But he must find a way to reconcile his traumatic experiences as a stretcher bearer on the European front with her obvious lies about her wartime activities and whereabouts.
Why You Need to Read This…
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a love letter to London, and I could not have loved it more. McMillan clearly knows and loves London, and it is the biggest character in The London Restoration. I adore Sir Christopher Wren’s work, and McMillan worked in his churches and architecture perfectly- I actually learned quite a lot from this without realising it at all. (My favourite London cathedral, St. Paul’s Cathedral, features, as you would expect.) If only all historical fiction would helpfully reference the history so well! I love that McMillan shows that the history can be accurate while still having a creative story.
Diana and Brent are an interesting couple, both having led difficult lives during the war. Diana, a codebreaker at Bletchley Park and Brent, a stretcher bearer on the front lines, are getting to know each other once again. Not an easy task for most couples, but Diana and Brent do this against the backdrop of an MI6 mission featuring Diana’s beloved Wren’s churches.
Hannah Curtis is the perfect narrator for The London Restoration. She voices different characters without being camp or over the top. She has a wonderful gravitas, and I will be looking for more of her work!
Is The London Restoration on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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