Author’s debut novel People Like Us shortlisted for the RSL Christopher Bland Prize and the RNA Historical Romantic Novel Award 2021

From the outside, Eleanor and Edward Hamilton have the perfect life, but they’re harbouring a secret that threatens to fracture their entire world.

London, 1929.

Eleanor Hamilton is a dutiful mother, a caring sister and an adoring wife to a celebrated war hero. Her husband, Edward, is a pioneer in the eugenics movement. The Hamiltons are on the social rise, and it looks as though their future is bright.

When Mabel, their young daughter, begins to develop debilitating seizures, they have to face an uncomfortable truth: Mabel has epilepsy – one of the ‘undesirable’ conditions that Edward campaigns against.

Forced to hide their daughter away so as to not jeopardise Edward’s life’s work, the couple must confront the truth of their past – and the secrets that have been buried.

Will Eleanor and Edward be able to fight for their family? Or will the truth destroy them?

Incredibly Breathtaking!

One novel you really don’t want to miss!

Eleanor and Edward Hamilton have a good life; war hero Edward is a proponent of the eugenics movement to rid society of the undesirable conditions which afflict so many. They are seeing their social status rise and the future is bright until their young daughter, Mabel, shown signs of epilepsy. Ever mindful of his studies and standing, Edward convinces his wife to agree to lock their daughter up, hiding her away from the ever watchful eyes of society; but there are secrets in the past which could do untold harm if they were ever to surface. Can they protect their family – or will the truth come out?

Before I refer to this book, I have to mention this author’s debut novel ‘People Like Us’ which was such an amazing read that it made me eager to read her follow up novel. This book is everything I expected – and so very much more. A fictional read, based on fact, this story has consumed me! Even when not actively reading, it has been on my mind and stays there even after completion. It is an incredibly breathtaking read which completely blew me away! Beautifully written, it at no time betrays the extensive research it must have taken and the immense skill involved in producing such a terrific read while incorporating the facts. I not only urge everyone to read this but to also absorb the author’s acknowledgements at the end – they are extremely interesting and informative. Louise Fein received many accolades following her first novel but I suspect these will be nowhere near the furore this one will create. She is not only an author to watch, she is one not to be missed.

I’m not entirely sure I even know enough superlatives to do this novel credit; suffice to say it is one of the most prodigiously stunning books it has ever been my good fortune to review. Five stars seem so insufficient, but they are all I have; however they are shining and sparkling so brightly they will dazzle you!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy and Jade Gwilliam for my spot on this tour; this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.

Tags: historical literary fiction

• Format: ebook, paperback, hardcover, audiobook
• Size: 348 pages
• Publisher: Head of Zeus
• Publication Date: 02 September 2021
• Book Links:
• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55506548
• https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Louise_Fein_The_Hidden_Child?id=xVAHEAAAQBAJ
• https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-hidden-child-louise-fein/1138598406
• https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-hidden-child-9781789545364/9781789545364
• https://www.foyles.co.uk/witem/fiction-poetry/the-hidden-child,louise-fein-9781789545388
• https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-hidden-child-3
• https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/the-hidden-child/louise-fein/paperback/9781789545388.html
• https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-hidden-child/louise-fein/9781789545388
• https://wordery.com/the-hidden-child-louise-fein-9781789545364
• https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hidden-Child-Louise-Fein-ebook/dp/B08MV8697J

Author Details

Louise Fein was born and brought up in London. She harboured a secret love of writing from a young age, preferring to live in her imagination than the real world. After a law degree, Louise worked in Hong Kong and Australia, travelling for a while through Asia and North America before settling back to a working life in London. She finally gave in to the urge to write, taking an MA in creative writing, and embarking on her first novel, Daughter of the Reich (named People Like Us in the UK and Commonwealth edition). The novel was inspired by the experience of her father’s family, who escaped from the Nazis and arrived in England as refugees in the 1930’s. Daughter of the Reich/People Like Us is being translated into 11 foreign languages, has been shortlisted for the 2021 RNA Historical Novel of the year Award, and has been long listed for the Not The Booker Prize.

Louise’s second novel, The Hidden Child, will be published in the Autumn of 2021. Louise lives in the beautiful English countryside with her husband, three children, two cats, small dog and the local wildlife who like to make an occasional appearance in the house. Louise is currently working on her third novel.

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