Free (nook/Kindle/Kobo) The Lives of Shadows [Illustrated Historical Literary Novel]

[ATDrake]

The Lives of Shadows: An Illustrated Novel by Canadian author & illustrator Barbara Hodgson is her standalone historical literary fiction novel with extensive false document elements (Wikipedia) set mainly in Damascus, Syria, making use of invented postcards, architectural sketches, newspaper articles, etc. to tell a tale spanning from the 1910s to the 1940s, as an expat British man falls in love with a house he intends to reside in permanently, but is torn from by the assorted world wars and other circumstances, and tries to reclaim, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Chronicle Books.

Although this is part-filed under Romance in several stores, the love story described in the blurb seems to be primarily between the main character and his beloved house, although apparently at some point there is a woman associated with his memory of the house. Also, if you happen to like fellow British-Canadian author Nick Bantock's (Wikipedia) very nifty interactive Griffin & Sabine books (Wikipedia), which were very popular back in the day, the customer reviews say that this is highly reminiscent of them.

Currently free, apparently until February 2nd @ B&N, Amazon (available to Canadians & in the UK), Kobo & iTunes & Google Play & eBooks.com (all available to Canadians) and can be added to your library @ BookShout (online reading & in-app download)

Description
In the spring of 1914, a restless young man leaves England for a tour of the exotic east. A bit of Egypt, a glimpse of Syria, a nod to Constantinople—that's all that was supposed to happen.

Instead, Julian Beaufort becomes mesmerized. Wandering in idle admiration through the labyrinthine streets of Damascus, he stumbles upon Bait Katib, a house that takes possession of his heart. It is elegant; it is ancient; and it is, after a bit of negotiation with the owner, his. He has every intention of staying there for the rest of his life.

But the world doesn't relinquish its hold so easily. Two bloody wars—one in Europe and one in Syria—leave Julian wounded and the city of Damascus in ruins. He returns from battle to find his precious house still standing, but no longer entirely his. It seems someone else may be occupying the shadows of Bait Katib.

A mystery, a love story, and a journey to a sepia-toned past, Barbara Hodgson's new illustrated novel will haunt and delight her many devoted readers and tempt legions more to take a guided journey into another world.