A Brief History of Montmaray
"Bittersweet and delectable, this book deserves to be an instant classic. Sophie is one of the most charming narrators since I Capture The Castle." Kate Forsyth
I need to write down what has just happened. I need to set down the truth. If I write lies or if I write nothing at all, this journal is worthless. I must do this, in case anything happens.
All right. This is what happened tonight, every single terrible thing that I can remember . . .
Sophie FitzOsborne lives in a crumbling castle in the tiny island kingdom of Montmaray, along with her tomboy younger sister Henry, her beautiful, intellectual cousin Veronica, and Veronica's father, the completely mad King John.
When Sophie receives a leather-bound journal for her sixteenth birthday, she decides to write about her day-to-day life on the island. But it is 1936 and the world is in turmoil. Does the arrival of two strangers threaten everything that Sophie holds dear?
From Sophie's charming and lively observations to a nailbiting, unputdownable ending, this is a book to be treasured.
★ Awarded the 2009 Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature
★ Shortlisted for the 2008 Golden Inky Teenage Choice Award
★ Recommended Book in the 2009 Parents' Choice Book Award
★ Listed in the American Library Association's 2010 Best Books for Young Adults
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Reviews of A Brief History of Montmaray
"Michelle Cooper's A Brief History of Montmaray breathes new life into the dark and stormy romantic suspense novels that made earlier generations ardent fans of the Brontës, Daphne du Maurier, and Victoria Holt. Teens and 'tweens will be tearing through the novel's second half by the night light."
Lauren Nemroff, Amazon.com Review: Best of the Month, October 2009
"Thanks to the romantic isolation of the setting and the narration's poetic but lucid prose, the story of Montmaray's last royal generation feels both immediate and timeless."
Junior Library Guild Selection
"A smart and stirring choice to usher fans of the Brontës into the twentieth century."
Ian Chipman, starred review in Booklist
"Cooper's taut pacing and strong characters make this a powerful historical novel."
Publishers Weekly - Children's Book Reviews
"Romance, adventure, a touch of the supernatural and a winning heroine who will touch the heart. Compelling."
Kirkus Reviews
"Simply divine . . . the best imaginable combination of wit, hardship, love, adventure, and history."
"Once in a while, a special book will cross our paths . . . Cooper has created one of the most interesting and likeable characters I have come across in a long time . . . a pleasing narrative that readers will enthusiastically connect with . . . a joyful reading experience."
Soo Lee Tan, Viewpoint, Vol 16 (2), 2008
"I am totally and completely in love with this book."
"Michelle Cooper draws on history, literature, politics, religion and mythology, as well as the smaller moments of a life, and delivers a story that has more facets than a well-cut diamond. Adventure, intrigue, romance, the supernatural - it's all here, bound together by a ripping plot."
Frances Atkinson, The Sunday Age
"A thundering good yarn, set against a background of the Spanish Civil War and the rise of Nazi Germany . . . This reader hopes there is a sequel. Recommended."
Helen Purdie, Magpies, Vol 23, 2008
"The intelligent prose reads like a modern Brontë novel mixed with the Famous Five adventures. The unique characters are well placed within the fast-paced background of historical happenings and real people."
Anastasia Gonis, Good Reading, June 2008
"A Brief History is reminiscent of Jane Austen novels and possesses the same whimsical romanticism, innocence and gentle wit in its heroine. At the same time, it has a faster pace and greater level of intrigue to suit readers today . . . Recommended."
Aleesah Darlison, Buzz Words Magazine, June 2008
"An endearing narrator and a nail-biting adventure will leave readers on tenterhooks for the sequel that is scheduled to follow."
Lucy Clark, The Sunday Telegraph
"A delightful coming-of-age story that blends the past with imagination. This story will appeal to anyone with a taste for history or a calling for adventure."
Mary-Anne Mangano, Media Culture Reviews
"A charming adventure story reminiscent of I Capture the Castle, this novel is full of eccentric characters and extraordinary events . . . A Brief History of Montmaray is a rich and layered book that will thoroughly entertain."
Cordelia Rice, Inside A Dog
"The unusual blend of history and the romantic setting, combined with the coming of age of Sophie, will be sure to appeal to girls who want an imaginative and thoughtful read."
Pat Pledger, Read Plus Book Reviews
Praise for the Australian audiobook: "Melissa Chambers's reading brings the story and characters to life, and has imbued Sophie with a richness that captures the essence of Cooper's character. This is an enjoyable, gripping and fascinating rendering that will delight all readers and leave them wanting to hear more."
Bronwyn Macdonald, Viewpoint, Vol 17 (2), 2009
A Brief History of Montmaray © Michelle Cooper
ISBN 978 1 74166 322 8 (paperback)
Published by Random House Australia in June, 2008
A Brief History of Montmaray © Michelle Cooper
ISBN 978 1 74212 196 3 (Australian audiobook on six CDs)
Published by Louis Braille Audio in November, 2008
A Brief History of Montmaray © Michelle Cooper
ISBN 978 0 375 85864 2 (hardcover)
ISBN 978 0 375 95864 9 (Gibraltar Library Binding)
ISBN 978 0 375 89359 9 (e-book)
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers in October, 2009
A Brief History of Montmaray © Michelle Cooper
ISBN 978 0 307 70778 9 (North American audiobook on seven CDs)
ISBN 978 0 307 70779 6 (North American downloadable audiobook)
Published by Listening Library in January, 2010
