Norah Lofts Books
Norah Lofts was a prolific British author celebrated for her captivating historical fiction. Her works often delve into the lives of those who inhabited specific houses across centuries, breathing life into the past with meticulous detail. Lofts excelled at capturing the spirit of different eras and social conditions, showing particular concern for the plight of the very poor and their struggles to improve their circumstances. Her creation of the fictional town of Baildon in East Anglia serves as her own literary landscape, akin to Thomas Hardy's Wessex, and her stylistic mastery makes her a significant figure in historical fiction.
Knight's Acre
- 266 pages
- 10 hours of reading
A knight-errant focused solely on his next tournament, Sir Godfrey Tallboys navigates the challenges of chivalry and competition. As he strives for glory, his journey reveals deeper themes of honor, duty, and the complexities of knighthood. Set against a backdrop of medieval tournaments, the story explores not only the excitement of battle but also the personal growth and moral dilemmas that come with a life dedicated to the ideals of knighthood.
The doomed love story of Josiana Greenwood and Walter Rancon sets the scene as the destiny of the great Suffolk house known as the Old Vine continues to unfold. Haunted by the stubbornness of its founder, Martin Reed, and the mystical gypsy blood of his wife, their descendants, both innocent and guilty, are caught up in a world of witch-hunts, wars and revolution over two centuries-between the days of Christopher Columbus and the Restoration of Charles II. The House at Old Vine is the second in Norah Lofts' enduringly popular Suffolk Trilogy which began with The Town House and concludes with The House at Sunset. Fans of Norah Lofts' work particularly appreciate how her characters who live around the Suffolk town of Baildon interact with one another between different books. Here, we also learn more of the notorious Hatton family and Merravay, featured in Bless This House, in an enthralling series of stories of believable characters who were prepared to live, to fight, to kill and to die for what they believed.
Traces the lives of the inhabitants of the Old Vine townhouse during its descent into a rural tenement house.
Nethergate
- 272 pages
- 10 hours of reading
Lady Living Alone
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
The narrative combines suspense and humor, creating a unique atmosphere that keeps readers engaged until the very end. This darker thriller not only captivates with its mystery but also enriches the British Library Women Writers series, showcasing the depth of female authorship. First published in 1945, it highlights Loft's skillful storytelling, making it a noteworthy read for fans of the genre.
The younger daughter of Tom Boleyn lacked the bounteous charms of most ladies of court. The King first noticed her when she was 16 - and with imperial greed he smashed her youthful love-affair with Harry Percy and began the process of royal seduction. But this was no ordinary woman, no maid-in-waiting to be possessed.
The Town House
- 348 pages
- 13 hours of reading
Exploring themes of resilience and the intertwining of heritage and identity, this narrative delves into a family's journey as they transform a house born from tragedy into a home filled with joy. The story weaves together elements of gypsy lore, independence, and the struggle to find belonging, questioning whether a past steeped in magic and mystery can coexist with a desire for stability and respectability.
