Janneke Zwart Book order (chronological)






LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILEYS WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION SHORTLISTED FOR THE WELLCOME BOOK PRIZE From the moment Alma Whittaker steps into the world, everything about life intrigues her. Instilled with an unquenchable sense of wonder by her father, a botanical explorer and the richest man in the New World, Alma is raised in a house of luxury and curiosity. It is not long before she becomes a gifted botanist in her own right. But as she flourishes and her research takes her deeper into the mysteries of evolution, the man she comes to love draws her in the opposite direction - into the realm of the spiritual, the divine and the magical. The Signature of All Things soars across the globe of the nineteenth century, from London and Peru, to Philadelphia, Tahiti and beyond. Peopled with extraordinary characters along the way, most of all it has an unforgettable heroine in Alma Whittaker.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
- 384 pages
- 14 hours of reading
Harold Fry is convinced that he must deliver a letter to an old love in order to save her, meeting various characters along the way and reminiscing about the events of his past and people he has known, as he tries to find peace and acceptance.
The author chronicles how the U.S. government gave her and her Brazilian-born lover, Felipe, an ultimatum--marry or he cannot enter the country again--and how she tackled her fears through research and reflection on the institution of marriage
Wilful Behaviour
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
From the acclaimed author of The Waters of Eternal Youth, Commissario Guido Brunetti dredges up dark secrets from Italy's anti-Semitic past in his captivating eleventh case. Mystery lovers everywhere are addicted to Donna Leon's ever-honorable Commissario Guido Brunetti and her portrayal of Venice's beautiful but sinister byways and canals. In Willful Behavior, Brunetti is approached for a favor by one of his wife's students. Intelligent and serious , Claudia Leonardo asks for his help in obtaining a pardon for a crime once committed by her now-dead grandfather. Brunetti thinks little of it-until Claudia is found dead. Soon, another corpse and an extraordinary art collection lead Brunetti to long-buried secrets of Nazi collaboration and the exploitation of Italian Jews-secrets few in Italy want revealed.
Imperium
- 403 pages
- 15 hours of reading
When Tiro, the confidential secretary of a Roman senator, encounters a terrified stranger on a cold November morning, he unwittingly sets off a series of events that will lead his master into a historic courtroom drama. The stranger, a Sicilian wronged by the corrupt governor Verres, brings a case to Cicero, a brilliant young lawyer and orator eager to achieve supreme power. This marks the beginning of a compelling narrative, told from Tiro's perspective, that immerses readers in the treacherous world of Roman politics. It explores how one man—clever, compassionate, and vulnerable—navigates the complexities of ambition and power. The story emphasizes the significance of articulating ambition, as Cicero's bold declaration of his aspirations ignites hope and possibility. Robert Harris reflects on his long-standing fascination with politics, likening it to a contact sport. He highlights the timeless elements of oratory, strategizing, and public manipulation that make politics exhilarating. Cicero’s journey is not just a historical account but a universal exploration of ambition and the thrill of political life.