a brief history of montmaray by michelle cooper

It soon became apparent that the girl was a princess who lived in the 1930s, which meant I would have to do some research if I wanted to turn her into a novel. What was an aeroplane doing there? For that matter, where was she? Who was she? And what was she writing in her diary? I decided I had to find out more. An aeroplane appeared on the horizon and she peered at it curiously. My mind's eye was suddenly filled with the image of a teenage girl, perched on a castle wall and scribbling in her diary.

A Brief History of Montmaray began one day when I was very hard at 'work' - that is, I was staring out the window of my inner-city flat, wondering what it would be like to live in a castle. One of the benefits of being a writer is that many enjoyable activities - daydreaming, for instance - can be classified as 'work'. The article was first published in Viewpoint, Volume 16 (4), 2008 Hard at work on A Brief History of Montmaray I couldn’t put it down.The following article discusses the process of researching, planning and writing A Brief History of Montmaray. This is an excellent book for teenage girls with an interest in history, a weakness for crumbling castles and a desire to see beyond the princess myth without becoming completely disillusioned. But her interests have grown beyond dress shops, parties and cinemas. By the end of the book she is ready to take her place in society. Her voice is vivid and engaging, her inner growth real and profound. In the midst of political upheaval, Sophie grapples with issues of love, identity and truth. Through Sophie’s interaction with two unexpected groups of visitors we experience the aftermath of World War One, which killed many of the island’s male inhabitants, the turmoil of Spanish Civil War, and the impending disaster which became World War Two. Sophie’s last days on the island are marred by death, the emergence of deep family secrets, her growing affection for Simon Chester, the housekeeper’s son, and a mysterious visit from Nazi officials.

The castle is crumbling, war is brewing in Europe and Sophie’s Aunt Charlotte has decided it is time for the girls to leave their island home and take their place in society. Sophie lives on the island with her cousin Veronica, her younger sister, Henry, her mad uncle, the king, and a handful of loyal retainers. Sophie’s brother Toby is heir to the throne of Montmaray.

Set in the year 1936, The Brief History of Montmaray is the diary of Sophia Fitz Osborne, niece to the kingdom’s reigning monarch, King John. But everything else about this delightful historical novel – its voice, its context and its detail – is grounded in research. The island kingdom of Montmaray is fictitious.

A brief history of montmaray by michelle cooper