The Hidden Child by Louise Fein | Blog Tour | Louise’s Top 5 Historical Films | @FeinLouise @Gray_Books @HoZ_Books

Eleanor Hamilton is a dutiful mother, a caring sister and an adoring wife to a celebrated war hero. Her husband, Edward, is a pioneer in the eugenics movement. The Hamiltons are on the social rise, and it looks as though their future is bright.*An International Bestseller from the author of People Like Us, shortlisted for the RSL Christopher Bland Prize and the RNA Historical Romantic Novel Award 2021*Based on the fascinating true story of Clarice Cliff who, from a working-class background in the 1920’s overcomes all the odds to become a famous ceramics artist. This is a really evocative and brilliantly made film which starkly shows the hardships of the working classes, the position of women and the fascinating world of the potteries. Men were making ceramics they thought women wanted, twee Victorian style, decorated with delicate rosebuds. Clarice changed all that – making the designs women themselves really wanted – modern, bold designs in bright Art Deco-style patterns. She saved the entire factory from demise in the Depression years, thanks to her innovation and designs.ABOUT THE AUTHOR1917 was filmed in just one take, which seems incredible, but so effective. I thought this was a very powerful film which really captures the relentless terror soldiers must have felt on the battlefield during the First World War. Made by Sam Mendes, it is partly inspired by stories told to Mendes by his grandfather who served in WWI. The story follows two British soldiers, Will and Tom and their mission to deliver an important message to call off a doomed offensive attack. It isn’t an easy watch, but deeply moving.
Forced to hide their daughter away so as to not jeopardise Edward’s life’s work, the couple must confront the truth of their past – and the secrets that have been buried.

From the outside, Eleanor and Edward Hamilton have the perfect life, but they’re harbouring a secret that threatens to fracture their entire world.
A beautiful, romantic film made back in 1985 which captures the tone and times of late Edwardian England, of course based on the novel by E.M. Forster (published in 1908). It is set both in Italy and England and is about the well-bred Lucy Honeychurch, who finds herself swept up by a passion for the young and free-spirited George Emerson, who is also to be regarded as entirely unsuitable by her family. Full of suppressed feelings and the restrictions of class and race, this lavish film is wonderful to watch.

Louise Fein is the author of People Like Us, her debut novel. It is a story of forbidden love and the brainwashing of a nation, set in 1930’s Leipzig, and was inspired by the experiences of her family who fled Leipzig as refugees in 1933. The novel has been published in thirteen territories and has been shortlisted for the RSL Christopher Bland Prize 2021, as well as for the RNA Historical Novel of the Year award 2021. Her second novel, The Hidden Child, is set in 1920’s England and tells the story of a couple who are ardent supporters of the burgeoning Eugenics movement, until their own daughter turns out to be not quite perfect. She holds an MA in creative writing from St Mary’s University, London, and lives in Surrey with her family.

The Book Thief
Will Eleanor and Edward be able to fight for their family? Or will the truth destroy them?

1917
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Louise’s Top 5 historical films

The Colour Room

I actually loved the book as well, but the film made of this heart-breaking, World War two story is also very moving and beautifully made. The story is about Liesel who at twelve years old suffers the loss of her brother who dies on a train they are travelling on. As he is buried next to the tracks, she steals her first book, The Grave Digger’s handbook. Her mother, accused of being a communist, is gone and Liesel is raised by foster parents, Rosa and Hans in Munich. She meets Rudi, the boy who lives next door, and so begins an innocent relationship which turns out to be love, although Liesel doesn’t realise it. This film is about ordinary people who do the best they can; about the power of books and stories and words, and about the endless ability of humans to do both infinitesimal amounts of good and evil.
Atonement

A Room With a View

When Mabel, their young daughter, begins to develop debilitating seizures, they have to face an uncomfortable truth: Mabel has epilepsy – one of the ‘undesirable’ conditions that Edward campaigns against.

The Hidden Child was one of my favourite books of 2021. You can read my review here to see why I loved it so much and I was delighted to be invited to take part in the tour for the paperback release. My thanks to Graeme Williams for the invite. For my turn, I have a fabulous post from Louise which I hope you enjoy.

The Hidden Child is a historical fiction novel set in the 1920’s and is inspired by real events and historical figures. My film choices here are all from a similar time period, and are based true events or reference sentiments, living conditions and ideals from those times. Films can be a great resource for research for historical novelists in addition to reading. Made in 2007, Atonement is a great film based on the excellent novel by Ian McEwan. The film spans six decades, beginning in the 1930’s when the young Briony, daughter of a wealthy family, witnesses her older sister and the housekeeper’s son, Robbie together, but misinterprets what is going on. Further events that evening result in Robbie being arrested and convicted for a crime he didn’t commit. The story continues over the decades with the crime that was at the heart of the story coming again to the fore as Briony realises her mistakes from the past. The film also reflects accurately the metafiction aspects of the book which are revealed at the end. You will have to watch it to find out what these are!
London, 1929