Farthing

by Jo Walton
Farthing cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 9884
  • Added: 2026-01-04
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9781472113009
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2013-12-24
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Eight years after Britain's upper class made a separate peace with Hitler, the Farthing set gathers for a weekend retreat. Among them is Lucy Kahn, whose Jewish husband David's presence was forcefully requested. The idyll is shattered when Sir James Thirkie is found murdered with a Star of David pinned to his chest, framing David for the crime. As the trap closes, Lucy and David uncover a perilous way out in a darkening world./n/nThe story is set in a chilling alternate history where Britain's political landscape is fraught with tension and intrigue. The narrative delves into themes of identity, political machinations, and the struggle for survival in a world where the lines between right and wrong are blurred. The principal investigator from Scotland Yard, with his own reasons for sympathizing with outcasts, adds a layer of complexity to the unfolding mystery.

Reviews
Bastian's Book Reviews · 2017-10-22
excellent 4.50

The book is a smart, tense, and compelling novel that deserves praise for its originality and pace. The mystery is well-crafted, with enough twists to keep readers engaged.

Bastian's Book Reviews praises 'Farthing' for its smart and compelling narrative, highlighting its originality and pace. The reviewer finds the mystery well-crafted, with enough twists and turns to keep readers engaged throughout. The book's setting and characters are also noted for their depth and intrigue, making it a standout in the alternate history genre. The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to blend a classic murder mystery with a dark and thought-provoking alternate history, resulting in a highly enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

    It's a smart, tense, compelling novel, worthy of praise for its originality, its pace, and especially its mystery.

    The book's setting and characters are noted for their depth and intrigue, making it a standout in the alternate history genre.

    The novel's ability to blend a classic murder mystery with a dark and thought-provoking alternate history results in a highly enjoyable read.

The Literary Omnivore · 2012-08-01
thoughtful 4.00

The book is a thoughtful exploration of how good people can do awful things, wrapped in a cozy murder mystery. It effectively uses an alternate 1940s setting to delve into complex moral issues.

The Literary Omnivore's review of 'Farthing' highlights its unique blend of a cozy murder mystery and a dark alternate history. The reviewer appreciates how the book uses its setting to explore the nuances of morality and the actions of seemingly good people in dire circumstances. The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, making it a compelling read for those interested in both mystery and historical fiction. The alternate 1940s Britain provides a rich backdrop that enhances the story's themes and keeps readers hooked.

Quick quotes

    Farthing is a thoughtful exploration of how good people can do awful things, via a cozy murder mystery in an alternate 1940s.

    The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, making it a compelling read for those interested in both mystery and historical fiction.

    The alternate 1940s Britain provides a rich backdrop that enhances the story's themes and keeps readers hooked.

Shaun Duke · Shaun Duke · 2007-07-03
intriguing 3.00

The book is powerfully intriguing but ultimately disappointing due to its ending. The narrative moves smoothly until the conclusion, which falls flat.

Shaun Duke finds 'Farthing' to be a powerfully intriguing book that unfortunately stumbles at the end. The reviewer appreciates the smooth and engaging narrative leading up to the conclusion, which they find disappointing. Despite this, the book's exploration of an alternate history and its well-crafted mystery elements are noted as strengths. The reviewer suggests that the ending detracts from the overall impact of the story, but the journey is still worthwhile for fans of the genre. The book's themes and setting are praised, even if the conclusion does not live up to the rest of the narrative.

Quick quotes

    This is a powerfully intriguing book that hurts itself in the end.

    Everything moves so smoothly, and then comes the end and disappointment.

    The book's exploration of an alternate history and its well-crafted mystery elements are noted as strengths.

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