Jennifer Robson

Canadian writer (born 1970)

Jennifer Robson (born January 5, 1970) is a Canadian author of historical fiction.

Biography

Jennifer Robson was born January 5, 1970, in Peterborough, Ontario.^[1] Her father was a historian and her mother was a lawyer and judge.^[2] She became interested in history when she was still a student; when she was a teenager, her parents gave her a copy of Vera Brittain's war memoir Testament of Youth and she has reread it several times since.^[3]

She graduated from King's College, University of Western Ontario and St. Antony's College, Oxford, where she received a Ph.D.^[2] She is a former Commonwealth Scholar and SSHRC Doctoral Fellow, Oxford University.^[2] She worked as a copywriter and editor in magazine and newspaper publishing.^[2]

Robson writes historical fiction set in the 20th century. She plots her novels in advance of writing.^[4]

The Gown (2018) and Our Darkest Night (2021) received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly.^[5]^[6] The review of Our Darkest Night said, "Robson (The Gown) shines with this stellar WWII story" and "The brutal reality and atrocities of war are on full view with devastating clarity. Expert characterizations and perfect pacing are rounded out by lyrical prose".^[5] The Gown was called "a satisfying multigenerational epic" and noted "Robson’s meticulous attention to historical details—notably the intricacies of the embroidery work—is a wonderful complement to the memorable stories of Ann and Miriam, making for a winning, heartwarming tale".^[6] Publishers Weekly wrote that in Moonlight over Paris (2016), "Robson's historical research is evident in her great attention to detail, adding realism to a magnetic novel that's complete with actual historical figures".^[7] Publishers Weekly mentioned 2023 novel Coronation Year's slow start, but noted "Robson ramps up the action" and "Robson adds intriguing supporting characters to the mix".^[8]

Kirkus Reviews gave a critical review to Moonlight over Paris, saying Robson " delivers a dim tale devoid of moonlight".^[9] Kirkus called The Gown (2018) "A fascinating glimpse into the world of design, the healing power of art, and the importance of women’s friendships".^[10]

Robson is married and has two children.^[2]

Selected works

Goodnight from London. William Morrow, 2017. ISBN 9780062675576^[11]
The Gown. William Morrow, 2018. ISBN 9780062884275^[10]^[6]^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17]
Our Darkest Night. William Morrow, 2021. ISBN 9780063059405^[5]^[18]^[19]
Coronation Year. 2023. ISBN 9780063297104^[8]^[20]^[21]^[22]^[23]

The Great War series

Somewhere in France. William Morrow, 2013. ISBN 9780062273451^[24]^[25]
After the War is Over. William Morrow, 2014. ISBN 9781629533179^[26]^[27]
Moonlight Over Paris. William Morrow, 2016. ISBN 9780062389824^[9]^[7]

References

^ "Jennifer Robson: The most successful Canadian author you've never heard of". The Globe and Mail. 2016-02-19. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Jennifer Robson." Gale Literature: Contemporary Authors. Gale, 2019. Gale Literature Resource Center. Accessed 20 Apr. 2023.
^ "Interview With Author Jennifer Robson on Somewhere in France". HuffPost. 2014-01-28. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ "Interview With Author Jennifer Robson On Writing Historical Fiction And Her New Book, Moonlight Over Paris". HuffPost. 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Our Darkest Night by Jennifer Robson". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ ^a ^b ^c "The Gown by Jennifer Robson". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ ^a ^b "Moonlight Over Paris by Jennifer Robson". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ ^a ^b "Coronation Year by Jennifer Robson". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ ^a ^b Moonlight over Paris. Kirkus Reviews.
^ ^a ^b The Gown. Kirkus Reviews.
^ "Goodnight from London". Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ "The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding". Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ "The Gown". Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ Cú, Con (2019-01-03). "The Gown by Jennifer Robson". Ottawa Review of Books. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ Lenker, Maureen Lee. "Jennifer Robson talks royal weddings and giving voice to historical women in 'The Gown'". EW.com. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ McClurg, Jocelyn. "Say 'I do' to novel about women who made Queen Elizabeth's wedding gown". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ Levy, E.J. (December 22, 2019). "Review | How Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress diverted war-torn England". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-23.
^ Cú, Con (2021-06-04). "Our Darkest Night by Jennifer Robson". Ottawa Review of Books. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ "'Our Darkest Night' by Jennifer Robson". Telegraph India. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ "Coronation Year". Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ Burack, Emily (2023-04-04). "Jennifer Robson Never Set Out to Write a Novel About Queen Elizabeth's Coronation". Town & Country. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ Davidson, Denise (2023-04-02). "Novelist brings a queen and a commoner together in 'Coronation Year'". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ Brody, Laura. "Internationally bestselling author Jennifer Robson chats about new novel". www.chch.com. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ "Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ "Somewhere in France: A Novel of the Great War". Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ "After the War is Over by Jennifer Robson". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^ "After the War is Over". Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-04-20.