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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I enjoy novels by Stacey Halls but this one just didn't feel as gripping as the others. The gothic elements didn't go far enough for me and the sense of foreboding wasn't as strong as I'd have liked. Overall it was good enough but I've enjoyed her others more.
Well told gothic style mystery novel. Ruby May is a well trained children’s nurse who moves to look after four children in a secluded house in Yorkshire. Over time the secrets of the house and Ruby’s life are revealed.
Mrs England was sent to me so long ago to read and review, and when I finally got round to it this weekend, I finished it in a day.
This book was exactly the type of writing we've come to expect from this author. Stacey Halls has such a unique but brilliant writing style, which takes you back in time and totally pulls you in. It's one of those books where you forget you're reading because you're just so engrossed in the characters.
This book follows the story of Nurse Ruby May up to Yorkshire where she becomes the Nurse of four children, with a mother who Ruby can't quite figure out, and an overly involved father.
It's set in such a gorgeous location, which the author describes beautifully, and the plot will get you finishing the book in a day - like it did for me!
A definite recommendation.
This book was exactly the type of writing we've come to expect from this author. Stacey Halls has such a unique but brilliant writing style, which takes you back in time and totally pulls you in. It's one of those books where you forget you're reading because you're just so engrossed in the characters.
This book follows the story of Nurse Ruby May up to Yorkshire where she becomes the Nurse of four children, with a mother who Ruby can't quite figure out, and an overly involved father.
It's set in such a gorgeous location, which the author describes beautifully, and the plot will get you finishing the book in a day - like it did for me!
A definite recommendation.
I'll give this a very lukewarm two stars for being a nice little book and for the hope I had for a time that something was going to happen. Now as this is allegedly a throwback to the old gothic novels of the 60s/70s Dark Shadows era that I read by the armload, I figured I knew what to expect. Young girl coming to a mysterious house full of mysterious goings-on. There was not much of that, at least there was nothing tense or suspenseful happening. And when a climax came it was out of the blue, rather silly, and over in about two pages. There was quite a bit of story left, and I had lingering, if meager hopes that there would be a shocking twist or something, but nope. Unless the last sentence was supposed to be one, if so it was too little left too late. I predict I will completely forget about this book.
Partiamo dal presupposto che è una bella lettura. Non una lettura imperdibile e neanche una lettura che ti segna. Un libro come possono essercene tanti altri, bello per intrattenere ma non di quelli che ti rimangono dentro per un motivo particolare.
La scrittura è molto descrittiva, ottima per entrare nell'ambientazione, ma rallenta tanto gli avvenimenti. I personaggi sono interessanti ma scontati e non brillano nella caratterizzazione. La trama fila, scorre liscia e ti tiene incollata alle pagine, ma soffre un po' a causa delle descrizioni e dei personaggi di cui sopra.
Non vorrei però che questo giudizio così poco lusinghiero sia dovuto anche all'essere arrivato subito dopo un libro di Gaiman
La scrittura è molto descrittiva, ottima per entrare nell'ambientazione, ma rallenta tanto gli avvenimenti. I personaggi sono interessanti ma scontati e non brillano nella caratterizzazione. La trama fila, scorre liscia e ti tiene incollata alle pagine, ma soffre un po' a causa delle descrizioni e dei personaggi di cui sopra.
Non vorrei però che questo giudizio così poco lusinghiero sia dovuto anche all'essere arrivato subito dopo un libro di Gaiman
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the third book by Stacey Halls that I’ve read and again I really enjoyed it. This was more of a slower book in terms of getting to know the characters and it was hard to warm to Ruby. I wanted to know more of Ruby’s back story as it felt important to understanding her character but we had so little information for so long! Halls kept me guessing about Mr and Mrs England too, she weaves a story of a family full of lies and deceit and the impact this has on the children. Once again, Halls introduced me to an element of British history I didn’t know a lot about, this time the Norland Nurses who were trained as children’s nurses. These historical details are what make these books so brilliant, I’d recommend them to anyone.
medium-paced
𝕄𝕣𝕤 𝔼𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕
By Stacey Halls @staceyhallsauthor
Blurb
West Yorkshire, 1904. When newly-graduated nurse Ruby May takes a position looking after the children of Charles and Lilian England, a wealthy couple form a powerful dynasty of mill owners, she hopes it will be the fresh start she needs. But as she adapts to life at the isolated Hardcastle House, it becomes clear there's something not quite right about the beautiful, mysterious Mrs England.
Ostracised by the other servants and feeling increasingly uneasy, soon a series of strange events will force Ruby to question everything she thought she knew . . .
I listened to the audio book, and I just love Stacey Halls style of writing. Her characters are always interesting, her settings are always beautifully described, and the narrative is always wonderful.
A fabulous book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! 🤓
By Stacey Halls @staceyhallsauthor
Blurb
West Yorkshire, 1904. When newly-graduated nurse Ruby May takes a position looking after the children of Charles and Lilian England, a wealthy couple form a powerful dynasty of mill owners, she hopes it will be the fresh start she needs. But as she adapts to life at the isolated Hardcastle House, it becomes clear there's something not quite right about the beautiful, mysterious Mrs England.
Ostracised by the other servants and feeling increasingly uneasy, soon a series of strange events will force Ruby to question everything she thought she knew . . .
I listened to the audio book, and I just love Stacey Halls style of writing. Her characters are always interesting, her settings are always beautifully described, and the narrative is always wonderful.
A fabulous book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! 🤓
Did anyone else get Jane Eyre vibes??
I borrowed this one from a friend and it didn’t disappoint. I totally agree. Loved it.
A lot of gothic elements throughout and this dark shadow throughout the novel which has you wondering what is really going on.
I found myself lingering in this novel as I did really enjoy being apart of this novel on the sidelines watching it all happen.
The main character is strict, conscious and a character that feels empathy for others. Most importantly she was very real. For the era and everything that is.
She was fortunate enough to be trained at a fancy school to be a nanny. But one of higher standards of course.
Some strange things happens at her new post. I found myself a bit confused though as the turn of events just occurs rapidly out of nowhere towards the end.
Overall I am so getting into historical based novels. More interesting and you are not sure what to expect compared to some genres where its the same story with a different semi-flavour. I am interested in reading more of this author’s works.
Review: https://clife.blog/2023/10/18/book-review-mrs-england-by-stacey-halls/
I borrowed this one from a friend and it didn’t disappoint. I totally agree. Loved it.
A lot of gothic elements throughout and this dark shadow throughout the novel which has you wondering what is really going on.
I found myself lingering in this novel as I did really enjoy being apart of this novel on the sidelines watching it all happen.
The main character is strict, conscious and a character that feels empathy for others. Most importantly she was very real. For the era and everything that is.
She was fortunate enough to be trained at a fancy school to be a nanny. But one of higher standards of course.
Some strange things happens at her new post. I found myself a bit confused though as the turn of events just occurs rapidly out of nowhere towards the end.
Overall I am so getting into historical based novels. More interesting and you are not sure what to expect compared to some genres where its the same story with a different semi-flavour. I am interested in reading more of this author’s works.
Review: https://clife.blog/2023/10/18/book-review-mrs-england-by-stacey-halls/
Ruby May is a prestigiously trained children’s nurse in need of a fresh start which she hopes she’ll find in the home of Mr and Mrs England and their four children. Dedicated to her role, Ruby quickly takes control of the care of the children but can’t help feeling that something isn’t quite right in the home and she’s certain that it all stems from Mrs England. Feeling like she’s on her own in an unusual family set up and ignored by the other servants, Ruby is forced to revisit her own childhood and relationship with her parents. As tensions rise and events escalate, the past and the present collide with with tragic consequences.
I love a Stacey Halls novel (if you haven’t read The Familiars and The Foundling then I’d definitely recommend giving them a go) so I was really excited to get my hands on her latest novel. I found this a really enjoyable, fast paced read and I’m glad I read it although I have to say I did like her earlier books a little more.
Mrs England has a gothic mystery vibe and the writing really helps you picture the house, which is a central part of the story. There’s not a huge amount that actually happens in the book, its more about the build up to the end and I have to say I loved the very end of the book, just when you think everything is wrapped up, one sentence makes you question everything you think you know!
I love a Stacey Halls novel (if you haven’t read The Familiars and The Foundling then I’d definitely recommend giving them a go) so I was really excited to get my hands on her latest novel. I found this a really enjoyable, fast paced read and I’m glad I read it although I have to say I did like her earlier books a little more.
Mrs England has a gothic mystery vibe and the writing really helps you picture the house, which is a central part of the story. There’s not a huge amount that actually happens in the book, its more about the build up to the end and I have to say I loved the very end of the book, just when you think everything is wrapped up, one sentence makes you question everything you think you know!