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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A beautiful book, and I have to admit there were tears at the end!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Abortion, Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Classism
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Maiden is a book inspired by true events. In Edinburgh, in 1679 Christian Nimmo is arrested for the murder of her lover James Forrester. The newspapers splash the story and soon everyone has little doubt: adulteress, whore, murderess.
Only the year before Lady Christian was living a different life of privilege and respectability. How did the affair happen? Is she guilty, she wasn’t the only woman in Forrester’s life or with a motive.
I love books which are rooted in fact and I did a bit of rabbit holing with this one as I read. I was interested to know if the narrative deviated from fact and how much. The authors note at the end gives a lot of this information.
‘You are sentenced to beheading. God have mercy on your soul. Prepare yourself in prayer.’
The first lines are just chilling and the scene is set. We know from these lines that she is found guilty and I was consumed by the book with these few words.
Foster paints a vivid picture of Christian’s life, we follow her story and the threads come together, turning full circle until we meet her awaiting execution at the hands of the titular Maiden, which was the guillotine used for executions in Scotland from 1564-1710.
The women of the story are unexpected, sharp, bold and fabulous. This is a treat of a book, compelling, enthralling and utterly riveting.
I’m not surprised that it was nominated for the Women’sPrize.
medium-paced