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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Although I read avidly and wrote with flair, far exceeding the direction of the tutor who came to Roseburn, these assets were not considered to be as attractive as obedience or serenity or silence.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-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:
Complicated
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
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:
Complicated
I wasn't expecting too much for 99p on Kindle but what a superb book! It's tense, gripping, moving and powerful, based on the true story of a noble woman, Christian Nimmo, accused of murdering her lover in 17th century Edinburgh.
I couldn't put it down. It was beautifully written with evocative descriptions and well-drawn characters. It paints a vivid and fascinating picture of the city in this era, highlighting the huge divide between rich and poor, from the splendors of the Laird's castle to the poverty-ridden tenements and brothels. It's the story of women struggling to survive in a man's world, a world where hypocrisy and double standards are rife. The ministers of the Kirk preach in their pulpits, denouncing sinners and fornicators but many of the most prominent, influential men in the city are regular visitors to Mrs Fiddes' notorious pleasure house.
When Violet, a 'common whore' and Christian, a 'respectable' aristocratic married woman become involved with the same manipulative man, their lives are never the same again. The power this rogue has over them is terrifying and yet relatable. I am glad that Christian Nimmo's story has been brought to our attention and we have some understanding of what might lead a woman of her background to end up in this position.
I absolutely loved the book and I can totally see why it has been longlisted for a fiction prize.
I couldn't put it down. It was beautifully written with evocative descriptions and well-drawn characters. It paints a vivid and fascinating picture of the city in this era, highlighting the huge divide between rich and poor, from the splendors of the Laird's castle to the poverty-ridden tenements and brothels. It's the story of women struggling to survive in a man's world, a world where hypocrisy and double standards are rife. The ministers of the Kirk preach in their pulpits, denouncing sinners and fornicators but many of the most prominent, influential men in the city are regular visitors to Mrs Fiddes' notorious pleasure house.
When Violet, a 'common whore' and Christian, a 'respectable' aristocratic married woman become involved with the same manipulative man, their lives are never the same again. The power this rogue has over them is terrifying and yet relatable. I am glad that Christian Nimmo's story has been brought to our attention and we have some understanding of what might lead a woman of her background to end up in this position.
I absolutely loved the book and I can totally see why it has been longlisted for a fiction prize.
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4th read from the Women's prize for fiction 24
" In the end it didn't matter what I said at my trial. No one believed me."
Quickly, you step into the sights and sounds of 17th century Edinburgh and the trial of Lady Christo Nimmo for the murder of a very unpleasant man.
Written in a split time line, jumping from events leading up to the murder and those following the trial.
Mainly told through the eyes of Lady Christo and Violet a prostitute, drawing you into their stories.
This is a story about inequality; women and men, rich and poor but also about women as prey to the murdered man.
Quickly, you step into the sights and sounds of 17th century Edinburgh and the trial of Lady Christo Nimmo for the murder of a very unpleasant man.
Written in a split time line, jumping from events leading up to the murder and those following the trial.
Mainly told through the eyes of Lady Christo and Violet a prostitute, drawing you into their stories.
This is a story about inequality; women and men, rich and poor but also about women as prey to the murdered man.