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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
challenging
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
dark
mysterious
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:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked the ending of this book. It was powerful, reflective and lyrical.
But the other 380 pages? Not quite so much. It was evidently positioning itself as the next Alias Grace, but lacked some of the depth and deft craftwork that Atwood is able to deliver. The best character in the novel is Violet, the prostitute come maid. Many of those who populate the novel seem quite shallow in character-building, Andrew foremost amongst them.
But the book's cardinal sin for a historical fiction fan is that Foster does not understand the 16th century. It is clearly not an area of expertise for the author, with rankles ranging from both a complete lack of larger historical context (no acknowledgement of an aristocratic rebellion that occurred that same year), to missing some of the details (there wouldn't be teacups in the 17th century, heated glasshouses had barely been invented). Foster uses daily broadsheets as a literary device (a la Atwood), but nothing would be published so regularly at these time.
Finally, the motivation for the crime at the heart of the novel, when it is finally revealed, does not feel earned. Again to compare the novel to Atwood, the tension has not been built up effectively to the murder when it finally occurs. Key details are left out by both Violet and Christian very inorganically to create a sense of mystery.
Ultimately, this was a disappointing read.
But the other 380 pages? Not quite so much. It was evidently positioning itself as the next Alias Grace, but lacked some of the depth and deft craftwork that Atwood is able to deliver. The best character in the novel is Violet, the prostitute come maid. Many of those who populate the novel seem quite shallow in character-building, Andrew foremost amongst them.
But the book's cardinal sin for a historical fiction fan is that Foster does not understand the 16th century. It is clearly not an area of expertise for the author, with rankles ranging from both a complete lack of larger historical context (no acknowledgement of an aristocratic rebellion that occurred that same year), to missing some of the details (there wouldn't be teacups in the 17th century, heated glasshouses had barely been invented). Foster uses daily broadsheets as a literary device (a la Atwood), but nothing would be published so regularly at these time.
Finally, the motivation for the crime at the heart of the novel, when it is finally revealed, does not feel earned. Again to compare the novel to Atwood, the tension has not been built up effectively to the murder when it finally occurs. Key details are left out by both Violet and Christian very inorganically to create a sense of mystery.
Ultimately, this was a disappointing read.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hoo boy, this was juicy.
🐛 BookTube review coming soon on Hello, Bookworm.
"I would rather burn than die unloved."
Is this book romance? Or a murder mystery?
The answer: Yes ...sort of (honestly, it's complicated).😬
I did not expect this book to be so thrilling! Foster does a masterful job of luring readers with a promise of revealing the truth.
Chapters oscillate between the months leading up to the murder and the days after the trial, and this structure never ceases to fascinate as Foster deftly reveals details in a carefully woven timelines, and often pairs them with revelatory newspaper articles.
The story is a reimagining of true events concerning a woman named Christian Nimmo, who was accused of murdering her lover and uncle in 1679 and faced death at the Maiden, a gruesome guillotine used for public execution.
Foster admits in the Author's Note that she takes many creative liberties with Lady Christian's story, but her take on the story is compelling, scintillating, and satisfying. Definitely recommend this one to fans of historical fiction!
🐛 BookTube review coming soon on Hello, Bookworm.
"I would rather burn than die unloved."
Is this book romance? Or a murder mystery?
The answer: Yes ...sort of (honestly, it's complicated).😬
I did not expect this book to be so thrilling! Foster does a masterful job of luring readers with a promise of revealing the truth.
Chapters oscillate between the months leading up to the murder and the days after the trial, and this structure never ceases to fascinate as Foster deftly reveals details in a carefully woven timelines, and often pairs them with revelatory newspaper articles.
The story is a reimagining of true events concerning a woman named Christian Nimmo, who was accused of murdering her lover and uncle in 1679 and faced death at the Maiden, a gruesome guillotine used for public execution.
Foster admits in the Author's Note that she takes many creative liberties with Lady Christian's story, but her take on the story is compelling, scintillating, and satisfying. Definitely recommend this one to fans of historical fiction!
medium-paced
dark
sad
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content
Moderate: Abortion