Scan barcode
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
Born into servitude in early 18th century England, Elizabeth Lyons is seduced by her master's son and cast off into the world. Arriving in London she is quickly included in a world of prostitution and crime to which she proves adept. Falling for a criminal called Jack Sheppard she becomes his notorious accomplice and together they evade the noose until they are caught. Edgeworth Bess becomes the subject of notoriety until finally she realises the nature of true love and redemption.
Written in the slang of the time this book can seem impenetrable at the start but it rewards persistence. Based on a series of true stories, Jack Sheppard was a famous housebreaker who escaped from prison several times, Bess was his 'wife' and accomplice. Written from the perspective of Bess and also the journalist producing her 'death-bed confession' the book takes the reader on a journey through life in 'Romeville', Soho and Covent Garden. I particularly liked the way Arnott has woven the tale of the 'Molly-men' into the book, the harsh treatment of homosexuals.
Written in the slang of the time this book can seem impenetrable at the start but it rewards persistence. Based on a series of true stories, Jack Sheppard was a famous housebreaker who escaped from prison several times, Bess was his 'wife' and accomplice. Written from the perspective of Bess and also the journalist producing her 'death-bed confession' the book takes the reader on a journey through life in 'Romeville', Soho and Covent Garden. I particularly liked the way Arnott has woven the tale of the 'Molly-men' into the book, the harsh treatment of homosexuals.
beetective's review against another edition
2.0
First Reading Review (11.2.19)
When I looked online about this book, there were a lot of bad reviews. Mostly about how the language was out of place and was hard to understand, but for me it was fine. I did think they should have taken it out though just to make it that little bit easier to understand. The story is split into two main characters, Bess and William, but Bess is definitely more of the main character of the story. It's basically set in the early 1700s, which I wasn't too thrilled about, but it was okay. Everything about it was average to me, maybe a lil bit over because there were a few pages that piqued my interest, like the inclusion of the LGBT community in some respects and just the overall sense of dread throughout it. Some characters were hard for me to remember, as always.
Second Reading Review (4.04.22)
Definitely not as good as the first time around, I don’t know what compelled me to rate it an above-average score. The language was grating, and I think is responsible for me not enjoying it as much as I’d like to, and also the fact that it was just a slog to get through. Nothing happens in particular with Bess, she just does crimes and has sex and gets herself sent to jail. This can also be applied to Billy (William) but at least I do not have to sit through pages of words that I do not connect with. The only thing that I liked this time round was the Jack Sheppard execution chapter, mainly because it made me actually feel something other than bored. Also, the hardcover is more of a papery/cardboard material and that is an irk for me when it comes to books.
Rating: 4/10
When I looked online about this book, there were a lot of bad reviews. Mostly about how the language was out of place and was hard to understand, but for me it was fine. I did think they should have taken it out though just to make it that little bit easier to understand. The story is split into two main characters, Bess and William, but Bess is definitely more of the main character of the story. It's basically set in the early 1700s, which I wasn't too thrilled about, but it was okay. Everything about it was average to me, maybe a lil bit over because there were a few pages that piqued my interest, like the inclusion of the LGBT community in some respects and just the overall sense of dread throughout it. Some characters were hard for me to remember, as always.
Second Reading Review (4.04.22)
Definitely not as good as the first time around, I don’t know what compelled me to rate it an above-average score. The language was grating, and I think is responsible for me not enjoying it as much as I’d like to, and also the fact that it was just a slog to get through. Nothing happens in particular with Bess, she just does crimes and has sex and gets herself sent to jail. This can also be applied to Billy (William) but at least I do not have to sit through pages of words that I do not connect with. The only thing that I liked this time round was the Jack Sheppard execution chapter, mainly because it made me actually feel something other than bored. Also, the hardcover is more of a papery/cardboard material and that is an irk for me when it comes to books.
Rating: 4/10
emmap2023's review against another edition
3.0
This book is based on real life characters of the 18th Century.
Elizabeth Lyon "Edgeware Bess" is portrayed with a fictional backstory however, she was indeed a prostitute and a thief during these times in London and was well acquainted with the Black Lion Pub, Jonathan Wild "The Thief Taker" and Jack Sheppard.
Jonathan Wild was notorious for working both sides of the law and eventually was handed over by his own men for his duplicity.
Jack Sheppard grew up in a workhouse with his mother after his fathers death before taking on an apprenticeship in his fathers trade of Carpentry.
What is unique about this book is the language, the back of the book has a useful glossary of terms for the slang used however, I found it extremely easy to work out the meanings and it never stopped or stilted the path of the story.
The story itself is based around actual events noted in the archives of the Old Bailey and begins introducing Elizabeth Lyon in rural servitude, her fall from grace and path to London's underbelly leading her to both prostitution and her initial manipulation to crime by Jonathan Wild before she meets and marries Jack.
There is thankfully no forced happy ending to this book, just the harsh reality of the times but to the very end, you feel exposed to the filth, degredation and underhandedness of that time.
The unique coloqiolisms of the writing along with Jack Arnott's writing style makes this book easy to read and the pacing drew me back time and again even if only for a few pages.
This true crime history was a great read and I gave it 4*'s
Elizabeth Lyon "Edgeware Bess" is portrayed with a fictional backstory however, she was indeed a prostitute and a thief during these times in London and was well acquainted with the Black Lion Pub, Jonathan Wild "The Thief Taker" and Jack Sheppard.
Jonathan Wild was notorious for working both sides of the law and eventually was handed over by his own men for his duplicity.
Jack Sheppard grew up in a workhouse with his mother after his fathers death before taking on an apprenticeship in his fathers trade of Carpentry.
What is unique about this book is the language, the back of the book has a useful glossary of terms for the slang used however, I found it extremely easy to work out the meanings and it never stopped or stilted the path of the story.
The story itself is based around actual events noted in the archives of the Old Bailey and begins introducing Elizabeth Lyon in rural servitude, her fall from grace and path to London's underbelly leading her to both prostitution and her initial manipulation to crime by Jonathan Wild before she meets and marries Jack.
There is thankfully no forced happy ending to this book, just the harsh reality of the times but to the very end, you feel exposed to the filth, degredation and underhandedness of that time.
The unique coloqiolisms of the writing along with Jack Arnott's writing style makes this book easy to read and the pacing drew me back time and again even if only for a few pages.
This true crime history was a great read and I gave it 4*'s
grubstlodger's review against another edition
1.0
The key to the book’s failure, is the (mis)use of eighteenth-century slang, which sinks the book utterly. It is like the novel was written in standard English but then translated into cant by a computer programme.
The reason for this is that the author doesn’t seem to realise that people use slang in their own ways and even those who use great swathes of slang do not choose the slang term at every single opportunity. Just because a person has a slang word for ‘eyes’ or ‘stairs’ doesn’t mean they only use those words every single time they want to describe eyes or stairs. In this book ‘eyes’ are always ‘glaziers’, ‘stairs’ are always ‘prancers’, ‘tea’ is always ‘prattle-broth’ and a bad feeling (whether it’s morning sickness or grief) is always ‘crank’.
We simply don’t get the opportunity to enjoy the romance of Bess and Jack, thrill to Jack’s prison escapes or feel hatred to Jonathan Wild because the whole thing is mired in the gloop of canting verbiage. It becomes a tremendous slog.
Which is to say nothing of it's plot, a patchwork quilt of better books stitched together. The thefts come thick, fast and obvious in the beginning; we start by lifting from ‘Moll Flanders’, proceed into the first picture in a ‘Harlot’s Progress’ and continue into ‘Fanny Hill’ - and so we continue, with barely a scene or moment that hasn’t been borrowed from some other book.
The reason for this is that the author doesn’t seem to realise that people use slang in their own ways and even those who use great swathes of slang do not choose the slang term at every single opportunity. Just because a person has a slang word for ‘eyes’ or ‘stairs’ doesn’t mean they only use those words every single time they want to describe eyes or stairs. In this book ‘eyes’ are always ‘glaziers’, ‘stairs’ are always ‘prancers’, ‘tea’ is always ‘prattle-broth’ and a bad feeling (whether it’s morning sickness or grief) is always ‘crank’.
We simply don’t get the opportunity to enjoy the romance of Bess and Jack, thrill to Jack’s prison escapes or feel hatred to Jonathan Wild because the whole thing is mired in the gloop of canting verbiage. It becomes a tremendous slog.
Which is to say nothing of it's plot, a patchwork quilt of better books stitched together. The thefts come thick, fast and obvious in the beginning; we start by lifting from ‘Moll Flanders’, proceed into the first picture in a ‘Harlot’s Progress’ and continue into ‘Fanny Hill’ - and so we continue, with barely a scene or moment that hasn’t been borrowed from some other book.
georgey1809's review
3.0
Set in 1726 and told through a series of letters by an anonymous writer, it follows the story of Elizabeth Lyon, or Edgworth Beth which she is later to be known by and the path that leads her to be cast onto the streets of the wicked city and her survival.
I did enjoy this book; it was easy enough to read once you get the hang of the language. For the first half of the book I did keep having to skip to the index to read the definition of the word so I could put the sentence into context.
The story follows Edgworth Beth's life through Romeville and her meeting Jack Sheppherd; the man who lays Romeville at her feet. There are not only the stories of Beth and Jack told throughout but also of 2 / 3 other characters that do all intertwine with one another and fit well together.
I understand why this has been labelled as a poignant book due to the ending.
I would say give it a read if you don't mind historical fiction and want something easy to read that doesn't take too much focus.
I did enjoy this book; it was easy enough to read once you get the hang of the language. For the first half of the book I did keep having to skip to the index to read the definition of the word so I could put the sentence into context.
The story follows Edgworth Beth's life through Romeville and her meeting Jack Sheppherd; the man who lays Romeville at her feet. There are not only the stories of Beth and Jack told throughout but also of 2 / 3 other characters that do all intertwine with one another and fit well together.
I understand why this has been labelled as a poignant book due to the ending.
I would say give it a read if you don't mind historical fiction and want something easy to read that doesn't take too much focus.
moonbeammonkey's review
4.0
Fascinating account of crime life in 18th century London - engaging even if the vocabulary is a little distracting at times. It works well within the story and it's a great read overall.
larryschwartz's review
2.0
Sorry but I could only muster a "meh" for this. It was engaging for a little while, but I ended up heading for the last several pages.
nikkibee's review
3.0
It's a hard book to read with the slang taking a while to get used to. The tale is interesting the author makes no effort to softened the realities of the age. Death, sickness and what the poor had to do to survive all mixed together to show a harsh work of survival. I can't say I enjoyed it really, but it was a well-written book with lots of research to back up the tale and the characters were well rounded.
jenniferw88's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cassie_ellie's review
4.0
As a lover of all things history (especially to do with historical crime), I really enjoyed this book. Bess was a likeable (for all her faults) character and the Thief-taker General makes a good villain. The only small drawback would be the slang - I enjoyed it and it gave Bess that little bit more voice, but it could also get in the way at times as I had to flip to the back to find the translations.
All in all, I loved this book and will probably reread it in the not so distant future.
All in all, I loved this book and will probably reread it in the not so distant future.
More...