Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - The Maiden

This was a feminist read that didn't force 21st-century understandings of feminism onto these historical figures but instead examined different women surviving in the 17th century. Kate Foster wove the historical true story (there really was a Christian Nimmo and Lord James Forrester who ... well, I won't spoil it for you) into a rich and emotional trapestry. I felt deeply for each of the female characters.

Beautifully written, I was captured immediately. The book's intrigue propels you through the story, and the descriptions transport you to mid-17th century Edinburgh and the Scottish countryside. The emotional waves gutted me throughout and left my heart sore.

The dual perspectives and storylines were effective. The order of the chapters was intentionally planned to invoke specific feelings, create mystery, intrigue the reader, and allow the reader to better understand (and sympathize with) each of the women.

All in all, I can easily see why this story was nominated for so many awards.

If you want to see a well-written, three-dimensional female cast ... look no further.
If you want a historical fiction rooted in authentic history ... look no further.
If you want a transportive Scottish novel ... look no further.

Content Warnings

doodeedoda's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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aseel_reads's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

While I feel for the circumstances of the main female characters and how sucky their world was, I still didn't care for them or found that the story was written well etc. just not a great story stylistically

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tometrekker's review against another edition

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dark sad slow-paced

2.5

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happyknitter2020's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Read as part of the Women's Prize Longlist 2024.
A fictional perspective of true historical event of a woman being killed for murdering her Uncle. The author gently placed the tracing paper of today's understanding of intra familial abuse & a coersive controlling & abuse male to the experience from over 340 years ago in 1679.

Wouldn't have picked this up due to the cover design, but glad the longlist brouht this to my attention, as helped me to reflect on previous generations of womens experiences.

Content Warnings

anniestonebarger's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-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

Content Warnings

shelfofunread's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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