Scan barcode
A review by woodsbookclub
The Revenge of Bridget Cleary by Mathilda Zeller
4.0
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Inspired by the actual 1895 murder of Bridget Cleary by her husband Michael, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is a story of betrayal and fear, but also about making peace with our demons.
I didn't know about the Cleary, but I would say it's risky to include fairies in a retelling of her story. Despite that, I really liked the way Bridget Cleary is portrayed and how her story is told. Though it deals with the horror of a murder, it focuses more on the strength that comes from shared trials and how to both forgive and do justice.
The book also addresses the struggle for Irish Home Rule, events surrounding the late pre-Raphaelite artistic movement, and themes of class, oppression, and Victorian gender norms.
There's romance, but I enjoyed how the sisterhood (between our main character and the wild, yet wise Adelaide, and the street-smart and loyal Florence) is much more central to Brigid's story than her love interest is. Each character was well integrated into the plot, whilst not feeling like they were there as ‘side characters.’ I didn't love Brigid, the main character, but I was invested in her quest and I cried and gasped several times.
With a clean and crisp prose, this historical drama promises true crime, healing generational trauma, wicked faeries, tender romance, feminism, and many twists and turns. I just wished it was longer to have a more balanced pace.
Inspired by the actual 1895 murder of Bridget Cleary by her husband Michael, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is a story of betrayal and fear, but also about making peace with our demons.
I didn't know about the Cleary, but I would say it's risky to include fairies in a retelling of her story. Despite that, I really liked the way Bridget Cleary is portrayed and how her story is told. Though it deals with the horror of a murder, it focuses more on the strength that comes from shared trials and how to both forgive and do justice.
The book also addresses the struggle for Irish Home Rule, events surrounding the late pre-Raphaelite artistic movement, and themes of class, oppression, and Victorian gender norms.
There's romance, but I enjoyed how the sisterhood (between our main character and the wild, yet wise Adelaide, and the street-smart and loyal Florence) is much more central to Brigid's story than her love interest is. Each character was well integrated into the plot, whilst not feeling like they were there as ‘side characters.’ I didn't love Brigid, the main character, but I was invested in her quest and I cried and gasped several times.
With a clean and crisp prose, this historical drama promises true crime, healing generational trauma, wicked faeries, tender romance, feminism, and many twists and turns. I just wished it was longer to have a more balanced pace.