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fran_mcbookface 's review for:
The Ragged Valley
by Joanne Clague
Based around the failure of Dale Dyke dam near Sheffield and the resulting flood which swept away large parts of the local area and took 240 lives, I was very quickly pulled into this dramatic story.
I found the characters well drawn and it was easy to become invested in their lives and fates. Of the three main characters, I particularly liked Silas. A bit cheeky, charming and ambitious but also very lovely and genuine with a heart of gold. The romance between him and Harriet who works as a maid for her uncle was well paced and you are definitely rooting for things to work out for them. Enjoyed the alternative viewpoint of John Gunson, the architect of the devastated dam and his feelings of guilt around its failure.
Incredible to think that this is based on a true story and even more incredible that it now earns just a footnote in history. The author writes very well weaving the facts of the flood into the imagined lives of her characters and definitely puts you there alongside them.
Would certainly recommend this book which I read over the course of a day. Perfect for fans of historical fiction or just for those who like a good story. It’s evidently been well researched and I like a book where I can learn something new too.
Did think at the end it could have continued a bit but then noted that it has been marketed as Book One of the Sheffield sagas which is great. I would certainly like to read more.
Oh and huge brownie points too for having Shandy the dog survive the flood :-)
I found the characters well drawn and it was easy to become invested in their lives and fates. Of the three main characters, I particularly liked Silas. A bit cheeky, charming and ambitious but also very lovely and genuine with a heart of gold. The romance between him and Harriet who works as a maid for her uncle was well paced and you are definitely rooting for things to work out for them. Enjoyed the alternative viewpoint of John Gunson, the architect of the devastated dam and his feelings of guilt around its failure.
Incredible to think that this is based on a true story and even more incredible that it now earns just a footnote in history. The author writes very well weaving the facts of the flood into the imagined lives of her characters and definitely puts you there alongside them.
Would certainly recommend this book which I read over the course of a day. Perfect for fans of historical fiction or just for those who like a good story. It’s evidently been well researched and I like a book where I can learn something new too.
Did think at the end it could have continued a bit but then noted that it has been marketed as Book One of the Sheffield sagas which is great. I would certainly like to read more.
Oh and huge brownie points too for having Shandy the dog survive the flood :-)