A review by shoelessmama
The Good People by Hannah Kent

dark emotional informative tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I needed to find a book that was set between 1800-1850 and was struggling to find anything that sounded interesting that I hadn't already read. Then this came up in my search and after finding Burial Rites extremely compelling I was intrigued. This has a similar feel to it... telling women's stories with nuance and depth. Both novels are devastating in their own ways and I think you need to be in the proper mood to read them. I couldn't really take mood into account since book club meeting is quickly approaching but I think the forced speed at which I had to get through it worked in my favor.

This story was based on a newspaper clipping the author came across about a woman accused of murder who said she'd done it because she was trying to "cure a fairy struck child". The novel delves into all the reasons people came to believe the things they did- the superstitions. I love how the author writes her characters so that you can empathize with them while also struggling to understand their reasoning or their actions. I think it has echoes into modern day in how fear leads us to believe things that are not true. I found the story fascinating for that reason and I really enjoy this authors style.