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Recent Reviews
Kate Atkinson
Positive Historical Novel Society Kate Atkinson works her literary magic ... Atkinson has a unique style: an arch, ironically amusing commentary upon the foibles and imperfections of human existence, skewering the motivations and experiences of her subjects, whom she treats with a generosity, humour and insight ... The narrative heft does depend upon a number of rather extraordinary coincidences. It is a very amusing book, in Atkinson’s trademark wry, understated elegance.
Paraic O'Donnell
Positive The Historical Novel Society Gideon forms an unlikely working partnership with Inspector Cutter of Scotland Yard’s CID, a superbly-delineated gruff personality who, intentionally or not on the part of the author, steals the show as the best character in the novel ... The reader is only allowed to understand elements of the plot as the narrative unfolds; the story does seem a little fragmented at times, with this reviewer having to consciously recall what had happened to the main characters in previous chapters, and it took a long while before I was fully absorbed into the story. Nevertheless it is a splendid historical gothic fantasy and very well told, with characters that resonate with life and humour. Some of the phrases the characters use appear a little too contemporary for 19th-century London—a minor quibble.
Eley Williams
Rave The Historical Novel Society ... a delightfully exuberant, playful novel ... Definitely a story for logophiles and historical fiction devotees. It is decidedly clever, indeed literary, but it is a fascinating read and strangely amusing and eccentric. The oddest, but one of the best novels I’ve read so far in 2020.
Imogen Hermes Gowar
Rave The Historical Novel Society \"...this is an entrancing novel that grasps the reader from the very beginning ... Gowar’s ear for dialogue is pitch-perfect, rendering delightful and credible late 18th-century conversation. The book is also very funny at times, full of engaging, thriving characters, that the reader connects to and does not wish the book to finish, a mark indeed of a very good tale, as we wish to linger a little longer in the company of these delightful characters.\