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bessies_books's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
krobart's review
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/day-1279-harriet/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/day-1279-harriet/
sloatsj's review against another edition
5.0
I read [b:The Tortoise and the Hare|1983769|The Tortoise and the Hare|Elizabeth Jenkins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1266949663l/1983769._SY75_.jpg|1987279] by Elizabeth Jenkins earlier this year and loved it. Good story, good writing, interesting nuances, characters and perspectives, all while being absolutely entertaining. I worried 'Harriet' might not be as engaging but it was at least as good.
Although I didn't know until well into the book, the plot is based on a true story. A mentally handicapped woman, Harriet, who has a small fortune to her name, is seduced by a younger man named Louis, whom she soon marries against her mother's wishes. Initially kind and attentive to her, of course he is only hoping to pocket her money. He eventually houses Harriet with his brother and sister-in-law, who are in need of the bed and board fee. With every page I wished something would happen to alleviate the descent into cruelty, neglect and crime. Alas.
At night reading in bed it was very hard to put this down.
Although I didn't know until well into the book, the plot is based on a true story. A mentally handicapped woman, Harriet, who has a small fortune to her name, is seduced by a younger man named Louis, whom she soon marries against her mother's wishes. Initially kind and attentive to her, of course he is only hoping to pocket her money. He eventually houses Harriet with his brother and sister-in-law, who are in need of the bed and board fee. With every page I wished something would happen to alleviate the descent into cruelty, neglect and crime. Alas.
At night reading in bed it was very hard to put this down.
andrew61's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was a remarkable book which I began knowing little about what was due to occur over the following pages and gradually became more appalled as the eponymous character was forced to endure increasing humilities inflicted on her. The story is well told as we quickly learn that Harriet is a woman in her 30's living at home with her mother and father in 19th century London. Harriet now my described as having learning difficulties but at home she enjoys a protected life where she is proud of her self care, and relishes beautiful clothes and looking nice.
We then find her visiting her mother's cousin where she is introduced to Elizabeth and Alice her own cousins with Patrick (Elizabeth's husband) and his brother Lewis who is court ng Alice. Harriet has a annual income held in trust and quickly Lewis and Patrick devise a scheme assisted by the women to isolate Harriet from her mother by manipulating her emotionally and taking control of her income.
This is an incredibly sad story of the gradual destruction of a personality through domestic control and abuse and while a compelling narrative that had me turning the pages left me sorry at the end.
The Afterword and a quick search on line discovered that this novel is based on a true life case that scandalized Victorian society and led to a notorious trial which perhaps adds to the poignancy of the events.
This is a dramatically different to the equally well written 'Tortoise and the Hare' which was equally as well told but of a domestic drama and infidelity in 1950's suburbia and another female writer from the mid twentieth century who writes beautifully while telling a brilliant story.
We then find her visiting her mother's cousin where she is introduced to Elizabeth and Alice her own cousins with Patrick (Elizabeth's husband) and his brother Lewis who is court ng Alice. Harriet has a annual income held in trust and quickly Lewis and Patrick devise a scheme assisted by the women to isolate Harriet from her mother by manipulating her emotionally and taking control of her income.
This is an incredibly sad story of the gradual destruction of a personality through domestic control and abuse and while a compelling narrative that had me turning the pages left me sorry at the end.
The Afterword and a quick search on line discovered that this novel is based on a true life case that scandalized Victorian society and led to a notorious trial which perhaps adds to the poignancy of the events.
This is a dramatically different to the equally well written 'Tortoise and the Hare' which was equally as well told but of a domestic drama and infidelity in 1950's suburbia and another female writer from the mid twentieth century who writes beautifully while telling a brilliant story.
suvata's review against another edition
3.0
Originally published in 1934 this is a lightly fictionalized account of a horrendous murder that occurred in 1877. What made it so disturbing was the method used. Locked up in an attic, Harriet was starved to death. A well written yet distressing novel.
kimtee83's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beware: this is a really dark read. It made me nauseated by the end, to be honest.
barbarabarbara's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
veelaughtland's review against another edition
4.0
Harriet by Elizabeth Jenkins was my first Persephone, and I feel this isn't the typical story that Persephone publishes - it's dark, gritty, upsetting, and more interestingly a fictionalised version of real tragic events.
It follows a woman called Harriet who is termed as a 'natural' - she has learning disabilities, and lives with her mother in a protective environment. She is careful with her appearance, and has a great deal of money (and more to come into upon the death of her aunt). On one of her customary visits to relatives, she comes into contact with Lewis Oman, and promptly falls for his romantic advances - unaware that his real motive is to get his hands on her money.
While I was reading this story, I was completely enraptured - I didn't want to put it down at some points, because I was dying to know what would happen to the poor heroine. Of course I knew how the story in real life ended, but there is nothing like a fictionalisation of a real story to bring so many more elements to it - motives of characters, their own inner thoughts, and much much more. It's like being a fly on the wall of an important event/trial in history.
One thing that struck me was the unbelievable cruelty of almost every character in this book. At times it didn't seem real, that anyone could be this cold, malicious, and plotting - I had to remind myself that these people were real and these events for the most part happened. The disgust I felt towards Lewis and his relatives was so strong it surprised me - when a book spurs such strong feelings in me, I know it's a good one.
I felt at times towards the end that the pace became a bit choppy, and the ending felt wrapped up a little too quicky - I would have liked a little extra detail. But for the most part, the pacing was perfect and I was never bored, only intrigued. I will definitely be checking out more of Jenkins' work, particularly The Tortoise and the Hare - obviously that book will be very different from this one, but I really enjoyed her writing style.
If the typical Persephone subjects aren't really your thing, I would definitely recommend picking this one up - a true crime book that is shocking and intriguing, and well worth the read.
It follows a woman called Harriet who is termed as a 'natural' - she has learning disabilities, and lives with her mother in a protective environment. She is careful with her appearance, and has a great deal of money (and more to come into upon the death of her aunt). On one of her customary visits to relatives, she comes into contact with Lewis Oman, and promptly falls for his romantic advances - unaware that his real motive is to get his hands on her money.
While I was reading this story, I was completely enraptured - I didn't want to put it down at some points, because I was dying to know what would happen to the poor heroine. Of course I knew how the story in real life ended, but there is nothing like a fictionalisation of a real story to bring so many more elements to it - motives of characters, their own inner thoughts, and much much more. It's like being a fly on the wall of an important event/trial in history.
One thing that struck me was the unbelievable cruelty of almost every character in this book. At times it didn't seem real, that anyone could be this cold, malicious, and plotting - I had to remind myself that these people were real and these events for the most part happened. The disgust I felt towards Lewis and his relatives was so strong it surprised me - when a book spurs such strong feelings in me, I know it's a good one.
I felt at times towards the end that the pace became a bit choppy, and the ending felt wrapped up a little too quicky - I would have liked a little extra detail. But for the most part, the pacing was perfect and I was never bored, only intrigued. I will definitely be checking out more of Jenkins' work, particularly The Tortoise and the Hare - obviously that book will be very different from this one, but I really enjoyed her writing style.
If the typical Persephone subjects aren't really your thing, I would definitely recommend picking this one up - a true crime book that is shocking and intriguing, and well worth the read.