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alisonjfields's review against another edition
4.0
7.4/10
For anyone who was ever,like, "I want an impeccably researched historical novel about the 18th century. I want it to be written in a pastiche of 18th century styles--literally as if 'Tristam Shandy' and 'Pamela' were having a meta-conversation. I want it to accurately portray the horrors of being anything other than a white man in Colonial America. Also, I want a murder mystery, some spicy cross dressing romance and an almost bodice ripper-y love story that doesn't ignore tricky questions about sexual orientation and gender politics. Oh, and it needs to be co-written by historian, New Yorker writer and National Treasure, Jill Lepore." Or to put another way, it would be nearly impossible to for an erudite page-turner to be more up my alley unless it also features pirates and French spies. What an absolute treat!
For anyone who was ever,like, "I want an impeccably researched historical novel about the 18th century. I want it to be written in a pastiche of 18th century styles--literally as if 'Tristam Shandy' and 'Pamela' were having a meta-conversation. I want it to accurately portray the horrors of being anything other than a white man in Colonial America. Also, I want a murder mystery, some spicy cross dressing romance and an almost bodice ripper-y love story that doesn't ignore tricky questions about sexual orientation and gender politics. Oh, and it needs to be co-written by historian, New Yorker writer and National Treasure, Jill Lepore." Or to put another way, it would be nearly impossible to for an erudite page-turner to be more up my alley unless it also features pirates and French spies. What an absolute treat!
literatelizard's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book immensely, but did feel that it was too over-sexualized at times - I enjoyed it more before Fanny revealed herself as it seemed to lose it's original identity as a story from whence it came. It was still a very well-written book, and I loved the format it was presented in.
maricat82's review against another edition
3.0
my favorite thing about this book was recognizing all the places in boston that are mentioned in the novel and are still around today. the characters are likable, but the second half of the story dragged - almost like they couldn't decide how to solve their own mystery. also, for a novel that claims to be about passion, the sexytime scenes came off really awkwardly.
kdaven8's review against another edition
5.0
I just really liked this book. I listened to it and the readers did a great job. Good fun story and some history.
tbsims's review against another edition
2.0
I like historical fiction and the story was interesting. But I did a bit of speed reading.
cmaree88's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Rape
spiderfelt's review against another edition
5.0
I was captivated by the romance, drama, mystery and characters of this book. Couldn't wait to get back to it. I want more story now that I'm done.
sarajean37's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book (unsurprisingly) on the freebie table at my local library. They had it as an advanced reading copy, so when they were done with it, they had to put it on the freebie table rather than the $0.25 table. Free books FTW!
Overall I enjoyed this book. I did have a few problems with it: Jameson's chapters (especially in the beginning) were uneven, the book often falls into an awareness of its own existence and can be quite meta, and the main tension that carries the action through 3/4 of the book has little historical evidence available via Google. Now, the two authors are both history professors and this complaint might have been alleviated in later editions, but I had to do some major suspension of disbelief to accept that premise.
Once those issues were resolved, however, it was a very compelling (if somewhat trite) book. There was definitely room for improvement, as I believe the authors were trying to make more of a statement that ended up coming through, but it was a good ride.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I did have a few problems with it: Jameson's chapters (especially in the beginning) were uneven, the book often falls into an awareness of its own existence and can be quite meta, and the main tension that carries the action through 3/4 of the book has little historical evidence available via Google. Now, the two authors are both history professors and this complaint might have been alleviated in later editions, but I had to do some major suspension of disbelief to accept that premise.
Once those issues were resolved, however, it was a very compelling (if somewhat trite) book. There was definitely room for improvement, as I believe the authors were trying to make more of a statement that ended up coming through, but it was a good ride.
emilylovesflowers's review against another edition
Unwieldy and uninteresting. Gave up on it.
wynwicket's review against another edition
5.0
21-year-old Fanny Easton, a talented painter and a 'fallen woman,' escapes the streets by disguising herself as a boy and becoming the apprentice of a portrait painter on the run from the law, who is in turn trying to save the life of a brilliant runaway slave. The story takes place in pre-Revolutionary Boston and is alternately a romance, a mystery, a farce (with deliciously crude humor), and a political drama. The writing is excellent -- the characters have remarkably clear voices, and there's a great deal of wordplay. Good stuff.