Today’s team review is from Alison, she blogs here https://alisonwilliamswriting.wordpress.com/
Alison has been reading An Empty Vessel by J. J. Marsh
This is such a captivating novella. The author clearly and without sentimentality tells the story of poor Nancy, misunderstood and downtrodden, overlooked by almost everyone in her life. Unattractive and ungainly, Nancy’s options in life are limited, but she pulls herself up, and is successful at what she does. Now she finds herself in a cell, about to be hung for murder.
The book looks back, from Nancy’s point of view and those around her, to the events that have led up to this moment. And you’re kept guessing all the way through. I’m not going to give anything away, but this is a real page turner, and you’ll be desperate to get to the end to find out the truth while all the time not really wanting to leave Nancy, alone in her cell.
So well-written, this story captures your imagination. There is nothing overwrought here, or overdone, and that adds to the emotions you feel – the writing is honest, and your reactions are genuine.
The other characters are fully drawn and believable too with enough detail that you really feel you know them, without unnecessary information dragging the narrative down. It’s a lesson in restraint and shows the skill of a competent and talented writer.
I feel that Nancy could almost warrant a novel by herself, but as the heart of this novella, she is a compelling character, in a powerful narrative that is a pleasure to read.
Five stars
Today’s the day Nancy Maidstone is going to hang.
In her time, she’s been a wartime evacuee, land-girl, slaughterhouse worker, supermarket assistant, Master Butcher and defendant accused of first degree murder. Now she’s a prisoner condemned to death. A first time for everything.
The case has made all the front pages. Speculation dominates every conversation from bar to barbershop to bakery. Why did she do it? How did she do it? Did she actually do it at all? Her physical appearance and demeanour in court has sparked the British public’s imagination, so everyone has an opinion on Nancy Maidstone.
The story of a life and a death, of a post-war world which never had it so good, of a society intent on a bright, shiny future, and of a woman with blood on her hands.
This is the story of Nancy Maidstone.
Reblogged this on Alison Williams Writing and commented:
My review of ‘An Empty Vessel’ for #RBRT
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This sounded so good.. But the cover didn’t portray it. I would never be able to read such a book. I love books with brilliant covers.
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Good point, a good book cover goes a long way to selling a book.
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Even once you’ve seen how good the book is, Shalini? But this is what reviews are for, to help you to look past the cover! I loved this one, too – I gave it 5* as well, and I don’t very often give that – a book has to seriously impress me before I give this rating.
I agree that the cover lets it down, though. You can see how relevant it is once you’ve read the book, but the pictures mean nothing if you haven’t; and it just looks a bit dull.
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Great post 🙂 this sounds like an interesting read!
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Thank you, I think it has tried to be a little different.
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Sounds perplexing and unique, although I don’t like the cow on the cover. But then, we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, right? And this one appears to be a winner! Shared. 🙂
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Thanks Linda.
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Sounds like a great read. Thanks for sharing! On my TBR list.
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It’s so good, Sarah – I think you would love it 🙂
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