Excellent, Imaginative Story

A story with a twist I did not see coming! A real page turner and a real eye opener into the lives of working class women in the nineteenth century. Tricia Cresswell describes graphically the harsh realities of the time.

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Enjoyable read

Overall I found this book to be an enjoyable read, I got slightly lost at times but it all became clear in the end. I found the ending came along very quickly which was a little underwhelming but overall it was a good read.

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Unique and ...

As a heading, I originally wrote 'unique and extraordinary', but I realised that third word could imply a read so unusual that some might find it pretentious or difficult to read. It is neither. This is a wonderful piece of writing, very different. It will be one of those books saved, to be revisited at leisure. I didn't expect the ending; it wasn't the one that I assumed must be the case. It was totally absorbing, and I will be thinking of the main character for many days to come. It is one of those extraordinary books that leaves you sad that you've reached the end. It was narrated perfectly, so that after the first few chapters I forgot that this was one female voice I was listening to. So often narration can ruin what should be a captivating book, but this didn't intrude, it forgot itself and left the listener capable of stepping into the story and staying there to the end. Altogether, a wonderful book that I can't recommend strongly enough.

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What a fabulous book.

I rarely write reviews as it's just the views of one person and others may feel differently. But I have to say I thought this was a beautifully written book with much fascinating historical detail. I often felt moved and by the end was deeply attached to the characters and was sad to come to the end. The narration was also pitch perfect. I can't recommend it highly enough and will certainly be telling all my friends - especially those who are medics about it. We stand on the shoulders of giants. Thank you Tricia and I hope you keep writing!

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story

the end was brief and was not as elaborated as the rest of the book.

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One of the best

I don't usually write reviews but I thought this book deserved a comment from me.
One of the best books I have read. I felt as if I was there along side the characters and the only other time I've felt that was whilst reading C J Sansom.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction and hope that Tricia Cresswell decides to write another book.

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One that stays with you.

What a fabulous debut novel by Tricia Cresswell. It clearly had been well researched and hearing the truth behind the story in the epilogue was so very interesting.
I found it an absorbing listen, the description of poverty and that era so vivid in the minds eye.
This will be one of those books that stays with me for quite a long time.
Thank you for a fantastic novel and a brilliant narration, Kristin Atherton made the story come alive.

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Brilliant book!

I absolutely loved listening to this book. it captured my imagination right from the start. I loved the narration too, it was beautifully read. I couldn't wait to listen each day and I was so upset when it ended. I miss the characters.

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A historical novel that makes you see and feel every event, and so much more

This novel is set in the north east of England and London in the early 1800s, and for sometime the link between the two harrowing but beautifully described scenes is unclear. The work of dedicated doctors and midwives working amongst the poorest in society, is described through characters who are strong and real- doing all they can to alleviate suffering and support new life, but with so little except their physical skills ,compassion and traditional wisdom
The challenges for a woman trying to push against the professional and personal barriers that constrained all ambition at that time is the theme that runs through this novel. But also a real world truth that is far from buried in the distant past
I absolutely loved this book not just because of all I learned about people’s lives and the delivery of medical services before any modern interventions, but also for the skill of the author in building the story and creating such strong and compassionate characters A really excellent first novel and I really look forward to more from this writer

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Very enjoyable!

As a practising midwife, I often find books, tv and film to be over-glamourising in their depiction of midwifery. This book was refreshing in that at no time did I roll my eyes and wonder what exactly the author thought the profession was like historically! Well done.

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2 people found this helpful