This is the second book of Kathleen Kent's that I've read, and I'm definitely a fan.  This I guess is a prequel to The Heretic's Daughter: A Novel - Kathleen Kent  and is loosely based off her family history and local Massachusetts historical lore.  I found it to be a gripping, believable account, and an engrossing story.

 

A good related read for this would be Accidents of Providence - Stacia Brown  which is set during the same time period, and also includes Leveler politics.

Solid 4 stars. One thing I really loved about this book, and well-done historical fiction in general, is that I can learn about history in such an enjoyable way. Granted, the subject matter isn't all rainbows and daisies, but I really enjoyed learning about what life was like for the every day woman in this time period. Although I enjoyed all of the information in this book, it was actually very disturbing too. I was struck by how much the legal system has evolved, as well as the tremendous weight that women (as well as many other groups of people) have historically had to endure.

The mid-seventeenth century was not an easy time for women. Women had no legal status other than property of their husbands or fathers. To make matters worse, the government had passed a law that accused any unwed mother of murder if her child died during or shortly after childbirth and no witnesses were available at the birth. Rachel is in her mid-thirties and has suffered the hanging death of her younger brother. Her mother is a staunch Catholic and offers no respite to Rachel during her pregnancy. Rachel does her best to conceal her pregnancy, even going so far as to claim her swollen abdomen is a result of a digestive ailment. The father of her child is her lover, William Walwyn, a married man with fourteen children. Unfortunately for Rachel, she delivers her child in privacy and then conceals the infant's death. Her boss, Mary Du Gard, witnesses Rachel's burial of the child, digs the child up and becomes the cause of Rachel's arrest. The ensuing investigation is clearly one-sided in that the government doesn't allow Rachel to have legal counsel and does little to ascertain the circumstances of the death.

The tragedy of the infant's death is compounded by Rachel's imprisonment and subsequent trial, as well as her continued separation from William. Accidents of Providence provides a stirring portrayal of a prohibited romance. Ms. Brown has provided characters that are completely realistic in their thoughts and actions. Although women weren't given much status in the eyes of the government and society, most of the women are portrayed as strong and intelligent counterpoints to the men. Accidents of Providence may not provide a happy ending, but it definitely provides a heartwarming romance that transcends all societal limitations.

*Check out http://www.infinitereads.com for other reviews and sundry thoughts!*

In a luminous and sensitive debut, Stacia M. Brown brings to life a love affair, a mystery and a murder trial, all set against the turbulent backdrop of Oliver Cromwell's England. It's 1649, and the realm is under Puritan law. When glove-maker Rachel Lockyer's employer spies Rachel burying a dead newborn, she assumes the worst and reports Rachel to the authorities.

Accused of infanticide in a legal system where the burden of proof rests on the defendant, Rachel's silence before investigator Thomas Bartwain only worsens her situation. While Bartwain cannot tell if Rachel is unwilling or unable to tell her story, the lack of evidence in her favor prevents him from releasing her. Rachel's public trial will draw in the people around her with cyclonic force, causing them to question the law and their own morals. Meanwhile, Rachel's history slowly unfolds through flashbacks to her love affair with married political activist William Walwyn, juxtaposing the stolen happiness of her affair with the inhumane conditions in the women's ward at Newgate Prison.

Brown deftly evokes the double standards inherent in the infant-murder laws and the enormous difficulty faced by any woman accused of that crime, allowing her characters to struggle with these issues, never resorting to preaching to make the point. While the dialogue occasionally feels too modern, Brown's spare, lyrical style delights, and the story's elements are nothing if not authentic.

With cross-genre appeal to fiction and mystery lovers alike, Accidents of Providence will leave readers moved and deeply aware of our society's progress in women's rights.

***This review originally appeared in Shelf Awareness Readers Edition. Sign up for this free and awesome newsletter at http://www.shelf-awareness.com for the latest news and reviews! This review refers to an ARC provided by Shelf Awareness.***

I think that historical fiction is probably my favorite genre. In relation to this book, it was not my favorite historical fiction book, but it did tell a good story. I felt that the characters were interesting and enjoyed reading about their lives. I think my favorite characters were Thomas Boatswain, the lawyer, and John Lilburne's wife, Elizabeth. Their charactes had such depth. I liked the fact that they were so complex as it helped to illustrate the class of people that they represented. It is always nice to find a well written book about everyday life in England.

For me, though, historical fiction is not only about the story of the people, but about what I can learn about the time period in which the book was set. I was especially interested in learning about the Levellers, who, I admit, I had never heard of before reading this book. In addition, the author's depiction of life for women in England during this period was fascinating and enlightening. Lastly, the detail Rachel's trial and the legal workings surrounding her situation were interesting.

I am giving this book 3 stars and would recommend it to friends.