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Tuesday, 8 January 2019

Review: The Glovemaker's Daughter by Leah Flemming

From the acclaimed author of The Last Pearl and The Postcard, a beautiful and epic novel spanning three generations of one family’s dark secrets, betrayal, love, and redemption.

1666. A child is born in the farmhouse at Windebank, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Named Rejoice (Joy) by her dying father, Joy grows up witness to the persecution of the farming community for following a banned faith. Defying the authority of the local priest, she joins a group of Yorkshire pioneers traveling to the New World to form a Quaker colony close to Philadelphia—a passionate, rebellious, and courageous woman fighting against the constraints of the time. Will she find peace and love?

2014. A leather-bound book is found buried in the walls of the Meeting House in Good Hope, Pennsylvania. Its details trace the owner back to a Yorkshire farm in the Dales. And so a correspondence begins between Rachel Moorside and the man who found the journal, Sam Storer, as Rachel uncovers the tumultuous secrets of her family’s history.

Emotionally powerful, moving, and filled with rich historical detail, this compelling journey into the past will stay with you long after the final page is turned.


Paperback, 432 pages
Published November 13th 2018 by Simon Schuster UK
Genre: Historical Fiction

Kristine's Thoughts:

** I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**

The Glovemaker's Daughter was the story of Rejoice (Joy) who was born in 1666 in a Quaker community. Her mother died giving birth and her father shortly after, having just enough time to give her a name. Her community practised a faith that was banned and there were consequences for everything they did.

I was not overly familiar with Quaker history so I was really intrigued by this story. Although fictional it still gave me some insight as to how that population lived, survived and persevered in a time that was difficult and challenging for them all. It was this that kept me turning the pages.

This book had elements of a sweeping, epic story that spanned decades. However, I couldn't help but feel that it was missing that certain something that made it a truly epic story. This bothered me a lot as I followed  Joy through her journey because I couldn't figure out what it was. It wasn't until the final few pages that I figured it out. Although the story followed Joy through time and horrendous challenges, I felt like the story was somewhat simplified. Her challenges seemed condensed and quick and then it was on to the next adventure. For this reason it was hard to get caught up in all of the emotions that accompany a truly epic story. I was reading her story but I wasn't feeling her emotions to the extent that I wanted to.

The Glovemaker's Daughter was an enjoyable read and a quick one as well. Although I craved more emotion it was still a pretty solid read for fans of historical fiction. I will definitely e checking out more work by Leah Flemming.

 



About the Author

Leah Fleming was born in Lancashire and is married with three sons and a daughter. She writes from an old farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales and an olive grove in Crete.






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