sllingky's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a bit to get into this book because of the tense chosen for the prose, but I blame preference rather than the story or the author. I just don't read books written in the present tense. Once I adjusted, I was easily sucked into the lives and stories of the characters. The prose is beautiful and literary, the descriptions richly detailed, and the research superb. I'm not well-versed in this era of history, so it was enjoyable to broaden my horizons a bit.
sperchikoff's review
4.0
What would you do to expose a lie? What lengths would you go to to make sure the truth made it’s way out into the world and was believed? Would you risk your life and the life of your friends? That is what Nat Thompson has to consider before he takes on Titus Oates, the man spreading conspiracies and lies about innocent Catholics around London in order to gain more and more power. Oates has become one of the most powerful men in London, gaining the ear of influential judges, men in Parliament, and even the King himself. Going against him to try and tell the truth and expose what he actually is, Nat must risk his friend’s and even his wife’s life. Will is all be worth it? Let’s get to the review!
Synopsis:
What price justice?
London 1678.
Titus Oates, an unknown preacher, creates panic with wild stories of a Catholic uprising against Charles II. The murder of a prominent Protestant magistrate appears to confirm that the Popish Plot is real.
Only Nathaniel Thompson, writer and Licenser of the Presses, instinctively doubts Oates’s revelations. Even his young wife, Anne, is not so sure. And neither know that their friend William Smith has personal history with Titus Oates.
When Nathaniel takes a public stand, questioning the plot and Oates’s integrity, the consequences threaten them all.
“Moved me greatly and brought tears to my eyes. Gripping, moving and brilliantly captures this tense and sometimes brutal episode in late seventeenth-century English history.” -Andrea Zuvich, Author & Historian
“A real pleasure to read,” -Denis Bock, author of The Ash Garden & The Communist’s Daughter
“Meticulously researched, vividly imagined, and deftly plotted. Rich, resonating and relevant.” -Catherine Hokin, author of Blood & Roses, the story of Margaret of Anjou
The story begins with Nat and Anne. They have just been married despite her family’s wishes. While Nat makes enough for them to live off, he can’t exactly provide the kind of life she was used to living. Anne could not care less. She is with the man she loves and that’s all that matters. That is until they begin to feel madness in the London air.
This isn’t exactly the first time London has seen people of a certain religion come under persecution, but this time Nat might be able to do something about it. He is the Licenser aka the guy who approves everything that is printed in the city and a writer as well. And when he realizes just how powerful Titus Oates and his words are, he plans to turn the city against him using his words.
One of Nat’s first issues with Oates is when his good friend, William Smith is arrested. Why is William arrested? Because he used to teach Oates and didn’t exactly stop the boys at school from making fun of him. The petty level is high with this one. Luckily, Nat and his friend, Henry are able to get enough money to both buy William better lodgings at the prison (Newgate) and eventually, get him out altogether. Yes, even in the 1670s, money could get you out of prison.
Nat begins publishing his writing about Oates and his lies soon after. The results? He finds himself imprisoned too. While Nat is in prison much longer than William, he too is released. Once he is back with his family and back to take care of Anne, he doesn’t let up. The lies that Oates is spreading has gotten people killed at this point.
Nat continues to publish his words, even eventually coming up with his own paper to try and dispel the lies that have spread like wildfire. But Nat has a few powerful people in his corner and he’s too dogged to stop until he sees Oates in prison.
The Road to Newgate is an insanely thrilling novel, especially towards the end. The story is split into three different POVs: Nat, Anne, and William. Although, I would say Nat and Anne take up most of the chapters. Anne is by far my favorite character. Even with everything she goes through personally, she gets shit done. When Nat leaves her at home while he works, she eventually goes to the printing press herself and starts helping their friend, Henry, with the boys he has working for him. She goes to all the trials. She even goes to the parade/burning where the anti-Catholic/pro-Oates people burn her husband in effigy. She rarely lets anyone tell her what to do and she is a great investigator in her own right.
The two critiques I have of the book involve the plot and the characters. There were a couple points in the story where I wanted more to happen. The prison scenes seemed pretty tame and didn’t last as long as I expected. Since the book’s title has the name of the prison in it, I was expecting more in-depth scenes there.
In terms of the characters, I wanted more William. He is the only gay character in the book that doesn’t die (which is another issue altogether). I wanted a bit more of his everyday life or what he was doing during some of the points when Anne and Nat were working. Since he was the one who knew Oates before he became this villain, I wanted him more involved in the investigation. I also wish he got more of a resolution as well but I’m glad he found some peace with his friends. (Can we get a William book is mostly what I’m asking lol)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Miscarriage/baby death, religious persecution against Catholics, attempted suicide, mild homophobia (Nat doesn’t like to talk about William’s lifestyle)
Overall, I enjoyed The Road to Newgate. The trial scenes alone are a reason to read this book, especially the final one. Oates gets what’s coming to him and then some. Remember: this is 1678. Corporal punishment and torture are pretty standard. The character development was also spot on especially with Nat and Anne. They had no idea what they were getting into when Nat first started fighting Oates, but they got through it shockingly well. I am giving The Road to Newgate by Kate Braithwaite 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you like a good historical mystery, you should give this book a try.
Synopsis:
What price justice?
London 1678.
Titus Oates, an unknown preacher, creates panic with wild stories of a Catholic uprising against Charles II. The murder of a prominent Protestant magistrate appears to confirm that the Popish Plot is real.
Only Nathaniel Thompson, writer and Licenser of the Presses, instinctively doubts Oates’s revelations. Even his young wife, Anne, is not so sure. And neither know that their friend William Smith has personal history with Titus Oates.
When Nathaniel takes a public stand, questioning the plot and Oates’s integrity, the consequences threaten them all.
“Moved me greatly and brought tears to my eyes. Gripping, moving and brilliantly captures this tense and sometimes brutal episode in late seventeenth-century English history.” -Andrea Zuvich, Author & Historian
“A real pleasure to read,” -Denis Bock, author of The Ash Garden & The Communist’s Daughter
“Meticulously researched, vividly imagined, and deftly plotted. Rich, resonating and relevant.” -Catherine Hokin, author of Blood & Roses, the story of Margaret of Anjou
The story begins with Nat and Anne. They have just been married despite her family’s wishes. While Nat makes enough for them to live off, he can’t exactly provide the kind of life she was used to living. Anne could not care less. She is with the man she loves and that’s all that matters. That is until they begin to feel madness in the London air.
This isn’t exactly the first time London has seen people of a certain religion come under persecution, but this time Nat might be able to do something about it. He is the Licenser aka the guy who approves everything that is printed in the city and a writer as well. And when he realizes just how powerful Titus Oates and his words are, he plans to turn the city against him using his words.
One of Nat’s first issues with Oates is when his good friend, William Smith is arrested. Why is William arrested? Because he used to teach Oates and didn’t exactly stop the boys at school from making fun of him. The petty level is high with this one. Luckily, Nat and his friend, Henry are able to get enough money to both buy William better lodgings at the prison (Newgate) and eventually, get him out altogether. Yes, even in the 1670s, money could get you out of prison.
Nat begins publishing his writing about Oates and his lies soon after. The results? He finds himself imprisoned too. While Nat is in prison much longer than William, he too is released. Once he is back with his family and back to take care of Anne, he doesn’t let up. The lies that Oates is spreading has gotten people killed at this point.
Nat continues to publish his words, even eventually coming up with his own paper to try and dispel the lies that have spread like wildfire. But Nat has a few powerful people in his corner and he’s too dogged to stop until he sees Oates in prison.
The Road to Newgate is an insanely thrilling novel, especially towards the end. The story is split into three different POVs: Nat, Anne, and William. Although, I would say Nat and Anne take up most of the chapters. Anne is by far my favorite character. Even with everything she goes through personally, she gets shit done. When Nat leaves her at home while he works, she eventually goes to the printing press herself and starts helping their friend, Henry, with the boys he has working for him. She goes to all the trials. She even goes to the parade/burning where the anti-Catholic/pro-Oates people burn her husband in effigy. She rarely lets anyone tell her what to do and she is a great investigator in her own right.
The two critiques I have of the book involve the plot and the characters. There were a couple points in the story where I wanted more to happen. The prison scenes seemed pretty tame and didn’t last as long as I expected. Since the book’s title has the name of the prison in it, I was expecting more in-depth scenes there.
In terms of the characters, I wanted more William. He is the only gay character in the book that doesn’t die (which is another issue altogether). I wanted a bit more of his everyday life or what he was doing during some of the points when Anne and Nat were working. Since he was the one who knew Oates before he became this villain, I wanted him more involved in the investigation. I also wish he got more of a resolution as well but I’m glad he found some peace with his friends. (Can we get a William book is mostly what I’m asking lol)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Miscarriage/baby death, religious persecution against Catholics, attempted suicide, mild homophobia (Nat doesn’t like to talk about William’s lifestyle)
Overall, I enjoyed The Road to Newgate. The trial scenes alone are a reason to read this book, especially the final one. Oates gets what’s coming to him and then some. Remember: this is 1678. Corporal punishment and torture are pretty standard. The character development was also spot on especially with Nat and Anne. They had no idea what they were getting into when Nat first started fighting Oates, but they got through it shockingly well. I am giving The Road to Newgate by Kate Braithwaite 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you like a good historical mystery, you should give this book a try.
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