bookworm_oakey's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a gripping read. A look into the gritty underbelly of 1700s London.
The easy to champion protagonist Hannah, is really put through the wringer, we follow her on her perilous journey, giving us an insight into how hard life could be for young girls in that era.
I thoroughly enjoyed this whole story and recommend it highly to any historical fiction fan
The easy to champion protagonist Hannah, is really put through the wringer, we follow her on her perilous journey, giving us an insight into how hard life could be for young girls in that era.
I thoroughly enjoyed this whole story and recommend it highly to any historical fiction fan
xsymphonica's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
fran_mcbookface's review against another edition
5.0
I have read so many glowing reviews about this one that it was definitely on my radar. I was delighted when the author kindly offered to send me a copy in exchange for an honest opinion.
Here is that honest opinion - this book is one of my books of the year.
Right from the get go I was invested in the story of Hannah and her life as a servant in a household with a dark secret at its core. She is such a strong character looking to better her lot in life.
Only 15 years old and an orphan, you really root for Hannah throughout the novel. She has to make such brave decisions that I couldn’t help but admire and I was cheering her on the whole way.
The writing is so good and the story and the rich historic detail that is woven through really lets the reader immerse themselves in 18th century London. The conditions for women and especially women in service and poverty are so strongly portrayed.
Great supporting cast of characters too. Hannah’s master Mr Chalke and his wife are such nasty pieces of work and you are just praying for them to get their just desserts! Also have to admit to being half in love with Thomas by the end of the novel - what a man!
A great story so well written and I am certainly joining the legion of fans and urging you to read this book
Here is that honest opinion - this book is one of my books of the year.
Right from the get go I was invested in the story of Hannah and her life as a servant in a household with a dark secret at its core. She is such a strong character looking to better her lot in life.
Only 15 years old and an orphan, you really root for Hannah throughout the novel. She has to make such brave decisions that I couldn’t help but admire and I was cheering her on the whole way.
The writing is so good and the story and the rich historic detail that is woven through really lets the reader immerse themselves in 18th century London. The conditions for women and especially women in service and poverty are so strongly portrayed.
Great supporting cast of characters too. Hannah’s master Mr Chalke and his wife are such nasty pieces of work and you are just praying for them to get their just desserts! Also have to admit to being half in love with Thomas by the end of the novel - what a man!
A great story so well written and I am certainly joining the legion of fans and urging you to read this book
travelsalongmybookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
✨BOOK REVIEW✨
The Servant - Maggie Richell-Davies
1765.
London. Hannah Hubert is sent to be maidservant to the house of a disgraced aristocrat, with a cruel mistress and a locked room with auctions being held behind closed doors. She has little power, but can read, unbeknownst to her employer and it is through this that she finds herself in great danger. Discovering damning evidence that she cannot ignore, she knows she has to act but at what price and can anyone help her?
I really loved this immersive historical mystery. It is quietly immersive, tense and gripping. I really connected with Hannah the main character, she is bright and kind and wants to do the right thing. I also loved quietly chippy Peg and Thomas reminded me a bit of Gabriel Oake in some ways. You get a real sense of time and place and the conditions of work of people at this time were frankly awful for some.
It’s full of suspense and would make a brilliant TV drama I think!
I definitely want to read more from this author!
The Servant - Maggie Richell-Davies
1765.
London. Hannah Hubert is sent to be maidservant to the house of a disgraced aristocrat, with a cruel mistress and a locked room with auctions being held behind closed doors. She has little power, but can read, unbeknownst to her employer and it is through this that she finds herself in great danger. Discovering damning evidence that she cannot ignore, she knows she has to act but at what price and can anyone help her?
I really loved this immersive historical mystery. It is quietly immersive, tense and gripping. I really connected with Hannah the main character, she is bright and kind and wants to do the right thing. I also loved quietly chippy Peg and Thomas reminded me a bit of Gabriel Oake in some ways. You get a real sense of time and place and the conditions of work of people at this time were frankly awful for some.
It’s full of suspense and would make a brilliant TV drama I think!
I definitely want to read more from this author!
samturnspages's review against another edition
5.0
TW: The book does deal with sexual assault and abuse.
It’s 1765. We meet Hannah, a 16 year old maidservant, as she is sent to the home of The Chalkes. Mistress Chalke is strict and Hannah finds herself alone, except for Peg, another servant who urges her to find new work before she completes a year. Hannah can’t understand what has terrified Peg and feels she must find out why. Not just that, but what are the secret auctions that take place upstairs behind the locked door? And what does her Master write all day? When she uncovers the terrible truth and understands how much danger she’s in - who can she turn to? Not Peg - she’s scared out of her mind! Maybe the friendly farmer, Thomas? Or maybe Jack the young apprentice she delivers her Masters papers to? Or will Hannah have to go it alone in a world not at all in favour of women?
This book really caught me by surprise. I was looking for my first book to read on my new kindle and saw that this was available on kindleunlimited. I was blown away by this debut historical fiction novel. Richell-Davies really captures the struggles of 18th century women to be seen, heard and respected. In Hannah we have the perfect protagonist up to the task. She is a realistic and likeable heroine of her time and you can’t help but root for her and want her to succeed.
There are some difficult themes that are dealt with (TW above) but the author has clearly given a lot of time and thought in how to portray these in a way that is, whilst uncomfortable to read, handled with care.
On the other hand, we do find a balance. Whilst we experience the harsh realities lived through by many women of the time, we also find hope glimmering in the darkness. We find kindness in small gestures. We find friendships in unlikely places.
This is clearly well researched and there are sources on the last few pages to read at your leisure.
Easily my second 5 star read of 2021.
It’s 1765. We meet Hannah, a 16 year old maidservant, as she is sent to the home of The Chalkes. Mistress Chalke is strict and Hannah finds herself alone, except for Peg, another servant who urges her to find new work before she completes a year. Hannah can’t understand what has terrified Peg and feels she must find out why. Not just that, but what are the secret auctions that take place upstairs behind the locked door? And what does her Master write all day? When she uncovers the terrible truth and understands how much danger she’s in - who can she turn to? Not Peg - she’s scared out of her mind! Maybe the friendly farmer, Thomas? Or maybe Jack the young apprentice she delivers her Masters papers to? Or will Hannah have to go it alone in a world not at all in favour of women?
This book really caught me by surprise. I was looking for my first book to read on my new kindle and saw that this was available on kindleunlimited. I was blown away by this debut historical fiction novel. Richell-Davies really captures the struggles of 18th century women to be seen, heard and respected. In Hannah we have the perfect protagonist up to the task. She is a realistic and likeable heroine of her time and you can’t help but root for her and want her to succeed.
There are some difficult themes that are dealt with (TW above) but the author has clearly given a lot of time and thought in how to portray these in a way that is, whilst uncomfortable to read, handled with care.
On the other hand, we do find a balance. Whilst we experience the harsh realities lived through by many women of the time, we also find hope glimmering in the darkness. We find kindness in small gestures. We find friendships in unlikely places.
This is clearly well researched and there are sources on the last few pages to read at your leisure.
Easily my second 5 star read of 2021.
jferrell526's review against another edition
5.0
I found this a delightful read. A servant taking on her employers. Something not done at that time. And a romance to add to the mix. Definitely a very good read.
bronwynandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
In the year 1765, Hannah Hurbert is one of many that have learned how quickly one can fall from grace. Now a servant girl, recently placed with an aristocrat who has also fallen from grace, she realises that something is going on behind the scenes, and only she is able to stop it. Content warnings include rape, murder, human trafficking, and emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
Long story short, I enjoyed it. I was engrossed, it was clearly well researched, and the realities of living in that period of time were not romanticised or skated around. I loved the focus on Hannah and her journey, and although romance was a theme, it did not define her as a character. You rooted for her from the start. The main downside for me was that there were two parts of the plot that almost appeared out of nowhere, and they interrupted the flow of the story. These parts were integral to the narrative and I would have preferred it if they were introduced more seamlessly.
Overall, I’d recommend to people who enjoy historical fiction, period dramas, and historical romance. There are strong female characters, an interesting plot and an authentic setting.
Thank you to the author, Maggie Richell-Davies, for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Long story short, I enjoyed it. I was engrossed, it was clearly well researched, and the realities of living in that period of time were not romanticised or skated around. I loved the focus on Hannah and her journey, and although romance was a theme, it did not define her as a character. You rooted for her from the start. The main downside for me was that there were two parts of the plot that almost appeared out of nowhere, and they interrupted the flow of the story. These parts were integral to the narrative and I would have preferred it if they were introduced more seamlessly.
Overall, I’d recommend to people who enjoy historical fiction, period dramas, and historical romance. There are strong female characters, an interesting plot and an authentic setting.
Thank you to the author, Maggie Richell-Davies, for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
bookmadjo's review against another edition
5.0
I find myself constantly drawn to historical fiction which contains a strong female character, and Hannah in The Servant was the perfect protagonist. As a servant she was in the lower echelons of society in Georgian England, but having been taught to read and write by her late mother, she was at a definite advantage to her peers.
This novel was clearly thoroughly researched and I felt myself almost immediately transported to the Georgian world inhabited by Hannah and the other characters in this book. It is clear from the outset that women in Georgian society are placed in difficult circumstances because they are, at all levels of society, placed in positions where they must rely upon the kindness and protection of good and decent men, in a world where in many cases women are treated as commodities to be bought, sold or traded.
I loved Hannah’s strength of character and her determination to uncover the secrets contained in the household to which she was appointed the servant. I found the tension rising when she was so focused on finding the truth, and this really was a drama that kept me on edge throughout.
The characters Hannah comes into contact with are a varied collection. Peg the other servant becomes a steadfast friend, albeit with a nervous constitution because of her past experiences. I enjoyed the connection that Hannah has with Thomas, the gentleman farmer. He was the perfect romantic hero, with Jack the apprentice bookseller and competitor for Hannah’s affections the complete opposite. I also loved Nellie, with her open heart and constant unconditional help.
Although the criminal element of the mystery is the primary focus, taking a glimpse at the seediest elements of society, this is a story about a strong young woman who faces adversity, and strives to turn her life around, and the lives of those around her. Throughout her troubles, Hannah is faced with those she should not trust, and those who show her unlimited kindness and charity.
There is a darkness to this story, and there is a scene of rape, but it is sensitively written, and the lightness within the story will carry you through. This was certainly a page turner, and Maggie Richell-Davies writes so well that she truly brought Georgian London to life for me. It is not surprising that this book received an award earlier this year from the Historical Writers’ Association, a well-deserved award for an outstanding debut novel.
confessionsofabookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Wow what a book! I was totally engrossed in this book and transported back to the times of the 1700’s. I loved the characters in this book Hannah had such a hard life and we go through all of the emotions with her and find out what she’s thinking during these dark and terrible times she has to face. I loved how I was thrown into this time and I loved the ending. I loved end note telling us why the book was wrote in the first place.