A review by charlottereadshistory
The Tower by Flora Carr

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Visceral, compelling and claustrophobic - I loved this novel based on Mary Queen of Scot’s imprisonment in Lochleven Castle. 

Carr’s talent in this novel is how vividly and intensely described Mary’s confinement was, supported by her two maids and eventually her companion Lady Seton. I found myself so easily able to immerse myself in the intensity of feeling and the smells, sounds and experiences of the women forced to spend every waking moment in such close quarters. 

Instead of being a straight-up, plot-driven historical fiction, this novel explores the interiority, relationships and power dynamics of the characters through prose that almost reads like stream of consciousness. 

It makes perfect sense to me that the characters would turned inward to process their captivity and to cope day to day, and how they use their past experiences and each other to find the resilience and determination to survive. 

I’d thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with a passing interest in Mary Queen of Scots who is ready for a different, immersive dive into such an interesting time in her life.