‘Full of terrific historical detail… has that sparky confidence and unputdownable quality.’ Alison Pearson, judge for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize Orphaned young, H is sent to live with her doting aunt in London. H’s life is a happy one until her lecherous cousin robs her of her innocence, and the plague takes away the city and the people she loves. H is cast out – friendless, pregnant and … – friendless, pregnant and destitute – into the rapidly emptying streets of London under quarantine.
Forced to fend for herself, she is determined to gain back the life she lost. H will face a villain out for revenge, find love in the most unexpected places, and overcome a betrayal that she never could have foreseen. Weathering it all, can H charm, or scheme, her way to the life of freedom and independence that she longs for?
‘This is a wonderfully put together story that I easily lost myself in, having well and truly caught my attention from the first few pages.’Laura Patricia Rose
‘If you enjoyed Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters and are looking for a new fast-paced historical fiction novel to read, this one may be for you.’@this.literary.queendom
‘A gripping and genuinely interesting story to read’@amandallwyd
‘The story-telling is very evocative… great original storyline’@booksandlovelythings
‘H is a feisty, determined and captivating heroine… a must read’@otterlybookish
‘A remarkably poignant and timely read’@e.f.paterson
‘I have truly enjoyed this treat of a read, captivating and beautifully written with wonderful characters.’@BooksandEmma
‘I couldn’t put this book down’@noveldelights
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Wow! This book is phenomenal. It is gripping, intriguing, heart-wrenching, and so full of historical detail. Whenever I picked up “The Strange Adventures of H”, I was whisked back in time, and went on such an emotional journey with this story.
This is the first book I have read by Sarah Burton, and it certainly will not be my last. Her writing style is incredible visceral, descriptive, detailed, and enthralling. I can only imagine the amount of research Ms. Burton must have done, as I truly felt immersed in the world of this story form the very first page to the last. I could envision the sights, hear the sounds, and often forgot that I was reading from my couch at home. Furthermore, she brilliantly and seamlessly weaves history and fiction, and events from history play a major part throughout this book.
This story follows H, a young woman in 17th century London who endures so much as she tries to survive. From horrific events and personal tragedies she endures, to everything going on around her, H holds on to perseverance to push forward. Though difficult to read at times due to what happens in the book, this novel is so full of twists, turns, and history. I do not want to spoil anything in particular in this review, but, I will simply say, if you are looking for a book full of historical detail, read this book.
If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend this book. It kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next, and I so look forward to reading what Sarah Burton writes next.
Thank you so much to the author, Sarah Burton, and Legend Press for the review copy of this book, it is incredible. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The strange adventures of H, is the story of a strong, resilience and intelligent woman who lived in the 17th. She had not an peaceful life, but she is smart, learns to survive and forge her own path, she becomes the owner of her own life.
It feels almost like a biography. The stories start when H its a child, she lived with her father and sisters in a little town, when her father dies, her life will change, she with one of her sister will move to London. Her aunt adores them and H is fascinated with the city, she will had the opportunity to learn to read and become a young lady. But soon her life will change again, it’s the year 1665, a year full of disasters. But soon her life will change again, it’s the year 1665, a year full of disasters. Second: Great Plague of London. Here is when the story turns up very dramatic.
The title is perfect for the story; such a life have H, one day fortune smiles at her, the next day everything collapses. The characters feels very real, and appropriately historical, as well as the writing style, almost feels like reading some classic novel. It is a story that shows us how hard life could be in the 17th century. And the few options a woman had. H will prove that she ambitious and independent, she will live by her rules and not someone else’s, survival is a matter of skills and wit.
PS: I adore the cover, so beautiful and clever.
Thank you Legend Press and Netgalley for the ARC
“When I look back on that eventful night now, all this seems trivial. For even as we lived our little lives and fought our petty battles, death stalked the city, and soon would ride triumphant through the streets.”
I’m not sure what exactly encouraged me to want to read ‘The Strange Adventures of H’ by Sarah Burton, as it’s certainly a historical fiction novel.. which is something I typically avoid. What’s more.. there’s no supernatural or fantastical element that might normally turn my head, yet in hindsight.. I’m glad I gave it a chance.
The story follows an orphaned girl simply known as H, who along with her sister Evelyn, is sent to live with their aunt in London. The sisters are incredibly close and Aunt Madge is an endearingly free-spirited widow who seems to adore them.
Happy in their lot, possibly happier than they were before they became orphans, things take a dark turn when their cousin assaults H and an epidemic of the plague ravages the city. Those she loves, either too far removed or taken from her, H is cast into the streets during a great exodus of those hoping to get beyond the disease’s reach.
Alone, pregnant, and with no money with which to survive, she’s forced to do whatever she can to earn a living.
“..I thought this must be what H*ll is like. Not hot and full of pain and confusion, but cool and grey and empty, where you are shut out of everywhere, yet cannot leave.”
Honestly, this doesn’t read at all like a story. There’s no discernable plot exactly, just a series of horrific events, though that isn’t a bad thing. It’s more of a fictional memoir chronicling the life of a young woman as she experiences some of the lowest days imaginable, some of the greatest betrayals and losses a heart can bear, and some moments of great joy that seem to exist at times.. only to give her hope until the next crushing disappointment.
Despite the fact it’s a period piece, most of the language avoids that flowery styling I normally dislike, as it deals with people considered common and the dialects of their status. There’s plenty enough modern wording thrown in there that I didn’t mind it all that much and in truth, I was too engrossed in what was going to happen to H.. to put the book down anyway.
There were some characters I dearly loved. Godfrey was spectacular, Aunt Madge was a warm, rebellious creature, Fredrick and Charlie filled their pages with a kindness and gentleness that was sorely needed to offset all the horrible events happening around H, and certainly Jasper.. while silly as can be.. managed to charm me nonetheless.
Both the time period and historical events that took place throughout the tale, were intricately detailed. Burton painted an appropriately somber image of the tragedy and despair devastating those left behind to struggle through the plague, while the wealthy often just picked up and left.. heading off to safer locales. The result of course being even more unkindness as their society devolves into a primarily ‘every person for themselves’ situation. Therein lies a parallel not lost on me as we have in some cases watched similar things take place in recent months.
I give the author credit for not simply sinking into the more unpleasant human nature that can rise to the surface in these situations. There’s still representation here for those who would help their fellow, whether or not it be in their own best interest.. and poor H is one of those. But overall things are rather grim and sometimes the things people tell themselves to justify their behavior is shocking.
It’s a great read though, I recommend it if you’re not likely to be overwhelmed by the desperation many of the characters find themselves in. There are some triggers here to be considered, especially in regards to violence towards women and children, even up to loss of life in some cases.. but if you can handle that, it’s a richly pain-filled story painted in fine strokes, so as nothing is glossed over.
(More reviews like this at Betwixt The Sheets.)
(I received this title as an ARC. All opinions are mine and freely given.)