What a great way to write a best-selling historical fiction novel: Genetic memory! Where can I get me some of that? I would love for the words of a novel to come spilling out of me, courtesy of the memory of my ancestor!
Very interesting novel - set in a period of time - and country - that I know next to nothing about. It was actually a little confusing to me at first. It was hard for me to keep track of what the issue was, who everyone was that was involved, whose "side" they were on, where their actual loyalties lay. Then throw in the politics of the time, which was heavily laced with religion, and the different countries involved, and you have a book that requires some concentration when reading. Wow. I was very happy that Graham took the time to explain to his brother why this group of people were called "Jacobites", as well as some other historical facts, in layman's terms. (I also thought that was a bit weird that Graham would have to explain those things to his own brother, but I guess the author needed some way to explain things to us, the readers, since Carrie would have already known).
So, I learned a few things about Scottish/Irish/French/English history! Will I remember any of it next week? Probably not. ;) I thought it was a well-researched novel however, and I like the way it was put together. I liked both story lines - and how they ran parallel to each other, despite happening 300 years apart. I loved the love story between Sophia and Moray/McClelland. I had never heard of being able to marry the way they did though. Apparently it was "approved" of in those times, but I'm not sure why? Seems like it should have been recorded in writing for it to be legitimate. And what if you changed your mind - or if your "spouse" died in the war? It just seems weird that in a time when one needed to be married to have sex and to have a child, that everyone would just take your word for it that you were actually married.
The one thing that I positively DID NOT like though, is that Sophia & John/David decided it was best for Kristy's sister to raise Anna. What? I understand why Sophia hid Anna with her initially, but they should have gone for her once they settled in Kirkcudbright. Or actually, Sophia should have taken Anna with her to Kirkcudbright in the first place! At that time she was still young enough to make that adjustment. Once Moray was considered dead, there was no reason to fear for her safety. Plus, Sophia would have had the support of Moray's family, if she needed it. I also wish we would have found out if Sophia and David had more children.
Anyway, I enjoyed this book very much, despite feeling ignorant about Scottish history!
Wendy's Rating: ****
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