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65th out of 178 books
—
1,166 voters
Accidents of Providence
Rachel Lockyer is under investigation for murder.
It is 1649. King Charles has been beheaded for treason. Amid civil war, Cromwell's army is running the country. The Levellers, a small faction of political agitators, are calling for rights to the people. And a new law targeting unwed mothers and “lewd women” presumes anyone who conceals the death of her illegitimate child i...more
It is 1649. King Charles has been beheaded for treason. Amid civil war, Cromwell's army is running the country. The Levellers, a small faction of political agitators, are calling for rights to the people. And a new law targeting unwed mothers and “lewd women” presumes anyone who conceals the death of her illegitimate child i...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
February 14th 2012
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
(first published January 1st 1999)
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This isn't really a mystery, it's more of a thought-piece about a infant-killing in 1649 London. At that time, if an illegitimate child was stillborn the mother was safe, but if the child died (or was murdered) after being born, the mother was sentenced to death. Rachel is one such unwed mother who has - apparently - killed her newborn daughter and buried the body at night. That much is known, but the why is not known, nor is it ever established that the child was born alive.
Throughout the book...more
Throughout the book...more
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The year is 1649, the location London. Oliver Cromwell has defeated the King, Charles I, and religion now is the ruler of England. In this time and place, women are considered playthings of the Devil, and their wickedness must be controlled.
One late night, Rachel Lockyer is observed by her employer burying something. The employer goes back the next morning and discovers a dead newborn. Rachel is arrested and the book follows her case. If a woman has a child out of wedlock, she can be stripped a...more
One late night, Rachel Lockyer is observed by her employer burying something. The employer goes back the next morning and discovers a dead newborn. Rachel is arrested and the book follows her case. If a woman has a child out of wedlock, she can be stripped a...more
Seventeenth century London. Apprentice Rachel Lockyer has been arrested for the murder of her newborn child, reported by her own mistress, the glovemaker Mary du Gard, who saw her burying the baby in the woods. Thomas Bartwain, criminal investigator for the city, reviews the evidence in the case, which he calls "open and shut", but he can't shake the strong sense of unease that dogs him when he submits it for indictment. Rachel will not speak in her own defense, refusing to admit she was pregnan...more
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Accidents of Providence by Stacia M. Brown is an interesting novel set in London in the mid-1600's. England is fraught with political turmoil as different parties fight for power while the country is at war. There are the diggers, levelers, Cromwell supporters as well as dissonance between the various religions - puritans, Catholics, Anglicans, Calvinists, protestants, and Huguenots. The author is very good at portraying the ambience of London at the time - the crowded streets, the stench of unw...more
Another 2012 release, the second one in the Read-A-Thon and from Netgalley. When it comes to reading, I'm one of those few people that can say I read alot but when it comes to the historical fiction genre, it's not something that tends to grab me unless the storyline is interesting and that is what happened with Accidents of Providence. It's the year 1649 in England , King Charles has been beheaded for Treason and laws are being brought in left,right and centre. In the first chapter we meet Mary...more
3 likes · like · see review
I was kindly supplied with this book by Netgalley to review, I've had some great reads through there and discovered some super new authors. What attracted me to read this one was the description which likened it to Fingersmith and The Dress Lodger both books I really loved. The cover looks enticing and the basic principal of the storyline sounds interesting.
I wanted to love this too, I really did - but sadly it missed the mark completely. Its a historical account of an investigation into a dead...more
I wanted to love this too, I really did - but sadly it missed the mark completely. Its a historical account of an investigation into a dead...more
2 likes · like · see review
I wanted to like this book. So much, in fact, that I actually read the whole thing. (I routinely stop reading books I don't like; blasphemous to some, but there are just too many good books in the world to keep reading bad ones!)
I read it in just a couple of hours. I skimmed over the parts that weren't directly involved with the Rachel plot line. There weren't even any other sub plot lines; it was just a bunch of historical context with the civil war. That was a good idea, but we really don't ne...more
I read it in just a couple of hours. I skimmed over the parts that weren't directly involved with the Rachel plot line. There weren't even any other sub plot lines; it was just a bunch of historical context with the civil war. That was a good idea, but we really don't ne...more
This novel seemed to start out well enough, the writing initially appeared well polished, the introduction of characters was logical, the interjection of law and history of the period set the stage for the drama of the story to unfold.
Unfortunately by page eighty-five I felt the author had given up on revealing the characters and events and instead resorted to telling the reader what happened. I like books where the details of events are shared so that I can imagine what it might have been like...more
Unfortunately by page eighty-five I felt the author had given up on revealing the characters and events and instead resorted to telling the reader what happened. I like books where the details of events are shared so that I can imagine what it might have been like...more
1 like · like · see review
Accidents of Providence is about Rachel Lockyer, a woman who is arrested for killing a baby and then hiding it in the woods. It is set in 17th century England and really gives a detailed look at a trial from this time. The other main characters are Rachel's lover William Walwyn, her friend Elzabeth Lillburne, and the man investigating the crime, Thomas Bartwain. Most of the book is spent describing the trial and the mystery of what actually happened the night the child was born.
I thought Stacia...more
I thought Stacia...more
This story is set in London during 1649-1650. Rachel Lockyear is a glove-maker's assistant who is pregnant and unmarried, at a time when giving birth to an illegitimate child was a crime. There was also a law passed called "The Act to Prevent the Destroying and Murdering of Bastard Children", basically meaning that any unwed mother alleged to have killed her child is to be tried and put to death.
After giving birth, Rachel is seen by her boss sneaking her newborn out of the house to bury her. She...more
After giving birth, Rachel is seen by her boss sneaking her newborn out of the house to bury her. She...more
Accidents of Providence was kindly provided to me by Netgalley for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
1.5 stars
Accidents of Providence is a historical fiction novel which tells the story of Rachel Lockyer’s arrest after she is accused of killing a newborn child that was found buried in the woods. The novel started off a little dry and the storyline wasn’t in the least bit interesting, but I suppose that should be expected with historical fiction. There was a bit of a mystery going on so that helped make...more
1.5 stars
Accidents of Providence is a historical fiction novel which tells the story of Rachel Lockyer’s arrest after she is accused of killing a newborn child that was found buried in the woods. The novel started off a little dry and the storyline wasn’t in the least bit interesting, but I suppose that should be expected with historical fiction. There was a bit of a mystery going on so that helped make...more
4 likes · like · see review
I had a really hard time putting this one down. I found myself really drawn into the characters and the plot.
A few "bedroom scenes" I didn't feel were pertinent to the plot or in building emotional depth in the characters, but easily skimmed over.
Based the mid-seventeenth century, an unwed woman has an affair with a married man and finds herself pregnant. This was a time in history when women were merely property of their husbands where the law was concerned. And any "bastard" child was worth n...more
A few "bedroom scenes" I didn't feel were pertinent to the plot or in building emotional depth in the characters, but easily skimmed over.
Based the mid-seventeenth century, an unwed woman has an affair with a married man and finds herself pregnant. This was a time in history when women were merely property of their husbands where the law was concerned. And any "bastard" child was worth n...more
Accidents of Providence takes place in mid-17th century England and is about the experiences of an unmarried woman, Rachel Lockyer, who got pregnant as the result of an affair with a married man. She then gave birth to a baby who died shortly thereafter, mainly because she was obliged to give birth alone without assistance. She then buried the child herself, in the belief that she has given the baby back to God.
Rachel's story is a typical example of the treatment of unmarried mothers who lost t...more
Rachel's story is a typical example of the treatment of unmarried mothers who lost t...more
What a great way to begin my new reading challenge. This is historical fiction par excellence!
When we read historical fiction, we have expectations: to learn about the era and place, to take a personal journey in that time with characters we care about, and to come away with a sense of knowing more than we did before reading the book. We also expect to be entertained.
Five stars to Stacia M. Brown for her work in "Accidents of Providence." It satisfies on every level.
Rachel Lockyer lives in Cromw...more
When we read historical fiction, we have expectations: to learn about the era and place, to take a personal journey in that time with characters we care about, and to come away with a sense of knowing more than we did before reading the book. We also expect to be entertained.
Five stars to Stacia M. Brown for her work in "Accidents of Providence." It satisfies on every level.
Rachel Lockyer lives in Cromw...more
I enjoyed the historical backdrop to Accidents of Providence, 17th century Commonwealth England under the strict control of Puritan Oliver Cromwell following the execution of Charles I. There was much detail regarding the political and religious unrest of the time, the role of political agitators, the Levellers, and the shocking social plight of women, The story evolves from the draconian 1624 "Act to Prevent the Destroying and Murdering of Bastard Children."
After an extended, passionate affair...more
After an extended, passionate affair...more
The mid-seventeenth century was not an easy time for women. Women had no legal status other than property of their husbands or fathers. To make matters worse, the government had passed a law that accused any unwed mother of murder if her child died during or shortly after childbirth and no witnesses were available at the birth. Rachel is in her mid-thirties and has suffered the hanging death of her younger brother. Her mother is a staunch Catholic and offers no respite to Rachel during her pregn...more
I read the first half of this book thinking it was about people and the things they do, just set in the past. Half way through ( maybe earlier) I realized this book is about people wanting to be heard, to be seen. When Rachel tells her childs' father that he has made her free she does not mean in a physical sense. He has made her whole. She is no longer just a poor unmarried women. She is Rachel, who is not defined by how the world views her. She knows her own worth now.
I found this book to be c...more
I found this book to be c...more
This book was provided to me by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in exchange for a fair review. “Accidents of Providence” was a surprisingly good read. When I was an undergrad, I took a whole class on women and the legal system in early modern England so this book really appealed to me. It was completely different than any novel I have read and was more like a non-fictional account than a fictional one. This changed towards the end but for the most part I could completely envision this as being a histo...more
The basis for the novel was intriguing, as it revolved around a law in Cromwell's England 'which presumes that anyone who conceals the death of her illegitimate child is guilty of murder'. An unwed mother delivered of a stillborn could be highly motivated to conceal the birth because of the inevitable shame and ostracism. The writing was adequate and the snippets of historical reality intriguing, though at times horribly grim, but I found the plot, based the trial of such a woman, sadly lacking....more
Sep 12, 2011
Lyn M (readinghearts)
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
english historical fiction
Recommended to Lyn M (readinghearts) by:
netgalley
I think that historical fiction is probably my favorite genre. In relation to this book, it was not my favorite historical fiction book, but it did tell a good story. I felt that the characters were interesting and enjoyed reading about their lives. I think my favorite characters were Thomas Boatswain, the lawyer, and John Lilburne's wife, Elizabeth. Their charactes had such depth. I liked the fact that they were so complex as it helped to illustrate the class of people that they represented. It...more
I picked up this story on the heels of the recent Casey Anthony murder trial... and though the coincidence added to the intrigue, this didn't come out a winner for me.
It's Cromwell's England and I learned about this time from this novel; how women were flogged for having bastard babies, how the fathers were ridiculed, how the babies were treated by society.. The Levelers.. never heard of them till now so that was all new and interesting to me, to a point.
The book got bogged down in politics some...more
It's Cromwell's England and I learned about this time from this novel; how women were flogged for having bastard babies, how the fathers were ridiculed, how the babies were treated by society.. The Levelers.. never heard of them till now so that was all new and interesting to me, to a point.
The book got bogged down in politics some...more
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This is a quick read about a difficult subject. Rachel is a single woman of advancing age, with no family support, trying to provide for herself in 1600's England who finds herself pregnant by a charismatic, idealistic married man who is currently jailed for his politics. In 2012 America I sometimes think we "accept" too much. At work I see babies born into heartbreaking situations and regulations bending over backwards to support their birth mothers. After reading this book I feel that if we mu...more
It is the middle of the 1600's, and in Cromwell's Puritan England a law has been passed to prevent the Destroying and murdering of the children of unmarried woman. I have long been fascinated with the Puritans, their strange relationship with God, where everything pleasurable is a considered a sin, and woman on the fringes are looked on with suspicion. The character of Rachel, is one that will stay with me for a long time, she is so multifaceted and yet so human. It is not until the very end tha...more
In 1624 there is a law passed - An Act to Prevent the Destroying and Murdering of Bastard Children. Any unwed mother alleged to have killed her child shall be tried and put to death.
In 1649 Rachel and Wolwyn, a married man with 14 children have an affair. Rachel gives birth to a child that dies shortly thereafter and the story unfolds. The writing style was a bit hard to get into. I found myself skimming over boring passages hoping the storyline would get more interesting, but it lacked emotion...more
In 1649 Rachel and Wolwyn, a married man with 14 children have an affair. Rachel gives birth to a child that dies shortly thereafter and the story unfolds. The writing style was a bit hard to get into. I found myself skimming over boring passages hoping the storyline would get more interesting, but it lacked emotion...more
I adore historical fiction, and while the characters of this novel by Stacia Brown were richly drawn, the story itself was slow and meandering until the surprising end. Rachel Lockyer is an unmarried woman living in Cromwell's England. She works hard for a living, but when she enters into an affair with a married man, the community forgets her strengths. A child is found buried in the woods, and Rachel is accused of murdering her own bastard. What follows is a slanted trial without defense. The...more
I read this book at the suggestion of Jennifer from LiterateHousewife.com, who set up a readalong so she’d have people to talk about it with. So glad I joined in. I agree, it warrants discussion. Without the readalong, I might never have gotten to it.
This is a debut novel from Stacia Brown, but you’d never know it. Her incorporation of historical detail, including real legal case histories, is blended seamlessly with the imaginings from her own fertile mind. I found the prose to be a bit intelle...more
This is a debut novel from Stacia Brown, but you’d never know it. Her incorporation of historical detail, including real legal case histories, is blended seamlessly with the imaginings from her own fertile mind. I found the prose to be a bit intelle...more
This was a very interesting and thought-provoking book that focuses on a law passed by the English Parliament in Cromwell's new government which states that if an illegitimate child dies at birth or after and is secretly buried and there is no witness to prove it was stillborn or died of natural causes, the mother can be tried and executed as a murderess. It traces a love affair between a married rebel hero and an
unmarried woman who ultimately bears a child and is arrested and sent to trial when...more
unmarried woman who ultimately bears a child and is arrested and sent to trial when...more
The book was provided by the publisher for review purposes.
Accidents of Providence is a novel based on the trials of unwed women in the 1600's. If a woman gave birth out of wedlock and the child died, unless she had a witness to the contrary, she was considered a murderer. The story was an easy read- I finished it in just a couple of days. I wasn't particularly happy with the ending. It felt as if the author was going for a happy ending in a circumstance which I'm sure didn't have happy endings...more
Accidents of Providence is a novel based on the trials of unwed women in the 1600's. If a woman gave birth out of wedlock and the child died, unless she had a witness to the contrary, she was considered a murderer. The story was an easy read- I finished it in just a couple of days. I wasn't particularly happy with the ending. It felt as if the author was going for a happy ending in a circumstance which I'm sure didn't have happy endings...more
I was under the impression that this was a mystery- it really isn't, more literary fiction. As literary fiction, it has some interesting language and imagery. The characters are unique and individual. However, I did not find the characters believable. They didn't seem of their time; they just seemed overly introspective and to have their heads wandering in the clouds. The POV change didn't help focus the story; it made it more meandering and didn't forward the exposition.
I think that the author...more
I think that the author...more
“Accidents of Providence” is a work of fiction set in the Cromwellian era of 1649, with characters based on some historical figures. In it Ms. Brown tells the story of Rachel Lockyer, a young unmarried woman, a glove-maker’s assistant, who gets pregnant. When her child dies – it is unclear whether it is still-born or not, she is targeted by Cromwell’s strict laws for “lewd women”, particularly the “Act to Prevent the Destroying and Murdering of Bastard Children(1624)”. Rachel is arrested and Tho...more
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“...all the thousands of God's children who have flung themselves, stupid and glorious, over and over, into the best and worst of things, loving whom they should not, seizing what they must not, running where they cannot, falling where there is no one to catch them - how this serves the betterment or edification of the species is not clear; people do it regardless. People have always done it.”
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1 person liked it
“Now they were sixtyish and gray and almost as wide as they were tall, and so accustomed to each other's habits that whenever he sneezed, she blew her nose.”
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1 person liked it
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