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It is 1910 and Maria, a talented young girl from the East end of London, is employed to work as a seamstress for the royal family. As an attractive girl, she soon catches the eye of the Prince of Wales and she in turn is captivated by his glamour and intensity.
But careless talk causes trouble and soon Maria’s life takes a far darker turn. Disbelieved and dismissed she is thrown into a mental asylum, shut away from the real world with only her needlework for company.
Can a beautiful quilt, discovered many years later, reveal the truth behind what happened to Maria?
My thoughts:
This book was really sad at times, not the oh no that person died sad, but heartbreaking sad of how Maria was treated. The cruelty of the world made me so angry.
Maria was young, happy, and fell in love with a prince. You know that that will not end well and it does not. The book is told through Maria when she becomes a seamstress, Maria when she is interviewed in the 70s and is believed to be crazy and through Caroline in our time, she finds a quilt and wants to know who made it.
The first story leads Maria to her doom. In the 70s flashbacks we see that she was in a mental asylum, but why? And that was the heartbreaking part. I got so angry there that I stopped for a moment. And the thing is, that I did not know if anything Maria said was true either. That was the intriguing part too, did she tell the truth or was she insane?
Conclusion:
So it was a mystery to be solved and the ending was a good one. I enjoyed the book.
cover
nice
Paperback, 336 pages
Published May 6th 2014 by Sourcebooks Landmark (first published December 5th 2013)
Historical fiction / fiction
for review
I think this book sounds too sad for me, but I was checking it out too - I saw some adverts for it. I'm glad you enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteIt was not SAD, just angry sad
DeleteYou're reading too many sad books these days! :P
ReplyDelete~Mogsy
It happens
Deletedoes sound like a heartbreaking story, I am looking forward to hopefully reading this one day.
ReplyDeleteAt times yes
DeleteThis sounds sad but intriguing. And if it makes you wonder if she spoke the truth or not, that's great!
ReplyDeleteYou would have to see
DeleteThe heroine sounds like she made you second guess... why did she make you so mad?
ReplyDeleteShe did not make me mad, she made me sad cos of things done to her
DeleteOh I would be angry too, but you make a good point... was she truth telling or insane? Oh the discussions!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell ya ;)
DeleteI have the hardest time with sad books. When I read I don't usually want to be sad
ReplyDeleteBut it was not I am gonna cry sad, just angry sad
DeleteI think they are the same with the sad themes. Cos it was not sad all the time but that one big thing
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good, I love that there is a mystery..but I will need chocolate for the sadness!
ReplyDeleteChocolate is needed for sure
DeleteAw, poor Maria! I don't usually like sad books of any kind but I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteBecause it was not saaaaaaaaaaad sad
DeleteWhew I think that's one you'd have to be in a certain mood to enjoy. Glad it worked for you!
ReplyDeleteI think so too
DeleteOh it's intriguing and I confess I would like to know if what she said is true or not now.
ReplyDeleteMy lips are sealed
DeleteOh geez . . . unreliable narrators are either the absolute best or absolute WORST. Maybe will check out . . .
ReplyDeleteIt was the best as, well I always wanted to believe her and did believe her, but then I doubted for a sec
DeleteSounds very nice - I like the idea behind the quilt!
ReplyDeletePraise from you, yay
DeleteI like that purple thread on the cover.
ReplyDeleteI do always like purple
DeleteI may have to avoid this book (as much as it intrigues me), because I can imagine myself getting very, very angry with it. Stories like that anger me, but I enjoy them. A weird complex. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI was not angry all the time, but for a part because people suck!
DeleteThe cruelty in this book will likely make me angry too, but that just means I'm really involved in the story and that's always a good thing! Beautiful cover on this one:)
ReplyDeleteThat's true! Involvement is good, it makes me feel more for everyone, and then I certainly do not get bored
DeleteI do love an unreliable narrator, when you're not sure whether it's the truth or just insanity. But this sounds like a heartbreaking story! I feel bad for Maria and I haven't even met her yet. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteIt was so heartbreaking, I mean, omg, so angry still!
DeleteI'm reading this next week. I have a feeling it will make me mad and sad too. Glad the ending was a good one!
ReplyDeleteI fear it will
DeleteThis sound like a heartbreaking read, I'm not sure I'm in the mood for one of those. Maybe another day.
ReplyDeleteMaybe for the best
DeleteGlad you liked it B, not for me though it is intriguing.
ReplyDeleteIt's not for everyone
DeleteThis I want!! and I love the cover :)
ReplyDelete