BelEdit Book Reviews
What a clever, immersive, spell-binding novel The Book of Secrets is! I absolutely loved it!
We are plunged into 17th century Rome, where women strive to survive in a world where domestic abuse is not just rife but largely normalised and unpunished. Society turns a blind eye so long as the women just shut up and get on with it. Yeah, so not MUCH different to today.
Stefano has been appointed to investigate why some men who have died still look rosy and fresh rather than decaying as they normally would. Then there’s Anna, terrified that her violent husband will kill her, her unborn baby, or both. And Girolama, a woman who helps women with childbirth — and perhaps more.
The setting and characters are vividly and beautifully portrayed. The story is as old as time, with women taking the brunt of male violence while the authorities just look to protect men and those in the upper echelons of society. Meanwhile, women struggle silently and carry unbearable secrets until they become desperate. If they’re lucky, they’ll find other women who can help them.
The Book of Secrets is an emotional read and wonderfully executed. It combines timeless social commentary with a gripping, thrilling story. This is historical fiction at its best, immersing the reader in the time and place while remaining relevant to the present day. It is also women’s fiction at its best, portraying the truth of lived experiences that many women will recognise and empathise with, even if their own lives have been safe(r).
My thanks to Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.
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