Emily’s House tells the story of Emily’s maid who was once her friend but betrayed her. I did not really care for Maggie. She did not have much development. I did like her friendship with Emily. Emily was the most interesting character because she is very odd. The story itself is very slow. Still, I recommend this for fans of Emily Dickinson.

In Emily’s House we follow Maggie, a reluctant maid in the Dickinson home for 30 years, as she develops a loyal friendship with Emily, the eccentric recluse of the family. Maggie rescues Emily’s poems that are left in pockets and about the house, collecting them for safe keeping against Emily’s wishes. This story hops between past and present, and focuses both on Emily’s family, as well as Maggie's family. Although well written, I was not as captivated by this story as I expected I would be. It was a slow moving and quiet story of friendship and the difficult choices one must make in one’s life.

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2022 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2022/01/readers-advisory-announce-2022-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

The fact that this book was from her maid's POV is what drew me to this novel. I was so intrigued and knew nothing of Dickenson's life, really. A fictional story, yet intricately researched, Emily's House is a fantastic piece of historical fiction. I can't wait to see what she writes for us next.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing, for the gifted copy of Emily’s House {partner}

Genre: Historical Fiction

Author: Amy Belding Brown

Pub Date: 8.3.21

Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆

“Change is the one thing that can be counted on in life, and it’s no different if a person’s rich or poor.”

It’s been a while since I read a Historical Fiction book, and Emily’s House has been high up on my reading list since I read the synopsis a few months ago. I know very little about Emily Dickinson and her life, so I thought this would be a great introduction to the poet. Well…. I should have realized this story would be more about Margaret Maher than Emily. I did enjoy learning more about Margaret. Still, I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t read more about Emily Dickinson.

There were A LOT of characters to keep track of (two that had the same name), so it took me a while to get into the rhythm of the book. I loved how Amy Belding Brown made the story feel realistic by adding the proper dialogue for that time. It surprised me as some of the words referenced throughout the book seemingly have a different meaning in today’s society. It was an adjustment, but I grew accustomed to it quickly.

👥 Lots of characters to keep track of

👩🏽 More about Maher than Emily

🐌 Slower paced and overly detailed

⏰ Present and past flashbacks (1869 – 1916)

I recommend you read Emily’s House if you’re a fan of novels by Marie Benedict!

I love reading books about the lives of famous people, but written in a historical fiction pen. In Emily's house, we learn about Emily Dickinson's maid Margaret Maher. This was a fascinating tale and one that I don't want to give too many details about. It was expertly researched and the writing was fantastic. I hope Ms. Brown will write many more books in the future!

The basic premise behind this book is that you follow Margaret Maher during her time as Emily Dickinson’s maid. That was enough to keep me interested, but I found this book to be particularly rich and moving, and not just because we got a peek inside the famous poet’s mysterious life. Instead, it was her maid who stole my heart and kept me reading.

A note at the back of the books tells us that the author spent seven years researching and writing this book. Emily Dickinson was a mysterious figure during her time, and that certainly hasn’t changed in the century since her passing. But it was Margaret’s words that caught Brown’s attention, and once you meet her, it’s clear why. Margaret is a spirited character, with a sharp tongue, a quick wit, and notions about her place in the world that one could only interpret as modern. It’s true that Emily steals the show from time to time, but Margaret has no trouble holding her own place in the spotlight.

Despite not typically reading historical novels, I found this one to be an easy read, both because of the subject matter and the evocative writing. Though it covers many decades of Margaret’s life, I never once felt like the story dragged. If you want a different perspective on Emily’s life, as well as a peek into what it was like to live as an Irish immigrant in America during the 1800s, I’d highly recommend Emily’s House.

Though this is fictional it is based on the life of Emily Dickinson.
I'll be truthful with you I knew nothing about Emily Dickinson besides she was a famous poet.
In Emily's House we are treated to the extensive research efforts the author has put into finding out about the Irish maid that became a life long companion to Emily.
Very interesting and insightful book. Time well spent reading it.

Pub Date: 03 Aug 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Intriguing story told through the eyes of Emily Dickinson's maid, Margaret. Through Margaret's eyes, we learn about the Irish potato famine and the American immigrant experience as well as learning much about Dickinson.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

Thanks to Berkley for an advanced copy of Emily's House.

So I was drawn to this book by the Irish immigrant maid aspect and not Emily Dickinson. I have a Masters in the history of the Irish Diaspora and my focus was Irish domestic servants in the United States so any books that have Irish domestic servants as a character I'm interested in reading.

Emily's House is about Emily Dickinson's maid Margaret Maher and their long time relationship. Margaret took the job at the Dickinson house to save money to join her brothers in California but she forms a friendship with Emily and stays for the next thirty years.

I knew absolutely nothing around Emily Dickinson's life so was fascinated by this book. I liked the dual timeline aspect on Margaret's life and the writing style. I'm definitely interested in learning more about the dispute on Emily's estate.

Plus the history nerd in me was excited to see my favorite book on Irish domestics in the recommended books section - The Irish Bridget by Margaret Lynch-Brennan. I actually used her doctoral thesis in my research since the book wasn't published yet.

I love historical fiction and when this became available on netgalley I jumped at it. I know nothing about Emily Dickinson so I was excited to read this. This book is told through the eyes of The Dickinson's long time maid, Margaret. The book also goes back and forth from when she was a maid in the late 1880s to 1916 after Emily's death. Margaret was an Irish immigrant so besides seeing Margaret as a maid, we also see what life was like for an Irish immigrant in that time period. Margaret lived through the potato famine and was one of the fortunate ones to go to America. There were many uprisings about the Irish wanting a free Ireland. Emily Dickinson was a recluse so it was fun to see what the author thought she did in her home and what kind of character she would be. Emily's house is now a museum and I hope to see it one day.

"It's a quare and wondrous thing, how a book can change the way a person sees the world."

"And life has taught me that a woman's true family is vaster than those she's related to."

Favorite Quotes:

We love Aunt Elizabeth, but she’s a human corset, and a tight one at that. A person needs to breathe after a week of wearing her.

I couldn’t think what she meant—it made no sense. But that’s how it was with Emily. She sometimes said things in a way made me think I should be writing down the words and saving them like gold coins.

Thank you. You always wear the perfume of thoughtfulness.

It’s hard work tending the grieving, for they don’t have their wits about them. And the dead always leave troubles behind for the living to mend.

Haven’t you ever noticed how certain scents flutter around us, Maggie! Like ribbons in a breeze.

She turned and gave me a sad smile. “It’s the transitory nature of life that makes it so sweet, don’t you think, Maggie?” she said. “The knowing each moment that it will never come again.”

I closed the window and drew the curtains so her spirit wouldn’t be coming back and making mischief. For I knew she would try. Emily had a talent for mischief and I wasn’t so foolish to think Death would be stopping her.

It was Emily’s favorite time of day, an hour before sunset when the air turns gold.


My Review:

I enjoyed this insightfully written dual timeline tale weaving fact and fiction about the enigmatic Emily Dickinson. The writing was stellar and true to the period with amusing and profound perceptions of an often-disconcerted Irish maid who was initially coerced into working in the home of the revered family. The engaging storylines crossed several of my favorite genres including women’s fiction, historical fiction, and family drama with descriptions and observations that conjured sharp visuals to my gray matter.

The Dickinsons were an odd family, each one being quite peculiar in their own way, yet Emily’s oddities were the most intriguing and sparked of brilliance. It feels an outrage that her haunting passages and clever wordcraft weren’t appreciated until after her death.

I’d never heard or read of several of the Irish phrases used, such as “wet the tea,” yet the meaning was immediately clear with writing that was easy to fall into and engaged the senses. This was my first exposure to the talented scribe known as Amy Belding Brown, but it certainly will not be my last as I was impressed and consumed by her craft and fell into a Google wormhole looking up the characters and scandals she featured. The research and prep must have been massive, as is my adoration of her mad skills.

While working as a maid for the Dickinson family, Margaret is befriended by Emily (yes the famous poet Emily). After decades of loyal friendship, how and why did she ignore Emily's dying wish?

"Change is the one thing can be counted on in life, and it's no different if a person's rich or poor."

The premise of this book was so promising, but unfortunately, I found it mundane and boring as it detailed chore after chore without much plot. I spent the entirety of this book waiting for something to happen. Spoiler: nothing happened ... until the last 15%, and even that was ho hum. The romance between Margaret and Patrick as well as Emily’s “quare” behavior was a bit interesting but overall, I'd recommend watching the Dickinson tv show on Apple TV+ instead!

Location: Amherst, Massachusetts

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Emily's House - Amy Belding Brown

Margaret is given an opportunity for a temporary maid position at the Dickinson's Homestead and it's much easier than she ever expected. A perfect way to pass the time until she's ready to follow her brothers to California.
Unfortunately for Margaret, she does such a great job that they are not willing to let her go. She ends up building such a connection with the family, and the now famous Emily Dickinson, that she continues to work for the family for the next 30 years. During her time she sees a side of Emily that many never had, and soon puts the pieces together that the eccentric Emily has a talent for writing poetry upon finding tidbits of writing in the laundry. As their relationship builds, Margaret (who they soon nicknamed Maggie), finds herself being one of Emily's closest confidants and entrusted with her deepest thoughts. Instead of holding up her end of a promise to Emily upon her passing, Maggie finds a way to ensure Emily's words live on forever.

I remember learning about Emily Dickinson and reading her work when I was in both elementary school and highschool. Reading the story from her maids point of view was quite enlightening and really shows how ahead of her time Emily was.
The author did incredible research and found such a way to bring Maggie and her story to life. I fell in love with her struggles as an Irish woman, loved watching her fall in love, and even better, making decisions based on what was best for her. And best of all, I loved watching her realize that dreams aren't set in stone and can easily be tweaked for someone's current situation. I know Maggie's story wasn't 100% real, but I really want to believe that it could be.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5.

Emily Dickinson is an eccentric young lady. Her father hires a new maid, Maggie, to help around the house. Maggie is determined to move to California to be with her brothers. She is saving money but it will take her quite a while to accrue what she needs. So, when Mr. Dickinson comes in with his lucrative offer, Maggie is still hesitant. However, he is very insistent. Maggie ends up staying her whole life with Emily. Maggie and Emily develop a strange relationship. And it is a relationship which no one can sever.

Maggie is a character I enjoy. She is just a plain, hardworking woman. But she has dreams and the intelligence to achieve them. Then there is Emily. Emily is completely fascinating. She is creative and emotional but she is also sometimes cruel.

This story has a lot of mundane details in it. I enjoyed the history and the story around Emily. Just did not have enough “meat” in the content. Now, this is just my opinion.

If you love real historical people that are eccentric…you will enjoy this one! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Emily's House is told from the viewpoint of Margaret Maher, a young Irish immigrant who served as maid to Emily Dickinson's family in Amherst, Massachusetts for 30 years. Using numerous historical sources including Emily Dickinson's letters, Amy Belding Brown has done a remarkable job in representing not only the life of a domestic servant in the years after the Civil War, but has given a voice, quite literally, to one of our most beloved and famous poets who knew no fame during her lifetime. Excellent historical fiction!

4 ⭐️ Review

Pages: 384
Pace: steady
Genre: historical fiction

Themes: immigrant experience, connections across social classes, family drama and scandal, love/motherhood versus independence, love for your homeland

My thoughts: this was a unique premise and story, and I really enjoyed it. The narrator—Emily Dickinson’s longtime maid and confidant—had such a strong and sweet voice that immediately drew me to her. I loved how ahead of her time she was, and how clearly she saw that motherhood and marriage would oftentimes rob women of their independence. I also loved learning about Emily through her eyes, and thought it was a unique take on the poet’s personality and life. In addition to learning about Emily’s life, I loved the take on the Irish immigrant experience, and I thought the romance was also done well. Overall, I recommend this one to historical fiction fans who are intrigued by the woman that many consider to be America’s greatest poet!

Who should read: fans of Arctic Fury, the Mystery of Mrs. Christie, Brooklyn

Thank you @berkleypub for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

“That long strange night a bond formed between us, mistress and maid. Thin as a thread it was at first, loose as a ribbon in the wind. But over time it grew sturdy and limber and strong.”

Can you imagine a world in which Emily Dickinson’s long time maid Margaret “Maggie” Maher followed her wishes and destroyed her poetry upon her death? Everything. Lost to the fire and never to be read again? What a travesty that would have been.

This historical fiction novel dives head first into the lives of the Dickinson family, including reclusive Emily, and the Irish immigrant maid who took a “temporary” position in their home in an attempt to make money for her intended travels out west. As the story unfolds, though, you see her becoming as much a part of their household as the beams in the house itself. And just as strong. These are my favorite types of novels. The ones that have you scouring the internet when you have finished them trying to dig deeper into the story and find out any extra information that you can. *adds visit Emily Dickinson museum to to do list*

When they met Emily was a reclusive, strange young girl and Maggie was a brash Irish woman. But they formed a strong bond, and watching that unfold as I read was just wonderful. Historical fiction is the genre that I tend to sprinkle in in between thrillers and contemporary fiction, and what a sweet treat this was.

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing and the author for the invitation to read this book. All opinions are my own.

Once again, historical fiction shows me how little I know! Emily’s House by Amy Belding Brown is told through the perspective of Margaret Maher, an Irish immigrant who worked as a domestic in the Dickinson household for over thirty years. She’s such a fitting narrator for the story! Though very close to Emily and her family, Maggie, as they called her, was also slightly confounded by Emily, and through her eyes, Brown has developed a realistic through ethereal portrait of the poet. I loved the images of her with scraps of writing in pockets and tucked away randomly.

According to current research (which is echoed in the book), Emily had entrusted her manuscripts to Maggie and entreated her to burn the papers upon her death. Because Margaret didn’t follow through with that promise, Dickinson’s poetry is available to us today.

Just as interesting is the depiction of Margaret herself, a headstrong and independent woman who was planning to move to California before becoming entrenched with the Dickinsons. Her experiences in the book showed not only the treatment of domestics at the time but the stereotypes of and discrimination against Irish as well as the fight for home rule.

Brown did an excellent job infusing her research into a lively narrative, and I thought she did an excellent job with Margaret’s voice. I could imagine her speaking in a delightful Irish lilt.

Historical fiction lovers and fans of Emily Dickinson will want to pick up this book !

Margaret Maher takes on a temporary position as the maid for the Dickinson Homestead. She plans to leave for California to meet her brothers. This temporary position turns into practically being given no other choice but to serve there and allow her brother’s to continue their work with the Dickinson support.

Emily Dickinson is the lass who is a bit eccentric and is allowed to do her own thing for whatever reason. She has her expectations and yet seems to float throughout the Homestead quietly and she seems quite observant. Emily keeps to herself a lot, but also has tons of friends who visit her or she writes to.

It’s an interesting relationship Margaret has at the Homestead. She is Irish born and fled the potato famine years ago. The challenges of the Irish on American soil is discussed a bit in this novel. It’s Margaret’s relationship with Emily throughout the years that encourages her to attempt to buy the Homestead from Emily’s niece decades later, but encounters some challenges along the way. Will Margaret be able to acquire the property?

I am reminded of several other books that mention the Irish potato famine and the challenges the Irish face in America. I’m also reminded of a secret group who are helping the black slaves find the Underground Railroad in another historical fiction. It’s interesting how one book can stir up so many memories of reading all these other books as well!

A special thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for access to Emily’s House by Amy Belding Brown. I give this book 4 out of 5 tiaras as it was a challenge for me to get through just the first half of the book. There’s loads of characters and situations mentioned that I struggled to keep up with until about halfway through. Otherwise the main characters are portrayed beautifully.