Rarely did I come across a book that enchanted and invited me into its magical embrace to the extent Fayne did!

The book is introduced as 'a tale of science, magyk, love and identity'. It is that, but much, much more. The heroes are Charlotte and Fayne, both hidden from public scrutiny, slowly revealing their secrets and both becoming what they were always meant to be.
The overtly overarching theme is Charlotte's 'Condition', seemingly unknown to all but her father, even Charlotte herself - but then, it might not exist at all... Until we learn of its nature, bit by astonishing bit; until we learn of its all-encompassing importance and its power to destroy not only Charlotte, but all those around her; a power derived solely from the picture society created of itself.

The characters are unique and alive in all their happiness, exuberance, despair, denial, selfishness, pain, or neglectful indifference, and the prose to achieve this effect is exquisite. Just one example of a letter: 'Dear X, It was a girl. Dead.' What a mountain of despair in those five words!

In spite of the slow start and the very end that fizzles out into an condensed overview of Charlotte's old age, provisions for Fayne, and philosophical musings, all of which I thought somewhat superfluous, this book enriched me and made me reflect on the human condition apart from providing wonderful entertainment.

My thanks go to NetGalley, publishers, and author for granting me an eARC of this book and the opportunity to write an unbiased, voluntary review.

"And it occurred to me that memory is shaped not merely by events and their retention, but also by the telling, and by the listening. Thereby, too, is shaped the future."

A large, sweeping tale that needs reading.

There are twists and turns and plenty of surprise, but I dare not tell you all of it.

The language is difficult (old, Scottish, Irish) and I had to stop a lot, but oh, oh it is worth it. A sweeping and magical tale.

This is an epic book. There are so many twists that even as I'd start to wonder if certain things were possible, they came as a surprise if those things were true (that happened a few times). The twist at the end was completely unexpected, though.

I loved that Fayne felt like another character in a book of exceptional characters. You really feel for Charlotte as her world gets turned upside down and she goes from freedom and exploration, a delight for learning and growth to the realities of a Victorian woman, trussed up in skirts and unable to persue her own dreams and ideas. But there is so much more to her story than just the constraints against women of her time.

This book is as deep and rich as the bogs surrounding Fayne. As full of disputed areas as the Disputed County of Fayne. Just a brilliant book all around.

I adore Ann-Marie Macdonald. This I know to be true. Fayne was no exception to my adoration.

The book starts off slowly, focusing on a young girl living with her father in an estate bordering England and Scotland. Lots of descriptions of books, bogs, and Latin translations. At first I was struggling a bit to get into the story but I'm so glad I kept going because I was fully absorbed and by the end I did not want it to be over.

Macdonald continues to delight and make me weep.

Thank you to the publishers and net galley for the e-arc.

A beautifly crafted piece of wonderful words put together to create a charming and wonderful story. Took me on and off reading this as was long. 9 hrs..but well worth letting yourself take it all In and enjoying it.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book

I was very excited to read Ann-Marie MacDonald's newest book, and Fayne did not disappoint. Everything about it is lush, beautiful and intriguing. I expect to see it on a number of Canadian literary prize lists this year, and I'll be recommending it widely.

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read an e-version in advance of publication.

This was a book of literary delight and wonderment. The language enhances the magyk of the prose and draws the reader into its unique and thrilling plot. There are archaic words, colloquialisms, a smattering of foreign and Latin words and phrases, the mainly incomprehensible and garbled speech of an old man, the contrast of some common British and American terms, and some clever made-up words that are not in any dictionary (but should be). Don't let this deter you, as most meanings can be guessed from context, and for me enhanced the joy of the story. Much of the conversations contain evasions, secrets, and lies, often from well-meaning characters.

The atmosphere is rich and vibrant, with a great sense of place. It transports the reader from the crumbling ancient homes of the titled gentry with the household servants and groundskeepers to the taverns, the wild and destitute section of Edinburgh, to Universities, insane asylums, to the treacherous moors, with bogs, sinkholes, peat, mud, and mists, grazing farm animals, abundant bird, wild animal, and insect life.

The book addresses many themes: science, medical practice, mathematics, family, friendships, holding grudges, prejudice, grief, gender, identity, the place of women in society as chattels of their fathers and husbands, homophobia, the schism between the landed gentry and the working class, and the exploitation of heritage sites and natural spaces to be destroyed by industry.

Charlotte lives with her father, Lord Henry Bell. She is an extroverted, lively girl who enjoys exploring the marshlands and moors that surround her home in the area of Fayne. It is uncertain whether it is located in the north of England or the south of Scotland and is disputed territory by both. Charlotte has been forced to live a very sheltered life because of a mysterious condition. She has been forbidden to attend school and lacks friends her age because of the isolation of the countryside. Hanging in the hallway of the home is a large painting depicting her mother holding a handsome, chubby baby, Charles. Charlotte regrets she never knew her brother, who died in his second year. Her mother died in childbirth when Charlotte was born near the time of Charles's death, so Charlotte feels the blame. Her father, Lord Henry, dotes on Charlotte. His other love is bird watching and assembling fantasy birds from discarded bones and feathers. He is being urged to remarry in order to produce a male heir as females cannot inherit the property. Charlotte wanted to become a doctor when it was rare for a woman to be admitted to study medicine. She has a prodigal memory aided by her father's large library. For her 12th birthday, her father gifts her with a hired tutor to prepare her for future endeavours to become a doctor. The pages are filled with intriguing, memorable characters.

I won't attempt to summarize the plot. I loved this enthralling, beautiful book. Some mysteries were rather easy to figure out, but others came as a shock ( not always unpleasant). Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for my favourite book this year.