A Unique Blend of Historical Fiction and Coming-of-Age, Though with Waning Appeal

Rating: 3/5

Margot Livesey's "The Road from Belhaven" offers a refreshing departure for readers exploring late-nineteenth-century Scotland through the lens of historical fiction. The novel weaves together elements of coming-of-age, a touch of magic, and a distinctive setting, providing a unique reading experience for those seeking a departure from more conventional narratives.

The late-nineteenth-century Scottish backdrop adds a layer of charm and authenticity to the story, creating a vivid and immersive atmosphere. Livesey's attention to historical detail shines through, capturing the nuances of the time period and bringing the setting to life. Readers who appreciate historical fiction will find themselves transported to a world that is both enchanting and rich in cultural texture.

The coming-of-age theme, coupled with a hint of magic, adds an intriguing dimension to the narrative. The protagonist's prophetic sight introduces an element of mystique, offering readers a glimpse into a world where the ordinary intertwines with the extraordinary. This blending of the fantastical with the historical creates a compelling backdrop for the protagonist's journey of self-discovery.

However, the novel faces challenges in maintaining the reader's investment in the protagonist's journey. While the initial allure of the character and her unique abilities captivates, there is a noticeable decline in interest as the story progresses. The prophetic sight, which initially promises intrigue, fails to significantly contribute to the overall narrative. The protagonist's likability also suffers, making it difficult for readers to fully empathize with her struggles and triumphs.

The ending of the book further complicates the overall reading experience. Instead of providing a satisfying conclusion, it leaves the narrative feeling unfinished and lacking resolution. The loose ends and unanswered questions may leave readers yearning for a more conclusive and gratifying ending to the protagonist's journey.

Despite these shortcomings, "The Road from Belhaven" may find a more receptive audience among readers with a specific appreciation for the blend of historical fiction, coming-of-age tales, and a touch of magic. For those who resonate with the unique elements of the story, the novel may offer a more fulfilling reading experience. Ultimately, while the novel has its merits, its appeal may be subjective, with individual readers finding varying levels of satisfaction in the protagonist's journey.

First, thanks to Netgalley and Alfred A. Knopf Books for the free e-book in exchange for my unfettered opinion.

I've enjoyed and admired Margot Livesay's work since I read Eva Moves the Furniture, so it was a special treat to return to Livesay's Scotland. In the Acknowledgements, Livesay says that Eva Moves the Furniture "contained almost everything I knew about my mother, Eva McEwen and her gift of second sight." Since that book, Livesay has connected with additional family that she did not know she had, learning more about her extended family; this story, might well be the story of her great-great grandmother.

SPOILER ALERT >> in recounting the plot, I may be giving away the story, reader beware.



Orphaned Lizzie Craig lives on the family farm –– Belhaven –– with her grandparents. At age ten, she has her first precognitive vision, but in rural Scotland in the 1880's, she knows better than to talk about it. Times are hard enough on the farm. Her visions help her save the farm hand, but cannot keep her favorite horse from death.

When her grandparents reveal that Lizzie has an older sister, the world shifts: instead of knowing her future at the owner of Belhaven, Lizzie discovers that her position is a precarious one. Her older sister, a city girl, has an ambitious boyfriend who likes the look of Belhaven.

Lizzie impulsively quits school at 14, and goes into service in Glasgow, where she predictably makes a few poor decisions and makes a few good friends, and by age 18, she has returned to Belhaven in disgrace, and then, even more disgracefully, she bounces back to Glasgow. A vision of her daughter in peril sends Lizzie on one last impulsive journey, bringing the narrative to a satisfying close where all ends well.

Livesay creates characters with believable flaws: a dreadful temper, grudge-holding, selfishness, but then shows us their silver linings: the stubbornness of hope and love, the ability to sacrifice for others, the willingness to become better people. Combined with a brilliant sense of place and historical setting, the characters bloom into life. What a compassionate writer Livesay is, and how enjoyable this novel is!

Lizzie Craig lives at Belhaven Farm with her grandparents. It is revealed that Lizzie has glimpses into
the future, but her grandmother tells her to keep quiet about the ability. Things on the farm change
with the arrival of her older sister Kate. The story continues with Lizzie's decision to follow a love
interest to Glasgow due to the changes on the farm. Lucy's ability to get a glimpse of the future comes into
play again, which will set her on a differnet path than the one she was on.
#TheRoadFromBelhaven #NetGalley

This is a new author for me. I picked the book up because, from the description, it just sounded interesting.

Description:
Growing up in the care of her grandparents on Belhaven Farm, Lizzie Craig discovers as a small child that she can see into the future. But her gift is selective—she doesn’t, for instance, see that she has an older sister who will come to join the family. As her “pictures” foretell various incidents and accidents, she begins to realize a painful she may glimpse the future, but she can seldom change it.

Nor can Lizzie change the feelings that come when a young man named Louis, visiting Belhaven for the harvest, begins to court her. Why have the adults around her not revealed that the touch of a hand can change everything? After following Louis to Glasgow, though, she learns the limits of his devotion. Faced with a seemingly impossible choice, she makes a terrible mistake. But her second sight may allow her a second chance.

My Thoughts:
There's a lot of quiet drama in this novel set in 19th century Scotland. Lizzie's gift of second sight influences her to do things that are distressing and not always socially acceptable. I liked Lizzie - she seemed a hard-working, dedicated farm girl with a lot of questions. However, she was naive. I really hated some of the things that happened to her because of the accpted norms of the time period she lived in. So many sad things happened to Lizzie that could have been avoided if she had only been able to use her gift to see herself. I was sad in parts of the book and furious in others. The plot was kind of slow, but I felt it was necessary to provide the detail needed for Lizzie's story. I think my favorite character was Andrew, who didn't appear until near the end of the story.

Thanks to Knopf through Netgalley for an advance copy.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

An okay read, I liked the historical setting. The characters were not always believable and I felt slightly disconnected from the story.

2.75☆

The Road from Belhaven was a story that I think pretty realistically portrayed flawed people and complicated family dynamics. No matter the time period or setting, humans are going to have the same issues and the same types of justifications for poor choices they make. I found the main character to be pretty unlikable in the sense that she makes selfish choices and justifies them to herself, but I think that’s kind of the point- she has a childish view of the world and pushes off problems to another day. I liked the focus on the family dynamic and how the main character’s choices impacted her family and her relationships with them. It wasn’t unrealistic in a sugary-sweet way, the story showed how even when family loves you, the feelings in that relationship can be complicated.

I liked the idea of the story but the execution fell flat. It was a description of one event after another with a lack of drive or emption. Where was the editor for this book? What a disappointment.

"The Road from Belhaven" presents a quaint narrative centered around Lizzie Craig, whose life at Belhaven Farm with her grandparents seems idyllic until the arrival of her older sister, Kate. The story unfolds as Lizzie grapples with newfound uncertainties about her future, particularly after Kate's arrival alters the course she once envisioned for herself.

The novel introduces an intriguing element with Lizzie's ability to glimpse the future through what she calls "pictures." However, this aspect of the story feels underutilized, appearing sporadically without a substantial impact on Lizzie's character development or the narrative's depth. The anticipation built around these visions ultimately leads to an ending that feels more contrived, with the sole purpose being to bring about this particular ending.

One noticeable aspect of "The Road from Belhaven" is the minimal use of dialogue, which detracts from the immersive experience that character interactions often provide in storytelling. Instead, the narrative leans heavily on exposition, leaving readers feeling informed rather than engaged through the characters' interactions and emotions.

While the premise holds promise and the setting exudes charm, the execution of the plot falls short of delivering a compelling and immersive experience. The sporadic use of Lizzie's gift and the lack of rich character interactions might leave readers wanting more depth and engagement from the storyline.

Individual tastes in literature vary, and "The Road from Belhaven" may resonate more strongly with readers who appreciate a quieter, more introspective narrative style. However, for those seeking robust character dynamics and a more integrated exploration of supernatural elements, this novel might not fully satisfy.

In a world brimming with diverse authors and genres, "The Road from Belhaven" might not have found its stride for every reader, but it contributes to the rich tapestry of storytelling that offers something unique for different preferences and tastes.

A coming of age novel set on a farm in Scotland. Lizzie discovered at a young age she can see into the future. However, having this gift is a blessing and a curse. She realizes she can't change the future or her feelings. I wanted to connect with the characters more than what I was able to. Overall, a beautiful story and one I would recommend reading.

Thanks to Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Knopf for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely love the cover of this book and the idea of the story. I wanted to binge this one out, but took me a little took long to get hooked,

I’ll be back! Thanks for the copy!

As romances go, this is a pleasant one. Outstanding? I don’t think so, yet there’s enjoyment to be found in its story of a naive young woman making her way, making mistakes, eventually coming to rest. The writing is simple too, but loving in its evocation of Scotland in the late nineteenth century. (All this calm and simplicity is about to be blown up by The Great War.) At times I thought it might be written for teenagers, so one-dimensional is its world. But I reckon adult readers with limited expectations will be entirely satisfied by it.

A lovely read about Lizzie Craig, a precocious young child with the gift of seeing into the future, living on a farm with her grandparents in rural Scotland. This read is not fast paced but engrossing nonetheless as Lizzie struggles to understand her gift of seeing occurrences before they happen not being able stop them, her first love and the young man who ultimately betrays her.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.

THE ROAD FROM BELHAVEN is signature Margot Livesey. I highly recommend this novel for fans of literary fiction. Livesey's prose, as always, is carefully crafted, and the scenes she renders evoke a lovely atmosphere for the reader. I especially enjoyed the sense of place and history. The hints of supernatural/magical realism add another layer of enjoyment to the narrative. Lizzie's premonitions seem believable and serve to add tension. When Lous arrives, the reader wonders what will happen. While the plot is nothing earth shattering, we aren't necessarily expecting earth shattering from this talented author. Instead, we get literary elegance and a glimpse of Lizzie's special life. Fans of Livesey's earlier work will adore this book. Those readers who have not yet discovered Livesey are in for a treat.

What a life Lizzie has lead. With her gifts and her family, she could take on the world. This was a wonderful story about how imperfectly perfect life can be. You may not always be able to see how your life will turn out, but trust the process. This story was well written and truly made your heart ache for the characters. Highly Recommend.

To be fair, literary fiction with a smidge of magic is the genre I crave all the time so I was predisposed to like this book going in.

Still, I was taken by surprise by how lovely the tale of second chances was. The pace very much felt as though I were living on an old Scottish farm. Lizzie Craig, even when I vehemently disagreed with her choices, made sense to me as a character and I only ever wanted the absolute best for her. The magic was the perfect amount and aided the story rather than distracted from it.

A truly lovely, calm, and ultimately heartwarming book that never panders to the reader. An enthusiastic 5 stars.

Feminist period drama with a hint of the supernatural? Sign me up!

Orphan Lizzie is growing up on a farm in Scotland with her grandparents. Her life is relatively normal, except for the fact that she occasionally gets premonitions. She never sees herself, only those around her, and the visions are seldom joyful. As if that doesn’t complicate things enough, Lizzie learns she has an older sister, who begrudgingly comes to live with them on the farm.

Things seem to take a more positive spin when a young man named Louis enters Lizzie’s life, and encourages Lizzie to move to Glasgow to be closer to him. However, Louis is evasive when it comes to “making an honest woman” of Lizzie, and things take an incredibly unfortunate turn, changing Lizzie’s life forever.

It is only as I try to summarize this novel that I realize how much plot is packed into this wonderful piece of work. I have never read Margot Livesey before, and I was completely enamored by her writing. Lizzie is such an empathetic character, and her experiences reflect that of so many young women in the past and present. Even without Lizzie’s premonitions, the narrative is incredibly compelling.

The Road from Belhaven is a quiet novel about the variably-sized struggles of a special life. I love that Livesey mentioned that her mother had the gift of second sight in the acknowledgements. A beautifully written story. I can’t wait to read more of Livesey’s work.

I'm a sucker for historical novels and those containing second sight are a bonus. So, this one hit on both those likes for me. Lizzie Craig is a young girl living with her grandparents on a farm about two hours by train from Glasgow in the late 1800's. She has strange visions of events from the future which are caused by an inherited ability to see coming events, usually frightening ones. She keeps these sightings to herself.

As she grows up, Lizzie falls in love with a young man named Louis who is apprenticed to a tailor in Glasgow. He has been helping on the farm to bring in the crops seasonally. Livesey writes great descriptive prose, be they about birds, lochs, houses or farmland. But Lizzie's love brings her problems and pain as Louis cannot marry her when she becomes pregnant because it would mean losing his apprenticeship and subsequent career.

Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for a most enjoyable and entertaining ARC copy of this book.

The Road from Belhaven was an interesting aspect of the changing views with life changes from young child to lady. With the aspect of visions, choices can be interesting with the difficult possibility of the potential outcomes. Each selection brings a different path for one to achieve the dreamed results or will it. Margot Livesey carries you into a fantastic puzzle, Thank you Netgalley for this trip.

What a wonderful story! It reminded me of the Little House series, only with a touch of magic. The family drama is off the charts. The main characters are flawed and believable.

The Road From Belhaven takes place in Scotland at the end of the 19th century. Author Margot Livesey paints wonderful farm and city scenes, beginning with little Lizzie being raised by her grandparents. From a young age, she has Second Sight about certain events, generally involving people around her rather than herself. Lizzie makes some mistakes while growing up, but I think that just made me care about her more. She places a lot of faith in her beau, thinking he's going to marry her after he's finished his training as a tailor. Obstacles arise. Will he or won't he?

Ms. Livesey was new to me although she has written several other books. I'm looking forward to reading them.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advance Readers' Copy. I really enjoyed it!

Another wonderful book by Margot Livesey. I am drawn to her characterizations of people and places. The serenity of a rural village compared to the alluring draw of a city, in this case Glasgow. Lively has the ability to transport you back in time so that you can imagine being at one with the characters. I thoroughly enjoy her exploration of second sight in this novel ans I have in her other works. It’s done so subtly yet is a major part of the novel. Her ability to develop a character’s growth over time, painful as it might be is another trait where Livsey excels. One of the best books of the year that I’ve read.