I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Annie Edson Taylor, whose name has inexplicably been largely forgotten. As the book title suggests, she performed the astonishing feat of being the first person ever to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel and survive.
The novel begins shortly before Annie has the idea for the stunt, when she’s living in near poverty in a women’s boarding house that’s short on cash but full on female camaraderie. A fairly closed off person due to her history, she slowly forms bonds with the other women. She grows especially close to Tilda, a young mother to Nora, and I found her story particularly moving – at one point I was reluctant to keep reading because I was terrified something bad was going to happen to her!
I wasn’t expecting the aftermath of the stunt to take up a large portion of the book but – without too many spoilers – Annie’s incredible feat failed to bring her the fame and financial security she hoped it would.
I was captivated by Annie’s story which rightly needed to be told. 4.5 stars.
Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley.

Firstly - who wouldn't be sucked in by this title, or book cover? I visited Niagara Falls as a kid, was fascinated by the barrels on display and how bonkers you'd have to be to climb into one and be sent down the rapids... but knew nothing about the very real Annie Edson Taylor who was the first woman to have done the stunt and survived.

While Annie's independent spirit shines through, the novel has some structural issues that I found frustrating and didn't quite lead up to an emotional payoff as I'd have hoped for. The story feels disjointed at times, with characters and plot points that seem random or irrelevant until pulled together at the very end. I wish these had been woven in more seamlessly, because it's only at the very end that it becomes clear why Annie went through the stunt in the first place. There's a distinct lack of likeable male characters, all cast as opportunistic, villainous, and dismissive - this serves to contrast starkly with Annie's resolve, but you do kind of want to shake her by the shoulders in a "that man is a walking red flag" kind of way.

Overall, this book felt like an adult version of an American Girl Doll backstory - I truly mean that in the most respectful way.

What a tribute to an unsung hero! Caroline brings to the forefront yet another forgotten woman in history in Annie Edson Taylor. I’d never heard of her before and of her tremendous bravery in being the first person to survive going over the Horseshoe Falls. Incredible how men have striven to erase so many truly remarkable women from history. This is a story of bravery, determination, resilience, courage, compassion and sisterhood that is just as important today as it was then.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Harper Collins UK for a copy in exchange for a review.

Having recently visited Niagara Falls and hearing the stories of the people who took on the falls I wanted to see how this book read and read more about this brave and/or crazy woman. It is a very interesting book, true, emotional strong and the writing helps to make the reading easy and flows well so I could picture what was happening throughout.

This is historical fiction at its best and makes for a very interesting and intriguing read. I have to agree with another reviewer that this would make a great movie and I highly recommend reading this book. It is so different from the usual historical fiction books and that is again what I enjoyed about it. A great read and a highly rated book from me. how could I not give it 5 stars...

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I received a free copy of, The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel, by Caroline Cauchi, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Annie Edson Taylor went over Niagara Falls in a barrel, on her her birthday in 1901. She became the first person to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. This was a very interesting read.

The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel is a captivating read (inspired by a true story) which tells the incredible story of Annie Edson Taylor, the first person to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel - She was one inspirational, brave and determined sexagenarian.

The novel explores her famous stunt as well as her own personal struggles and the relationships she had with the women who shared their lodgings in Bay City, where with her landlady Mrs. Lapointe, they provided them with a refuge for as long as they needed somewhere to be.

A fascinating and inspiring read worth so much more than 5⭐️

What a fascinating story, having visited Niagara Falls and heard about the attempts to conquer them by may people I wasn't really aware of Annie Edson Taylor. What she accomplished is truly amazing especially as a woman and being 63 in 1901 and I wish I had been able to read this book before I visited.
Caroline Cauchi really brings Annie to life, along with the magnetism and force of the falls. She portrays how hard life was for women during this time, but that there were women who fought against the system.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel.

I love reading about intrepid women, and a woman going Niagara Falls in barrel is certainly that!
Based on the true account of Annie Edson Taylor being the first person to successfully go over the falls and survive, this is a very personal glimpse into her tragic past, inner turmoil and amazing determination to conquer stereo types of the time. In this fictionalised tale, Annie had already proved herself as a saviour to countless women hard done by and looking for a roof over their heads ....their tributes are spread through the book. But she had more to prove - beating ageism and sexism, and displaying courage beyond words, she later claimed the daredevil stunt was her trying to raise funds for an ill friend and a young mother. Selfless. Senseless?
Annie was astute, highly organised and clever enough to throughly research the barrel she required to do the job, but she underestimated the greed of someone she trusted as her manager.
Thanks to NetGalley, Caroline Cauchi and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for this inspiring and often emotional telling of The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel. Don't forget those women, who stronger together, conquer sexism and deserve their rightful place in history.

I first encountered Annie Edson Taylor three weeks ago in Aaron Mahnke’s Cabinet of Curiosities, a collection of strange, brief stories from history. In Mahnke’s book, Annie’s short but memorable story consists of the barebone’s facts, which are astonishing enough on their own. Starting with documentable facts as she writes The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel, Dr. Caroline Cauchi creates an engaging fictional account of this daring woman, once a household name but, sadly, long forgotten.

As Cauchi’s novel opens, Mrs. Annie Edson Taylor, a widow, is living in a rundown women’s boarding house owned by Mrs. Lapointe and helping with the operation. Despite this being a business, the boarders who appear on their doorstep typically can afford to pay for one night or possibly a few, yet end up staying for weeks, months, or longer, sometimes becoming a part of the elderly Taylor and Lapointe women’s lives. Each boarder arrives with a troubled past, with secrets that she may never share or share only when she feels circumstances make that sharing necessary. Annie, too, has her secrets.

In addition to boarding house characters, Cauchi introduces readers to an assortment of others who in some way aid in the preparation for Annie’s plunge over Horseshoe Falls, the Canadian side of the international Niagara Falls. These include a circus ringmaster, sideshow strong man and bearded lady, a cooper, two boatmen, and a man famed for previously surviving the Niagara Falls rapids but who never braved the falls. A small number of other minor characters add a touch of danger or comedy to the story.

As a novelist, Cauchi explains her responsibility to ask questions that will help her fill in the many gaps in the documentable story of this interesting woman’s life. For example, why would Annie risk her life? Did she care if she survived or not? What might she gain from the stunt? What might she lose? Cauchi’s closing “Author’s Note” and “Finding Annie” provide helpful context and list these and other questions she answers in the novel.

With the inclusion of a boarding house advertising pamphlet, letters, telegrams, news stories, diary entries, and short testimonies by women who claim to have known and been helped by Annie Edson Taylor, readers may need to remind themselves that most of this story comes from Cauchi’s imagined answers to important questions about the woman accomplished a stunt no one had achieved before her and few since, a stunt so dangerous that it is now forbidden to try.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter for an advance reader egalley of this delightful historical fiction novel.

I really really enjoyed this book and immediately went looking to find out more about Annie. Although I found the book a little unevenly paced towards the middle and found myself wondering how I was only 50% of the way through when the main event had already gone, I also ‘enjoyed’ the aftermath and what happened next. I absolutely loved Nora and Tilda but found myself frustrated that they hadn’t looked up Annie - different times though. A great read and I would encourage anyone interested in powerful / dynamic women to read

Wow!! This is the best book I have read in the last year! It has everything: strong friendship, suspense (at times my heartbeat litteraly quiken), humor and it's empowering. Cauchi has delivered a wonderful and respectful recognition to Mrs. Taylor and her amazing achievement. I will recommend it to EVERYONE as it's a wonderful feel-good book. It should even be compulsory reading in schools! Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Caroline wrote an extraordinary book last year, Mrs Van Gogh, which I absolutely adored. Therefore, without hesitation, I opted in for her latest - The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel. Long title but one with an with extraordinary backstory. Yes, this is a book about an incredible woman but knowing Caroline’s writing as I do, it is that and so much more.

Caroline must have a panache for finding and writing about inspiring women from the past. As I reflect on my review from her last novel, I can see Caroline has maintained her high level of storytelling. She has penned another incredible tale - raw, heartbreaking and filled with resilience and fortitude that moved me beyond measure. It’s another remarkable fictional narrative. I don’t even have the space to go into the ease of her writing, the depth of her research and portrayal of the role of women in the era. Just do yourself a favour and go read this book!

Annie Edson Taylor - School teacher. Widow. Legend.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I wanted to read this title as I have previously visited Niagara Falls and seen the memorials to those who have gone over the Falls. It was an interesting read and Mrs Annie Edson Taylor was a very brave woman in a time when women were second class citizens to the men. However, although many issues were covered, based on the true story, I found it lacked pace.

A brilliantly written and totally inspirational read! I didn't know the story of Annie Edson Taylor, the first person to ever survive going over Niagara Falls, and Dr. Caroline Cauchi has done a wonderful job of blending historical fact with fiction.

The writing is sublime, with excerpts from Annie's diary, and POVs from some of the women who crossed paths with her in their shared lodgings in Bay City, where Annie cared for them all. I loved the well developed characters, particularly Tilda, who felt entirely real to me and whose young life was completely changed by Annie's loving influence.

Annie Edson Taylor was a huge advocate for women and her story is an important one that should be shared far and wide.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Caroline Cauchi and Harper Collins OMC for an ARC in return for an honest review.

An exquisite tale full of bravery, women strenght and unconditional love. Couchi exceeded herself in writing a bold protagonist and bringing her historical feat to life in a book that is both filled with adventure but also with heart and determination.

One of my personal favorite aspects of the novel is the balance between the human element and the sheer grandeur of the natural setting. The author let her writing shine and in return we, the readers, are able to truly explore and understand the psychology of the protagonist - what drove her to take such a risk and how she faced the imminent danger.

This book is the epitome of women supporting women and i finished the last pages crying my eyes out. It’s a well deserved 5/5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this eCopy to review

The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel is inspired by the true story of Annie Edson Taylor, the first person to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel, it is a testament to courage and determination.

From the moment I picked up the book, I was captivated by Cauchi’s vivid storytelling. The way she brought Annie’s character to life was nothing short of magical. I could feel Annie’s fear, her resolve, and her indomitable spirit as she prepared for and executed her daring feat. The historical context was richly detailed, making me feel as though I was right there in the early 1900s, witnessing this incredible event unfold.

The narrative was both heart-wrenching and inspiring. I laughed, cried, and found myself holding my breath during the tense moments leading up to Annie’s plunge over the falls. Cauchi’s writing is both poetic and gripping, making it impossible to put the book down. The themes of defying societal expectations and pushing the boundaries of what is possible resonated deeply with me.

Overall, The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel is a beautifully crafted novel that celebrates the extraordinary bravery of a woman who refused to be confined by the limitations of her time.

This historical fiction novel is about Mrs Annie Edson Taylor., the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. I admit I had never heard of Mrs. Taylor before, as I imagine most of you are in the same camp as me. However, I always love reading about fearless women who were trailblazers, unsung heroes, and the women who caused change while taking little to no credit for it. Mrs. Taylor fell into the first category. She loved doing stunts, proving how fearless she was, and she was further motivated by poverty. She had hoped that she would be able to ride the barrel down the rapids, live to tell the tale, and then make money from it. Unfortunately, things didn't work out the way she had planned. She chose an unscrupulous business partner who took advantage of her and took her barrel and her money, leaving her to die penniless. However, she did have a wealth of friends - women who she had helped throughout the years, who loved her dearly and would do anything for her in return. In between the chapters in the story, there are letters to and from Mrs. Taylor., as well as other correspondence. I found this book - and Mrs. Taylor - to be fascinating. If you are a fan of historical fiction, then you will definitely want to check this out.

I remember as a child hearing about a woman who went over Niagara Falls in a barrel. I was thrilled to learn more about Annie Edson Taylor in a new fictionalized account of her life, The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel by Caroline Cauchi.
Annie, a former teacer, was 63 and considered an old woman when she became the first person to succeed in her daring exploit in 1901.
At the start of the book it’s 1901 and she is living in lodgings provided for women down on their luck. The women who live there can’t afford to pay rent so they earn their keep by cooking and cleaning.
Annie is emotionally stilted, having carried unresolved grief since the death of her son in the year he was born, followed by the death of her husband two years later when she was 20.
A recurring theme is women helping each other. Cauchi reveals that Annie published a memoir in which she said she undertook the stunt to earn money to help two women who lived at the boarding house. This story of two friendships forms big part of the story.
Annie found it hard to get backers for her audacious stunt. Eventually a showman agreed to fund the cost of the special barrel she designed. Annie will pay him back from promotional earnings afterwards. Her age is recorded as 43.
The terrifying stunt is beautifully recorded and we can almost imagine we are crammed into the reinforced and sealed barrel, unable to hear anything except the mighty roar of the water.
Annie survived, unlike countless others who attempted the same feat. Her “manager” stole the barrel and did promotions without her. Her success faded very fast and she ended up in a pauper’s grave in the 1920s. Fortunately a campaign to rectify this saw her being re- buried in Stunter’s Corner at Niagara.
I loved how indomitable and determined Cauchi made Annie. She was entirely unlike women were supposed to be at this time, demure, quiet and the property of men. It’s wonderful that her achievement has been made visible again.

Annie Edson Taylor was 63 when she went over Niagara Falls in a barrel, the first person to survive this stunt. She is now largely forgotten and not much is known about her life, but Caroline Cauchi takes the facts that are available and turns them into an interesting read. The woman herself is fascinating and Cauchi brings her to life vividly, with interesting points being made about how women are written out of history (although I did find it a little repetitive and heavy handed in pushing that point at times). We can’t know, obviously, how accurate this portrayal is but it’s an enjoyable read and it’s always good to see new books about unusual women who have been invisible in the past.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Introducing the remarkable Mrs. Annie Edson Taylor, the first individual to navigate Niagara Falls in a barrel—a daring feat accomplished over a decade before any male daredevil attempted the same.

While the act of plunging over the falls may seem extraordinary, this narrative delves deeper into Annie's life and motivations. After enduring the tragic loss of her newborn son in 1861 and her husband's death at the Battle of Gettysburg two years later, Annie embarked on this perilous journey not for fame, but to support her friends. Her bravery in the face of danger is truly inspiring, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to those she cared for, even at the risk of her own life.

This beautifully crafted account, grounded in true events, takes readers on an emotional journey through Annie's resilience and courage.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk