The Woman That Went Over Niagara Falls In A Barrel tells the story of Annie Edson Taylor, a truly extraordinary woman. I absolutely loved this book and learnt so much about an inspirational woman, I would urge anyone to read this book.

The title gave me the impression that Annie is a legend because of the drop with the barrel. How wrong was I.
And I am glad I was wrong.
This is an engaging read about Annie Edson Taylor, who went through waterfalls of pitfalls and hardships in her life, and who changed the lives of others.
Other characters were multidimensional like Annie.
Plot: 4.5
Characterisation: 4.5
Prose: 4.5
Themes: 5
Excellent read.

What a fantastic read! Historical fiction at its best, in my opinion! Thank you for introducing us to Annie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Based on true events, this is the story of the first woman to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. There is a strong sense of time, place and setting. The writing is eloquent and emotional and a reminder of how women have unreservedly been written out of history.

Poor kitty cat.
Being used as a scape goat for testing. Shame for Shame.
Shaking my head at this whole game plan. Why would someone do something so foolish dangerous I'll never know. Not me. I value my life too much.
It us a good story And somewhat humorous too. I'm not sure what to think honestly.
5 stars from me for keeping me entertained. I highly recommend even though it is told in In Verse style.

School teacher. Widow. Legend. Meet the courageous Mrs Annie Edson Taylor, The bravest woman you've never heard of and the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel - over a decade before any male daredevil had the balls to do the same!

There's no way I would go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. But this book is so much more than just going over Niagara Falls. If we could get into Annie's inner thoughts, we would soon realise that there is more to her character. She lost her newborn son in 1861 and her husband two years later at the Battle of Gettysburg. Annie's reasons for doing this amazing but death defying act was to help her two friends. What an incredible thing to do, especially when it could have ended up with Annie losing her life. This is a beautifully written story that's based on true events. My emotions were all over the place. Annie had incredible courage.

Published 1st October 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #CarolineCauhi for my ARC of #TheWomanWhoWentOverTheNiagaraFallsInABarrel in exchange for an honest review.

Well... I have never heard of Annie, but now I feel as though I know her really well.

This is a groundbreaking book, one which reminds us that life for women was once way more challenging than it was now but there are still elements within this story which ring true today.

Annie is a fantastic main character, I can't believe she is a real person and I'd never heard of her. She shows sheer bravery and determination in her feat to go down the Niagara Falls and survive, but my favourite part of her character is her caring nature, how much she helped other women and was living to help others. What a woman!

I was truly riled when her manager disappeared and was truly behind every moment of Annie's endeavour to get justice.

I loved the various quotes from people whose lives were touched by this woman woven in throughout the story too.

What a stunning story!

Having just visited Niagara Falls for the first time time and hearing about the woman who went over the falls in a barrel I knew I’d have to read this book.
What a story! Annie Edson Taylor, wife and mother, at 63 was the first person to go over the falls in barrel. Crazy idea yes! but reading this book puts a new light on what a courageous woman Annie was. We learn of her sad life and of why she decided to undertake such a crazy feat in 1901.
I loved this book and am in awe of Annie and the amazing research the author has undertaken to write a beautiful story.
It is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time.

This book tells the story of Annie Edson Taylor, the first person to ever go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

The daredevil stunt of tumbling down Niagara Falls in a barrel was what drew me to this book, but it ended up being so much more that that. It was a tale of loss and betrayal, but also of perseverance, courage and defying odds. The impact that one can have on others simply by staying true to themselves, despite the noise of the world.

I am struggling to find the right words to review this book. How do you sum up the story of an incredible woman like Annie Edson Taylor? How am I supposed to voice my thoughts about the words of an author as talented ad Dr Caroline Cauchi? There is only one word for it; MAGIC.

The story within the story is beautiful. The writing is beautiful. Everything about this book is beautiful. The character development is first class.

I laughed, cried, gasped, cried some more. Every single words is perfection! I can't wait for the world to learn the story of Annie, The Queen of thr Mist, as told by Caroline Cauchi.

A very interesting story which Intrigued me. I couldn't imagine doing something so dangerous as going over Niagara Falls in a barrel and the absolutely courage of this woman was amazing. Especially as she had a husband and a baby. This should be made into a film. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Wow, what a historical fiction gem! Caroline Cauchi delivers The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel with such artistic writing skill and research thoroughness that I will never forget this fascinating tale! The author brought this courageous woman to light and life with her exceptional prose and helped me realise Annie Edson Taylor’s accomplishment but also her struggles, determination and true grit.

Some might say Annie was crazy to attempt such an impossible stunt as going over Niagara Falls in a barrel and rightfully so. But it was a way for this sixty-three year old to overcome her grief and prove her worth. Facing potential death shook the cobwebs from her mind and gave her a sharper perspective.

In so many ways The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel is a deep psychological character study for we are able to delve into Annie’s thoughts through her diary and see how private she was about her life. She never lets out very much about her past to those around her but we do learn that her only child was born and died in 1861 and her husband died two years later at Gettysburg. Losses that deeply affected her life. We, like the author, then ask the questions: what was Annie’s motivation to risk her life, lie about her age and believe she could survive a stunt that so many others had died attempting? What did she have to gain or lose (and to our minds a fair bit with the latter!). The author handles all these questions beautifully and paints a picture that makes sense.

Through extensive research Ms Cauchi learned that Annie wanted to earn money to help two friends—'one battling illness and the other to care for a child.’ Since there is no further info about these two available, the author created a young mother named Tilda and her baby Nora and older boarding house owner Mrs Lapointe to flesh out the possibilities of who they might have been and their importance to Annie. And Ms Cauchi has done a magnificent job in delivering these three important female characters (along with Annie). They all felt very real and I became emotionally invested in their lives. These women were part of the motivation behind Annie’s decisions and actions. They were as much a blessing to her as she was to them. When Annie decides to go ahead with her dangerous mission, they support and believe in her. Her cleverness and resourcefulness are evident in her plans. This wasn’t a quick hairbrained stunt idea but rather one well thought out. She drew upon science and other information available for her predictions and preparations. She was confident she’d survive the Niagara Falls drop in a barrel that she designed herself. Very clever indeed!

I must add, this story is not just a portrait of one woman, though Annie is the main focus. Character Tilda shares a viewpoint and offers another perspective on Annie but we also follow her personal journey. This young woman’s challenges are gut wrenching – what drove her away from home. How she ends up one night at Mrs Lapointe’s boarding house, shivering and drenched with a child on her hip. She has little funds but is allowed to stay for it is a home created for women in trouble. Tilda’s growth is astounding when she is given love. And courage springs from her closeness with Annie. In fact, Annie had quite an effect on the other women as well as noted by Evelyn Sinclair who said, “Mrs Taylor was more than just working in the boarding house; she was a guiding light in a world I believed was vicious and unforgiving. She taught me how to sew and how to tell stories. Made sure my voice was heard. Gave me hope. God bless her.” Mrs Lapointe provided a home that became a refuge. These women cheered and buoyed each other up from their troubles. This aspect of the novel is quite moving.

And, of course, the barrel stunt is a major plot focus in this varied tapestry. I have been to Canada’s Niagara Falls (I am a Canadian!) and looked over the edge of the viewing platform and marvelled at the awe-inspiring beauty, majesty and peril. To imagine someone going over this gigantic rushing waterfall is mind blowing and from such a height. Not to mention the significant force on the body it would cause—and in a barrel! To think Annie, a real person, did such a thing leaves me speechless. To face the raw unbridled power of nature and survive it, is epic. It was a great moment of victory for women for a number of reasons. It made a strong statement for those who tried to take charge of their lives after being dominated and belittled by men. Secondly, not only was Annie the first woman to attempt the impossible stunt but also the first person to ever live to tell the tale. Many men did not.

The one thing about this whole event, though, that is heartbreaking, is what happened afterward. The awful betrayal by her manager – a circus man who vowed to help her achieve her feat. He took advantage of her victory and stole what should have provided years of recognition and financial support for her and those she cared about. The whole sorry mess left her poor and a burial in a pauper’s grave. But, of course, the story does not end there as a community of friends and acquaintances who loved this woman pulled together and gave her the place she deserved in history and also gifted her a respectable gravesite with a re-burial ceremony.

As for Annie today, we should never forget this remarkable woman born in 1838 who at sixty-three in 1901 defied death! From schoolteacher, to dance instructor, to clerical worker and barrel stunt woman she is a heroine worthy to be acknowledged. She defied the archaic ideas, modes of restraint and ageism put on women of her era. She was a beacon of light and hope. I cannot rave enough about this novel and what a brilliant ‘fictionalised love letter’ Ms Cauchi has written in honour of Annie Edson Taylor. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for the ARC.