An Independent Woman

Published in 2014, “An Independent Woman” is a gothic romance novel set in England during the early Victorian era. This novel drew me in from the beginning of chapter one, with its well-painted word pictures and deliciously creepy atmosphere:

”Philomena crept up the twisted stairs. A rat scuttled past and disappeared into the early morning fog of the London alleyway. She shuddered and pulled her shawl closer, stepping lightly to soften the clink of patten on wood as she climbed, head pounding and legs trembling.”

I enjoyed seeing the relationship of the two main characters blossom in the style of Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester:

”She dared to disagree with him. While all around treated him with obsequiousness, Philomena alone teased and scolded. An ironic twinkle lit her eyes as though she was always on the verge of bursting into laughter. She made fun of Hugh and showed no deference to any ancestral pride.”

Normally, a clean gothic romance would leave me enraptured. But as much as I wanted to adore this novel, I just couldn’t, for a couple of reasons.

First, the author frequently breaks the cardinal rule of good writing: SHOW, don’t tell.

“Surprised at first, angered by such a lack of respect, Hugh had rapidly learned to love her."

I didn’t want to be TOLD that Hugh was surprised or angered or that he loved her. I wanted the author to describe the scene in such a way that I could draw my own conclusions. I wanted to be SHOWN his feelings by his words, facial expressions, gestures, tone, etc.

Second, I found the frequent use of rhetorical questions to be trite and annoying.

“How could he ever forgive her? What could she do? What could she say to return things to the way they had been?”

With some good pruning, I would rate this book at 4 stars or 5 stars. But, as it is, 3 stars.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press for this free ebook in exchange for my review.

This is a historical romance in that the facts of classes of people are true. The relationship between Master and servant are fact. And the differences in gentry, being the servants considered their rank above over servants by where their Master and Mistress ranked.
Philomena is a poor seamstress taken care of my a family friend and his helper. She doesn't remember her parents. All she knows is how to work hard to earn her keep. The biggest challenge in her life is the horrific dream of being married to someone evil when she is but a child. She wakes screaming and utterly terrified. She can only hope it's a dream and nothing more.
This was an enjoyable book. I learned a lot about the English Culture. It was very interesting to have fact mixed in with fiction. Made for a refreshing story.

I loved the person of Philomena. Such a strong self awareness. this story was well developed and pulled me in.