The Trial of Lotta Rae: The unputdownable historical novel of 2022

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I can see much suffering in your life. You have lost someone dear, perhaps more than one,’ she says. ‘And I see trouble there…perhaps one who….has wronged you greatly.’ Our servers are getting hit pretty hard right now. To continue shopping, enter the characters as they are shown We are always delighted to hear from authors. We are currently open for review requests and we are happy to review a wide variety of genres. Please submit your information below and we will be in touch asap. It is a monumental work, not always easy to read, often harrowing in its descriptions of the brutal treatment meted out to hunger striking women and the horrors of trench warfare. But there are lighter moments, too, not least in the delightful episodes featuring Lotta's child.

The Trial of Lotta Rae: The unputdownable historical novel of The Trial of Lotta Rae: The unputdownable historical novel of

Lotta is a happy 19 year old living with her Ma and Pa in Peabody house, Spitalfields she works as a typist at Whitbreads Brewery. Her life was shattered when she attended a works Halloween party with her Pa. During the evening Lotta had a tiff with her colleague and boyfriend Albert and upset she decided to get some fresh air. As she walked outside an older gentleman, Henry Alan Griffiths, who had an interest in Whitbreads Brewery and had previously made lewd remarks to her in the office, followed her outside and walked up to her expressing concern that she was upset, he roughly took her arm and suddenly pushed her against a wall and raped her. This was difficult to read. I felt sorry for Lotta Rae throughout the whole book. As difficult as it is to read, it is also compelling. Lotta is raped by a drunken wealthy gentleman. Lotta’s family may be working class but they have high morals. Lotta is determined to give evidence in a trial which is tilted against her. The barrister has a lot to lose both professionally and personally if he loses this case. Neither of them knows exactly how their lives will become entangled in the future. It really brings home the reality of life for a working class woman in the beginning of the twentieth century and the power of a wealthy, influential gentleman. Some colleagues found her crying and at her request took her home to her Ma. When her Pa returned home he was stunned to hear she had been raped by Griffith and went to the Police Station to report the rape.Perhaps you are finding it hard to forgive….perhaps it is in forgiveness that your suffering will ease.’ I have seen my name become notorious. Lotta Rae. The talk of London. There was talk, much talk for sure. But was there truth? Was there justice?” I didn't reread the blurb for this one before I started reading it, and for some reason I thought it was a fantasy novel, so was a little bit surprised when it turned out to be historical fiction. I think the cover was what was giving me the fantasy vibes, but after the initial surprise of not getting what I was expecting, I was completely captivated by the wonderful writing and the amazing storyline. It was tragic, and sad, and haunting. An absolutely wonderful debut from Siobhan MacGowan! There is a lot more of what she tells Lotta which tore at my heart. She was so right. But so difficult to believe in and follow the advice.

The Trial of Lotta Rae | Siobhan MacGowan | 9781787397811 The Trial of Lotta Rae | Siobhan MacGowan | 9781787397811

It is full of tragedy and injustice. Lotta Rae is an ordinary girl from an ordinary working family who is treated abominably by the justice system and loses so much of what she holds dear throughout her tormented life. After her unjust court case Lotta faces further hardship throughout her life. She joins the Suffragette movement whilst she begins an addiction of opium in her grief. The book starts in 1906, covering events on the run up to World War 1 as well as the political goings on in the United Kingdom with the suffragette movement which both Lotta and Raff become involved with. Mark Hodkinson affectionately documents Rochdale’s dire 1973/74 season – winning twice in 46 league games – with a team considered the worst to play in the Football League. But this book is as much a love letter to his hometown as to his hometown team. The subject seems niche but the writer stretches the story smartly. We are on the familiar terrain of strikes over pay and crippling inflation, troubled race-relations, irresponsible industrialists, and despicable politicians, like Rochadale’s Liberal MP, paedophile Cyril Smith. Hodkinson adds plenty of cultural colour too, and evokes what a game on a Saturday can mean to a town trudging through life’s grey travails. Through a story of inglorious losers on the pitch, he shows that ordinary, decent people will not be defeated off it. NJ McGARRIGLE The Trial Of Lotta Rae is one of those books where everything just seems to work.The storyline, setting, and characters, all come together to create a twisted, fabulous, masterpiece.This review is written with thanks to Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read and review The Trial Of Lotta Rae. If you enjoyed The Familiarsand The Binding, you’ll love this sweeping and empowering historical novel, set in Suffragette England.

The Trial of Lotta Rae: The unputdownable historical novel of

The repercussions of this terrible rape are devastating to not only Lotta but subsequently her family and friends , betrayal, imprisonment, hunger strikes, death and more are some of the consequences. I have seen my name become notorious. Lotta Rae. The talk of London. There was talk, much talk for sure. But was there truth? Was there justice?"

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A teenage girl, Lotta Rae, at the dawn of the 20th century makes plans for future which are shuttered one night and which open ways to several tragedies befalling herself and her family. A strong female protagonist and her male counterpart become rivals involved in a dangerous game which is called having knowledge and power. This is a good read and kept me interested, however, as the plot unravelled, I felt bigger distance towards Lotta. There was something missing in her to make me connect with her more.