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I would say Elizabeth Zott is a rational person who exists in an irrational society – that’s why she doesn’t fit in, that’s what makes her so interesting, and that’s why we need her more than ever, because our society has become more and more irrational.
The Leviathan (Audio Download): Rosie Andrews, Rupert Farley
It is 1703, and she is awake. An ageing man recounts the story of how it all began, while a storm rages outside. The imagined role of Milton in this story is brilliant. His writings are both evidence of fact, deep philosophical thinking, grappling with knotty concepts – and of course rich, rich in metaphor, imagination, and matters apocryphal. Fantasical and rational, both. Within the concept of a mysterious, ancient, horrific mythological beast of destruction that inhabits the depths of the oceans, concepts of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ – and, a central plank of Judao-Christian thinking – free will – are entwinedI have always been interested in the significance of dreams. What is our brain trying to tell us, as…
The Leviathan by Rosie Andrews review – a potent brew of
I always find anything with Witch trials at its core a pleasure to read. The situation involving Chrissa Moore, the accused servant, was captivating beyond belief. Her persecutors Manyon, Rutherford and Huxley were all particularly annoying individuals for varying reasons.
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It was the term that he died, so it was all quite dramatic and sad. He was very dry and droll, very likable but sort of Eeyore-ish, and he said on the very first session – : you should think carefully about doing this writing business because you’re miserable if you’re writing, and you’re even more miserable if you’re not. If I'm honest, it lost me at the 'that John Milton will never amount to anything!' gag (not in those words) which authors of historical fiction really do need to retire. Esther provides evidence to the witchfinders of Chrissa’s sorcery, while Chrissa herself offers little defence to the accusations levied at her and their friends. As for Thomas, well he is born sceptical and doubts the version of events presented to him, so starts his own investigation, as he learns more about the servant and his sister. The past few days have been exciting. Simon Mayo said: “I’m going to call this early – book of the year 2022”, which was nice. It’s also going to be adapted for TV but I’m not allowed to talk about that. UK Louise Kennedy
The Leviathan - Rosie Andrews - Google Books The Leviathan - Rosie Andrews - Google Books
Darkly compelling and dripping with atmosphere... bewitching’ Stacey Halls, Sunday Times bestselling author of THE FAMILIARS One of the big influences on this book is Edmund White’s Nocturnes for the King of Naples, which is written with the same narrative framing. Also, Olivia Laing’s Crudo, which was liberating, and Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon. I love how that book moves between violence and tenderness and how she modulates between a real world and a magical world so effortlessly. The clue is in the title, of course, though to say more would be to give away the story’s unexpected twists. Young Tom is obliged to seek help from the one person who can shed light on the mystery – his former tutor, who happens to be John Milton, a man well versed in dissecting the nature of good and evil. A beguiling tale of superstition, myth and murder, perfect for fans of The Binding, The Essex Serpent and Once Upon a River.Historical fiction at its best and a literary feat that deserves to be enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever👍 What I love about historical fiction (and beautifully expressed here) is that through the creation of believable characters, as subtly three dimensional as all of us are, as twined with oppositions, but deeply embedded in a specific time, culture, place, the reader is taken into engaging with what it actively might feel like, to feel and think this or that. Andrews absolutely nails comparisons of excellence, and, like both those books, carves out her own unique territory. Honestly, the whole book came from a bad mood. I’d been in an all-men meeting and felt a lot of garden-variety dismissiveness. Elizabeth Zott was a minor character in another book I’d shelved years earlier, and as soon as I got home, I heard her. I felt like she was sitting across from me, saying: “Me, I have a story to tell you, and it’s much worse than what you’re experiencing.” I wrote the first chapter instead of doing my work.
Rosie Andrews interview - Bloomsbury Publishing Rosie Andrews interview - Bloomsbury Publishing
It's hard to believe that such an accomplished novel could be a debut - The Leviathan is a gloriously dark story that sweeps you along to its harrowing yet satisfying conclusion. Superb Thomas prides himself on being a rational, modern man. He is confident that he can free their servant, a beautiful if peculiarly self possessed young woman, and reassure his sister that there is nothing further to fear, now he has returned.
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This is a deliciously dark tale, taking in witch finders and mythology in a haunting, evocative, atmospheric tale. Outstanding... a seething, haunting delight' - Beth Underdown, award-winning author of THE WITCHFINDER'S SISTER That is one of the reasons the book was such a joy to read. The author has got the characters spot on. Thomas, being the unbelieving sceptic who would risk everything to his sister Ester, right down to young Henry, the author had them nailed to a tee.
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