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The Observations Book Review |
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| Book Cover | Author | Publisher | UK Publication Date |
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Jane Harris |
Faber and Faber | 4/6/06 |
| TurboBookSnob Review | The Observations is Jane Harris' first novel, and is a thoroughly engaging Victorian mystery. In 1863, Bessy Buckley escapes her past in Glasgow , headed towards Edinburgh to seek employment at a castle. Fate leads her to an estate outside of Edinburgh , and to her new mistress Arabella. Bessy wonders at her new mistress' strange requests, one of which includes keeping a diary of her thoughts and feelings. Bessy gradually learns more about her situation through diaries of her predecessors and through the discovery of a book Arabella is secretly writing called “The Observations.” Harris' strength is in her plot and her characterization. The novel is definitely a page-turner, and Bessy is a memorable and likeable heroine, quite a bit like Moll Flanders. This is no Fingersmith, but it is beautifully done, and is well worth the read. It is a long shot for the Booker 2006 longlist. |
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