The Road from Belhaven

by Margot Livesey

From the New York Times best-selling author of The Flight of Gemma Hardy , a novel about a young woman whose gift of second sight complicates her coming of age in late 19th century Scotland

Growing up in the care of her grandparents on Belhaven farm, Lizzie Craig discovers as a small child that she can see into the future. But her gift is selective—she doesn’t, for instance, see that she has an older sister who will come to join the family. As her “pictures” foretell various incidents and accidents, she begins to realize a painful she may glimpse the future, but she can seldom change it.

Nor can Lizzie change the feelings that come when a young man named Louis, visiting Belhaven for the harvest, begins to court her. Why have the adults around her not revealed that the touch of a hand can change everything? After following Louis to Glasgow, though, she learns the limits of his devotion. Faced with a seemingly impossible choice, she makes a terrible mistake. But her second sight may allow her a second chance.

9 hrs.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Scotland, Historical, Audiobook, Magical Realism

9 pages, Audible Audio

First published February 6, 2024

About the author

Margot grew up in a boys' private school in the Scottish Highlands where her father taught, and her mother, Eva, was the school nurse. After taking a B.A. in English and philosophy at the University of York in England she spent most of her twenties working in restaurants and learning to write. Her first book, a collection of stories called Learning By Heart, was published in Canada in 1986. Since then Margot has published nine novels: Homework, Criminals, The Missing World, Eva Moves the Furniture, Banishing Verona, The House on Fortune Street, The Flight of Gemma Hardy, Mercury and The Boy in the Field. She has also published The Hidden Machinery: Essays on Writing. Her tenth novel, The Road from Belhaven, will be published by Knopf in February, 2024.

Margot has taught at Boston University, Bowdoin College, Brandeis University, Carnegie Mellon, Cleveland State, Emerson College, Tufts University, the University of California at Irvine, the Warren Wilson College MFA program for writers, and Williams College. She has been the recipient of fellowships from the Radcliffe Institute, the Guggenheim Foundation, the N.E.A., the Massachusetts Artists' Foundation and the Canada Council for the Arts. Margot currently teaches at the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop.

Reviews

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the 1880s, The Road from Belhaven by Margot Livesey revolves around Lizzie Craig who we meet as a young orphan growing up in the care of her maternal grandparents Rab and Flora on Belhaven Farm, in rural Scotland. Lizzie is gifted with second sight – the “pictures” she envisions that are indicative of future events - visions that come to her infrequently but know to mostly keep to herself. Lizzie loves to read and is a curious child. Hers is mostly a happy childhood with her life with her loving grandparents, in the company of the farm animals, her books and school, and their farmhand Hugh who eventually moves to Glasgow in search of better opportunities. Lizzie is surprised to find out that she has an older sister Kate who has been raised by their paternal grandparents. When Kate comes to live with them. Lizzie’s life slowly begins to change. Lizzie begins to dream of a life with new opportunities – a life she is encouraged to embark on when a young man named Louis enters her life. Unbeknownst to Lizzie, the consequences of her choices will not only irrevocably change her own life but could also fracture the relationships she holds dear.

I loved the premise of this novel and was engrossed in the first half of the story. The author’s description of Belhaven Farm, life in rural Scotland with its customs and traditions, and Lizzie’s curiosity and love for reading were a joy to read. But my enthusiasm for this novel dampened as the narrative veered toward a predictable trajectory with stereotypical characters and though I could sympathize with Lizzie’s plight, I began to lose interest in her story. As we follow Lizzie’s transition from a sheltered farm girl to a young woman finding her own way in the city, I felt as though I was reading about a completely different person in the second half of the novel. While most of the characters were well thought out and realistic, the changes in Lizzie are often abrupt, unexplored and her motivations are difficult to understand. Her choices are questionable, her behavior uncharacteristic at times, and while I won’t judge her, I would have liked the opportunity to understand her motivations. I usually enjoy quiet character-driven fiction with minimal melodrama, but I thought the latter half of this coming-of-age story lacked emotional depth. As a plot point, the magical realism aspect- Lizzie’s gift - was not explored in depth or integral to the overall plot in the way it could have been. Overall, I thought the story had potential and it pains me to be unable to give this novel a higher rating.

Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Road from Belhaven was published on February 06, 2024.

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[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margot Livesey is a treasure: a writer who understands the magic and mysteries of the human soul, and brings that wisdom to novels that are both riveting and lush. The Road from Belhaven is a smart, profound, and beautiful book that draws you in and holds you tight.

[Diane Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out as my favorite kind of book, a quiet story about Lizzie Craig, being raised by her grandparents on a farm in Scotland in the last years of the 19th century. She sometimes sees pictures in her head of future events, but doesn't tell others because they will think her strange. I loved the pace and style until, somewhere along the last quarter of the novel, it seemed as though the author just got tired and was rushing events along to get to the finish line. The action was jumbled and confusing and the conclusion had no surprises, I saw it coming a long way off.

Would have been a 4 star book, but she lost me in that final sprint.

[Rebecca]

The 70 pages I read bored me nearly to tears. An orphan raised by her grandparents on a struggling smallholding in Fife learns that she has an older sister. Lizzie's second sight would seem to be an interesting element, but only (at least in what I read) involves predicting disasters around the farm that she makes little attempt to stop. Animal and human deaths and illnesses are rife, and Lizzie isn't a vibrant enough character to balance out the bleakness.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author for me. I picked the book up because, from the description, it just sounded interesting.

Description:
Growing up in the care of her grandparents on Belhaven Farm, Lizzie Craig discovers as a small child that she can see into the future. But her gift is selective—she doesn’t, for instance, see that she has an older sister who will come to join the family. As her “pictures” foretell various incidents and accidents, she begins to realize a painful she may glimpse the future, but she can seldom change it.

Nor can Lizzie change the feelings that come when a young man named Louis, visiting Belhaven for the harvest, begins to court her. Why have the adults around her not revealed that the touch of a hand can change everything? After following Louis to Glasgow, though, she learns the limits of his devotion. Faced with a seemingly impossible choice, she makes a terrible mistake. But her second sight may allow her a second chance.

My Thoughts:
There's a lot of quiet drama in this novel set in 19th century Scotland. Lizzie's gift of second sight influences her to do things that are distressing and not always socially acceptable. I liked Lizzie - she seemed a hard-working, dedicated farm girl with a lot of questions. However, she was naive. I really hated some of the things that happened to her because of the accpted norms of the time period she lived in. So many sad things happened to Lizzie that could have been avoided if she had only been able to use her gift to see herself. I was sad in parts of the book and furious in others. The plot was kind of slow, but I felt it was necessary to provide the detail needed for Lizzie's story. I think my favorite character was Andrew, who didn't appear until near the end of the story.

Thanks to Knopf through Netgalley for an advance copy.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Road from Belhaven" presents a quaint narrative centered around Lizzie Craig, whose life at Belhaven Farm with her grandparents seems idyllic until the arrival of her older sister, Kate. The story unfolds as Lizzie grapples with newfound uncertainties about her future, particularly after Kate's arrival alters the course she once envisioned for herself.

The novel introduces an intriguing element with Lizzie's ability to glimpse the future through what she calls "pictures." However, this aspect of the story feels underutilized, appearing sporadically without a substantial impact on Lizzie's character development or the narrative's depth. The anticipation built around these visions ultimately leads to an ending that feels more contrived, with the sole purpose being to bring about this particular ending.

One noticeable aspect of "The Road from Belhaven" is the minimal use of dialogue, which detracts from the immersive experience that character interactions often provide in storytelling. Instead, the narrative leans heavily on exposition, leaving readers feeling informed rather than engaged through the characters' interactions and emotions.

While the premise holds promise and the setting exudes charm, the execution of the plot falls short of delivering a compelling and immersive experience. The sporadic use of Lizzie's gift and the lack of rich character interactions might leave readers wanting more depth and engagement from the storyline.

Individual tastes in literature vary, and "The Road from Belhaven" may resonate more strongly with readers who appreciate a quieter, more introspective narrative style. However, for those seeking robust character dynamics and a more integrated exploration of supernatural elements, this novel might not fully satisfy.

In a world brimming with diverse authors and genres, "The Road from Belhaven" might not have found its stride for every reader, but it contributes to the rich tapestry of storytelling that offers something unique for different preferences and tastes.

[MaryannC Victorian Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read about Lizzie Craig, a precocious young child with the gift of seeing into the future, living on a farm with her grandparents in rural Scotland. This read is not fast paced but engrossing nonetheless as Lizzie struggles to understand her gift of seeing occurrences before they happen not being able stop them, her first love and the young man who ultimately betrays her.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5- certain elements of this book had potential, but I felt I didn’t know the inner workings of any characters which left me unattached and unable to connect

[Desiree Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review soon to follow.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standing on the road of decision in the heart of all those roads to take or not take, a girl could use a bit of wisdom, right? A second sight, a helpful vision of which is the better way? a little help, please?

Well, Lizzie Craig has that. . .in bits and pieces, and no particular translator to ease her into practice. She has the vision, not the Whole Vision, just a slice. And that makes (as Robert Frost would say). . .all the difference.

Margot Livesey has swept us off to Scotland, to Lizzie's grandparents' home in Cupar - Fife where she has been raised and is happy, mostly. She has country girl thoughts, hopes and wishes - the usual fare; she wants to fit in, wants friends and fun, and to please her family. For the most part she seems to feel she will be able to do that as she grows up. She has to come to terms with her gift, the first truth of which is that not everyone else has it . . .in fact, very few. The second truth of which seems to be determining whether it is a blessing. . .or a curse.

Four stars from this gr-gr-gr-granddaughter of Scotland, a reliably sturdy tale about choices - and that the weight of them isn't necessarily lightened by special gifts but they can make consequential outcomes even more astonishing.

*A sincere thank you to Margot Livesey, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

[Royce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Lizzie Craig’s story. It’s beautifully written, describing her compelling journey from young girl to young woman on a farm in Bellhaven, Scotland, close to the turn of the twentieth century. Highly recommended to those who like character driven stories with interesting, twisting plots. As always, for me, it’s the writing. Margot Livesey’s writing pulls the reader in from the first sentence. It’s mesmerizing the way in which she writes. I will miss Lizzie…

[A. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wasteful plot starring an irritating woman who can see the future, but not glaring reality, even when it's smacking her over the head for hundreds of pages. Collosal bore.

[Dianne Alvine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Livesay has written an historical novel about an isolated part of the world in Scotland in the 1800's.
The story begins with Lizzie, who is the protagonist. She's ten years old and her parents have died. She lives with her grandparents on their farm in Belhaven, in an area known as the Kingdom of Fife. It's a place surrounded by water on three sides. Lizzie works hard alongside her grandparents and other helpers, but they suffer greatly from poverty. Eventually, Lizzie finds out she has a sister, who comes to live on the farm.

Lizzie grows up and finds her way, with many struggles like all of us. She has a gift of 'second sight' and sees 'pictures' of future happenings of the people in her life. When Lizzie bears a child, she isn't married, but she vows she's going to give her child the mother she never had. However, life is complicated and so is Lizzie's. There is one particular incident involving Lizzie's baby that made my heart ache, but I'll not say anymore.

Livesay has written a beautiful coming of age story set in Victorian times. I particularly enjoyed the writing about the sweet animals and the names they were given. Lizzie adopts a bird who she names Alice, who follows her around wherever she goes. I had tears in my eyes when Alice died. This is a story about people, just like us, with struggles that are timeless. The ending put a welcoming smile on my face.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Lizzie, a young orphan, is raised by her grandparents on Belhaven Farm, not far from Glasgow, during the late 1800s. Life is full of hard work and worry about keeping the farm going, but Lizzie loves it and expects the farm will eventually pass to her. But she has the gift of second sight, brief movie-like flashes of the future, and these set her on a path that she had not imagined for herself. Livesey is especially good here at portraying the rich and beautiful life of the country, full of the sights and sounds of a bucolic paradise.

[Anne Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for historical novels and those containing second sight are a bonus. So, this one hit on both those likes for me. Lizzie Craig is a young girl living with her grandparents on a farm about two hours by train from Glasgow in the late 1800's. She has strange visions of events from the future which are caused by an inherited ability to see coming events, usually frightening ones. She keeps these sightings to herself.

As she grows up, Lizzie falls in love with a young man named Louis who is apprenticed to a tailor in Glasgow. He has been helping on the farm to bring in the crops seasonally. Livesey writes great descriptive prose, be they about birds, lochs, houses or farmland. But Lizzie's love brings her problems and pain as Louis cannot marry her when she becomes pregnant because it would mean losing his apprenticeship and subsequent career.

Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for a most enjoyable and entertaining ARC copy of this book.

[Rachel Enright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Put this on the shelf with Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, and Heidi as a lovely picture of girlhood. Such a cozy read

[Tracey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feminist period drama with a hint of the supernatural? Sign me up!

Orphan Lizzie is growing up on a farm in Scotland with her grandparents. Her life is relatively normal, except for the fact that she occasionally gets premonitions. She never sees herself, only those around her, and the visions are seldom joyful. As if that doesn’t complicate things enough, Lizzie learns she has an older sister, who begrudgingly comes to live with them on the farm.

Things seem to take a more positive spin when a young man named Louis enters Lizzie’s life, and encourages Lizzie to move to Glasgow to be closer to him. However, Louis is evasive when it comes to “making an honest woman” of Lizzie, and things take an incredibly unfortunate turn, changing Lizzie’s life forever.

It is only as I try to summarize this novel that I realize how much plot is packed into this wonderful piece of work. I have never read Margot Livesey before, and I was completely enamored by her writing. Lizzie is such an empathetic character, and her experiences reflect that of so many young women in the past and present. Even without Lizzie’s premonitions, the narrative is incredibly compelling.

The Road from Belhaven is a quiet novel about the variably-sized struggles of a special life. I love that Livesey mentioned that her mother had the gift of second sight in the acknowledgements. A beautifully written story. I can’t wait to read more of Livesey’s work.

[Laura (thenerdygnomelife) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Road from Belhaven," a quiet and introspective novel that blends magical realism with historical fiction, while still managing to tell a timeless coming-of-age story.

Lizzie Craig has long known that she has the gift of "second sight," an ability that occasionally gives her a brief scene from her future. Seeing some future events does not mean she can see all of her future, however, so imagine her surprise when she learns that not only does she have a sister, but that sister is now coming to live with Lizzie and her grandparents. As they both come of age, experience first loves, and endure the hardships of life, they must also navigate their relationship together.

One of my pet peeves with magical realism books is when the author throws in special abilities or magic without it having a significant, meaningful role in the book. I was relieved to see this was not the case with "The Road from Belhaven." I also was borderline surprised each time Livesey mentioned the year, as the issues explored are so universal that I easily forgot it was set in the 1800s.

[Eryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Road from Belhaven had all of the elements of a historical fiction novel that I love, however, the story fell flat for me. I enjoyed the first 40% or so of the story, and getting to know Lizzie and the other characters. I liked how Lizzie had the gift of second sight and would see "pictures" of things that were going to happen to others around her. I also liked that she usually drew the pictures after and held onto them. Around the halfway mark, I started to find I was getting bored and despite how short this book is, it was starting to feel long.

While the story itself didn't resonate with me, I will say Livesey's writing is beautiful, and knows how to make a character come off the page.

Overall, it was a fine book. For me, some parts were better than others. It was simply too slow of a book for me.

Thank you Knopf Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Subdued and slow paced. The storyline is interesting but not as interesting as the book jacket would have you believe. Lizzie’s premonitions are few and far between and mostly ordinary. Much of the story recounts Lizzie’s waiting for conditions to be right with her fiancée so that she can finally be married to him. Everyone has advice for her and opinions on how she should live her life. Lizzie has to discover her own way, even if it is frustrating for us to wait for her to discover it. But the ending is worth the wait.

[Blaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy Margot Livesey's novels, and I enjoyed the voice of the narration and the descriptions of life in 19th century rural Scotland, the lives of precarious farmers and of apprentice tradesmen in Glasgow, but I became impatient with the last half of the book, which I felt was more plot driven than by a deepening of Lizzie's character and how she lived with her gift.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl who possesses second sight, Lizzie Craig, grows up in Victorian Scotland, and makes a lot of mistakes. This really endeared her to me, although I found myself shaking my head at her at some points and infuriated with her at others; Lizzie is realistic in her stumbling trajectory from child to woman. Growing up in a poor but close farming family, Lizzie has expectations beyond what she should and is unthinking at times, a little bit selfish at others, but as a reader I kept having to remind myself that she was so, so young. Raised by her grandparents, she didn't have a mother to guide her as she became a woman and learned to discern infatuation from love. This, I thought, was so realistic for that era; she fell for the first young man (an apprentice tailor named Louis) who might provide her with a different and more exciting life. Once she becomes pregnant, the story takes a sharp turn, and her misfortunes pile up but never seem overwhelming; this is, in part, because the reader always knows that she has that loving family back home. It's a poignant look at one girl's circumstances and how she finds a way to make amends, and it's made all the more poignant by the losses she has to bear, and the more realistic because some of those reconciliations come too late. With beautiful, detailed descriptive passages about life both on the farm and in the city, this story of Lizzie's road from Belhaven to adulthood will enchant lovers of historical fiction.

[KayG · Rating 5 out of 5]

I particularly enjoyed the Scottish setting in this book about a young woman’s complications in growing up. The setting of the farm was lovely as well as the tales of the family. It’s a complicated plot, and made more interesting by Lizzie’s gift of seeing visions into the future. It’s a lovely tale set in an even lovelier country.

[Kathryn E Hagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story! It reminded me of the Little House series, only with a touch of magic. The family drama is off the charts. The main characters are flawed and believable.

The Road From Belhaven takes place in Scotland at the end of the 19th century. Author Margot Livesey paints wonderful farm and city scenes, beginning with little Lizzie being raised by her grandparents. From a young age, she has Second Sight about certain events, generally involving people around her rather than herself. Lizzie makes some mistakes while growing up, but I think that just made me care about her more. She places a lot of faith in her beau, thinking he's going to marry her after he's finished his training as a tailor. Obstacles arise. Will he or won't he?

Ms. Livesey was new to me although she has written several other books. I'm looking forward to reading them.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advance Readers' Copy. I really enjoyed it!

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the basis of this book; the setting of a farm in Scotland in the 1880's and a girl who has the gift of second sight. In fact, the first third of the book was perfect but later it seemed to get bogged down in Lizzie's bad choices over and over. Second chances, regrets and the choices we make are all themes throughout the book. When reading about the author I learned she was born and grew up in Scotland and you can tell by the realistic wording of the book. In Livesey's acknowledgements in the back of her book she lists an extensive list of books she used for research and many of them sound very interesting.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 because I did read the whole thing. I felt as though I kept waiting for something to happen.

[Mrs. Danvers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of Anne of Green Gables for adults.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I read Gemma Hardy years ago, and in hindsight I think I enjoyed *this* book more than I enjoyed Gemma Hardy. I was very critical of GH, so that’s probably what I’m remembering.

I listened to 85% of this book, read 15%. It was far more enjoyable to listen than to read—the narrator has a beautiful Scottish accent and managed to make the frank, short, not very descriptive or emotive sentences sound so real, so lush and beautiful. On a line level, I wasn’t too impressed—I felt distanced from the narrative and Lizzie’s circumstances—and this tends to happen with many literary novels. (I don’t understand it.) But the narrator did a tremendous job infusing emotion into each line, bringing it to life.

Lizzie is a good, flawed character. She has her strengths and many faults (the number of times I shook my head and mumbled “girl, come ON, what are you DOING?!”), but I loved how this all came together in the end. Not perfectly, but just right. It was a coming of age and slice of life, and I really enjoyed that. I especially loved her visions—though I wish there was a way she could’ve taken better control over them, or worked *with* them. Perhaps that’s just one of the faults, and that’s okay.

Lovely story to listen to. Feels relatable and timeless. Family, love, sacrifice.

[Karen Parisot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of Lizzie. It follows her from her early teens into young adulthood. She grows up on a farm under the loving care of her grandparents, Rab and Flora. Rab is old, set in his ways and resistant to new ideas. The farm is barely holding its head above water. Lizzie flourishes. She is industrious, a good student, a talented artist and either blessed or cursed (depending on how you look at it) with second sight. One day Louis arrives at the farm to help with the harvest and Lizzie falls for him and his charming ways.
I loved the setting of this novel in Victorian era Scotland. Life was difficult and challenging for many, but they worked hard and loved deeply. Lizzie is a great character so fully developed as to almost seem real. The supporting cast is wonderful too. I think it’s a coming-of-age story about family and figuring out which path you’ll take in life. 4.25 stars

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A critic in whom I place great trust compared this to P. Fitzgerald's The Gate of Angels, an all-time favorite. Didn't find it equal to that but enjoyed a lot. Sort of YA-adjacent premise (Victorian girl gets glimpses of the future) but really a well-turned piece of realism. Loved the evocation of rural and urban Scotland in the late 19th C, how much labor took up every part of every day (something of How Green Was My Valley here). Carefully-drawn characters, all flawed and all forgivable, a happy ending you can see coming a mile off but still satisfying. Lots of recognizable human experience in the relationships. Still puzzling over what if anything the supernatural element added--possibly asking us to consider destiny as the sum of small choices, kind of a nice small-stakes theme for a real "they don't make 'em like this anymore" kind of book.