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The Brewer's Tale
It had been Mother's secret and mine, one passed down through the de Winter women for generations. I would ensure it was kept that way, until I was ready to pass it on.
When Anneke Sheldrake is forced to find a way to support her family after her father is lost at sea, she turns to the business by which her mother’s family once prospered: brewing ale.
Armed with her Dutch mother’s recipes and a belief that anything would be better than the life her vindictive cousin has offered her, she makes a deal with her father’s aristocratic employer: Anneke has six months to succeed or not only will she lose the house but her family as well.
Through her enterprise and determination, she inadvertently earns herself a deadly enemy. Threatened and held in contempt by those she once called friends, Anneke nonetheless thrives. But on the tail of success, tragedy follows and those closest to her pay the greatest price for her daring.
Ashamed, grieving, and bearing a terrible secret, Anneke flees to London, determined to forge her own destiny. Will she be able to escape her past, and those whose only desire is to see her fail?
A compelling insight into the brewer’s craft, the strength of women, and the myriad forms love can take.
An unforgettable tale of love, treachery and ale in medieval England.
When Anneke Sheldrake is forced to find a way to support her family after her father is lost at sea, she turns to the business by which her mother’s family once prospered: brewing ale.
Armed with her Dutch mother’s recipes and a belief that anything would be better than the life her vindictive cousin has offered her, she makes a deal with her father’s aristocratic employer: Anneke has six months to succeed or not only will she lose the house but her family as well.
Through her enterprise and determination, she inadvertently earns herself a deadly enemy. Threatened and held in contempt by those she once called friends, Anneke nonetheless thrives. But on the tail of success, tragedy follows and those closest to her pay the greatest price for her daring.
Ashamed, grieving, and bearing a terrible secret, Anneke flees to London, determined to forge her own destiny. Will she be able to escape her past, and those whose only desire is to see her fail?
A compelling insight into the brewer’s craft, the strength of women, and the myriad forms love can take.
An unforgettable tale of love, treachery and ale in medieval England.
584 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2014
273 people are currently reading
7365 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 347 reviews
July 10, 2014
This is the best book I have read in a long time, if not ever. Karen Brooks is committed to delivering an authentic, historical read that is still engaging, which was important as I don't usually read historical themed novels. It was a book where I didn't want to get off the train, I didn't want to sleep, I didn't want lunch break to end, I didn't want to go out because I just HAD to keep reading - it was more compelling than Shantaram, and possibly as consuming and addictive as the Harry Potter series. Like J.K. Rowling, I just know I'd read anything else Karen Brooks ever published regardless of the genre.
May 19, 2017
This book is dense and rich and delicious like mud cake. I thought I would take weeks to read it but couldn't put it down, ignoring my children and even forgetting to eat lunch one day. The lead character Anneke is up there with some of the best female characters of all time. She is full bodied and fascinating and my heart ached for her. The rich historical details painted such an eloquent and vivid picture of time and place, but somehow the story felt contemporary and real and relevant. I am putting this aside to read again one day, and I'm buying it for everyone for Xmas.
November 14, 2020
Intriguing!
The struggles of a young woman who must try to forge a new way of life when her wealthy merchant father's ship is lost.
1405 and Anneke Sheldrake finds herself destitute, the house and livelihood she took for granted gone. How to provide for her family and restore their fortunes?
Her mother's people had been Brewers from Flanders. With the help of her recipe book (and the crones who whisper in the brewing commencement) Anneke forges ahead to be come a female brewer. Her successes has her come under siege from rivals, and her father's aristocratic employer, with whom she'd struck a deal in her endeavours to come around. There are deep secrets at play here.
This wonderful medieval story set in the latter days of King Henry IV has everything. Women clawing their way back from tragedy, unlooked for alliances, acceptance and prejudices, and fighting authorities. Compassion and weaknesses are turned into strengths and love.
The Author's Note provides an illuminating explanation of the ale brewing and beer making of the times, and the customs and legalities during Henry Bolingbroke's time.
A fascinating read that incorporates glimpses into medieval life and the struggles of women looking for independence.
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
The struggles of a young woman who must try to forge a new way of life when her wealthy merchant father's ship is lost.
1405 and Anneke Sheldrake finds herself destitute, the house and livelihood she took for granted gone. How to provide for her family and restore their fortunes?
Her mother's people had been Brewers from Flanders. With the help of her recipe book (and the crones who whisper in the brewing commencement) Anneke forges ahead to be come a female brewer. Her successes has her come under siege from rivals, and her father's aristocratic employer, with whom she'd struck a deal in her endeavours to come around. There are deep secrets at play here.
This wonderful medieval story set in the latter days of King Henry IV has everything. Women clawing their way back from tragedy, unlooked for alliances, acceptance and prejudices, and fighting authorities. Compassion and weaknesses are turned into strengths and love.
The Author's Note provides an illuminating explanation of the ale brewing and beer making of the times, and the customs and legalities during Henry Bolingbroke's time.
A fascinating read that incorporates glimpses into medieval life and the struggles of women looking for independence.
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
February 19, 2022
3.5 rounded up to 4.
A good cast of characters and a good story, very well-researched. I found the first half of the book to be very slow, but thankfully the pace picked up after that.
A good cast of characters and a good story, very well-researched. I found the first half of the book to be very slow, but thankfully the pace picked up after that.
December 31, 2020
When Anneke Sheldrake's father is lost at sea she is horrified to learn that she and her younger siblings have been left with nothing. Desperate to keep what remains of her family together, she strikes a bold bargain with her father's employer and, armed with her late mother's family recipes, daringly chooses to go into business as a brewer of ale. Despite being ostracised by most of her family and friends, and repeatedly harassed and intimidated by the local Abbot and his cronies whose monopoly of the ale trade is threatened, Anneke's brew steadily wins favour amongst the community. Just as success seems within her reach, Anneke is targeted in a malicious attack that razes nearly everything she holds dear. Forced to flee for her life, Anneke is nevertheless determined to begin again and finds an unlikely ally in a London brothel owner. With courage and hard work, Anneke, taking the name Anna de Winter, slowly rebuilds her life and business, until the horrors of her past once again threaten to destroy her.
A saga of betrayal, love, tragedy, courage and triumph, The Brewer's Tale is an ambitious historical drama by author, Karen Brooks.
Anneke is strong protagonist, with spirit and convictions uncommon for her time. Despite harrowing personal tragedy she finds the strength to rise above it and carry on, refusing to be cowed by her persecutors. Her courage, loyalty and determination are admirable qualities and ensure the reader is firmly on her side, willing her to triumph.
Anneke's loyal cast including her sweet sister, Betje, the brash Alyson, and the dashing hero, Lord Leander Rainford, are eminently appealing. The villains, including Anneke's spiteful cousin, a raft of spiritually corrupt monks, and her inescapable enemy are infuriating and often terrifying.
Though set in medieval England, the story begins in 'The year of Our Lord 1405 in the sixth year of the reign of Henry IV', I didn't get a true sense of the period. It seemed not that much different from Georgian or Victorian times, though to be fair it mattered little as the details were consistent and the setting well grounded. I was surprised at how interested I was in the history of the brewery industry, and I finally discovered the difference between beer and ale. (I don't drink either so had never thought about it before)
The writing is articulate and the first person perspective works well. The pacing was reasonable but I did feel the story, at well over 500 pages, was too long overall. I was tempted to skim at times, particularly as the plot was, though well thought out, generally predictable, with the second half of the story essentially mirroring the events of the first.
Nevertheless, The Brewer's Tale was a satisfying read and I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy the drama and romance of sweeping historical fiction driven by a strong heroine.
A saga of betrayal, love, tragedy, courage and triumph, The Brewer's Tale is an ambitious historical drama by author, Karen Brooks.
Anneke is strong protagonist, with spirit and convictions uncommon for her time. Despite harrowing personal tragedy she finds the strength to rise above it and carry on, refusing to be cowed by her persecutors. Her courage, loyalty and determination are admirable qualities and ensure the reader is firmly on her side, willing her to triumph.
Anneke's loyal cast including her sweet sister, Betje, the brash Alyson, and the dashing hero, Lord Leander Rainford, are eminently appealing. The villains, including Anneke's spiteful cousin, a raft of spiritually corrupt monks, and her inescapable enemy are infuriating and often terrifying.
Though set in medieval England, the story begins in 'The year of Our Lord 1405 in the sixth year of the reign of Henry IV', I didn't get a true sense of the period. It seemed not that much different from Georgian or Victorian times, though to be fair it mattered little as the details were consistent and the setting well grounded. I was surprised at how interested I was in the history of the brewery industry, and I finally discovered the difference between beer and ale. (I don't drink either so had never thought about it before)
The writing is articulate and the first person perspective works well. The pacing was reasonable but I did feel the story, at well over 500 pages, was too long overall. I was tempted to skim at times, particularly as the plot was, though well thought out, generally predictable, with the second half of the story essentially mirroring the events of the first.
Nevertheless, The Brewer's Tale was a satisfying read and I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy the drama and romance of sweeping historical fiction driven by a strong heroine.
November 13, 2020
‘The Lady Brewer of London’ tells the tale of the naive nineteen year old daughter of a wealthy merchant, Anneke Sheldrake who suddenly finds her family bankrupted when her father’s ship is swept away at sea. Forced to find a way to provide for herself and her siblings Karl and Betje, Anneke rejects an offer of ‘companionship’ *cough*servantship*cough* from a despised, newly married cousin and instead turns to her late mother’s family business—brewing ale.
Armed with her mother’s recipes, she then makes a bold deal with her father’s aristocratic employer and the legal guardian of her half-sibling Tobias, putting her home set in Medieval England and family at risk. Thanks to her fierce determination, Anneke’s brew wins a following and begins to turn a profit, but her rise threatens some in her community and those closest to her are left to pay the price.
As Anneke slowly pieces her life together again, she finds an unlikely ally in the aristocratic son and Tobias’ Master, Leander. Determined not only to reclaim her livelihood and her family, Anneke vows not to let anyone stand in the way of her forging her own destiny which led to an unforgettable historical tale set in fifteenth-century England of a brilliant woman’s defiance, courage, and ingenuity.
Far exceeding my expectations, this compelling read had the perfect blend of European historical literature, minor doses of slice of life and women’s fiction. It was not over romanticized and the content feature showcased Anneke’s journey in becoming a brewmaster and everything that it entails.
Though this novel comes with praises, there were a few drawbacks that prevented this being rated five stars. Anneke was painstakingly naive, gullible and immediate trust to those whose intentions are unclear left a bad taste in my mouth especially when it pertained to her newest employee, Westel. Despite everyone's warnings and growing suspicions when it came to his odd behavior, she simply ignored them which included her very own gut instincts and put her, siblings, and the staff in danger. It was difficult to look past her actions but considering her young age and primary shelter upbringing, I did give her minor leeway. Keyword: Minor.
All in all, it was an absolute delight to receive this giveaway and I will most definitely seek out reading the author’s similar works as I had enjoyed ‘The Lady Brewer of London’ quite immensely.
September 16, 2014
I don't tend to leave reviews often, or rate novels as 5 stars - but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
So here's my review: some spoilers may follow, so read on at your own risk!
The first few chapters were tough to follow, and while they set the scene for things to come, it was tricky to read. I loved reading about the way Anneke came back to brewing and her family heritage, and was half expecting the sabotage that came about from it - though wouldn't have picked just 'who' would be responsible.
There were so many twists and turns in this book. The author surprised me with certain character decisions (and deaths!) and nobody was safe - yet they were all necessary for the story to continue on as it did. I thoroughly enjoyed the on/off Anneke & Leander subplot, and where Tobias fitted in with it all.
Once the setting moved to Southwark, I feel the novel really took off. What a great character Alyson was! And as for the overall ending - well, that was a little predictable.. But still showed off Anneke's sassy personality, which I loved.
I would definitely recommend this novel, particularly if you enjoy historical pieces and a good thriller/drama/romance read, all mixed into one.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia for sending me this novel - it was wonderful.
So here's my review: some spoilers may follow, so read on at your own risk!
The first few chapters were tough to follow, and while they set the scene for things to come, it was tricky to read. I loved reading about the way Anneke came back to brewing and her family heritage, and was half expecting the sabotage that came about from it - though wouldn't have picked just 'who' would be responsible.
There were so many twists and turns in this book. The author surprised me with certain character decisions (and deaths!) and nobody was safe - yet they were all necessary for the story to continue on as it did. I thoroughly enjoyed the on/off Anneke & Leander subplot, and where Tobias fitted in with it all.
Once the setting moved to Southwark, I feel the novel really took off. What a great character Alyson was! And as for the overall ending - well, that was a little predictable.. But still showed off Anneke's sassy personality, which I loved.
I would definitely recommend this novel, particularly if you enjoy historical pieces and a good thriller/drama/romance read, all mixed into one.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia for sending me this novel - it was wonderful.
May 2, 2020
loss of a star is because I'm just tired of rape scenes.
June 5, 2022
Every year I take on a book that is long. This was this years book.
Coming in at 800 pages it felt like like two books in one. The book was a slow burn and the last half definitely went more quickly. Everything you could want is a historical fiction with a fantastic heroine and an evil monk. I learned so many new words and was fascinated by the story of London Bridge and life in the 1400s. I also loved the aspect of ale and brew-making which is so interesting.
If you have the time I would highly recommend this. 3.5 stars bumping it to 4 because of the beautiful cover.
Coming in at 800 pages it felt like like two books in one. The book was a slow burn and the last half definitely went more quickly. Everything you could want is a historical fiction with a fantastic heroine and an evil monk. I learned so many new words and was fascinated by the story of London Bridge and life in the 1400s. I also loved the aspect of ale and brew-making which is so interesting.
If you have the time I would highly recommend this. 3.5 stars bumping it to 4 because of the beautiful cover.
November 6, 2014
This is a tale of beer and the subjugation of women in 15th-century England.
Anneke Sheldrake is a wealthy merchant’s daughter until her father drowns and it is revealed that he has deprived his children of their inheritance. Desperate to keep her household together, Anneke turns to brewing ale to make ends meet – thus irredeemably lowering her social standing in the eyes of the townfolk and her brother. But social slippage is soon the least of Anneke’s worries for, as a woman with no male protector, she is vulnerable to attack from those threatened by her superlative brewing skills and her beauty. Anneke must battle corrupt officials, evil monks, a lecherous knight, and a vindictive cousin simply to make a living from her craft.
I feel conflicted about this book. On the one hand, I can appreciate its many good points. Brooks brings the craft of the medieval brewer to vivid life. The historical setting feels utterly authentic, and characters display convincing medieval mindsets. Further, the introduction of that notorious figure from medieval literature, the Wife of Bath, adds colour to the second part of the ‘Tale’. Often interpreted as a medieval feminist, this Canterbury Tales character takes Anneke under her capable wing and supports her in her fight for feminine self-determination. Cleverly, Brooks also makes the catalyst of The Wife of Bath’s Tale – rape – central to The Brewer’s Tale.
Unfortunately, however, I did not enjoy this novel. I found Brooks’ at-times tangled syntax and habit of beginning sentences with a participle grating. The bad guys were far too one-dimensionally bad. Finally, almost every possible evil that could befall Anneke came about, to a degree that not only made it hard to read on (if we empathise with a character, we can only deal with so much hopelessness), but also hard to believe.
Anneke Sheldrake is a wealthy merchant’s daughter until her father drowns and it is revealed that he has deprived his children of their inheritance. Desperate to keep her household together, Anneke turns to brewing ale to make ends meet – thus irredeemably lowering her social standing in the eyes of the townfolk and her brother. But social slippage is soon the least of Anneke’s worries for, as a woman with no male protector, she is vulnerable to attack from those threatened by her superlative brewing skills and her beauty. Anneke must battle corrupt officials, evil monks, a lecherous knight, and a vindictive cousin simply to make a living from her craft.
I feel conflicted about this book. On the one hand, I can appreciate its many good points. Brooks brings the craft of the medieval brewer to vivid life. The historical setting feels utterly authentic, and characters display convincing medieval mindsets. Further, the introduction of that notorious figure from medieval literature, the Wife of Bath, adds colour to the second part of the ‘Tale’. Often interpreted as a medieval feminist, this Canterbury Tales character takes Anneke under her capable wing and supports her in her fight for feminine self-determination. Cleverly, Brooks also makes the catalyst of The Wife of Bath’s Tale – rape – central to The Brewer’s Tale.
Unfortunately, however, I did not enjoy this novel. I found Brooks’ at-times tangled syntax and habit of beginning sentences with a participle grating. The bad guys were far too one-dimensionally bad. Finally, almost every possible evil that could befall Anneke came about, to a degree that not only made it hard to read on (if we empathise with a character, we can only deal with so much hopelessness), but also hard to believe.
October 6, 2014
Love this authors previous books so was rather excited when her latest hit the shelves. It was in one of my fave genres, historical/medieval.
The main character is Anneke/Anna and she tells her story tells of her harrowing fight for justice, love, acceptance amidst obstacles that would crush many of us.
being a working single woman in a male dominated society was always going to present hardship, heartache and challenges.
Karen certainly throws everything at our heroine and then some more.
I managed to pick a few of the twists due to my historical knowledge but was taken unaware many times by the tenacity of her enemies.
A really gripping story that kept me up late many a night.
Thank you Karen, everyone would be very proud of you.
The main character is Anneke/Anna and she tells her story tells of her harrowing fight for justice, love, acceptance amidst obstacles that would crush many of us.
being a working single woman in a male dominated society was always going to present hardship, heartache and challenges.
Karen certainly throws everything at our heroine and then some more.
I managed to pick a few of the twists due to my historical knowledge but was taken unaware many times by the tenacity of her enemies.
A really gripping story that kept me up late many a night.
Thank you Karen, everyone would be very proud of you.
November 28, 2014
From the patriarchal society of Medieval England, Karen Brooks brings us a riveting story about one woman who flies in the face of those influenced by the contemporary beliefs held about gender and authority, as she determines to rise above her circumstances.
Set in the year of Our Lord 1405, Anneke De Winter, a Dutch girl living in England, loses her father to the wild seas in a tragic accident. Having lost her mother previously, she is forced to make a living and keep a roof over the heads of herself, her younger twin brother and sister as well as their beloved servants when their landlord, the selfish and formidable Lord Hardred Rainford threatens to evict them if she can't come up with the money that her father owes him.
The De Winters, Anneke’s mother’s family, were respected brewers in their homeland of Holland, making their fortunes by brewing fine ale. Challenging the prevailing social mores with her desire to succeed and support her family, she reverts back to her mother’s timeless ale brewing recipes and secret rituals, realising that the only way to keep the hounds at bay is to brew ale so she can sell it.
She is met with reproach, slander and perverse sabotage but decides, after gaining an ally in Captain Stoyan, that she will go ahead with her plans. While not only needing to prove herself to Lord Rainford, she will still be required to get past her ghastly and spiteful cousin, Hiske, her brother Tobias, the official town tasters, Abbott Hubbard and the Friary in order to get her venture off the ground.
When Sir Leander Rainford, Tobias’ master and son of Lord Rainford, arrives at Holcroft House as Tobias’ guest, he at first views her with nothing more than contempt, but it is he, cloaked in hard to read actions, that eventually becomes somewhat of a knight in shining armour, even whilst Tobias has to finally concede his unhappiness with her choices.
As Anneke's little ale-brewing business finally begins to prosper, she decides to make plans to open an alehouse in order to supplement the money she is already making and pay off her debt quicker. So, when Westel Calkin arrives at Holcroft House offering his services, she views it as a blessing in disguise as the need for more hands to fulfil the obligations of her growing enterprise become necessary. However, when Tobias finally learns of her plans to open the alehouse, her idea is met with vehement objection and brother and sister part on bad terms.
After a tragedy of epic proportions befalls her family and servants, Anneke finds herself fleeing Elmham Lenn in the hopes of making a fresh start when fate seemingly intervenes and she finds herself being taken under the wing of the owner of a Bathhouse in London’s Southwark. It appears that things may very well begin to settle - that is, until past events come back to haunt her.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Karen Brooks’ writing is simply superb, thrusting you immediately into Anneke's world with her use of all the elements of a good historical fiction novel, such as significant period detail, authentic settings, characterisation and tone, rendering a colourful portrait of a heroine bound by the politics of her time and showing us the real difficulties that woman of that era experienced and the dangers they faced.
Told in two parts, the story is made all the more personal and powerful as she uses Anneke to narrate it from a time in her future. Anneke is a very strong protagonist displaying a strength that belies her age. She pits herself against all those that are self-righteous and stands her ground – and, in medieval England that’s no mean feat as there is no shortage of those who dare to call this woman “whore” and “slattern” and then proceed to treat her as such.
I enjoyed the fact that Karen wasn't afraid to put her protagonist through the wringer, because this lends even more authenticity to those times, placing Anneke in situations where she has to overcome corruption, jealousy, sabotage, prejudice, treachery and boundless tragedies of the worst kind. These of course, all contribute to her growth and we see our heroine showing us what she is made of as we cheer her on with each success and grieve with her for each setback and tragedy.
On a personal level and because of my upbringing in South Africa where I was taught to be bilingual in both English and the Dutch-descended Afrikaans, I was able to appreciate the smattering of Dutch words that Karen throws in and which clearly lends credibility to Anneke’s Dutch heritage. Even the names she has chosen for her Dutch characters are testament to this.
For those in unfamiliar territory, the Glossary at the beginning helps to highlight some of the medieval terms contained in the narrative, with the Author's Note expanding on some of the details of the period.
Coming in at a hefty five hundred and eight-two pages, this is by no means a quick read but, just like Anneke’s ale and beer is savoured by those who find it touching their lips, so, too, should this novel be savoured by the reader.
Set in the year of Our Lord 1405, Anneke De Winter, a Dutch girl living in England, loses her father to the wild seas in a tragic accident. Having lost her mother previously, she is forced to make a living and keep a roof over the heads of herself, her younger twin brother and sister as well as their beloved servants when their landlord, the selfish and formidable Lord Hardred Rainford threatens to evict them if she can't come up with the money that her father owes him.
The De Winters, Anneke’s mother’s family, were respected brewers in their homeland of Holland, making their fortunes by brewing fine ale. Challenging the prevailing social mores with her desire to succeed and support her family, she reverts back to her mother’s timeless ale brewing recipes and secret rituals, realising that the only way to keep the hounds at bay is to brew ale so she can sell it.
She is met with reproach, slander and perverse sabotage but decides, after gaining an ally in Captain Stoyan, that she will go ahead with her plans. While not only needing to prove herself to Lord Rainford, she will still be required to get past her ghastly and spiteful cousin, Hiske, her brother Tobias, the official town tasters, Abbott Hubbard and the Friary in order to get her venture off the ground.
When Sir Leander Rainford, Tobias’ master and son of Lord Rainford, arrives at Holcroft House as Tobias’ guest, he at first views her with nothing more than contempt, but it is he, cloaked in hard to read actions, that eventually becomes somewhat of a knight in shining armour, even whilst Tobias has to finally concede his unhappiness with her choices.
As Anneke's little ale-brewing business finally begins to prosper, she decides to make plans to open an alehouse in order to supplement the money she is already making and pay off her debt quicker. So, when Westel Calkin arrives at Holcroft House offering his services, she views it as a blessing in disguise as the need for more hands to fulfil the obligations of her growing enterprise become necessary. However, when Tobias finally learns of her plans to open the alehouse, her idea is met with vehement objection and brother and sister part on bad terms.
After a tragedy of epic proportions befalls her family and servants, Anneke finds herself fleeing Elmham Lenn in the hopes of making a fresh start when fate seemingly intervenes and she finds herself being taken under the wing of the owner of a Bathhouse in London’s Southwark. It appears that things may very well begin to settle - that is, until past events come back to haunt her.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Karen Brooks’ writing is simply superb, thrusting you immediately into Anneke's world with her use of all the elements of a good historical fiction novel, such as significant period detail, authentic settings, characterisation and tone, rendering a colourful portrait of a heroine bound by the politics of her time and showing us the real difficulties that woman of that era experienced and the dangers they faced.
Told in two parts, the story is made all the more personal and powerful as she uses Anneke to narrate it from a time in her future. Anneke is a very strong protagonist displaying a strength that belies her age. She pits herself against all those that are self-righteous and stands her ground – and, in medieval England that’s no mean feat as there is no shortage of those who dare to call this woman “whore” and “slattern” and then proceed to treat her as such.
I enjoyed the fact that Karen wasn't afraid to put her protagonist through the wringer, because this lends even more authenticity to those times, placing Anneke in situations where she has to overcome corruption, jealousy, sabotage, prejudice, treachery and boundless tragedies of the worst kind. These of course, all contribute to her growth and we see our heroine showing us what she is made of as we cheer her on with each success and grieve with her for each setback and tragedy.
On a personal level and because of my upbringing in South Africa where I was taught to be bilingual in both English and the Dutch-descended Afrikaans, I was able to appreciate the smattering of Dutch words that Karen throws in and which clearly lends credibility to Anneke’s Dutch heritage. Even the names she has chosen for her Dutch characters are testament to this.
For those in unfamiliar territory, the Glossary at the beginning helps to highlight some of the medieval terms contained in the narrative, with the Author's Note expanding on some of the details of the period.
Coming in at a hefty five hundred and eight-two pages, this is by no means a quick read but, just like Anneke’s ale and beer is savoured by those who find it touching their lips, so, too, should this novel be savoured by the reader.
July 27, 2014
An exceptional story that I could read over and over. Given all that Anneke has to deal with, she is such a strong character. Fierce. Proud. Lovely. Loyal. Amazing. And the hero? Sigh...I fell for him too.
How could I not with a line such as...
I am yours to command. All it would take is your expressed need.
I need! I need! I need!
This is a fabulous book which has slipped comfortably on to my list of my favourite books of all time.
How could I not with a line such as...
I am yours to command. All it would take is your expressed need.
I need! I need! I need!
This is a fabulous book which has slipped comfortably on to my list of my favourite books of all time.
October 22, 2014
When Anneke Sheldrake's father is lost at sea she is horrified to learn that she and her younger siblings have been left with nothing. Desperate to keep what remains of her family together, she strikes a bold bargain with her father's employer and, armed with her late mother's family recipes, daringly chooses to go into business as a brewer of ale. Despite being ostracised by most of her family and friends, and repeatedly harassed and intimidated by the local Abbot and his cronies whose monopoly of the ale trade is threatened, Anneke's brew steadily wins favour amongst the community. Just as success seems within her reach, Anneke is targeted in a malicious attack that razes nearly everything she holds dear. Forced to flee for her life, Anneke is nevertheless determined to begin again and finds an unlikely ally in a London brothel owner. With courage and hard work, Anneke, taking the name Anna de Winter, slowly rebuilds her life and business, until the horrors of her past once again threaten to destroy her.
A saga of betrayal, love, tragedy, courage and triumph, The Brewer's Tale is an ambitious historical drama by author, Karen Brooks.
Anneke is strong protagonist, with spirit and convictions uncommon for her time. Despite harrowing personal tragedy she finds the strength to rise above it and carry on, refusing to be cowed by her persecutors. Her courage, loyalty and determination are admirable qualities and ensure the reader is firmly on her side, willing her to triumph.
Anneke's loyal cast including her sweet sister, Betje, the brash Alyson, and the dashing hero, Lord Leander Rainford, are eminently appealing. The villains, including Anneke's spiteful cousin, a raft of spiritually corrupt monks, and her inescapable enemy are infuriating and often terrifying.
Though set in medieval England, the story begins in 'The year of Our Lord 1405 in the sixth year of the reign of Henry IV', I didn't get a true sense of the period. It seemed not that much different from Georgian or Victorian times, though to be fair it mattered little as the details were consistent and the setting well grounded. I was surprised at how interested I was in the history of the brewery industry, and I finally discovered the difference between beer and ale. (I don't drink either so had never thought about it before)
The writing is articulate and the first person perspective works well. The pacing was reasonable but I did feel the story, at well over 500 pages, was too long overall. I was tempted to skim at times, particularly as the plot was, though well thought out, generally predictable, with the second half of the story essentially mirroring the events of the first.
Nevertheless, The Brewer's Tale was a satisfying read and I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy the drama and romance of sweeping historical fiction driven by a strong heroine.
November 6, 2018
I love it when the author shares a bit about their inspiration at the end, and for this book it was evident that a lot of time and effort was put into creating an authentic setting with characters, laws and of course, the brewing process of the time. I really liked what the brewing brought to this story, with well thought out and researched descriptions of the process, and the little quirks that made Anneke's brew special, like the pagan corner crones. The author mentions that after all their research, her husband was even inspired to start his own craft brewery!
I've seen this described as a romance primarily, but that doesn't feel accurate. Besides the brewing, there is a lot to do with family heartache, gender divides, business acumen, the loyalty of friends. Romance is one of the main themes too, but unfortunately I didn't feel invested in it at all. There are too many damsel in distress scenes, and the love interest is one of those too perfect, flat personality types. I can quite vividly remember one 15 minute description of him that had me cringing.
There is also a heavy dose of cruelty and betrayal, which was quite hard to get through at times. Anneke was brave and wouldn't back down based on what others expected of her, and she endured through all her hardship. But I really can't stand one sided villains, and that's what I found in a character that took a very surprising turn with hardly any justification. I just could not understand his behaviour based on how he was introduced, and those questions weren't satisfied by the end.
I've seen this described as a romance primarily, but that doesn't feel accurate. Besides the brewing, there is a lot to do with family heartache, gender divides, business acumen, the loyalty of friends. Romance is one of the main themes too, but unfortunately I didn't feel invested in it at all. There are too many damsel in distress scenes, and the love interest is one of those too perfect, flat personality types. I can quite vividly remember one 15 minute description of him that had me cringing.
There is also a heavy dose of cruelty and betrayal, which was quite hard to get through at times. Anneke was brave and wouldn't back down based on what others expected of her, and she endured through all her hardship. But I really can't stand one sided villains, and that's what I found in a character that took a very surprising turn with hardly any justification. I just could not understand his behaviour based on how he was introduced, and those questions weren't satisfied by the end.
October 20, 2014
Fascinating, horrifying, evocative; Karen Brooks' meticulous research and eloquent writing took me to medieval England in the 1400's ... from the fictional town of Elmham Lenn to Southwark, London and Gloucester and the world of ale-making.
Anneke Sheldrake is such an interesting character, what she endures while establishing herself as a brewster, plagued by prejudice, sabotage and tragedy made for harrowing reading. I found the entire brewing process surprisingly fascinating ... ale, hops, beer, the ale crones, ale-conners, taxes, laws, fines, bizarre punishments and corruption.
And what a wonderful cast of characters ... Betje, Adam, Captain Stoyan, Leander, Alyson; their fierce loyalty and unwavering friendship providing a beautiful sense of family and a lightness to balance out this story. I fell in love with them, especially Alyson, the feisty owner of the Swanne bathhouse, that woman had a heart of gold.
To keep it spoiler free I won't mention the antagonist by name, I'll just say it's been a while since I've hated a character with such passion. ...would the evil bastard ever die?? Maybe it was simply a case of 50 pages too many ...
The author's historical notes were a great bonus, I didn't pick up that Alyson was Geoffrey Chaucer's Wife of Bath and this is Karen Brooks' take on her life beyond The Canterbury Tales.
All up The Brewer's Tale was a page turner, rich with historical detail and characters to love and hate.
Anneke Sheldrake is such an interesting character, what she endures while establishing herself as a brewster, plagued by prejudice, sabotage and tragedy made for harrowing reading. I found the entire brewing process surprisingly fascinating ... ale, hops, beer, the ale crones, ale-conners, taxes, laws, fines, bizarre punishments and corruption.
And what a wonderful cast of characters ... Betje, Adam, Captain Stoyan, Leander, Alyson; their fierce loyalty and unwavering friendship providing a beautiful sense of family and a lightness to balance out this story. I fell in love with them, especially Alyson, the feisty owner of the Swanne bathhouse, that woman had a heart of gold.
To keep it spoiler free I won't mention the antagonist by name, I'll just say it's been a while since I've hated a character with such passion. ...would the evil bastard ever die?? Maybe it was simply a case of 50 pages too many ...
The author's historical notes were a great bonus, I didn't pick up that Alyson was Geoffrey Chaucer's Wife of Bath and this is Karen Brooks' take on her life beyond The Canterbury Tales.
All up The Brewer's Tale was a page turner, rich with historical detail and characters to love and hate.
dnf
September 27, 2014I think this would be a fabulous tale, if it were butchered a bit. It's just too long and drawn out with too much detail. Otherwise, the idea of woman taking up brewing and competing against a ruthless abbot determined to put her out of business...is wonderful stuff. I had no idea brewing was cutthroat, nor did I realize hops was so strange an idea at one time aka beer. But this has began to feel like the never-ending story. Never-ending stories with too much detail just can't hold me.
October 3, 2014
Just a wonderful read. I loved the historical period & the way it was portrayed through a woman's POV. Congratulations Karen.
April 12, 2016
Good but sometimes I wish an editor would tell an author to go back and remove about a third of the waffle.
August 12, 2021
Well that was stressful.
February 18, 2021
The Lady Brewer of London opened my eyes to women brewing in the Middle Ages during the reign of King Henry IV. Anneke Sheldrake resorts to brewing ale and beer to support her family and servants, who are more like friends, after her father is pronounced dead at sea. She is a strong protagonist who faces many struggles, prejudices, and eventually joys. The author, Karen Brooks, beautifully writes a woman of strong feelings for family and friends. She has a moral character that continues to believe in compassion and love. The other characters surrounding this protagonist are well-developed. The villains earn their ruthless names. One in particular is evil incarnate and I shuddered each time this villain appeared. I will mention that the middle of this novel did lag for a bit, but the emotional pull of the protagonist wrapped herself around this reader and raised the tension and conflict to new heights. The love making is an understatement and falls to third place in the creation of this novel. Karen Brooks provides Author Notes, a Glossary, Acknowledgement and About the Author at the end of the novel. I would highly recommend The Lady Brewer of London to those readers who enjoy a good Historical Fiction set in Medieval times.
December 11, 2014
What a book. I often find with historical fiction that it's either a poorly disguised romance novel set however long ago, an unrealistic rendition of the era or a bad ass depiction of life in that era. The Brewer's Tale is absolutely the latter.
When Anneke Sheldrake is forced to find a way to support her family after her father is lost at sea, she turns to the business by which her mother’s family once prospered: brewing ale.
This book is set in an era when women were property of their men-folk, so a young unmarried woman setting up her own business, and doing incredibly well at it, is enough to turn everything on its ear. Karen Brooks has done a fantastic job of creating a strong, beautifully balanced female character that manages to do everything she needs to, overcome every obstacle, without leaving the bounds of what one could realistically expect to be achieved in that era.
Anneke Sheldrake is a wonderful character - she's far from perfect, but that's what makes her so appealing. The struggles she faces are as understandable now as they would have been then, even if the actual situations vary slightly. I can't remember the last time there was a good ducking in the river, for example, but the bias and prejudice leading up to that is just as alive today.
I also appreciated the way the romance was woven through the book - I'm not a huge fan of romance novels, or ones that rely on romance too heavily to move everything forward, but this had the perfect balance the entire way through.
I heartily recommend this book to anyone with even a passing interest in history, and enjoys adventure, mystery, and a damn good story.
You can read this, and other reviews on my blog .
I received a copy of this book as part of Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
When Anneke Sheldrake is forced to find a way to support her family after her father is lost at sea, she turns to the business by which her mother’s family once prospered: brewing ale.
This book is set in an era when women were property of their men-folk, so a young unmarried woman setting up her own business, and doing incredibly well at it, is enough to turn everything on its ear. Karen Brooks has done a fantastic job of creating a strong, beautifully balanced female character that manages to do everything she needs to, overcome every obstacle, without leaving the bounds of what one could realistically expect to be achieved in that era.
Anneke Sheldrake is a wonderful character - she's far from perfect, but that's what makes her so appealing. The struggles she faces are as understandable now as they would have been then, even if the actual situations vary slightly. I can't remember the last time there was a good ducking in the river, for example, but the bias and prejudice leading up to that is just as alive today.
I also appreciated the way the romance was woven through the book - I'm not a huge fan of romance novels, or ones that rely on romance too heavily to move everything forward, but this had the perfect balance the entire way through.
I heartily recommend this book to anyone with even a passing interest in history, and enjoys adventure, mystery, and a damn good story.
You can read this, and other reviews on my blog .
I received a copy of this book as part of Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
February 1, 2021
Disclaimer first: I received my copy free for review. This is an uncorrected proof.
The story started out strong and then it just... I think it was trying to be too much, because I found that as I read, I kept thinking, "This is just too,". It was all extremes. It was as low as it could be, then it would be some spectacular miracle, then it was darkest dark, then too good to be true, then the depths of darkness again. It got boring in a way because you knew you were just going to swing from one extreme to the other.
And then the thing I hate most of all...Insta-love. Good grief. This was the perfect storyline for a slow developing love story to happen and instead we were all a flutter from the moment our eyes met.
There was so much potential for a great book and I can barely give it 2 stars.
The story started out strong and then it just... I think it was trying to be too much, because I found that as I read, I kept thinking, "This is just too,". It was all extremes. It was as low as it could be, then it would be some spectacular miracle, then it was darkest dark, then too good to be true, then the depths of darkness again. It got boring in a way because you knew you were just going to swing from one extreme to the other.
And then the thing I hate most of all...Insta-love. Good grief. This was the perfect storyline for a slow developing love story to happen and instead we were all a flutter from the moment our eyes met.
There was so much potential for a great book and I can barely give it 2 stars.
January 14, 2021
So this book ticked a lot of my boxes! Historical fiction, good storyline and a strong female protagonist ...all the ingredients for a perfectly brew, right? Well..nearly!
The story is revolves around a 19 year old Anneke Sheldrake , the daughter of a wealthy merchant who finds herself penniless following her father's demise. Courageous, plucky and determined to keep her home, siblings and the loyal staff together decides to brew ale commercially using her mother's recipes. What follows her are troubles of all sorts and jealous competitors who can't see a woman taking over a male dominated profession. The story is all about Anneke's highs and lows, her defeats and victories, and her journey from a naive girl to a strong woman, a journey which definitely leaves you with questions and turmoils in your heart about women endured universally by the hands of this male dominated society.
Its a great read, well researched as well and my only bone of contention were the spelling slip ups and long descriptions and narratives where they could easily have been avoided. But, it's a fabulous story and I definitely enjoyed turning the pages of this one!
The story is revolves around a 19 year old Anneke Sheldrake , the daughter of a wealthy merchant who finds herself penniless following her father's demise. Courageous, plucky and determined to keep her home, siblings and the loyal staff together decides to brew ale commercially using her mother's recipes. What follows her are troubles of all sorts and jealous competitors who can't see a woman taking over a male dominated profession. The story is all about Anneke's highs and lows, her defeats and victories, and her journey from a naive girl to a strong woman, a journey which definitely leaves you with questions and turmoils in your heart about women endured universally by the hands of this male dominated society.
Its a great read, well researched as well and my only bone of contention were the spelling slip ups and long descriptions and narratives where they could easily have been avoided. But, it's a fabulous story and I definitely enjoyed turning the pages of this one!
November 28, 2021
This book was very different from what I have been reading lately. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. This was a great historical fiction with unexpected drama and twists, as well as character building that pulled at my heart. I am so used to reading books where the women protagonists solve all their problems with magic and wit. This book was very different from that and spoke on the true persistence and strength of the human spirit. It was beautifully told and gave me a lot to reflect on.
November 25, 2020
This book was finally released to the US this fall, it was originally titled the Brewer’s Tale. She is an Australian author and I could not find it or it was very expensive online! Anyhow, I heard great things about it and it lived up to it. An epic historical novel of the ale and brewery business back in the early 1400’s in England. Her research on this is very thorough as she is known to be. Her other book I read The Chocolate Makers Wife is dense with historical research as well. This is a must read. I look forward to reading more of her books.
December 17, 2022
Anneke’s parents die and what is she to do but save her family and start brewing ale. Very unusual for a woman in the 1400s to have this kind of job. I was astounded by the many problems Anneke suffered at the hands of men. This story kept me wanting to read more. I will be looking at the other books by this wonderful author!
January 11, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up…the first half of the story dragged and I felt the book would have been better if it wasn’t so long.
I found myself getting angry at the many injustices Anneke suffered during her life, to the point where I almost dnf’d the book. The ending, however, made it all worth it. Highly recommend and I found the history of medieval brewing very interesting.
I found myself getting angry at the many injustices Anneke suffered during her life, to the point where I almost dnf’d the book. The ending, however, made it all worth it. Highly recommend and I found the history of medieval brewing very interesting.
January 2, 2021
Not often is an 800-page book read in two days - but I was unable to put this down! The story was so much grittier and intense than I was expecting, and I loved it, although parts were difficult to read (at some points I gasped out loud, a rarity!) Definitely an excellent way to start the year!
October 29, 2021
I liked all the historical detail in this book. I liked the plot and the characters. The romance aspect seemed cliche and overwritten. Hence the 3.
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