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Karındeşen'in Karısı
Aşk en mantıklı erkeği delirttiği gibi munis bir erkeği de bir canavara dönüştürebilir.
Her şey 1880 yılında masallara layık bir gemi seyahatinde başlar. Hayat dolu genç bir kadın olan Florence Chandler, dönemin en zengin brokerlerinden, yakışıklı James Maybrick’in cazibesine kapılmış gidiyordur. Çok geçmeden evlenir ve sonsuza dek mutlu yaşayacakları Liverpool’daki evlerine yerleşirler.
İyi niyet taşlarıyla döşenmiş cehennem yolunun kapısı da sevgili Bayan Florence Chandler’ın en ummadığı yerde, başını her akşam koyduğu yastıkta açılır. Peri masalı aşkı, kâbuslarında bile hayal edemeyeceği sırlarla doludur ve İngiliz sosyetesinin önde gelen isimlerinden James Maybrick iblislerin adımlarını izliyordur.
Bir günlük, bir şehrin sokaklarını yaşanmaz kılan sırlara gebedir. Florie ise gerçeklerin çığlık çığlığa sessizliği ile koruması gereken ailesinin yükü arasında kalır. Dürüstlük her zaman en iyi seçim olmayabilir.
Her şey 1880 yılında masallara layık bir gemi seyahatinde başlar. Hayat dolu genç bir kadın olan Florence Chandler, dönemin en zengin brokerlerinden, yakışıklı James Maybrick’in cazibesine kapılmış gidiyordur. Çok geçmeden evlenir ve sonsuza dek mutlu yaşayacakları Liverpool’daki evlerine yerleşirler.
İyi niyet taşlarıyla döşenmiş cehennem yolunun kapısı da sevgili Bayan Florence Chandler’ın en ummadığı yerde, başını her akşam koyduğu yastıkta açılır. Peri masalı aşkı, kâbuslarında bile hayal edemeyeceği sırlarla doludur ve İngiliz sosyetesinin önde gelen isimlerinden James Maybrick iblislerin adımlarını izliyordur.
Bir günlük, bir şehrin sokaklarını yaşanmaz kılan sırlara gebedir. Florie ise gerçeklerin çığlık çığlığa sessizliği ile koruması gereken ailesinin yükü arasında kalır. Dürüstlük her zaman en iyi seçim olmayabilir.
512 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2014
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1186 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 86 reviews
February 2, 2016
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
I was given a print copy of this book by the author for my honest review.
***********SPOILERS***********
I enjoyed this book almost as much as I enjoyed the author's book about Lizzie Borden. This one was an eeny meeny bit more..uh..gory though. I had to skim over some stuff because ew :-)
This book was written around the idea that James Maybrick was Jack the Ripper and his wife was Florence Maybrick. The idea stems from the diary and watch that was found with Maybrick's name on them and the diary giving vivid details on the murders. The watch had the names of the victims scratched on it along with Maybrick's name. This is still a mystery. I did some research and the diary and watch were both proved and disproved, so who knows. I say he did it! But, that's just my opinion.
The is told in both Florence and James point of views, mostly Florence. James pov only seems to come about when he starts to go mad and killing and gross stuff and he's bat sh*t nuts if it's all really true.... or was..
James married a very young Florence who was from America and they lived in his home with one of his brothers and a host of servants. Florence had two children by James, a boy, James and a little girl, Gladys. And they were so happy until Florence finds out James has another wife and 5 kids! Really dude?!
After some time Florence starts having her own affair with one of his friends, which James finds out about and he beats Florence quite frequently. This is supposedly what made him start going out and mutilating those women. Other than the fact that he's whack a doo. I wonder too if him taking arsenic and other crazy stuff all of the time made him a bit nutsy cuckoo. I mean, maybe this was a thing I didn't know about but I don't think I would be taking deadly stuff like the things he was taking.
Anyhoo, Florence finds his diary and is appalled of course. In this book, James asks her to poison him so his children won't have to live with the shame and he's dying anyway.
But<--- then she is arrested for killing him and they have it all set up to kill her and then she's released but the damage has been done and she's pretty much shunned by everyone even her kids. They were taken to live with Dr. Fuller and his wife when Florence went to jail. James Jr. changed his last name to Fuller and year later when he was 29 he took cyanide and died. WTF is wrong with these people? Gladys got married, but they never cared for their mother again.
Of course now I want to read every book on both Florence and James ever written if there are any so I can see what they really thought!
I think the author did an awesome job of letting us be in the mind of Florence and live out a scenario that very well may have been true.
The happy couple below ↓
I was given a print copy of this book by the author for my honest review.
***********SPOILERS***********
I enjoyed this book almost as much as I enjoyed the author's book about Lizzie Borden. This one was an eeny meeny bit more..uh..gory though. I had to skim over some stuff because ew :-)
This book was written around the idea that James Maybrick was Jack the Ripper and his wife was Florence Maybrick. The idea stems from the diary and watch that was found with Maybrick's name on them and the diary giving vivid details on the murders. The watch had the names of the victims scratched on it along with Maybrick's name. This is still a mystery. I did some research and the diary and watch were both proved and disproved, so who knows. I say he did it! But, that's just my opinion.
The is told in both Florence and James point of views, mostly Florence. James pov only seems to come about when he starts to go mad and killing and gross stuff and he's bat sh*t nuts if it's all really true.... or was..
James married a very young Florence who was from America and they lived in his home with one of his brothers and a host of servants. Florence had two children by James, a boy, James and a little girl, Gladys. And they were so happy until Florence finds out James has another wife and 5 kids! Really dude?!
After some time Florence starts having her own affair with one of his friends, which James finds out about and he beats Florence quite frequently. This is supposedly what made him start going out and mutilating those women. Other than the fact that he's whack a doo. I wonder too if him taking arsenic and other crazy stuff all of the time made him a bit nutsy cuckoo. I mean, maybe this was a thing I didn't know about but I don't think I would be taking deadly stuff like the things he was taking.
Anyhoo, Florence finds his diary and is appalled of course. In this book, James asks her to poison him so his children won't have to live with the shame and he's dying anyway.
But<--- then she is arrested for killing him and they have it all set up to kill her and then she's released but the damage has been done and she's pretty much shunned by everyone even her kids. They were taken to live with Dr. Fuller and his wife when Florence went to jail. James Jr. changed his last name to Fuller and year later when he was 29 he took cyanide and died. WTF is wrong with these people? Gladys got married, but they never cared for their mother again.
Of course now I want to read every book on both Florence and James ever written if there are any so I can see what they really thought!
I think the author did an awesome job of letting us be in the mind of Florence and live out a scenario that very well may have been true.
The happy couple below ↓
December 3, 2014
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
I'd love to say Brandy Purdy's unique style and sense of humor led me to this piece. I'd love to have some brilliant intellectual anecdote about James Maybrick or Florence Chandler. I'd credit my morbid fascination in Jack the Ripper if I could, but I'd be lying through my teeth and probably choke on the deceit because in truth, the credit goes to whoever put the final stamp of approval on this jacket. Two words folks: cover slut. One day I'll kick the habit, but not this day and in all honesty, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
Like The Queen's Rivals and The Boleyn Bride, The Ripper's Wife is chock fully of singular characters, but unlike her earlier novels, this one surprised me. I enjoy Purdy's work well-enough, but I've always found it a tad fluffy and while there is plenty of superfluous detail in her latest release, I was shocked at where she took Florie's story. There are some genuinely dark and disturbing scenes in this piece and though I'm not an advocate of gratuitous violence, I think this particular narrative needed to go someplace foul and admire Purdy's treatment of the material.
That said, I wasn't as exactly enchanted with Purdy's heroine. Florie begs for sympathy and shirks responsibility at every opportunity. She's incredibly naive and doesn't have an ounce of personal ambition. I found her unwavering affection for Jim disgusting on a number of levels and I was thrown by her relatively modern views on her husband's dependencies. Ultimately, her perceptions undermined the authenticity of her character and there just wasn't enough substance in her being to capture my imagination and/or interest.
Finally, and I know I'm nitpicking here, I didn't like the structure of this piece. The story seemed to lose its way once Florie loses the children. Everything after that felt awkward and forced and though I liked Purdy's nod to the historic record, I think there is something to be said for knowing when a story has reached its end.
I'd love to say Brandy Purdy's unique style and sense of humor led me to this piece. I'd love to have some brilliant intellectual anecdote about James Maybrick or Florence Chandler. I'd credit my morbid fascination in Jack the Ripper if I could, but I'd be lying through my teeth and probably choke on the deceit because in truth, the credit goes to whoever put the final stamp of approval on this jacket. Two words folks: cover slut. One day I'll kick the habit, but not this day and in all honesty, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
Like The Queen's Rivals and The Boleyn Bride, The Ripper's Wife is chock fully of singular characters, but unlike her earlier novels, this one surprised me. I enjoy Purdy's work well-enough, but I've always found it a tad fluffy and while there is plenty of superfluous detail in her latest release, I was shocked at where she took Florie's story. There are some genuinely dark and disturbing scenes in this piece and though I'm not an advocate of gratuitous violence, I think this particular narrative needed to go someplace foul and admire Purdy's treatment of the material.
That said, I wasn't as exactly enchanted with Purdy's heroine. Florie begs for sympathy and shirks responsibility at every opportunity. She's incredibly naive and doesn't have an ounce of personal ambition. I found her unwavering affection for Jim disgusting on a number of levels and I was thrown by her relatively modern views on her husband's dependencies. Ultimately, her perceptions undermined the authenticity of her character and there just wasn't enough substance in her being to capture my imagination and/or interest.
Finally, and I know I'm nitpicking here, I didn't like the structure of this piece. The story seemed to lose its way once Florie loses the children. Everything after that felt awkward and forced and though I liked Purdy's nod to the historic record, I think there is something to be said for knowing when a story has reached its end.
February 23, 2015
What a dreadful disappointment! This book is another case of cover-lust gone wrong, but I also was incredibly excited by the premise. In 1889, Florence Maybrick was condemned for poisoning her husband, James Maybrick. The case caused a great sensation, and James's name became famous again in the 1990s, when a diary allegedly written by Jack the Ripper was found, and James Maybrick was implicitly revealed as the killer. Personally, I am not convinced in this theory: the diary was probably a hoax, and there are not many clues pointing to Maybrick. However, the idea that he was Jack the Ripper, and that his wife discovered it, seemed just perfect for an exciting, dramatic and creepy novel.
What went wrong, then? Unfortunately, almost everything. Let's start with the less important things. I did not like the writing: there are too many descriptive parts, and the descriptions of hats and clothes seem endless. Purdy also has a passion for italics: there are so many! And I mean it! Okay, I'll drop that now.
It doesn't help that the plot has some terribly slow and boring parts. Predictably, the most interest sections of the book are the pages from the diary, but I still found them a little over the top. Obviously, reading from the point of view of Jack the Ripper, I was prepared for some truly gory parts, but I had the impression Purdy overdid them a little. I have a strong stomach, but some points were hard to read. If you have a problem with violence do not read this book!
In my opinion, the novel was also excessively long. I think the story should have ended after Florence was freed from prison, because nothing really important happened after that.
But the worst thing about the book is definitely its heroine, Florence, and the model she gives. Alert: ranting ahead. And possibly some minor spoilers.
Florie starts the novel as a whiny, spoiled, naive girl, but I was prepared to be patient. She was going to experience some truly shocking experiences, and, hopefully, have to endure a dramatic character development. Unfortunately, very soon in the book something happened and killed all my good propositions. A few days after Florence and James's marriage, she discovers that her husband keeps in a closet all sort of medicines and poisons. Scared and worried for her husband's health, she confronts him, and he beats her badly. After that, Florie wants to write to her mother to complain, but the servants tell her James has prohibited her to send any letters before he has read them. Florie is furious, but then James comes home and explains her that he did it for her sake: beating her was a mistake, an isolated case that won't happen again, and she should not exaggerate it by writing to her mother. And Florie agrees with him and thanks him for being such a good husband. (I'm loving italics too, today) What the hell?!
Unfortunately, Florence's character only gets worse as the story progresses. Predictably, James keeps beating her, and then she discovers he also has another wife and a mistress. Shocked, she takes a lover, Alfred, and also lets her brother-in-law, Edwin, abuse her. And it is abuse: she is not consentient. After that Edwin thinks he has the right to abuse her everytime he wants, and Florie can't do a thing about it (really?!). And she doesn't see the point either: “Finally I just gave up struggling and let him have me. It really wasn't worth fighting about.” Seriously?!
And then Florie finally reads the diary , and this is her reaction: “But how could I reproach him? I had made him what he was. I was the potion that had brought evil Mr. Hyde out of gentle Dr. Jekyll. If I had been a better wife, a faithful wife... those five women would still be alive”. Basically, this is the message of the book: if you are an unfaithful wife, your husband is justified in becoming a psycho serial killer, and you only have yourself to blame.
NO. WAY.
What went wrong, then? Unfortunately, almost everything. Let's start with the less important things. I did not like the writing: there are too many descriptive parts, and the descriptions of hats and clothes seem endless. Purdy also has a passion for italics: there are so many! And I mean it! Okay, I'll drop that now.
It doesn't help that the plot has some terribly slow and boring parts. Predictably, the most interest sections of the book are the pages from the diary, but I still found them a little over the top. Obviously, reading from the point of view of Jack the Ripper, I was prepared for some truly gory parts, but I had the impression Purdy overdid them a little. I have a strong stomach, but some points were hard to read. If you have a problem with violence do not read this book!
In my opinion, the novel was also excessively long. I think the story should have ended after Florence was freed from prison, because nothing really important happened after that.
But the worst thing about the book is definitely its heroine, Florence, and the model she gives. Alert: ranting ahead. And possibly some minor spoilers.
Florie starts the novel as a whiny, spoiled, naive girl, but I was prepared to be patient. She was going to experience some truly shocking experiences, and, hopefully, have to endure a dramatic character development. Unfortunately, very soon in the book something happened and killed all my good propositions. A few days after Florence and James's marriage, she discovers that her husband keeps in a closet all sort of medicines and poisons. Scared and worried for her husband's health, she confronts him, and he beats her badly. After that, Florie wants to write to her mother to complain, but the servants tell her James has prohibited her to send any letters before he has read them. Florie is furious, but then James comes home and explains her that he did it for her sake: beating her was a mistake, an isolated case that won't happen again, and she should not exaggerate it by writing to her mother. And Florie agrees with him and thanks him for being such a good husband. (I'm loving italics too, today) What the hell?!
Unfortunately, Florence's character only gets worse as the story progresses. Predictably, James keeps beating her, and then she discovers he also has another wife and a mistress. Shocked, she takes a lover, Alfred, and also lets her brother-in-law, Edwin, abuse her. And it is abuse: she is not consentient. After that Edwin thinks he has the right to abuse her everytime he wants, and Florie can't do a thing about it (really?!). And she doesn't see the point either: “Finally I just gave up struggling and let him have me. It really wasn't worth fighting about.” Seriously?!
And then Florie finally reads the diary , and this is her reaction: “But how could I reproach him? I had made him what he was. I was the potion that had brought evil Mr. Hyde out of gentle Dr. Jekyll. If I had been a better wife, a faithful wife... those five women would still be alive”. Basically, this is the message of the book: if you are an unfaithful wife, your husband is justified in becoming a psycho serial killer, and you only have yourself to blame.
NO. WAY.
September 18, 2014
Characters: There were no characters in this book that I found even remotely likable. I think it would have been a lot more enjoyable had Florie been a more sympathetic character. I particularly disliked her penchant for blaming Jim's actions on herself, especially considering that there were no characters to tell her (and the reader) that none of it was at all her fault.
Plot: Obviously a book about Jack the Ripper is going to be disturbing, but I found the diary sections of this book to be over the top (and I read a lot of mysteries, so I'm not easily disturbed). I also really didn't like the transitions between the diary and Florie's narration. The switch from her to the diary was always made clear, but there was no indication when the book would switch from the diary back to Florie, which caused some confusion. The basic idea of the plot wasn't bad, but I didn't think it was well executed.
Overall: If you've liked Purdy's other books, you very well might like this one. I've found that she isn't my favorite author, so the things that bothered me about this novel might not bother fans of her work at all.
Received from NetGalley.
Plot: Obviously a book about Jack the Ripper is going to be disturbing, but I found the diary sections of this book to be over the top (and I read a lot of mysteries, so I'm not easily disturbed). I also really didn't like the transitions between the diary and Florie's narration. The switch from her to the diary was always made clear, but there was no indication when the book would switch from the diary back to Florie, which caused some confusion. The basic idea of the plot wasn't bad, but I didn't think it was well executed.
Overall: If you've liked Purdy's other books, you very well might like this one. I've found that she isn't my favorite author, so the things that bothered me about this novel might not bother fans of her work at all.
Received from NetGalley.
November 11, 2014
See http://historicaltapestry.blogspot.com for full review.
I have recently realized that I apparently have a huge problem: I find these authors that have books that sound so wonderful I go get their books and add them to my toppling TBR pile and I then cannot find the time to actually read them . I know, many of you fellow bookworms probably have the same problem. When I decided to read Brandy Purdy's newest novel as part of her blog tour I realized I have almost all of her previous novels on my shelves, ready to be loved and devoured, but that I had not yet read even one of them. And, per the usual, I am now kicking myself that I took this long to read her books!!
The Ripper's Wife pulled me in from page one. Set up for most of the novel as Florie Maybrick telling her side of the story - from her meeting and falling in love with James Maybrick to the downward spiral of their marriage and her discovery that James was Jack the Ripper all the way to her final sad and lonely days - and interspersed in the middle of the novel with James Maybrick's diary entries detailing his violent and twisted alternate life as one of the world's most infamous killers, the novel never had a dull moment for me. The reader knows from the beginning what the outcome of Florie's life will be and the horrid turn her life will take and this caused a delicious sense of foreboding to hang over the whole story, even the seemingly fairytale beginnings of the Maybrick's early marriage.
It doesn't take long for Florie's life to spin out of control and while Florie makes some very bad mistakes over the years that had me yelling at her to grow up and make the right decisions for her and her children it was heartbreaking to watch the vicious beatings she took at the hands of this supposedly loving husband and the eventual jail time she served for a murder she didn't commit. I am not completely sure how much of this novel is based in fact (and this would be one of my only complaints about The Ripper's Wife...no author notes at the back of the book explaining what is fact and what is fiction) but the life Florie lived within the pages of The Ripper's Wife is absolutely heartbreaking. Ms. Purdy does not hold back from detailing the horrible things Florie went through and the descriptions are quite intense.
James Maybrick's diary entries are likewise vivid and descriptive and I felt like I was watching those poor women be stalked and torn apart by this sick and twist man. For some it might be hard to read these passages but I would ask why someone would think to read a novel about Jack the Ripper and shy away from then reading the bloody details....the actions of this killer were violent and horrible and Brandy Purdy perfectly brings it all to life.
Having now finished the novel and looking back at the story as a whole, I feel Ms. Purdy did a remarkable job at giving life to these characters, each one of which is flawed and sympathetic in their own way (even James, believe it or not!). Her descriptive power is superb and I felt completely immersed in the story as it unfolded. If you are a fan of historical fiction and are able to stomach what by right should be a graphic and depraved story given the subject matter, I would highly recommend The Ripper's Wife.
I have recently realized that I apparently have a huge problem: I find these authors that have books that sound so wonderful I go get their books and add them to my toppling TBR pile and I then cannot find the time to actually read them . I know, many of you fellow bookworms probably have the same problem. When I decided to read Brandy Purdy's newest novel as part of her blog tour I realized I have almost all of her previous novels on my shelves, ready to be loved and devoured, but that I had not yet read even one of them. And, per the usual, I am now kicking myself that I took this long to read her books!!
The Ripper's Wife pulled me in from page one. Set up for most of the novel as Florie Maybrick telling her side of the story - from her meeting and falling in love with James Maybrick to the downward spiral of their marriage and her discovery that James was Jack the Ripper all the way to her final sad and lonely days - and interspersed in the middle of the novel with James Maybrick's diary entries detailing his violent and twisted alternate life as one of the world's most infamous killers, the novel never had a dull moment for me. The reader knows from the beginning what the outcome of Florie's life will be and the horrid turn her life will take and this caused a delicious sense of foreboding to hang over the whole story, even the seemingly fairytale beginnings of the Maybrick's early marriage.
It doesn't take long for Florie's life to spin out of control and while Florie makes some very bad mistakes over the years that had me yelling at her to grow up and make the right decisions for her and her children it was heartbreaking to watch the vicious beatings she took at the hands of this supposedly loving husband and the eventual jail time she served for a murder she didn't commit. I am not completely sure how much of this novel is based in fact (and this would be one of my only complaints about The Ripper's Wife...no author notes at the back of the book explaining what is fact and what is fiction) but the life Florie lived within the pages of The Ripper's Wife is absolutely heartbreaking. Ms. Purdy does not hold back from detailing the horrible things Florie went through and the descriptions are quite intense.
James Maybrick's diary entries are likewise vivid and descriptive and I felt like I was watching those poor women be stalked and torn apart by this sick and twist man. For some it might be hard to read these passages but I would ask why someone would think to read a novel about Jack the Ripper and shy away from then reading the bloody details....the actions of this killer were violent and horrible and Brandy Purdy perfectly brings it all to life.
Having now finished the novel and looking back at the story as a whole, I feel Ms. Purdy did a remarkable job at giving life to these characters, each one of which is flawed and sympathetic in their own way (even James, believe it or not!). Her descriptive power is superb and I felt completely immersed in the story as it unfolded. If you are a fan of historical fiction and are able to stomach what by right should be a graphic and depraved story given the subject matter, I would highly recommend The Ripper's Wife.
October 26, 2014
"The Ripper's Wife" is the latest release from Brandy Purdy. In this book, she tackles the one of the great historical mysteries that still fascinates so many people today: the murders of Jack the Ripper. The author based this story on some writings discovered just in the recent decades that may point to the identity of the infamous Jack the Ripper. In these writings, Jack is outed as James Maybrick, a merchant man who marries a beautiful American named Florence. The story is told from both Florence's and James' point of view, which I thought really added a lot of interest to the story!
The author creates a very plausible story in which James is driven to pure madness by the thought of his wife cheating on him. This (and some other scary personality flaws), lead him to commit the Jack the Ripper murders. We get to see Florence's thoughts as she begins to piece together that the wonderful man that she thinks she has married is really a cold-hearted, psychopath. There are a lot of things that begin to cause her to believe that he is not exactly the fine upstanding gentlemen she was led to believe he was when she first got married. We also get to see James' take on how he is able to convince himself that what he is doing by murdering prostitutes is really okay. I love that we got to see both sides of the story! It definitely made it interesting to see the story from the perspective of both Florence and from James himself, much more interesting that seeing only one perspective.
I really enjoyed the writing of this book. You can tell the author put a lot of time into really developing a distinct voice for both Florence and for James. I like the way that she was able to include a lot of historical elements that really made the story pop. There is still a lot of debate as to whether or not James Maybrick was really Jack the Ripper. However, the author makes it very compelling case within the story that James and Jack are one in the same and definitely makes for very unique perspective.
Some of the story is pretty graphic but then again these are the Jack the Ripper murders we are talking about so everything that the author has included really fits with the story and lends a very eerie feel to this book, perfect reading for the week of Halloween. Overall, I really enjoyed this creepy story and historical fiction lovers who want to be a little bit scared while reading a historical novel will also enjoy this pick.
The author creates a very plausible story in which James is driven to pure madness by the thought of his wife cheating on him. This (and some other scary personality flaws), lead him to commit the Jack the Ripper murders. We get to see Florence's thoughts as she begins to piece together that the wonderful man that she thinks she has married is really a cold-hearted, psychopath. There are a lot of things that begin to cause her to believe that he is not exactly the fine upstanding gentlemen she was led to believe he was when she first got married. We also get to see James' take on how he is able to convince himself that what he is doing by murdering prostitutes is really okay. I love that we got to see both sides of the story! It definitely made it interesting to see the story from the perspective of both Florence and from James himself, much more interesting that seeing only one perspective.
I really enjoyed the writing of this book. You can tell the author put a lot of time into really developing a distinct voice for both Florence and for James. I like the way that she was able to include a lot of historical elements that really made the story pop. There is still a lot of debate as to whether or not James Maybrick was really Jack the Ripper. However, the author makes it very compelling case within the story that James and Jack are one in the same and definitely makes for very unique perspective.
Some of the story is pretty graphic but then again these are the Jack the Ripper murders we are talking about so everything that the author has included really fits with the story and lends a very eerie feel to this book, perfect reading for the week of Halloween. Overall, I really enjoyed this creepy story and historical fiction lovers who want to be a little bit scared while reading a historical novel will also enjoy this pick.
October 6, 2018
THE RIPPER'S WIFE
Written by Brandy Purdy
2014; Kensington (484 Pages)
Genre: fiction, crime, retelling, historical fiction, suspense
RATING: ★★
In 1880, English cotton broker James Maybrick meets Southern belle Florence Chandler aboard a ship and soon fall in love. When they reach England they are soon married and settle down in a wealthy section of Liverpool. Once married they discover that they don't really know who the other person is. Chandler is the not society heiress she claimed to be ad Maybrick has a mistress and drug addiction. From Chandler's point of view we see how she discovers her husband's diary and knows his darkest secrets.
I was really looking forward to this novel. I have heard good things about the author, have been interested in theories about the Ripper and the fact that this was a true story. I found that the story moved quite slowly that I began to skim some paragraphs to move the story along. It read like a bad melodrama without know it was one. I did like how Purdy reimagined facts into fiction and it made me really interested in learning more about the real Maybrick and Chandler. I would definitely try another book by Purdy as I think her writing has potential and this may be an editing issue.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Blog
Written by Brandy Purdy
2014; Kensington (484 Pages)
Genre: fiction, crime, retelling, historical fiction, suspense
RATING: ★★
In 1880, English cotton broker James Maybrick meets Southern belle Florence Chandler aboard a ship and soon fall in love. When they reach England they are soon married and settle down in a wealthy section of Liverpool. Once married they discover that they don't really know who the other person is. Chandler is the not society heiress she claimed to be ad Maybrick has a mistress and drug addiction. From Chandler's point of view we see how she discovers her husband's diary and knows his darkest secrets.
I was really looking forward to this novel. I have heard good things about the author, have been interested in theories about the Ripper and the fact that this was a true story. I found that the story moved quite slowly that I began to skim some paragraphs to move the story along. It read like a bad melodrama without know it was one. I did like how Purdy reimagined facts into fiction and it made me really interested in learning more about the real Maybrick and Chandler. I would definitely try another book by Purdy as I think her writing has potential and this may be an editing issue.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Blog
dnf
November 1, 2014Can't make it. The narrative/narrator is irritating me to absolute pieces. So shallow and ditzy, just going on and on and on about the colors of everything she sees, from the curtains to the carpet to the brother's tie. Her new dresses and hats...and on and on. Holy moly, let's move on to the story, shall we?
The fact she's so shallow and ditzy also has me not feeling much sympathy for what she must go through later. Simply don't care enough to read anymore.
The fact she's so shallow and ditzy also has me not feeling much sympathy for what she must go through later. Simply don't care enough to read anymore.
January 31, 2019
I give up. I just can't. If I have to read one more description of her clothes, the walls, etc, I think I will tear this book apart. The story is okay. It kept me interested. But it could only carry me so far when I kept having to skip sections of innane description. Description of the book's world is good. It is a necessity. But about 80% of the description in this book could and should have been cut to the editor's floor. It was entirely unnecessary to move the story forward.
September 2, 2016
**Not for the faint of heart!!**
This book wasn't what I had thought it would be, but I still liked it. The writing was beautiful for the most part, with long, lengthy, descriptive sentences of what the characters wore, ate, and did. While I loved the author's writing, I didn't much care for Florie -- I thought her naive and innocent. Her husband James' diary came along toward the middle of the book, and it was gory and very graphic. The all-caps words and extra exclamation points drove me batty! Toward the book's end, Florie's story became very depressing and disturbing. She became almost "obsessive" over boys and men who shared similar physical characteristics as her beloved, estranged son. Things finally started looking up for her when she took a job at a boys' school, built her own cottage, and began adopting cats. Not stellar writing by any means, but a book I still enjoyed despite the bloodiness and violence. I am interested in reading more of the author's works...
And for those of you who tend to "judge a book by its cover"... I love Florie's red skirt on this cover!
This book wasn't what I had thought it would be, but I still liked it. The writing was beautiful for the most part, with long, lengthy, descriptive sentences of what the characters wore, ate, and did. While I loved the author's writing, I didn't much care for Florie -- I thought her naive and innocent. Her husband James' diary came along toward the middle of the book, and it was gory and very graphic. The all-caps words and extra exclamation points drove me batty! Toward the book's end, Florie's story became very depressing and disturbing. She became almost "obsessive" over boys and men who shared similar physical characteristics as her beloved, estranged son. Things finally started looking up for her when she took a job at a boys' school, built her own cottage, and began adopting cats. Not stellar writing by any means, but a book I still enjoyed despite the bloodiness and violence. I am interested in reading more of the author's works...
And for those of you who tend to "judge a book by its cover"... I love Florie's red skirt on this cover!
July 5, 2019
While an intriguing speculation on what is may have been like to be the wife of Jack the Ripper, both main characters, and several minor characters, are so repulsive, it's immensely difficult to keep reading. Think Jerry Springer in the Victorian era. The last quarter of the book is a rambling attempt to show the progressing history while watching a woman, who blames herself for her husband's abusive behavior and murderous monstrosity, slowly deteriorate into patheticism.
November 11, 2017
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
It begins as a fairytale romance--a shipboard meeting in 1880 between vivacious Southern belle Florence Chandler and handsome English cotton broker James Maybrick. Courtship and a lavish wedding soon follow, and the couple settles into an affluent Liverpool suburb.
From the first, their marriage is doomed by lies. Florie, hardly the heiress her scheming mother portrayed, is treated as an outsider by fashionable English society. James's secrets are infinitely darker--he has a mistress, an arsenic addiction, and a vicious temper. But Florie has no inkling of her husband's depravity until she discovers his diary--and in it, a litany of bloody deeds...
This book failed on a number of levels for me (and, judging from the reviews, a lot of other people.) It is a struggle to work out where to begin...
Let's start with the characters - Florie is dreadful. She has all the privilege in the world but the only thing she seems capable of is crying and being blonde. Hardly my idea of a lead character. The rest of the cast were poorly developed and may as well have been left out for all the impact they made to the story.
The writing style - oh my, the descriptions. Let it go. So much unnecessary descriptions of things that have no need to be said (the photographs, the writing on the wall) - just endless prose that served no purpose (except, maybe, to annoy the reader.)
The one saving grace for me was the detail about the murders. There seemed to be some semblance of believability and I give it a star for that alone. However, that was this book's only real positive...
Paul
ARH
It begins as a fairytale romance--a shipboard meeting in 1880 between vivacious Southern belle Florence Chandler and handsome English cotton broker James Maybrick. Courtship and a lavish wedding soon follow, and the couple settles into an affluent Liverpool suburb.
From the first, their marriage is doomed by lies. Florie, hardly the heiress her scheming mother portrayed, is treated as an outsider by fashionable English society. James's secrets are infinitely darker--he has a mistress, an arsenic addiction, and a vicious temper. But Florie has no inkling of her husband's depravity until she discovers his diary--and in it, a litany of bloody deeds...
This book failed on a number of levels for me (and, judging from the reviews, a lot of other people.) It is a struggle to work out where to begin...
Let's start with the characters - Florie is dreadful. She has all the privilege in the world but the only thing she seems capable of is crying and being blonde. Hardly my idea of a lead character. The rest of the cast were poorly developed and may as well have been left out for all the impact they made to the story.
The writing style - oh my, the descriptions. Let it go. So much unnecessary descriptions of things that have no need to be said (the photographs, the writing on the wall) - just endless prose that served no purpose (except, maybe, to annoy the reader.)
The one saving grace for me was the detail about the murders. There seemed to be some semblance of believability and I give it a star for that alone. However, that was this book's only real positive...
Paul
ARH
November 11, 2018
This is a hard one to review, mainly because this is such a departure - genre-wise - for me. When I read the description, I guess I underestimated the romance factor and the soft-core porn that so often accompanies romances. Up to about the 2/3 point in the book, I was pretty certain it would get the lowest possible star rating with the caveat that I'm not a romance reader, so take it with a grain of salt. Not sure why I insisted on finishing it, but finishing it got it an extra star, I guess because it finally got more interesting and a character was finally developed enough to elicit a feeling or two. Up to that point, there was really no character or plot development - it seemed a very slapdash effort.
September 20, 2015
Holy crap.
Do NOT pick this up.
I read it so you don't have to.
I wasted my time so you wouldn't have to.
First:
Style is horrible. There is too much gratuitous description that's absolutely useless. Reminded me of how a bimbo airhead speaks. Nothing but airyfairy useless, nonsensical words that I just skimmed through.
I stuck through the book to see if the author was really trying to portray an airhead, who then matures into a 3D character.
But no. No! The narrator (aka Florie aka the Ripper's wife)'s voice remains wholeheartedly stupid and insipid, blind and furiously flat.
Love may be blind. But this character has absolutely no character. Absolutely horrific.
Please, just don't.
The content of her long descriptive sentences aren't worth reading either.
Examples:
(3rd para 1st sentence)
"It begins with the words I've quoted above, scribbled in a scrawl of ragged red, big bold bright jagged letters and blobs of ink like spattered blood, garish and vulgar as a gin-soaked jarl it's lip rouge, sloppily sprawling across the page like a wanton body on a rumpled bed, written as though my a drunkard in the grip of the tremors or someone with palsy who cannot quite command the pen, yet with such force, such rage, the words at times nearly cut, like a knife, right through the page."
Whoah. That's enough adjectives to drown a whale.
(Last para of the penultimate chapter)
"I lay in the gloaming gazing at the pictures arranged upon my windowsill: Jim and me - our wedding picture; Bobo and Gladys as children in their Easter finery, posing with baby bunnies and fluffy yellow butterball chicks; Mama in a black lace gown, big hat, feather boa, and diamond looking as though she might have given busty, bawdy Mae West her inspiration for Diamond Lil; Edwin, dark haired and dashing as a Russian count in a black fur hat; Bobby, my sweet, shy, eternally young Biograph boy; and Ty, my surrogate silver-screen son, gazing at his own reflection in a mirror-topped table, making a sly, secret joke of the legend of Narcissus, because the handsomest man in Hollywood was devoid of personal vanity."
WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT HEMORRHAGE OF WORDS!? A description of photographs she hold dear, at the end of the narrator's life.
Even when the pov switches to the husband's (James "Jim" Maybrick aka Jack the Ripper), it's equally bad. It's as if the author has replaced airhead with blind rage.
(Chpt 17)
"When I found out she had betrayed me, I beat, Beat, BEAT her! I made the bitch BEG for mercy and then I didn't give it to her. Oh, how the hitch cried, Cried, CRIED. She begged, Begged, BEGGED me not to hurt her. Like the angel of love, I caressed her bruised and bleeding face. I promised never again. But I lied, Lied, LIED."
Oh. Really, is that the way you try to express rage in a narrative? Not working.
Ok, enough of bad writing.
Second.
Bad character development. Very bad.
Main character - Florie the narrator. From the start to the end, she's the airhead who has all the good looks, pretty clothes, and is a supposed heiress. Refuses to grow and only knows how to cry. Is so blinded by her love, she's more in love with love than anything else. Such a weak character.
The rest of the cast are equally badly developed. Some of them do not even deserve more than two sentences, but are given exhaustive descriptive paragraphs.
Third.
It's both a good and bad point. But really, the only potentially good bit of the book:
The attention to detail behind the killings, and each whore's back story.
Good because it sounds legit (I haven't actually studied the Ripper's case), and it gives the attention to the victims.
Bad because, again, gratuitous. It's about the Ripper's wife. She may be reading his diary, but these mini stories are given too much attention. Like trying to stuff too much content into a book that should've ended 20 chapters ago.
Think I've said enough. The book does not get better after the first chapters. Period.
Do NOT pick this up.
I read it so you don't have to.
I wasted my time so you wouldn't have to.
First:
Style is horrible. There is too much gratuitous description that's absolutely useless. Reminded me of how a bimbo airhead speaks. Nothing but airyfairy useless, nonsensical words that I just skimmed through.
I stuck through the book to see if the author was really trying to portray an airhead, who then matures into a 3D character.
But no. No! The narrator (aka Florie aka the Ripper's wife)'s voice remains wholeheartedly stupid and insipid, blind and furiously flat.
Love may be blind. But this character has absolutely no character. Absolutely horrific.
Please, just don't.
The content of her long descriptive sentences aren't worth reading either.
Examples:
(3rd para 1st sentence)
"It begins with the words I've quoted above, scribbled in a scrawl of ragged red, big bold bright jagged letters and blobs of ink like spattered blood, garish and vulgar as a gin-soaked jarl it's lip rouge, sloppily sprawling across the page like a wanton body on a rumpled bed, written as though my a drunkard in the grip of the tremors or someone with palsy who cannot quite command the pen, yet with such force, such rage, the words at times nearly cut, like a knife, right through the page."
Whoah. That's enough adjectives to drown a whale.
(Last para of the penultimate chapter)
"I lay in the gloaming gazing at the pictures arranged upon my windowsill: Jim and me - our wedding picture; Bobo and Gladys as children in their Easter finery, posing with baby bunnies and fluffy yellow butterball chicks; Mama in a black lace gown, big hat, feather boa, and diamond looking as though she might have given busty, bawdy Mae West her inspiration for Diamond Lil; Edwin, dark haired and dashing as a Russian count in a black fur hat; Bobby, my sweet, shy, eternally young Biograph boy; and Ty, my surrogate silver-screen son, gazing at his own reflection in a mirror-topped table, making a sly, secret joke of the legend of Narcissus, because the handsomest man in Hollywood was devoid of personal vanity."
WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT HEMORRHAGE OF WORDS!? A description of photographs she hold dear, at the end of the narrator's life.
Even when the pov switches to the husband's (James "Jim" Maybrick aka Jack the Ripper), it's equally bad. It's as if the author has replaced airhead with blind rage.
(Chpt 17)
"When I found out she had betrayed me, I beat, Beat, BEAT her! I made the bitch BEG for mercy and then I didn't give it to her. Oh, how the hitch cried, Cried, CRIED. She begged, Begged, BEGGED me not to hurt her. Like the angel of love, I caressed her bruised and bleeding face. I promised never again. But I lied, Lied, LIED."
Oh. Really, is that the way you try to express rage in a narrative? Not working.
Ok, enough of bad writing.
Second.
Bad character development. Very bad.
Main character - Florie the narrator. From the start to the end, she's the airhead who has all the good looks, pretty clothes, and is a supposed heiress. Refuses to grow and only knows how to cry. Is so blinded by her love, she's more in love with love than anything else. Such a weak character.
The rest of the cast are equally badly developed. Some of them do not even deserve more than two sentences, but are given exhaustive descriptive paragraphs.
Third.
It's both a good and bad point. But really, the only potentially good bit of the book:
The attention to detail behind the killings, and each whore's back story.
Good because it sounds legit (I haven't actually studied the Ripper's case), and it gives the attention to the victims.
Bad because, again, gratuitous. It's about the Ripper's wife. She may be reading his diary, but these mini stories are given too much attention. Like trying to stuff too much content into a book that should've ended 20 chapters ago.
Think I've said enough. The book does not get better after the first chapters. Period.
October 24, 2014
James Maybrick was an interesting choice to set a story around, although this book actually focused more on the life of Florence than James himself for much of the latter half, and of course this was expected based on the title of the book.
Whether you are a staunch Ripperologist or just looking for some entertainment, this book does that, but be warned you need a strong countenance to tolerate the graphic nature of the story, especially the diary entries.
Whether you believe that James Maybrick was simply a misunderstood (delusional)cotton mogul or he actually had any connection to the ripper case, this book will nearly make you believe he did, and was in fact the prime suspect.
Did I like this book? Tough question to answer. I thought the author did a fabulous job researching and putting together a plausible story where the dates and figures weren't far off from the reality. She filled in the cracks and crevices imaginatively and in ways that supported her plot. But does that mean I liked it--well, no.
I find it hard to identify with a book (especially containing historical landmark crimes or people) when the characters are not likable. I could not find a single person in this book that was able to draw me in and make me feel a bit of empathy for them. Florie was a spoiled brat and James Maybrick was a repugnant rich fool without a care for anyone else around him, even on a good day. The children were pointless entities for much of the latter half of the story and could turn cold or hot depending on which way the tap knob was twisted.
I will give credit where credit is due though. This author managed to use more four letter expletives in a single book than I have ever seen before, including ****, ****, and ****. All in a neat little row. If you are bothered by the use of words that are derogatory to females then you could have a feminist rant to end all rants after this book. Although, I am particularly fond of the word ****.
What I did like--the author has clearly read the supposed diary of Mr. Maybrick and has based her story not only off of said research, but also included finer details of the murders that are not tied to just one suspect. I liked that she gave the women histories and personalities which made their murders seem that much more sad and senseless. She gave the people faces and hearts (which sadly were sometimes removed) and made the reader feel as if they were walking back through time to witness events that have been glossed over in years gone by.
Brandy Purdy is a good writer with a strength in storytelling. She writes history as if it were happening right this minute and makes her readers feel a sense of duty, to complete the book and find the answers. There were times during the reading of this book that I felt a bit ill, times when I wanted to slap a character or two and times when I was shocked by the graphic nature (that takes a lot with me, forensic pathology being my course of study) but overall, she made me feel something, and that is more than can be said for a lot of authors and a lot of books.
Recommended for those with strong stomachs.
Whether you are a staunch Ripperologist or just looking for some entertainment, this book does that, but be warned you need a strong countenance to tolerate the graphic nature of the story, especially the diary entries.
Whether you believe that James Maybrick was simply a misunderstood (delusional)cotton mogul or he actually had any connection to the ripper case, this book will nearly make you believe he did, and was in fact the prime suspect.
Did I like this book? Tough question to answer. I thought the author did a fabulous job researching and putting together a plausible story where the dates and figures weren't far off from the reality. She filled in the cracks and crevices imaginatively and in ways that supported her plot. But does that mean I liked it--well, no.
I find it hard to identify with a book (especially containing historical landmark crimes or people) when the characters are not likable. I could not find a single person in this book that was able to draw me in and make me feel a bit of empathy for them. Florie was a spoiled brat and James Maybrick was a repugnant rich fool without a care for anyone else around him, even on a good day. The children were pointless entities for much of the latter half of the story and could turn cold or hot depending on which way the tap knob was twisted.
I will give credit where credit is due though. This author managed to use more four letter expletives in a single book than I have ever seen before, including ****, ****, and ****. All in a neat little row. If you are bothered by the use of words that are derogatory to females then you could have a feminist rant to end all rants after this book. Although, I am particularly fond of the word ****.
What I did like--the author has clearly read the supposed diary of Mr. Maybrick and has based her story not only off of said research, but also included finer details of the murders that are not tied to just one suspect. I liked that she gave the women histories and personalities which made their murders seem that much more sad and senseless. She gave the people faces and hearts (which sadly were sometimes removed) and made the reader feel as if they were walking back through time to witness events that have been glossed over in years gone by.
Brandy Purdy is a good writer with a strength in storytelling. She writes history as if it were happening right this minute and makes her readers feel a sense of duty, to complete the book and find the answers. There were times during the reading of this book that I felt a bit ill, times when I wanted to slap a character or two and times when I was shocked by the graphic nature (that takes a lot with me, forensic pathology being my course of study) but overall, she made me feel something, and that is more than can be said for a lot of authors and a lot of books.
Recommended for those with strong stomachs.
November 9, 2015
I stumbled upon this book strictly by accident. I had featured an upcoming Purdy book on my Waiting on Wednesday meme for a new Lizzie Borden book she has coming out in January. Lately I have been obsessed with all things Lizzie Border - I blame Cherie Priest but that's another story. Anyway, the author kindly contacted me and wanted to know if I would like to review her new book and also, would I be interested in The Ripper's Wife. Well, I have always taken an interest in Jack the Ripper as well so I thought "Why not?"
I don't read a lot of historical fiction, and didn't really know what to expect with this book but I can say I really enjoyed it and would recommend anyone who likes thrillers, historical fiction, or serial killers give this a try. This is a story of Florie Maybrick and her husband James, told from Florie's point of view. They meet, have a whirlwind romance, and end up getting married rather quickly. Their relationship is not without flaws including James' drug addiction and Florie's knack for spending non-existent money. Basically trials and tribulations ensue which prompts James' transition to Jack the Ripper.
I liked a lot of things about this book but let me add, it is not for the weak of heart. While Purdy is extremely talented in providing descriptive prose setting the scenes in this historical novel, she is equally as talented in describing the horrible acts committed by James. There is violence, blood, gore, adultery, rape and murder so be warned. However, Purdy does it tastefully and I didn't find it to be sensational in manner. In addition, this book did get me thinking. Without giving too much away, James was definitely driven to perpetrate his murderous acts by some things which happened in his life and while it doesn't excuse his behavior, it does make the reader ponder where some of the responsibility might lie. In addition, Florie, although a main character and a victim in her own right, is not always likable and free of criticism and judgement.
This was a perfect read for the creepiness needed for an October/Halloween book. I also think it could be enjoyed year-round as it did not in any way focus on the Halloween season. While it did take me longer than normal to finish, that is not a reflection on the book but rather a failed attempt of reading multiple books at one time. I loved Purdy's writing style and the way she pulled me into the book and made me feel like I was spying on the Maybrick's lives from the corner of a dark room. I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and gave this historical fiction book a try. I can't wait to pick up "The Secret's of Lizzie Borden."
I don't read a lot of historical fiction, and didn't really know what to expect with this book but I can say I really enjoyed it and would recommend anyone who likes thrillers, historical fiction, or serial killers give this a try. This is a story of Florie Maybrick and her husband James, told from Florie's point of view. They meet, have a whirlwind romance, and end up getting married rather quickly. Their relationship is not without flaws including James' drug addiction and Florie's knack for spending non-existent money. Basically trials and tribulations ensue which prompts James' transition to Jack the Ripper.
I liked a lot of things about this book but let me add, it is not for the weak of heart. While Purdy is extremely talented in providing descriptive prose setting the scenes in this historical novel, she is equally as talented in describing the horrible acts committed by James. There is violence, blood, gore, adultery, rape and murder so be warned. However, Purdy does it tastefully and I didn't find it to be sensational in manner. In addition, this book did get me thinking. Without giving too much away, James was definitely driven to perpetrate his murderous acts by some things which happened in his life and while it doesn't excuse his behavior, it does make the reader ponder where some of the responsibility might lie. In addition, Florie, although a main character and a victim in her own right, is not always likable and free of criticism and judgement.
This was a perfect read for the creepiness needed for an October/Halloween book. I also think it could be enjoyed year-round as it did not in any way focus on the Halloween season. While it did take me longer than normal to finish, that is not a reflection on the book but rather a failed attempt of reading multiple books at one time. I loved Purdy's writing style and the way she pulled me into the book and made me feel like I was spying on the Maybrick's lives from the corner of a dark room. I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and gave this historical fiction book a try. I can't wait to pick up "The Secret's of Lizzie Borden."
September 25, 2014
NOTE: This review is based on the uncorrected proof.
I found the book to be an intelligent and imaginative read. Purdy does tend to write long, almost paragraph length sentences at times, but they are not just words tossed into a convoluted stew; a patient, thoughtful reader fond of literature will be richly rewarded with Purdy's wordsmith skills and prodigious research and descriptions of the tale's era. A favorite shorter sentence went, "Jim took me to Versailles, to view the gilded remains of a vanished world burned and blown away on the hot and violent winds of revolution." Nearly every page contained a phrase similar to this to which I paused and pondered, often finding myself daydreaming for a few minutes to play out the scene like a stage production in my mind ... this gal can write!
I had previously read two of Brandy Purdy's historical novels (The Boleyn Wife, The Tudor Throne), and whereas before The Ripper's Wife I had compared her voice to Carson McCuller (The Heart is a Lonely Hunter) and Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird), I must now sprinkle in the sophisticated, scholarly style of Caleb Carr (The Alienist), and the horrific twists of Mary Shelley (Frankenstein).
It's important to note that Purdy's take on the infamous White Chapel Murders is by no means a suggestion as to who the actual slayer might have been. Indeed, Ms. Purdy allays such contentions by smartly including an Author's Note informing readers that she has taken creative liberties with the actual events and people involved.
The novel unfolds a little slowly before the pacing moves us along at an enjoyable clip, however, as noted above, a patient and careful reader will be rewarded by this beautifully written story. Yes, it is horror, and a bit disturbing at times, but it is also literature in the truest sense; a wonderful sculpture of words molded by a writer whose talents might just as easily have been compared to Auguste Rodin, had she chosen to create with clay and marble rather than with pen and paper.
James Zeruk, Jr.
Author of Peg Entwistle and the Hollywood Sign Suicide: A Biography (McFarland & Company, 2014)
I found the book to be an intelligent and imaginative read. Purdy does tend to write long, almost paragraph length sentences at times, but they are not just words tossed into a convoluted stew; a patient, thoughtful reader fond of literature will be richly rewarded with Purdy's wordsmith skills and prodigious research and descriptions of the tale's era. A favorite shorter sentence went, "Jim took me to Versailles, to view the gilded remains of a vanished world burned and blown away on the hot and violent winds of revolution." Nearly every page contained a phrase similar to this to which I paused and pondered, often finding myself daydreaming for a few minutes to play out the scene like a stage production in my mind ... this gal can write!
I had previously read two of Brandy Purdy's historical novels (The Boleyn Wife, The Tudor Throne), and whereas before The Ripper's Wife I had compared her voice to Carson McCuller (The Heart is a Lonely Hunter) and Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird), I must now sprinkle in the sophisticated, scholarly style of Caleb Carr (The Alienist), and the horrific twists of Mary Shelley (Frankenstein).
It's important to note that Purdy's take on the infamous White Chapel Murders is by no means a suggestion as to who the actual slayer might have been. Indeed, Ms. Purdy allays such contentions by smartly including an Author's Note informing readers that she has taken creative liberties with the actual events and people involved.
The novel unfolds a little slowly before the pacing moves us along at an enjoyable clip, however, as noted above, a patient and careful reader will be rewarded by this beautifully written story. Yes, it is horror, and a bit disturbing at times, but it is also literature in the truest sense; a wonderful sculpture of words molded by a writer whose talents might just as easily have been compared to Auguste Rodin, had she chosen to create with clay and marble rather than with pen and paper.
James Zeruk, Jr.
Author of Peg Entwistle and the Hollywood Sign Suicide: A Biography (McFarland & Company, 2014)
December 11, 2014
I was completely pulled into this story.
Florie, our narrator, was shallow, melodramatic and mostly lacking in spinal fortitude, but I really didn't mind it. (There are just fantastic lists of Victorian fashions, color schemes, and other assorted purchases...sort of like Marie Antoinette (the film...well, really any book about her is like that, isn't it?) and I now want to see if books that contain extensive (most appalling!) lists of stuff contain sociopaths.)
Parts of it were also funny. Essentially, you have this ditzy living doll who marries (too quickly) a much older man and the honeymoon is pretty much over the very second they walk through the door of his home. Everyone in this book is just awful. The Currant Jelly set...awful. Rampant misogyny. Horse faced pasty bitches. And this little girl who hopes she can grow up to be an invalid. (Which I found hilarious.)
The hoax of the Jack the Ripper diary, which was attributed to James Maybrick (Florie's husband), is one of the better theories that have circulated. I liked that the author didn't imagine him to be a criminal mastermind. He was simply a rage filled drug addict. (From a family of awful punchy lying rapey bastards.) His stints as narrator are fairly graphic, meandering and burdened by justifications.
I still found Florie to be a sympathetic narrator and her personality rang true. (Even when I wanted to throttle her, how else was she going to be treated? How else was she going to be allowed to behave? What more could she have believed about her possibilities?)
Maybe I liked this book so much because I realize it has a delightful camp factor going on. And I must enjoy lists of luxury goods. Especially when they are lists of Victorian era "medications." There is meat juice and cocaine that will cure dandruff, insomnia, fatigue, diarrhea and constipation. Because of course it will.
Florie, our narrator, was shallow, melodramatic and mostly lacking in spinal fortitude, but I really didn't mind it. (There are just fantastic lists of Victorian fashions, color schemes, and other assorted purchases...sort of like Marie Antoinette (the film...well, really any book about her is like that, isn't it?) and I now want to see if books that contain extensive (most appalling!) lists of stuff contain sociopaths.)
Parts of it were also funny. Essentially, you have this ditzy living doll who marries (too quickly) a much older man and the honeymoon is pretty much over the very second they walk through the door of his home. Everyone in this book is just awful. The Currant Jelly set...awful. Rampant misogyny. Horse faced pasty bitches. And this little girl who hopes she can grow up to be an invalid. (Which I found hilarious.)
The hoax of the Jack the Ripper diary, which was attributed to James Maybrick (Florie's husband), is one of the better theories that have circulated. I liked that the author didn't imagine him to be a criminal mastermind. He was simply a rage filled drug addict. (From a family of awful punchy lying rapey bastards.) His stints as narrator are fairly graphic, meandering and burdened by justifications.
I still found Florie to be a sympathetic narrator and her personality rang true. (Even when I wanted to throttle her, how else was she going to be treated? How else was she going to be allowed to behave? What more could she have believed about her possibilities?)
Maybe I liked this book so much because I realize it has a delightful camp factor going on. And I must enjoy lists of luxury goods. Especially when they are lists of Victorian era "medications." There is meat juice and cocaine that will cure dandruff, insomnia, fatigue, diarrhea and constipation. Because of course it will.
October 13, 2014
When Florie meets the man of her dreams, wealthy and debonair James Maybrick, she is ecstatic to settle into English society with him. But almost immediately, the honeymoon ends and James’s villainous character surfaces. His Jekyll and Hyde personalities are only fueled by his jealousy and his arsenic habit. It’s not easy reading about a man who beats his wife and has a drug addiction, and Purdy does not shy away from violence. Then again, Florie is no innocent either. She reminded me a bit of Scarlett O’Hara, with her southern belle airs, and her sense of entitlement. Only Florie completely lacks any moral compass and her husband is infinitely more insulting and abusive then Rhett Butler. Florie’s stubbornness and her infidelity only drive James to resort to taking his rage out on the prostitutes of Whitechapel.
Be warned: when the narrative shifts to James’s diary entries, the violence become even more gruesome and the unabashed horror may not be suitable for all readers. The victims of Jack the Ripper die horrible deaths and James himself is vulgar and unrestrained in his brutality.
More than anything, though, this book is a study of the title character, and Florie’s life is not an easy one. While her husband’s legacy is always a shadow on her existence, the remainder of her life is fraught with her own poor decisions and agonizing struggles. Despite not being the most delightful or likeable character, there is something to be said for Florie’s courage and determination.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.
Be warned: when the narrative shifts to James’s diary entries, the violence become even more gruesome and the unabashed horror may not be suitable for all readers. The victims of Jack the Ripper die horrible deaths and James himself is vulgar and unrestrained in his brutality.
More than anything, though, this book is a study of the title character, and Florie’s life is not an easy one. While her husband’s legacy is always a shadow on her existence, the remainder of her life is fraught with her own poor decisions and agonizing struggles. Despite not being the most delightful or likeable character, there is something to be said for Florie’s courage and determination.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.
May 12, 2015
This book follows James Maybrick who is Jack the Ripper and the woman he marries- Florence who is a wealthy American . They have a courtship and marry- but discover that things are not what they seem. The story is told from both perspectives and there are some very dark, grisly account.
James supposedly is driven to the acts of depravity by the thought that his wife is cheating on him He is able to justify his actions to himself.He is addicted to arsenic. His accounts are dark and full of suspense. Florrie’s account follows their meeting and feelings until their marriage starts to fall apart and the horrifying discovery that her husband is responsible for the notorious crimes. It also follows the horror she lives through with his increasing violence.
I discovered that this author has other historical books which I am keen to seek out!
With many thanks to Kensington books and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
James supposedly is driven to the acts of depravity by the thought that his wife is cheating on him He is able to justify his actions to himself.He is addicted to arsenic. His accounts are dark and full of suspense. Florrie’s account follows their meeting and feelings until their marriage starts to fall apart and the horrifying discovery that her husband is responsible for the notorious crimes. It also follows the horror she lives through with his increasing violence.
I discovered that this author has other historical books which I am keen to seek out!
With many thanks to Kensington books and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
November 28, 2014
The premise of the story is interesting but the writing is exagerrated and overblown.
July 19, 2015
I cannot believe this was made into a book. The more I reflect on it, the more childish and poorly written it becomes in my mind.
July 11, 2015
Not what I expected from a story plot that has such poetential
June 13, 2021
Eh. Not so good. I’ve read about Florence Maybrick & the supposed “Ripper diary” in other books, so I was really intrigued by this, but it just didn’t come together.
The first 2/3rds were somewhat interesting, even if overwritten, but the final section was a slog, esp when she was released from prison. That last part was just SO BORING. There was no real reason for it, either, particularly Florie’s downslide into prostitution & her love of watching movies & the fate of her kids...except the author was determined to wedge these things into a novel that would’ve been much better without them. Why? Because she fell too much in love with her themes & parallel plots & symbolism. It was just overkill, plain & simple—not to mention incredibly anticlimactic. No matter where you place the climax of this book (Mary Kelly, Jim’s death, Florie’s trial, Florie’s time in prison) those last 80+ pages don’t do anything but pad the word count.
Speaking of Florie...woof. Your villainous husband not only gruesomely kills Whitechapel hookers but beats & rapes his wife repeatedly, sleeps around, knocks up his dirt-poor mistress & lets her molder in a slum, rapes at least 2 other woman without killing them, is addicted to drugs, & gets his own daughter similarly addicted at a very young age. He’s a hypocrite, a murderer, & a psycho, abusive asswipe, so you’d have to work hard to make Florie LESS LIKABLE than this dude.
So. Please take a moment to let this sink in: Florie is less appealing than Jack the Ripper. She’s clueless, whiny, passive, & just plain stupid. She has no pride, no sense of self-preservation, no street smarts, no blue-blood-smarts. No ability to learn or assimilate information, even for her own sake. No comprehension of how utterly repulsive she is or why everyone seems to hate her. She doesn’t try to rise above contempt or metaphorically fight back. She’s incompetent at life. She lets everyone do everything else. She’s a box of rocks with hair. Yes, I get what she’s up against on a societal level, & no, I’m not victim-shaming—it’s not her fault Jim treats her like crap. What annoyed me was her lack of initiative in the areas where she could (but didn’t) try to fight back, climb out, show pride, etc etc. She had ways to maneuver that she purposely ignored or saw but didn’t bother to try. Subtlety is an unknown concept to this moo.
...And there you have it. 😶
The idea was good, but the padded prose & idiot heroine ruined it for yours truly.
The first 2/3rds were somewhat interesting, even if overwritten, but the final section was a slog, esp when she was released from prison. That last part was just SO BORING. There was no real reason for it, either, particularly Florie’s downslide into prostitution & her love of watching movies & the fate of her kids...except the author was determined to wedge these things into a novel that would’ve been much better without them. Why? Because she fell too much in love with her themes & parallel plots & symbolism. It was just overkill, plain & simple—not to mention incredibly anticlimactic. No matter where you place the climax of this book (Mary Kelly, Jim’s death, Florie’s trial, Florie’s time in prison) those last 80+ pages don’t do anything but pad the word count.
Speaking of Florie...woof. Your villainous husband not only gruesomely kills Whitechapel hookers but beats & rapes his wife repeatedly, sleeps around, knocks up his dirt-poor mistress & lets her molder in a slum, rapes at least 2 other woman without killing them, is addicted to drugs, & gets his own daughter similarly addicted at a very young age. He’s a hypocrite, a murderer, & a psycho, abusive asswipe, so you’d have to work hard to make Florie LESS LIKABLE than this dude.
So. Please take a moment to let this sink in: Florie is less appealing than Jack the Ripper. She’s clueless, whiny, passive, & just plain stupid. She has no pride, no sense of self-preservation, no street smarts, no blue-blood-smarts. No ability to learn or assimilate information, even for her own sake. No comprehension of how utterly repulsive she is or why everyone seems to hate her. She doesn’t try to rise above contempt or metaphorically fight back. She’s incompetent at life. She lets everyone do everything else. She’s a box of rocks with hair. Yes, I get what she’s up against on a societal level, & no, I’m not victim-shaming—it’s not her fault Jim treats her like crap. What annoyed me was her lack of initiative in the areas where she could (but didn’t) try to fight back, climb out, show pride, etc etc. She had ways to maneuver that she purposely ignored or saw but didn’t bother to try. Subtlety is an unknown concept to this moo.
...And there you have it. 😶
The idea was good, but the padded prose & idiot heroine ruined it for yours truly.
July 12, 2021
I couldn't make myself finish
I have never had a review that I left one star before. The cover is beautiful and the story sounded compelling. While it was off to a slow start, I waited in hopes of the storyline developing. At 25% read, I actually checked to see if I could return. You can't. I kept reading because I hate to waste a book. I am now at 60% and can't read anymore.
Jack the Rapper's wife, whom he calls Bunny is a weak insipid character. Her husband beats he so she becomes a shopaholic. She has affairs in retaliation of her husbands infidelity. So far nothing that hasn't been written before.
What bothers me so much is she lets the maid, the nanny run her house because her husband agrees with them. She doesn't have the strength to fight for her children. Yet she continues having affairs knowing her husband will brutally beat her. Her lovers treat her terribly but she just loves them so much she goes back again and again. She sleeps with her brother in law because he keeps pestering her for sex so she may as well give in.
This from a woman who was raised in wealth and comfort. Who has a mother that could provide refuge. I can't find any sympathy for her at all.
The author goes to great pains to make the husband a cad, and a wife beater who abuses arsenic and other poisons due to hypocondria.
There was an opportunity lost to make Jack the Ripper a true Jekyll and Hyde where an everyday person becomes a monster. The book refers to the character Bunny going to a play to see this production. Jim, the husband is never a man of redeeming qualities.
Disappointed, I am throwing in the towel with this book. I would perhaps try another book by this author after checking reviews.
I have never had a review that I left one star before. The cover is beautiful and the story sounded compelling. While it was off to a slow start, I waited in hopes of the storyline developing. At 25% read, I actually checked to see if I could return. You can't. I kept reading because I hate to waste a book. I am now at 60% and can't read anymore.
Jack the Rapper's wife, whom he calls Bunny is a weak insipid character. Her husband beats he so she becomes a shopaholic. She has affairs in retaliation of her husbands infidelity. So far nothing that hasn't been written before.
What bothers me so much is she lets the maid, the nanny run her house because her husband agrees with them. She doesn't have the strength to fight for her children. Yet she continues having affairs knowing her husband will brutally beat her. Her lovers treat her terribly but she just loves them so much she goes back again and again. She sleeps with her brother in law because he keeps pestering her for sex so she may as well give in.
This from a woman who was raised in wealth and comfort. Who has a mother that could provide refuge. I can't find any sympathy for her at all.
The author goes to great pains to make the husband a cad, and a wife beater who abuses arsenic and other poisons due to hypocondria.
There was an opportunity lost to make Jack the Ripper a true Jekyll and Hyde where an everyday person becomes a monster. The book refers to the character Bunny going to a play to see this production. Jim, the husband is never a man of redeeming qualities.
Disappointed, I am throwing in the towel with this book. I would perhaps try another book by this author after checking reviews.
August 5, 2022
This novel, about Florence Maybrick, the wife of one of the men suspected of being Jack the Ripper - from the title, I don't think it's giving anything away to say that in this book, that suspicion is proved correct - is mildly likeable but also sincerely frustrating. That is, I think, down to the main character. Poor Florrie has all the brains and survival instinct of roadkill, and she's never met a chance to help herself that she doesn't turn down. Granted, Purdy is somewhat constrained by history, and I've never read Maybrick's memoir of her time in prison, so I have no knowledge of her personality. She might well be as Purdy has imagined her; the alternative is that Purdy's used artistic license. I don't know, and I'm not sure it matters.
In many ways, Florrie here reminds me of Philippa Gregory's excellent portrayal of Katherine Howard in The Boleyn Inheritance - Katherine comes across as a good-natured, ignorant, and extraordinarily shallow girl thrust into a deadly situation and it's easy to feel for her. The thing is, Katherine dies at seventeen years of age, or thereabouts, so she never gets the opportunity to grow up. Florrie stays that same simpleton all her long life, and Purdy's portrayal of her middle-aged self weeping over her husband's grave, perfectly prepared to forgive his horrible actions because she loves him... the woman's an idiot. At least, this character is an idiot. The woman she was based on may not have been, but this story of her life... it's worth reading if you're bored and don't expect much. Two and a half stars, rounding up to three.
In many ways, Florrie here reminds me of Philippa Gregory's excellent portrayal of Katherine Howard in The Boleyn Inheritance - Katherine comes across as a good-natured, ignorant, and extraordinarily shallow girl thrust into a deadly situation and it's easy to feel for her. The thing is, Katherine dies at seventeen years of age, or thereabouts, so she never gets the opportunity to grow up. Florrie stays that same simpleton all her long life, and Purdy's portrayal of her middle-aged self weeping over her husband's grave, perfectly prepared to forgive his horrible actions because she loves him... the woman's an idiot. At least, this character is an idiot. The woman she was based on may not have been, but this story of her life... it's worth reading if you're bored and don't expect much. Two and a half stars, rounding up to three.
June 19, 2017
Florence is swept up in a whirlwind romance. She suddenly finds herself friendless in England married to a man who isn't what he seemed to be.
One thing to warn readers is though I expected there to be violence (it is a story on Jack the Ripper), I wasn't quite prepared for the abundance of sexual violence. It was very vividly described and made me feel extremely uncomfortable.
As well, the book seemed to drag on and on and on. Jack the Ripper was dead...but I found that I had 100 pages still to go. There was just soooo much time spent on Florence's life after her marriage and the story was extremely repetitive. I had a hard time slogging to the end, and then when I was done I realized I easily could have done without the last third of the book.
One thing to warn readers is though I expected there to be violence (it is a story on Jack the Ripper), I wasn't quite prepared for the abundance of sexual violence. It was very vividly described and made me feel extremely uncomfortable.
As well, the book seemed to drag on and on and on. Jack the Ripper was dead...but I found that I had 100 pages still to go. There was just soooo much time spent on Florence's life after her marriage and the story was extremely repetitive. I had a hard time slogging to the end, and then when I was done I realized I easily could have done without the last third of the book.
June 13, 2025
Heavy trigger warnings need to come with the start of this book. It was graphic and brutal. There were several violent scenes. Many of them unnecessary. It's a book about Jack the Ripper. I get it. However, many of the scenes featuring violence by the MC toward his wife were incredibly unnecessary. It feels like the author included them to get a rise out of the reader. Either that or the author has no idea how to right a female MC that anyone will like so she makes her an abuse victim to get the reader to feel sorry for her. In this case, it didn't work. Florie has very few if any redeemable qualities. Yes she was a young girl in a terrible situation but it seems like with her brain power, that would have happened even without Florie meeting Jim.
This author has been recommended to me by a variety of people and reading sites. I picked a book to see if we meshed. We didn't.
This author has been recommended to me by a variety of people and reading sites. I picked a book to see if we meshed. We didn't.
July 27, 2018
Bir kitabı okurken daha önce hiç bu kadar atarlanmamıştım doğrusu:)).Gördüğüm şu ki yıllaar geçsede dönemler değişsede kadına yapılan muamele hep aynı,hep kötü.Ve ne kötüdür ki her daim kadınlar hemcinslerinin düşmanı ve kuyusunu kazanı.Ne yapmış olursa olsun bir kadın bence bu kadar kötü şeyler yaşamamalıydı.
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