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The Awakenings
Yorkshire, 1890. Having lost her father and brothers in tragic circumstances, Olwen Malkon is forced to leave her childhood home to live with her uncle's family. In his chill vicarage, however, she fears that she is also losing her mind, as strange dreams take her into the life of Ælfwyn, a woman from a distant past whose fate is overshadowed by menace and betrayal.
In the grip of these afflictions, Olwen finds sympathy with the local doctor, John Osbourne, who is intrigued by her case. Suspecting darker undercurrents are at work, John comes into conflict with Olwen's family, who dismiss her as a hysteric and, when he seeks to protect her, with the law.
As the dreams intensify, danger awaits them both. But when they begin to mirror reality, she and John start to suspect that it is these visions of the past which hold the answers . . .
In the grip of these afflictions, Olwen finds sympathy with the local doctor, John Osbourne, who is intrigued by her case. Suspecting darker undercurrents are at work, John comes into conflict with Olwen's family, who dismiss her as a hysteric and, when he seeks to protect her, with the law.
As the dreams intensify, danger awaits them both. But when they begin to mirror reality, she and John start to suspect that it is these visions of the past which hold the answers . . .
368 pages, ebook
First published March 17, 2022
26 people are currently reading
555 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Maine
9 books431 followersSarah Maine was born in England and emigrated to Canada with her family at the age of ten. A small northern Ontario community was home for the next two years before the family moved south, and Sarah went to high school in Toronto. She returned to England to study archaeology, stayed on to do research and work, married there and has two sons.
Books were always important. She grew up on a diet of Arthur Ransome and Robert Louis Stevenson but also the classics, Jane Austen and the Brontés and, of course, Daphne du Maurier - but now enjoys a wide range of contemporary fiction.
She has publlished three books - The House between Tides, Beyond the Wild River and Women of the Dunes and is currently working on her fourth, set partly in New Zealand.
Books were always important. She grew up on a diet of Arthur Ransome and Robert Louis Stevenson but also the classics, Jane Austen and the Brontés and, of course, Daphne du Maurier - but now enjoys a wide range of contemporary fiction.
She has publlished three books - The House between Tides, Beyond the Wild River and Women of the Dunes and is currently working on her fourth, set partly in New Zealand.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 8, 2022
4+ stars
There are two timelines in this latest stellar novel by Sarah Maine which she has woven together so their stories cleverly coincide. In the 19th Century we have heiress Olwen Malkon who has what feels like troubling dreams since she left Swindale Hall where tragedy has struck. She's living with her vicar Uncle and Aunt in less commodious circumstances and with considerably less freedom. On entering her uncle's church she suffers a very adverse reaction. She is helped by a young doctor John Osbourne and treated sympathetically. The second timeline takes us back to the eighth century where we meet Wyn, the daughter of King AElfwald of Northumbria and here, as in the later timeline, there is trouble brewing.
I thoroughly enjoy this novel especially how the author fuses the stories together so they evolve organically. The characterisation is excellent, you root for Olwen and Osbourne and there is much here to make you angry as the weakness of her position before she reaches her age of majority which is dangerously, maliciously and deviously exploited, demonstrating the powerlessness of female positions at this time. Talk about nefarious deeds. You cheer on Celia, Olwen's former governess and her friend Gussie whose independent spirits gladden your heart. The less said about Olwen's aunt,uncle and cousin Alfred the better and there's even an odious Bishop to love to hate! The views on mental illness at the time and how patients are subdued is done very well as is how it is utilised in the storyline, with despair and spite in equal measure.
The earlier timeline is done very well as the author expertly weaves what little facts are known about AElfward's time with fiction to create a parallel storyline of similar dangers, treachery and betrayal. The novel builds well, its colourful, vivid and almost cinematic in tone with some scenes designed to shock.
Highly recommended and I especially enjoy the York and its environs setting, an area I know well!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
There are two timelines in this latest stellar novel by Sarah Maine which she has woven together so their stories cleverly coincide. In the 19th Century we have heiress Olwen Malkon who has what feels like troubling dreams since she left Swindale Hall where tragedy has struck. She's living with her vicar Uncle and Aunt in less commodious circumstances and with considerably less freedom. On entering her uncle's church she suffers a very adverse reaction. She is helped by a young doctor John Osbourne and treated sympathetically. The second timeline takes us back to the eighth century where we meet Wyn, the daughter of King AElfwald of Northumbria and here, as in the later timeline, there is trouble brewing.
I thoroughly enjoy this novel especially how the author fuses the stories together so they evolve organically. The characterisation is excellent, you root for Olwen and Osbourne and there is much here to make you angry as the weakness of her position before she reaches her age of majority which is dangerously, maliciously and deviously exploited, demonstrating the powerlessness of female positions at this time. Talk about nefarious deeds. You cheer on Celia, Olwen's former governess and her friend Gussie whose independent spirits gladden your heart. The less said about Olwen's aunt,uncle and cousin Alfred the better and there's even an odious Bishop to love to hate! The views on mental illness at the time and how patients are subdued is done very well as is how it is utilised in the storyline, with despair and spite in equal measure.
The earlier timeline is done very well as the author expertly weaves what little facts are known about AElfward's time with fiction to create a parallel storyline of similar dangers, treachery and betrayal. The novel builds well, its colourful, vivid and almost cinematic in tone with some scenes designed to shock.
Highly recommended and I especially enjoy the York and its environs setting, an area I know well!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
April 11, 2022
This started out as a promising story and right in my wheelhouse. I should have loved it but for me it was very slow moving and I found it difficult to stay engaged with the characters. The back and forth between timeline was somewhat confounding and I'm afraid added to my lack of connection with this one. I even went back to it to give it another go but unfortunately it was a DNF at 30% :(
February 7, 2022
*side-eye intensifies* I should have enjoyed this one.
I’ve enjoyed Maine’s books previously, and the past life aspect of this one really reeled me in. Ipso facto, I should have swallowed it hook, line and sinker.
Unfortunately, The Awakenings is a baggy novel. There’s no other way to put it. I get the sense that there was a word-count that needed to be hit here – once again, I think this is a case of a novel being published under some haste. A dose of really rigorous editing could have made the writing tauter and more engaging; as it stands, the pace is agonisingly slow and the exposition was little more than filler.
The more I read of Maine’s work – and as much as I love how atmospheric her writing is – the clearer it becomes to me that her novels follow much the same formula. The characters are somewhat archetypal, with a reliable cast of a plucky (and rather raffish) young woman, a predatory individual who has his eyes set on her, and a benevolent man of science who takes it upon himself to protect her from said individual. It just takes the excitement away.
I appreciated (and heck, did it make my blood boil) the unflinching presentation of female ‘hysteria’ and the pathologizing of the female body. I love a good dual timeline structure. This one had such potential – but potential that sadly I didn’t feel was fulfilled.
DNFd at 25%. With thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
I’ve enjoyed Maine’s books previously, and the past life aspect of this one really reeled me in. Ipso facto, I should have swallowed it hook, line and sinker.
Unfortunately, The Awakenings is a baggy novel. There’s no other way to put it. I get the sense that there was a word-count that needed to be hit here – once again, I think this is a case of a novel being published under some haste. A dose of really rigorous editing could have made the writing tauter and more engaging; as it stands, the pace is agonisingly slow and the exposition was little more than filler.
The more I read of Maine’s work – and as much as I love how atmospheric her writing is – the clearer it becomes to me that her novels follow much the same formula. The characters are somewhat archetypal, with a reliable cast of a plucky (and rather raffish) young woman, a predatory individual who has his eyes set on her, and a benevolent man of science who takes it upon himself to protect her from said individual. It just takes the excitement away.
I appreciated (and heck, did it make my blood boil) the unflinching presentation of female ‘hysteria’ and the pathologizing of the female body. I love a good dual timeline structure. This one had such potential – but potential that sadly I didn’t feel was fulfilled.
DNFd at 25%. With thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
February 16, 2022
The Awakenings is an epic timeslip story that had me spell-bound from start to finish! Set partly in Anglo-Saxon times and partly during the late Victorian era, I really enjoyed this tale of a love so strong it has survived across the centuries. The fates of the hero and heroine in the past had me on the edge of my seat, and at the same time I was rooting for the ones in Victorian times to find a way to prevail against their enemies. I desperately wanted Olwen, a young heiress who is virtually a prisoner of her scheming relatives, to find a way to break free. I loved the romance brewing between her and the local doctor, who tries to help her. And I was fascinated by the historical details from the past, beautifully brought to life by the author. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, racing towards the finish to see what would happen and I simply couldn’t put it down – brilliant!
March 19, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book!
I was slightly disappointed with the overall storyline. I really enjoyed the writing style and the dual timeline as well as the parallels in the stories which were done well. However, the point was quickly made and the second storyline (the one further in the past) became a bit repetitive and obsolete. It slowed down the progress of the story and it was quite evident what would unfold. I do think that less of the past timeline would have benefited the pace of the book. I just couldn’t care and be invested in the secondary timeline as the events had already occurred and nothing would change those, so the lack of agency in that story just made it not that interesting to follow.
I do appreciate the historical research undertaken for this story and the overall atmosphere of the book. It was very well done if we consider this mainly a historical fiction. There could have been a few more details on topics central to this book and the 19th century in general, such as the use of some tinctures for so called “women’s ailments” and the treatment of patients in asylums at the time. I think that it would have given a better atmosphere and additional depth to the story.
Overall, not a bad story, I was invested into the primary timeline and really enjoyed the characters in it. The writing was good, but the story became a bit long and repetitive at times, especially when the dual timelines were mirroring each other a bit too closely. Would recommend if you want a bit of an eerie vibe in a more classic historical fiction book set at the beginning of the 19th century.
I was slightly disappointed with the overall storyline. I really enjoyed the writing style and the dual timeline as well as the parallels in the stories which were done well. However, the point was quickly made and the second storyline (the one further in the past) became a bit repetitive and obsolete. It slowed down the progress of the story and it was quite evident what would unfold. I do think that less of the past timeline would have benefited the pace of the book. I just couldn’t care and be invested in the secondary timeline as the events had already occurred and nothing would change those, so the lack of agency in that story just made it not that interesting to follow.
I do appreciate the historical research undertaken for this story and the overall atmosphere of the book. It was very well done if we consider this mainly a historical fiction. There could have been a few more details on topics central to this book and the 19th century in general, such as the use of some tinctures for so called “women’s ailments” and the treatment of patients in asylums at the time. I think that it would have given a better atmosphere and additional depth to the story.
Overall, not a bad story, I was invested into the primary timeline and really enjoyed the characters in it. The writing was good, but the story became a bit long and repetitive at times, especially when the dual timelines were mirroring each other a bit too closely. Would recommend if you want a bit of an eerie vibe in a more classic historical fiction book set at the beginning of the 19th century.
April 18, 2022
A feel-good, somewhat fantasy of a novel, exploring the escapism of the mind while supposing it possible to remember past lives. A romantic tale between lovers reunited centuries after first finding each other, and that in fact, not everything has changed as much as the landscape and lunatics living upon it.
I loved John's (Heri's) and Olwen's (Wyn's) story, and found myself rooting for them at the end. I even warmed to the old wise owl, Redman, who had something of a Sherlock Holmes like instinct about him but little of the charm.
A cherished tale I shall remember for a long while to come.
Sarah Maine has been added to my list of go-to authors.
Historical fiction and fantasy combining well.
5 stars
I loved John's (Heri's) and Olwen's (Wyn's) story, and found myself rooting for them at the end. I even warmed to the old wise owl, Redman, who had something of a Sherlock Holmes like instinct about him but little of the charm.
A cherished tale I shall remember for a long while to come.
Sarah Maine has been added to my list of go-to authors.
Historical fiction and fantasy combining well.
5 stars
March 5, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I think I liked this book more for revealing to me that Anglo-Saxon historical fiction is something I might enjoy than I did for the book itself. The premise of this book is intriguing, and it started off promising, but ultimately it became over-complicated and convoluted.
Following the death of her younger brothers and father Olwen Malkon is sent to live with her uncle until she reaches her majority. Olwen begins to have strange dreams recalling the similar experiences of a woman named Ælfwyn and it seems the two women’s fates are intertwined.
The Awakenings started off strong with witty dialogue and a fast-paced and enticing plot. However, as the book progressed it began to get bogged down by dramatic conspiracies and over-complications. Olwen started off as a compelling protagonist but went on to spend the majority of the book completely without agency being passed around from place to place like a sack of grain.
I felt as though The Awakenings could have gone somewhere very interesting with its references to Anglo-Saxon history, which is something I personally haven’t seen a lot of in historical fiction, but it almost felt as though the book didn’t trust itself to be good enough and instead turned to more dramatised plot-lines for shock value.
Oddly, whilst I felt the chemistry between Wyn and Heri, Olwen and John’s relationship didn’t have that same chemistry for me.
Overall, although I enjoyed this book, I felt the first third had a lot of intrigue and potential that I think would have been better served in another direction.
I think I liked this book more for revealing to me that Anglo-Saxon historical fiction is something I might enjoy than I did for the book itself. The premise of this book is intriguing, and it started off promising, but ultimately it became over-complicated and convoluted.
Following the death of her younger brothers and father Olwen Malkon is sent to live with her uncle until she reaches her majority. Olwen begins to have strange dreams recalling the similar experiences of a woman named Ælfwyn and it seems the two women’s fates are intertwined.
The Awakenings started off strong with witty dialogue and a fast-paced and enticing plot. However, as the book progressed it began to get bogged down by dramatic conspiracies and over-complications. Olwen started off as a compelling protagonist but went on to spend the majority of the book completely without agency being passed around from place to place like a sack of grain.
I felt as though The Awakenings could have gone somewhere very interesting with its references to Anglo-Saxon history, which is something I personally haven’t seen a lot of in historical fiction, but it almost felt as though the book didn’t trust itself to be good enough and instead turned to more dramatised plot-lines for shock value.
Oddly, whilst I felt the chemistry between Wyn and Heri, Olwen and John’s relationship didn’t have that same chemistry for me.
Overall, although I enjoyed this book, I felt the first third had a lot of intrigue and potential that I think would have been better served in another direction.
January 28, 2022
Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and Sarah Maine for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.
As a fan of dual time line books and historical fiction, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to review this book. The story is centred around Olwyn Malkon, a young heiress to her family home, who is forced to live with Uncle’s family after losing her father and brothers in tragic circumstances.
I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of life in her Uncle’s vicarage, which included the wicked Aunt, an obsessed Bishop, the cruel cousin who is desperate to marry Olwyn and gain her inheritance for himself and the periods of strange dreams which develop into the dual time line with persons and events linked to Olwyn’s current situation.
This book stands out from other dual timeline books by being set in the Victorian era with references to laudanum, female hysteria, asylums and hypnosis which brings depth to the story. It is obviously very well researched and very well written.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will definitely explore the author’s other books. Additionally, the cover of this book looks beautiful and as a fan of special edition hardback it would be a book that I would buy for myself and gift to others.
As a fan of dual time line books and historical fiction, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to review this book. The story is centred around Olwyn Malkon, a young heiress to her family home, who is forced to live with Uncle’s family after losing her father and brothers in tragic circumstances.
I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of life in her Uncle’s vicarage, which included the wicked Aunt, an obsessed Bishop, the cruel cousin who is desperate to marry Olwyn and gain her inheritance for himself and the periods of strange dreams which develop into the dual time line with persons and events linked to Olwyn’s current situation.
This book stands out from other dual timeline books by being set in the Victorian era with references to laudanum, female hysteria, asylums and hypnosis which brings depth to the story. It is obviously very well researched and very well written.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will definitely explore the author’s other books. Additionally, the cover of this book looks beautiful and as a fan of special edition hardback it would be a book that I would buy for myself and gift to others.
July 9, 2024
I have read and enjoyed several books by this author but this one disappointed me rather.
With a dual timeline, and the two segueing sometimes mid scene (similar to some of Barbara Erskine’s books), excellent depiction of era and setting and some compelling characters, I should have loved every minute of it. I’m sorry to say I think that this book was let down by its editor. It wasn’t tight enough and there was some sloppiness that really riled. ‘Was sat’ and ‘was stood’ as opposed to ‘was seated or sitting’, ‘was standing’ made my teeth feel furry, plus the overuse of the past continuous, ‘was sweeping’ rather than the neater, cleaner, ‘swept’, ‘was running’ rather than the swifter ‘ran’, especially when there was no sudden interruption to these activities to justify the use of the tense.
I know I sound like a pedant. I AM a pedant, but I’m also a writer who has learned at the feet on my own excellent editor how prose can be better. Maine has a highly respected mainstream publisher at her back and doesn’t (as I do) have to pay her editor out of her own pocket. She’s an excellent storyteller. Her fiction, and her readers, deserve better.
With a dual timeline, and the two segueing sometimes mid scene (similar to some of Barbara Erskine’s books), excellent depiction of era and setting and some compelling characters, I should have loved every minute of it. I’m sorry to say I think that this book was let down by its editor. It wasn’t tight enough and there was some sloppiness that really riled. ‘Was sat’ and ‘was stood’ as opposed to ‘was seated or sitting’, ‘was standing’ made my teeth feel furry, plus the overuse of the past continuous, ‘was sweeping’ rather than the neater, cleaner, ‘swept’, ‘was running’ rather than the swifter ‘ran’, especially when there was no sudden interruption to these activities to justify the use of the tense.
I know I sound like a pedant. I AM a pedant, but I’m also a writer who has learned at the feet on my own excellent editor how prose can be better. Maine has a highly respected mainstream publisher at her back and doesn’t (as I do) have to pay her editor out of her own pocket. She’s an excellent storyteller. Her fiction, and her readers, deserve better.
March 18, 2022
Two women divided by century, two women I liked and rooted for them.
It's an excellent historical fiction with some paranormal aspects. You don't know what's real or not, and it's hard to trust anyone when they think you're histeric.
The authro did an excellent job in developing plot and characters, the storytelling is excellent and the plot flows.
Riventing, compelling, and gripping.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's an excellent historical fiction with some paranormal aspects. You don't know what's real or not, and it's hard to trust anyone when they think you're histeric.
The authro did an excellent job in developing plot and characters, the storytelling is excellent and the plot flows.
Riventing, compelling, and gripping.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 20, 2022
Loved it
Another great read by Sarah Maine, the way multiple stories in time entangle and as you read become straight, the descriptions of the landscapes are always flawless. I will continue to read Sarah maine until her last book and devour every word!
Another great read by Sarah Maine, the way multiple stories in time entangle and as you read become straight, the descriptions of the landscapes are always flawless. I will continue to read Sarah maine until her last book and devour every word!
March 16, 2022
Yorkshire, 1890 and Olwen Malkon has to move into her uncle’s vicarage after losing her father and two younger brothers in quick succession. There she starts having dreams about a woman in the 8th Century whose life starts to mirror her own. When these episodes lead to her family treating her as hysterical, she turns to her friends and the local Doctor Osbourne for help.
I really enjoyed the dual timeline aspect of this novel, especially as very little historical fiction is set in the times of the Anglo-Saxons. The moving between time periods was very well done and never seemed clunky or abrupt. It started off well as we met Olwen’s hideous family which led to some humour and we gained a sense of the type of character Olwen was. However, the pacing slowed down somewhat in the middle third and I found myself getting impatient.
The vicar’s family were somewhat stereotypical with the evil aunt and the lecherous and profligate cousin, both intent on getting their hands on Olwen’s inheritance. The standout characters were definitely Celia and Gussie, Olwen’s former governess and her girlfriend who basically stole every scene they were in. Doctor Osbourne, the love interest of the book was fine but he felt a bit too bland, a little bit too flawless for him to be truly interesting.
The plot was good, not so much around the central mystery of the book, which was blatantly obvious, but more to see how they would get Olwen away from her family into safety. The novel highlighted just how difficult it was for young women to decide on their own course in life and how easy it was for people to take advantage of them. The diagnosis of moral insanity and Olwen’s subsequent admittance into a mental health facility felt all too real.
Overall I did enjoy this book, I just felt that Olwen could have been a stronger protagonist as she spent much of her time either trapped somewhere or unconscious. The love story also didn’t really do it for me but if you enjoy historical fiction with a splash of romance than this might be the book for you.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book
I really enjoyed the dual timeline aspect of this novel, especially as very little historical fiction is set in the times of the Anglo-Saxons. The moving between time periods was very well done and never seemed clunky or abrupt. It started off well as we met Olwen’s hideous family which led to some humour and we gained a sense of the type of character Olwen was. However, the pacing slowed down somewhat in the middle third and I found myself getting impatient.
The vicar’s family were somewhat stereotypical with the evil aunt and the lecherous and profligate cousin, both intent on getting their hands on Olwen’s inheritance. The standout characters were definitely Celia and Gussie, Olwen’s former governess and her girlfriend who basically stole every scene they were in. Doctor Osbourne, the love interest of the book was fine but he felt a bit too bland, a little bit too flawless for him to be truly interesting.
The plot was good, not so much around the central mystery of the book, which was blatantly obvious, but more to see how they would get Olwen away from her family into safety. The novel highlighted just how difficult it was for young women to decide on their own course in life and how easy it was for people to take advantage of them. The diagnosis of moral insanity and Olwen’s subsequent admittance into a mental health facility felt all too real.
Overall I did enjoy this book, I just felt that Olwen could have been a stronger protagonist as she spent much of her time either trapped somewhere or unconscious. The love story also didn’t really do it for me but if you enjoy historical fiction with a splash of romance than this might be the book for you.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book
March 17, 2022
Sarah Maine has long been a favorite author of mine as she incorporates Gothic undertones in her novels. I was excited to read her latest,The Awakenings.
The Awakenings is a dual Time-Slip novel. In late Victorian times we have Olwen Malkon, the heiress whose young brothers and father have recently passed away in tragic circumstances, and she is now living with her uncle and his family in the local vicarage, until she is able to come of age and take ahold of her inheritence. Due to the stress of the death of her family and the machinations of her aunt and cousin, Olwen starts to experience visions and dreams of a young woman in Anglo-Saxon times. With her aunt drugging her, and her vicar uncle thinking she is possessed by the devil, all is not looking well for Olwen or her mental health. Enter Dr. John Osborne the local physician whose interest in psychiarty, and Olwen gives her the chance to maybe survive and understand what is happening.
In Anglo-Saxon times we have Aelwyn, known as Wyn, the daughter of the local King. In these times being a King is a precarious position and Aelwyn soons finds that even the closest to her cannot always be trusted. She meets Osher, the grandson of a local lord and the two fall in love, will they be able to get their happily ever after in the turbulent times they live in?
As the two storylines meld via the visions and dreams that Olwen and John share, we see how the crimes of the past reveberate down the centuries. I loved the different time periods and how the characters from the past echoed the characters in the Victorian Era.
If you are a fan of Barbara Erskine or Susanna Kearsley, this is a book for you.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Hodder and Stoughton, and the author for the chance to read and review this book.
The Awakenings is a dual Time-Slip novel. In late Victorian times we have Olwen Malkon, the heiress whose young brothers and father have recently passed away in tragic circumstances, and she is now living with her uncle and his family in the local vicarage, until she is able to come of age and take ahold of her inheritence. Due to the stress of the death of her family and the machinations of her aunt and cousin, Olwen starts to experience visions and dreams of a young woman in Anglo-Saxon times. With her aunt drugging her, and her vicar uncle thinking she is possessed by the devil, all is not looking well for Olwen or her mental health. Enter Dr. John Osborne the local physician whose interest in psychiarty, and Olwen gives her the chance to maybe survive and understand what is happening.
In Anglo-Saxon times we have Aelwyn, known as Wyn, the daughter of the local King. In these times being a King is a precarious position and Aelwyn soons finds that even the closest to her cannot always be trusted. She meets Osher, the grandson of a local lord and the two fall in love, will they be able to get their happily ever after in the turbulent times they live in?
As the two storylines meld via the visions and dreams that Olwen and John share, we see how the crimes of the past reveberate down the centuries. I loved the different time periods and how the characters from the past echoed the characters in the Victorian Era.
If you are a fan of Barbara Erskine or Susanna Kearsley, this is a book for you.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Hodder and Stoughton, and the author for the chance to read and review this book.
June 4, 2023
In The Awakenings Sarah Maine, author of The House Between Tides and Women of the Dunes, has once again weaved a haunting tale of love that reverberates across time. Set in 1890 in York, it’s the story of a woman who experiences a strange psychic connection with a woman of the Anglo-Saxon past who fell in love with a man at a time when women could not choose who they wanted to marry but were seen as pawns in power plays made by the men around them. Meanwhile, in 1890 Olwen also finds herself manipulated by others, in this case relatives intent on gaining control of her property through an unwanted marriage or any other way they can achieve their unscrupulous ends after her father and two younger brothers die. A young doctor interested in the new ideas of men like Freud tries to help her but runs afoul of the relatives. It’s a race to see whether the young doctor can save her or if she’ll end up married to a man who will mistreat her or even confined in an insane asylum. The novel gives us two parallel stories and the mystery of the connection Olwen feels with the woman of the past. It reminded me a bit of Daphne du Maurier’s The House on the Strand, in which a man imagines he is able to step into the past. I look forward to what Sarah Maine will write next.
April 7, 2022
This entertaining and immersive novel is a good fun read – if a little preposterous at times. It tells the story of Olwen Malkon, a young woman left orphaned and bereaved after the death of her father and the tragic drowning of her younger brothers. Six months short of gaining her majority she has no choice but to go and live with her vicar uncle’s cold and self-seeking family. Once there she finds herself prey to some vivid dreams or perhaps hallucinations after collapsing in terror in the church at Sunday service. She’s attended by a local doctor, who then finds himself drawn into her dream world. The dual timeline is cleverly integrated into the main narrative, as Olwen’s dreams take on substance and she finds herself identifying with an Anglo-Saxon young woman equally beset by circumstances outside her control. The Anglo-Saxon episodes were a bit drawn-out and repetitive but Olwen’s plight in the hands of the medical authorities and the treatment of “hysterical” young women is well described and chilling indeed. The plot rattles along at a good pace, the historical detail feels authentic, and although the characterisation leans towards the stereotypical there are enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and looking forward to finding out how it all pans out.
February 7, 2022
The Awakenings is a historical novel with a dual-narrative twist.
The concept has a lot of promise, but I found the execution a little formulaic. There's a lot that could have been cut back for clarity, which would also help strengthen the two linear timelines. There's an interesting mystery at the heart of the story (what really happened to Olwen's brothers), and it just needs a little more space to develop.
I really wanted to like Olwen, and to start with it seemed she had a lot of potential as a main character, but sadly she is increasingly side-lined from the action. Without want to give too much away, the story seems to be something that happens to her, while the somewhat archetypal secondary characters take a more active role. Of course in many ways this reflects the limits on female agency of the time, but it's a little extreme that the poor girl's hardly ever even conscious.
There are a lot of good ideas here, and Maine has nice lucid prose, but sadly I didn't fall in love with this historical romance.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
The concept has a lot of promise, but I found the execution a little formulaic. There's a lot that could have been cut back for clarity, which would also help strengthen the two linear timelines. There's an interesting mystery at the heart of the story (what really happened to Olwen's brothers), and it just needs a little more space to develop.
I really wanted to like Olwen, and to start with it seemed she had a lot of potential as a main character, but sadly she is increasingly side-lined from the action. Without want to give too much away, the story seems to be something that happens to her, while the somewhat archetypal secondary characters take a more active role. Of course in many ways this reflects the limits on female agency of the time, but it's a little extreme that the poor girl's hardly ever even conscious.
There are a lot of good ideas here, and Maine has nice lucid prose, but sadly I didn't fall in love with this historical romance.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
February 18, 2022
This is a fascinating book telling the two stories that somehow merge into one a thousand years apart. The past is the 8th century, the present, the late nineteenth century. Olwen Malkon is sent to live with her uncle's family after her father's death and the drowning of her younger brothers. She begins to experience strange episodes where her alter ego is the daughter of an 8th century king and there seems to be no knowing when these episodes will occur. Her behaviour sparks the interest of local doctor, John Osborne with whom she seems to have strange affinity. The author manages to intertwine the two timelines almost seamlessly as danger and treachery begin to threaten. After a relatively slow start the story quickly picked up pace as Olwen's dreams become more frequent and her family begins to question her sanity and I was absolutely hooked. The introduction of Olwen's former governess Celia and her partner Gussie livened things up even more. Both historical periods were brought to life with skill and the conclusion was satisfying and credible. Part historical, part psychological drama and part mystery, the book has encouraged me to seek out more of this author's work.
March 17, 2022
This dual time story has one foot firmly placed in the Victorian era as we meet Olwen Malkon who has recently come to live with her uncle, aunt and cousins in a vicarage in Yorkshire. Grieving the loss of her own family Olwen is troubled by dark thoughts, which is especially interesting to local doctor, John Osborne, whose interest in the mind, and all its manifestations, is particularly relevant.
Whilst the story captures the restricted atmosphere of the Victorian era with all its prejudices and stifling morality, it also take us further back to the more interesting time of the Anglo-Saxons, and with links which binds Olwen to both her past and her present.
The story gets off to an interesting start, I enjoyed reading about of Olwen's new life at the Vicarage especially as she becomes more and more drawn into her past life as the daughter of a long forgotten Anglo-Saxon King. Both time elements are well done and the thread that binds the two periods in history together has been done in an imaginative way.
I was initially drawn to the story by the book's striking cover and I'm pleased that the timeslip story inside the cover lived up to my expectations.
Whilst the story captures the restricted atmosphere of the Victorian era with all its prejudices and stifling morality, it also take us further back to the more interesting time of the Anglo-Saxons, and with links which binds Olwen to both her past and her present.
The story gets off to an interesting start, I enjoyed reading about of Olwen's new life at the Vicarage especially as she becomes more and more drawn into her past life as the daughter of a long forgotten Anglo-Saxon King. Both time elements are well done and the thread that binds the two periods in history together has been done in an imaginative way.
I was initially drawn to the story by the book's striking cover and I'm pleased that the timeslip story inside the cover lived up to my expectations.
April 8, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC of this book.
I loved the premise and promise of this book. A time-slip novel connecting the Victorian era NOT to the modern day, but the Anglo-Saxon era? YES PLEASE!
However, the writings and characters fell flat for me (sometimes literally) and the Victorian setting felt off for me from the moment Olwyn wandered unchaperoned with the new Doctor without her bonnet on whilst missing a church service by her Uncle and did not even consider the consequences. I understood she was grieving, but it completely ruined my immersion.
Unfortunately, the novel continued on in this vein, with various inexplicable phenomena and I felt it could have really benefitted from extra editing. For example, in various intervals at the beginning of the novel, the author's name would randomly appear within the text itself, which also did not help with my immersion issues.
Overall, I felt the bones of the story were here, but the writing and presentation really let the novel down. In conclusion, 'The Awakenings' definitely did not have me staying awake in anticipation for its upcoming plot developments.
I loved the premise and promise of this book. A time-slip novel connecting the Victorian era NOT to the modern day, but the Anglo-Saxon era? YES PLEASE!
However, the writings and characters fell flat for me (sometimes literally) and the Victorian setting felt off for me from the moment Olwyn wandered unchaperoned with the new Doctor without her bonnet on whilst missing a church service by her Uncle and did not even consider the consequences. I understood she was grieving, but it completely ruined my immersion.
Unfortunately, the novel continued on in this vein, with various inexplicable phenomena and I felt it could have really benefitted from extra editing. For example, in various intervals at the beginning of the novel, the author's name would randomly appear within the text itself, which also did not help with my immersion issues.
Overall, I felt the bones of the story were here, but the writing and presentation really let the novel down. In conclusion, 'The Awakenings' definitely did not have me staying awake in anticipation for its upcoming plot developments.
February 2, 2022
The Awakenings by Sarah Maine
Yorkshire, 1890. Having lost her father and brothers in tragic circumstances, Olwen Malkon is forced to leave her childhood home to live with her uncle's family. In his chill vicarage, however, she fears that she is also losing her mind, as strange dreams take her into the life of Ælfwyn, a woman from a distant past whose fate is overshadowed by menace and betrayal.
In the grip of these afflictions, Olwen finds sympathy with the local doctor, John Osbourne, who is intrigued by her case. Suspecting darker undercurrents are at work, John comes into conflict with Olwen's family, who dismiss her as a hysteric and, when he seeks to protect her, with the law.
Such a wonderful yet at times , heartbreaking story. We follow Olsen who is Sent to live with her uncle. Life is not easy for Olsen and the threat of being sent to the mad house as many women were if deemed strong willed and not always bending to their male family members demands.
Yorkshire, 1890. Having lost her father and brothers in tragic circumstances, Olwen Malkon is forced to leave her childhood home to live with her uncle's family. In his chill vicarage, however, she fears that she is also losing her mind, as strange dreams take her into the life of Ælfwyn, a woman from a distant past whose fate is overshadowed by menace and betrayal.
In the grip of these afflictions, Olwen finds sympathy with the local doctor, John Osbourne, who is intrigued by her case. Suspecting darker undercurrents are at work, John comes into conflict with Olwen's family, who dismiss her as a hysteric and, when he seeks to protect her, with the law.
Such a wonderful yet at times , heartbreaking story. We follow Olsen who is Sent to live with her uncle. Life is not easy for Olsen and the threat of being sent to the mad house as many women were if deemed strong willed and not always bending to their male family members demands.
March 23, 2025
I have enjoyed other books by Sarah Maine - The House between Tides, The Women of the Dunes, Beyond the Wild River and especially The Forgotten Shore - but I was very disappointed with this one. The heroine was insipid and spent most of the time either dreaming, unconscious or raving. The doctor was boring. The only interesting characters were Celia and especially Gussie. However, Professor Brandt was a good addition, from a place and time that was beginning to develop psychoanalysis, but I felt he was underused. I also didn't buy the time travelling and the fact that the doctor had the same dreams as Olwen. This was never explained; a vaguely supernatural effect was suggested. It seemed like a very clunky way to introduce a time slip story, as if the author couldn't come up with anything more plausible.
March 25, 2022
I think I l enjoyed this book for all the wrong reasons , like another reader I found this book more interesting because it was Anglo-Saxon historical fiction and I enjoyed this, but not so much the actual book, which I found to be overly complicated and a bit slow at times. I felt as though The Awakenings could have gone been very interesting beyond its references to Anglo-Saxon history, but it just went for overly complicated and dramatised plot for what I felt was shock value and not actual gain to the story or the author. Overall, although I did enjoy this I think would have been better served going in another direction than the drama and shock value that it did
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
August 8, 2022
I adored every single page of this. Right from the start I was drawn in, all the way to the end. Historical fiction is my weakness and this book did not disappoint. A quarter of the way in, I could already feel that it was going to be a 5-star book for me.
It's not often I enjoy a dual timeline so thoroughly - I tend to find one much more tedious than the other.
The pace might be slow for some people, but it was absolutely perfect for me. The slow, tense unfolding of each character and the plot was absolutely delicious and I didn't want to stop reading, while also simultaneously not wanting it to end.
The romance was beautifully done, though the book delivers much more than just that.
It's not often I enjoy a dual timeline so thoroughly - I tend to find one much more tedious than the other.
The pace might be slow for some people, but it was absolutely perfect for me. The slow, tense unfolding of each character and the plot was absolutely delicious and I didn't want to stop reading, while also simultaneously not wanting it to end.
The romance was beautifully done, though the book delivers much more than just that.
May 16, 2023
Slightly gothic, somewhat historical novel exploring how timelines converge in a dream-world but which eventually plays out to a reality; no spoilers here. The story is set in late Victorian England, some might be troubled by the narrative concerning treatment of mental patients, especially some outdated 'Victoriana' about feeblemindedess in women, but most of the story focusses on a young female whose dream world starts to tangle with her reality - there's a happy ending so it's not too spooky, and a murder mystery gets solved too --- what's not to like if you're open to spirits from the past, the power of suggestion, and the possibilities of time travel.
February 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, it was well written with well developed and sometimes heartbreaking characters, a well written and heartwrenching storyline with a dual timeline which really added an extra layer to the story as it allowed me to feel like i really knew and could relate to the characters. I really enjoyed it.
February 26, 2022
I loved the way the author combines two timelines separated by a thousand years by connecting characters and places. The storytelling and pacing is great too and kept me reading on as the two parallel stories unfolded. Would recommend to anyone who likes historical fiction with a strong sense of place as well as those who enjoy Victorian-set stories and detective fiction.
April 10, 2023
unique plot, i loved the idea of two women connected through the betrayal and misogynistic-laced harships they faced. however, i found the story to be too slow and drawn out, making it hard to read. it put me into a reading slump. there seemed to be unnecessary chapters and events that gave me a sense of hopelessness, both with the plot and in finishing the book.
April 17, 2023
I almost gave up on this near the start as a story line with odd old English names began to be woven in and I thought it was going to go down the path of fantasy which is not my thing. However I love all her other books and so continued and it was just superb. I am so glad I didn’t stop. She is a wonderful writer
March 11, 2024
Oh 😔 was really hoping to like this! Its sounded like something I would like and I loved her other book ‘The House Between Tides’ so much. This was a dnf for me quite early on as found it so slow and a little dull tbh. I will however try another of her books to see if there are others I will love as I do enjoy her atmospheric style
October 17, 2025
3.5🌟
Stories do have a weird way of repeating themselves!
“‘Two magnetic materials are needed, after all, to create a magnet, there must be a charge between them, an irresistible attraction. And that, I observe, has also endured.’ He smiled at John’s expression, wafting away the cigar smoke. ‘Do not trouble to deny it, my friend.’
‘I don’t’, said John, returning his look.” Pg 342
Stories do have a weird way of repeating themselves!
“‘Two magnetic materials are needed, after all, to create a magnet, there must be a charge between them, an irresistible attraction. And that, I observe, has also endured.’ He smiled at John’s expression, wafting away the cigar smoke. ‘Do not trouble to deny it, my friend.’
‘I don’t’, said John, returning his look.” Pg 342
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