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Catherine Snow
Catherine Snow
In the eye of the rope
An exotic drama in which one man’s mysterious disappearance brings a dark end to three other people. What would it take to destroy an Irish girl who had survived famine and war in Ireland, and a hazardous journey across the Atlantic Ocean, to become a servant-wife on an island where God’s truth and the Devil’s tale are entwined as tight as the strands of a rope?
This novel is based on the true story of the last woman hanged in Britain’s oldest colony, the only woman in the colony to have a gruesome sentence – the ultimate desecration – carried out on her body.
A novel in which truth lies suspended between fact and fiction.
A haunting mystery.
In the eye of the rope
An exotic drama in which one man’s mysterious disappearance brings a dark end to three other people. What would it take to destroy an Irish girl who had survived famine and war in Ireland, and a hazardous journey across the Atlantic Ocean, to become a servant-wife on an island where God’s truth and the Devil’s tale are entwined as tight as the strands of a rope?
This novel is based on the true story of the last woman hanged in Britain’s oldest colony, the only woman in the colony to have a gruesome sentence – the ultimate desecration – carried out on her body.
A novel in which truth lies suspended between fact and fiction.
A haunting mystery.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
359 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2009
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110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
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June 30, 2010I picked this book to read because it is written by a Newfoundland author and it was based on true events in the history of Newfoundland. It tells the story of the last woman hanged in Newfoundland.
The book was fairly interesting but I struggled with it because of the usual bit of crudeness that is common in books by Newfoundland authors.
There were some points of the books that I did note to mention:
When John's mother died and he seemed to forget all about her Catherine worried that "She'd have children, grow old, die, and when someone asked about her, her children would shrug." I understand that worry.
Apparently "bastard" means a crudely built boat. I'd only ever known the other meaning and learned this meaning in the book when Catherine "..decided that she would never use that word again no matter whose voice branded children born out of wedlock as bastards. God Gives life, she thought, and one life is no purer than another. I'll not be insulting Him or the babes. Our children may be born outside of the law, but not outside of God's grace."
I found it amusing when a woman saw a bra Catherine had fashioned. Catherine explained that it was "...to hold up me breasts and not have them bouncing from on thing to another." the woman commented "You should let them hang the way God meant, not have them shamelessly perched, their shape plain for all and sundry to see." I like the way that lady thinks. :)
I was surprised to find in the book a scene that I had heard as a joke and I wonder if the joke originated from this book. The priest visit Catherine and John and asks if it's rabbit he smell cooking in their pot. John responds that it's fish but the priest says it smells like rabbit. "John reached with a cup of water. "Once a rabbit now a fish." He lifted a mocking eyebrow and with a mocking smile added, "When you baptized me, you used your holy water to pronounce, 'Once a Protestant now a Cartlic." It's just as easy for this rabbit to become a fish as it is for you to turn me into a Cartlic with your holy water.""
I love this quote from Catherine "A wonderful thing 'tis to do well in life, but 'tis better to do good."
The book was fairly interesting but I struggled with it because of the usual bit of crudeness that is common in books by Newfoundland authors.
There were some points of the books that I did note to mention:
When John's mother died and he seemed to forget all about her Catherine worried that "She'd have children, grow old, die, and when someone asked about her, her children would shrug." I understand that worry.
Apparently "bastard" means a crudely built boat. I'd only ever known the other meaning and learned this meaning in the book when Catherine "..decided that she would never use that word again no matter whose voice branded children born out of wedlock as bastards. God Gives life, she thought, and one life is no purer than another. I'll not be insulting Him or the babes. Our children may be born outside of the law, but not outside of God's grace."
I found it amusing when a woman saw a bra Catherine had fashioned. Catherine explained that it was "...to hold up me breasts and not have them bouncing from on thing to another." the woman commented "You should let them hang the way God meant, not have them shamelessly perched, their shape plain for all and sundry to see." I like the way that lady thinks. :)
I was surprised to find in the book a scene that I had heard as a joke and I wonder if the joke originated from this book. The priest visit Catherine and John and asks if it's rabbit he smell cooking in their pot. John responds that it's fish but the priest says it smells like rabbit. "John reached with a cup of water. "Once a rabbit now a fish." He lifted a mocking eyebrow and with a mocking smile added, "When you baptized me, you used your holy water to pronounce, 'Once a Protestant now a Cartlic." It's just as easy for this rabbit to become a fish as it is for you to turn me into a Cartlic with your holy water.""
I love this quote from Catherine "A wonderful thing 'tis to do well in life, but 'tis better to do good."
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July 25, 2011An exotic drama in which one,s man disappearance brings a dark end to three other people. What would it take to destroy an Irish girl who had survived famine and war in Ireland , and a hazardous journey across the Atlantic Ocean to become a servant - wife on an island where God,s truth and the Devil,s tale are entwined as tight as the strands of a rope . What is the real story of John Snow,s disappearance and why is there no more investigation into the matter by the police at the time , there seems to be nasty work on the go by someone in authority to get John,s property and get him out of the way .
November 21, 2014
Strowbridge has definite eloquent writing skills, coupling beautiful metaphors and imagery to paint scenes of deep human change (like when Maria revisited the plantation at the end). The pre-story of Catherine's life with John in CBS was disappointingly vague and rushed. There were multiple children born in single chapters, for example. These time laspses were poorly executed and left the overall bulk of the story empty and while Strowbridge did use actual historical records for the trial and execution I feel she could have been more creative with the back story(I mean, I could have pieced most of her daily life together by stringing evidence from other women of the time and region). I did not get the sense that John was up to no good in his dealings with the merchants, the Snow's enviable fortune, John's relationship with townsfolk and other plantars nor did I sense that John's and Catherine's marriage was strained more than the occasional forced sexual act and verbal abuse. All of these important pieces could have been better strung out to allow the reader a better act of judgement in the later accusations of murder.
The final section of the book deals with the charges against Catherine, Tobias and Arthur. It is in this section that the historical record is used. For obvious reasons, the first 2/3's of the novel are created as a misty fiction as there is no record of the dialogue or day to day dealings of these folks. One of the discussion questions at the very end of the story asks if you felt the historical record has changed the public view of Catherine after reading this book. My answer is simply no because while this is an acceptable and easier to attain medium for reading lengthy court and newspaper records the author's backstory was no more than a hasty spilling of kids and rushed chronology of a fictional routine. After reading this book I still don't know Catherine Snow like I expected I would when I bought it. I wanted to get a better sense of the woman who was before just a name. I first heard of Catherine when I walked the Haunted Hike almost 10 years ago, Jarvis mentioned she was the last woman hanged in Newfoundland and pointed to the gallows she swung from at the St. John's courthouse; who was this woman? What was her life really like? What role did she have in the disappearance of her husband? For these questions I have an idea now, so for that I give this book 4 stars. Catherine is still a woman from Salmon Cove who was reduced to nothing more than a raging criminal- taken by a sick judge and sentenced to hang and then be quartered leaving behind a gaggle of kids for good Christians to rear.
The final section of the book deals with the charges against Catherine, Tobias and Arthur. It is in this section that the historical record is used. For obvious reasons, the first 2/3's of the novel are created as a misty fiction as there is no record of the dialogue or day to day dealings of these folks. One of the discussion questions at the very end of the story asks if you felt the historical record has changed the public view of Catherine after reading this book. My answer is simply no because while this is an acceptable and easier to attain medium for reading lengthy court and newspaper records the author's backstory was no more than a hasty spilling of kids and rushed chronology of a fictional routine. After reading this book I still don't know Catherine Snow like I expected I would when I bought it. I wanted to get a better sense of the woman who was before just a name. I first heard of Catherine when I walked the Haunted Hike almost 10 years ago, Jarvis mentioned she was the last woman hanged in Newfoundland and pointed to the gallows she swung from at the St. John's courthouse; who was this woman? What was her life really like? What role did she have in the disappearance of her husband? For these questions I have an idea now, so for that I give this book 4 stars. Catherine is still a woman from Salmon Cove who was reduced to nothing more than a raging criminal- taken by a sick judge and sentenced to hang and then be quartered leaving behind a gaggle of kids for good Christians to rear.
November 16, 2010
I was suprised how much I actually liked this book. I tend to hate the way Newfoundland books are often written with the characters' exagerated speech patterns, but this book really kept my attention. It did seem to get close to the experiences a lot of outport women must have had in the 1800s. I didn't quite get a handle on the exact nature of John and Catherine's relationship - was it purely of convenience or was there any affection there at all? I was appalled that three people would be convicted and executed on so little evidence and at how poorly they were represented in court. The book didn't answer any questions for me and I am still wondering if she really did it and what the real motive might have been.
September 12, 2012
Amazing true story, sad.
April 5, 2012
"The story is a gripping one and a very clear picture of what life in the early 1800s in Newfoundland was like for a woman." -- The Northeast Avalon Times
"The balance between fiction and reality provide the reader with an opportunity to empathize with Catherine and her family while obtaining an account of what is known historically." -- Atlantic Books Today
"Catherine Snow is well written and doesn't get bogged down by history. The story of this woman's life and how it seemed to be determined by events out of her control is never lost. Strowbridge writes interesting characters — particularly the female ones." -- The Chronicle Herald
"There are many — this writer included – who now consider Newfoundland to be the epicentre of the country's narrative voice and a key component of our national identity. Some say it is a sense of community, others point to the area's inspiring landscape, while others cite the province's Celtic storytelling roots. All three of those elements come to play in Catherine Snow, the fictionalized account of one young Irish girl's tryst with tragedy." -- The Chronicle Herald
"A fascinating novel." -- New Glasgow News
"An exotic tale of a woman's tragedy and how the actions of others can result in disaster, Strowbridge gives a true description of Newfoundland in the 19th century, as well as explicit detail into the last moments of a woman's life." -- Current
"The balance between fiction and reality provide the reader with an opportunity to empathize with Catherine and her family while obtaining an account of what is known historically." -- Atlantic Books Today
"Catherine Snow is well written and doesn't get bogged down by history. The story of this woman's life and how it seemed to be determined by events out of her control is never lost. Strowbridge writes interesting characters — particularly the female ones." -- The Chronicle Herald
"There are many — this writer included – who now consider Newfoundland to be the epicentre of the country's narrative voice and a key component of our national identity. Some say it is a sense of community, others point to the area's inspiring landscape, while others cite the province's Celtic storytelling roots. All three of those elements come to play in Catherine Snow, the fictionalized account of one young Irish girl's tryst with tragedy." -- The Chronicle Herald
"A fascinating novel." -- New Glasgow News
"An exotic tale of a woman's tragedy and how the actions of others can result in disaster, Strowbridge gives a true description of Newfoundland in the 19th century, as well as explicit detail into the last moments of a woman's life." -- Current
April 26, 2014
What a book! Am still thinking about it. Even though it's fiction it is based on a real life happening in Canada's history.
I love the little ditties written in it:
The Irish blessing and curse, :If women goes to their men on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday - will live longer than their men. If they goes to the men Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, the men won't love them. Saturday is a common day, lucky for both of them."
"You imp of Satan, Your tongue is longer than your tail."
"If I'm frightened by a wasp the baby'll be born with a birthmark shaped like a wasp."
Couldn't find the definition to the word pisogery - except for in an excerpt that makes it sound like a fairy enchantment.
Glac bog an saol agus glacfaidh an saol bog tu - Take the world foine and aisy and the world will take you the same.
"Jack's temper is on the boil."
And the best one, "Don't marry a short person. Hes brains's too close to his rump."
I love the little ditties written in it:
The Irish blessing and curse, :If women goes to their men on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday - will live longer than their men. If they goes to the men Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, the men won't love them. Saturday is a common day, lucky for both of them."
"You imp of Satan, Your tongue is longer than your tail."
"If I'm frightened by a wasp the baby'll be born with a birthmark shaped like a wasp."
Couldn't find the definition to the word pisogery - except for in an excerpt that makes it sound like a fairy enchantment.
Glac bog an saol agus glacfaidh an saol bog tu - Take the world foine and aisy and the world will take you the same.
"Jack's temper is on the boil."
And the best one, "Don't marry a short person. Hes brains's too close to his rump."
December 9, 2021
Love this book. But then I am a fan of Nellie Strowbridge and have read just about everything she's written.
This novel is not for the faint of heart. Strowbridge has gleaned all the facts of the case of Catherine Snow from court records and has woven a tale of this woman that will break your heart. From the hardships of entering a new land alone and frightened to the loss of a well-loved family, from the abuse of a woman, her children, and servants to the slanted trial and sentencing, Catherine Snow's life is not easy. The author brings this woman to the page in such a way that the reader is caught, not wanting to put down the book even though her end is clear and haunting.
This novel is not for the faint of heart. Strowbridge has gleaned all the facts of the case of Catherine Snow from court records and has woven a tale of this woman that will break your heart. From the hardships of entering a new land alone and frightened to the loss of a well-loved family, from the abuse of a woman, her children, and servants to the slanted trial and sentencing, Catherine Snow's life is not easy. The author brings this woman to the page in such a way that the reader is caught, not wanting to put down the book even though her end is clear and haunting.
September 1, 2021
This book was a great read and it highlighted the miscarriage of justice that happened to Catherine Snow, Arthur Spring and Tobias Mandeville. Neither of them got a fair trial, the evidence was non-existent and they were rail-roaded through court. Sad state of affairs but very well-written account.
May 9, 2010
This book is about an orphaned Irish girl who emigrates to Newfoundland.It deals with her life & marriage as she raises a large family. She was the last woman hung in Newfoundland.
October 6, 2016
This is among the best novels that Flanker Press has published.
February 10, 2023
I enjoyed the storyline of this one and love reading about the history of certain places. After I read it I tend to do a bit more research on the topic to see if anything was missed. I was much more interested in the second half of the book. The first part was a bit slow going. However I can’t wait to read the sequel when I get it for Christmas next year lol.
July 28, 2023
The first half of the book is a lot of back story but it’s worth it, to get to the second half. It’s very well written. I found some of it a little heavy at times but the events of the book are just how things happened in the day so I was mentally prepared. I have the sequel and really looking forward to getting that started. Overall really great read!
November 14, 2019
So glad that this poor woman's story is not forgotten. It's important that such lives be remembered.
February 18, 2024
This book was a slog .. so slow moving. And less about the trial and more about a fictionalized Catherine Snow. I was bored reading this.
May 8, 2012
A heartbreaking story, but too long. There is only so much Newfoundland kitchen and wharf life that is interesting and fun. The court drama and her imprisonment are extremely well told.
July 2, 2012
Very good (and true) story but there wasn't much suspense when the cover said "The Story of the Last Woman Hung in Newfoundland".
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews