Author: Brandy Purdy
Publication Date: January 26, 2016
Publisher: Kensington
In her
enthralling, richly imagined new novel, Brandy Purdy, author of The Ripper’s
Wife, creates a compelling portrait of the real, complex woman behind an
unthinkable crime. Lizzie Borden should be one of the most fortunate young
women in Fall River, Massachusetts. Her wealthy father could easily afford to
provide his daughters with fashionable clothes, travel, and a rich, cultured
life. Instead, haunted by the ghost of childhood poverty, he forces Lizzie and
her sister, Emma, to live frugally, denying them the simplest modern
conveniences. Suitors and socializing are discouraged, as her father views all
gentleman callers as fortune hunters. Lonely and deeply unhappy, Lizzie stifles
her frustration, dreaming of the freedom that will come with her eventual inheritance.
But soon, even that chance of future independence seems about to be ripped
away. And on a stifling August day in 1892, Lizzie’s long-simmering anger
finally explodes… Vividly written and thought-provoking, The Secrets of Lizzie
Borden explores the fascinating events behind a crime that continues to grip
the public imagination—a story of how thwarted desires and desperate rage could
turn a dutiful daughter into a notorious killer.
The blood and the memories so intricately bound
they could never be divided.
No wonder I was so eager to leave, to spread my
wings and fly far, far away!
Returning to Fall River and reentering my father’s
house felt just like being found guilty of a terrible crime and being sentenced
to live out the rest of my life in a dreary prison with no amenities to make
life pleasant or even bearable.
I have always been fascinated with the story of
Lizzie Borden and I just learned two days ago about the new TV show starring
Christina Ricci. This book hit phenomenal levels with me, mainly because I got
to read it from Lizzie’s point of view. This tale is weaved with fact and
fiction. I know enough about Lizzie to be able to tell the difference, but I
must say I was shocked with how full of misery the house of Andrew Borden was.
I truly despised her father; he was strict and their mother did not do much to
make life easier for the girls. Her father’s issues strictly dictated how she
lived her life. They were forced to be outcasts. Although they were a very
wealthy family, they did not live as such. Lizzie grew up differently from other
girls her own age, and even though she is a murderer, I was still able to
connect with her and a lot of the emotions she experienced.
What I loved most about this book was finding
out what the author felt led Lizzie to commit such a heinous crime. Purdy has a
way of writing of Borden that does not make her out to be a cruel murderer.
Lizzie’s living conditions were honestly what put me on her side more than
anything. Andrew Borden had the money to afford so much more, but when you find
out how they lived you will be utterly disgusted. The book gets pretty graphic in
at least two places that I can think of. They were gory enough for me to squint
my eyes…and then reread them! I have always wondered why Lizzie committed this
crime, and after reading this book I felt entertained and educated! This was
such a great read and one that I am sure I will go back to.
***A free copy of this book was provided to me
by the publishers at Kensington in exchange for my honest review***
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