Book Review: “Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge” by Lizzie Pook
A Glorious Read?
This is something I bring up on an annual basis around this time of year, but books that are released in the wilds of January seemingly don’t have a vote of confidence from their publishers — unless, of course, the goal might be to attract a bit of press attention to an unknown author. January is a time when most people have maxed out their credit card bills for Christmas. Or it might also be a time, if you’re a book lover, when you’re reading all those books you got over the holidays and simply don’t have hours in the day for more. If it’s the latter that’s an issue, it might be a shame when it comes to reading Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge, the sophomore novel by author Lizzie Pook. It’s an intriguing read, at the very least. It has its imperfections, but there’s more than enough here to keep readers of historical fiction satisfied. The book is set in the mid-19th century, just after the Franklin expedition went missing, and is partially set in the Arctic. If anything, perhaps a January release timing might be right for this book, as it is something that will settle in your bones like a cold winter chill. (Though I’d like to try to read the book during the summer months, which might have the effect of cooling one down during a hot and muggy day.)
The story concerns a 20-year-old named Constance Horton, who disguises herself as a boy and makes her way onto a ship bound for the fabled Northwest Passage to try and find out what happened to the Franklin ships and their respective crews. She keeps a diary of her journey, which falls into the hands of her sister Maude upon the company’s return — sans Constance. It seems that she met with foul play when the ship was at sea, but no one wants to turn over a body or provide any evidence of what caused her death. Constance’s diary entries, however, point the finger at a man named Edison Stowe, who Constance discovered was involved in shady dealings with those native to the Arctic. Stowe, who is deeply in debt, is now trying to make quick money upon his return from the trip by offering travel tours from London, England, to various points in Great Britain where public hangings are to occur. Can Maude corner him to find out what happened to her slightly younger sister? Or will she fall prey to the same fate?
Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge is a book that is rich in atmosphere — it reads as though it has the feel of an old hand-drawn cartoon, such is the languorous lull of its language. It is also a book based on fact: there were indeed “sightseeing tours” of a sort to places where executions were to take place in Britain at the time of the novel’s setting. If you could say anything about this read, it is that it is unique and possibly unlike anything you’ve read before. (A show of hands: how many books have you read that combines Artic exploration with tourist packages for hangings? I’m guessing probably none.) What helps is that Edison Stowe is a formable villain, but also one who has a human face. After all, much of his predicament is predicated on the fact that he was unwise with his money, and is trying to give himself a much-needed second chance before the loan sharks circle in. However, Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge is one of those reads where you can’t think of too much, or else you might discover plot holes. For one thing, it’s never quite clear why Constance or Edison made their way onto a ship destined for one of the most remote regions of the world, other than, perhaps, adventure. If Pook did mention character motivation, then I missed it. The other liability is that the book has a saggy midsection where Maude doesn’t do a lot of protagging as a protagonist. However, these are quibbles as I imagine a lot of readers will be charmed by the setting and uniqueness of the plot. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: you probably haven’t read a book quite like this one.
In the end, Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge is a marvelous read, perfect for the winter weather that its release date will bring with it. And, after all, you must release books as a publisher in all months of the year, not just 11. To that end, this is a formidable addition to the library of curiosities for some. If you like historical facts blended into your fiction, then you’re going to appreciate and like this novel. It’s one part feminist screed, one part parlour room yarn, and one part exploration novel — all with a nifty twist or two at the end. And while Maude Horton gets what she’s looking for to an extent (not a spoiler given the book’s title), we’re given a villain to sympathize with and wonder if he is all that deserving of what justice gets meted out to him. All in all, Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge is bound to get tongues a-waggin’ in reading groups around the globe, so if you like a wintery tale on a wintery day, then this book will be the perfect tale for you. This is one cold book, but a book that goes to show that you shouldn’t be embarrassed to have a book published in the dead of winter. This is a great book for a bleak month in publishing, so if you haven’t overspent at Christmas, be sure to treat yourself to this one. It’s pretty fantastic if you overlook some of its deficiencies. To that you could say, “Brrrr.”
Lizzie Pook’s Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge will be published by Simon & Schuster on January 16, 2024.
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Get in touch: zacharyhoule@rogers.com
