GILLESPIE AND I by JANE HARRIS

GILLESPIE AND I

BY JANE HARRIS

THE BLURB:-

1933, London. Harriet Baxter decides to put straight, once and for all, the truth about her life and the fate of an artist called Ned Gillespie.

Decades earlier, Harriet arrives in Glasgow in time for the International Exhibition. A young art lover of independent means, Harriet becomes friend and champion to the up-and-coming painter Ned Gillespie. She is embraced by his extended, somewhat troubled family and soon becomes a fixture in their lives. But when tragedy strikes the Gillespies, Harriet's connection with them disintegrates into mystery, deception and potentially life-changing accusations.

THE REALITY:-

Wow! This was one huge tome. I was torn between finding it long-winded, yet gloriously detailed. I don't suppose you get one without the other.

Glasgow and its characters were brought magically to life, via our modern anti-heroine. She's unconventional in that she's independent, doesn't want to be married, and she does thoroughly modern things for a woman in 1888, such as (shock, horror!) smoke.

A totally unique concept; the Scottish “Not Proven” verdict is not something I have ever encountered before. Fans of Carry On films will love the salacious content and language, as domestic and prison situations are bought wickedly to life.

This book will madden you, and you can really sympathize with Harriet as she gets set up, and the impotence she feels at not being able to do an awful lot about it. The is she/ isn't she question of the identity of 1933 Harriet's maid will have you turning the pages to the very end.

A good read, not for the fainthearted!