Maybelle Wallis has written an astonishingly powerful debut in Heart of Cruelty. Set in Victorian Birmingham amongst the factories and foundries at the height of Britain's industrial power, Jane Verity is the daughter of well to do London folk but has fallen on hard times. When her lover; charismatic actor Edmund leaves her alone and pregnant she has no choice but to give birth in the Workhouse. Her experience in the workhouse is one of unimaginable cruelty and loss. Offered a job by coroner Dr. William Doughty Jane seizes the chance to escape but Jane's curious nature will not allow her to forget her friend Theresa who died broken and alone in the workhouse nor Edmund the man she still believes will return for her. The workhouse is run by the brother in law of her new employer Mr. Glyde and although Jane is out of the workhouse she is not out of his reach. Maybelle Wallis has created a powerful portrait of evil and cruelty in Glyde and of heroism in Jane and Doughty. Heart of Cruelty is a gothic historical novel ideal for fans of Laura Purcell, Sarah Perry and Essie Fox. Heart of Cruelty is Published by Poolbeg Press and available now. Maybelle Wallis is a new voice to watch in historical fiction.
Thanks to Amy Bruno at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.
Comments
Post a Comment