In the Margins

Author: Gail Holmes 

Publisher: Ultimo Press 

 Genre: Historical Fiction, Woman’s fiction 

Year of release: 2024

Release date: 03/09/24

Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Synopsis

We are the spaces between the words. 
 
Inspired by a real person, In the Margins is the story of spirited book-collector Frances Wolfreston—the woman who uniquely preserved the earliest part of Shakespeare’s legacy.  
 
England, 1647. As civil war gives way to an uneasy peace and Puritanism becomes the letter of the law, Frances Wolfreston, a rector’s wife, is charged with enforcing religious compliance by informing on her parishioners. This awful task triggers memories of her mother, Alice, who inspired Frances’s love of books and secretly practised Catholicism at great risk. Conflicted, she doesn’t report a reclusive and mysterious midwife to delay her going to gaol.
 
As Frances takes increasingly bold steps to help the women and children of the parish, she attracts the ire of a patron of the church who questions why Frances collects books that she charges are entertainment. When her mother is gaoled for religious crimes, the secrets Frances hides from her husband begin to surface, and she is faced with an impossible choice: comply with the strict dictates of the new laws, or risk everything to free the women she cares for.

Review

Set in England in 1647, at the height of the English Civil War, In the Margins follows Frances Wolfreston as she navigates the challenges of enforcing strict religious compliance. The Church of England has tightened recusancy laws, imposing financial penalties and even imprisonment on those who miss services. Frances, whose husband, Henry, is the town rector, is caught in a difficult position as she must keep records of parishioners who do not attend church. This task weighs heavily on her, especially when she learns that her friend Hannah Smythe, who once helped her in a time of need, has been absent from Sunday services.

Frances grapples with her conflicting loyalties; she fears for her mother, who is secretly practising Catholicism and risks imprisonment. This personal dilemma makes her question the harsh laws she is tasked with enforcing. Ultimately, Frances faces a choice: comply with the law or risk everything to help Hannah.

I approached this book without prior knowledge of Frances Wolfreston, drawn in by its gorgeous cover. In the Margins reimagines the life of a courageous woman who defied societal expectations when women were expected to obey their husbands and fathers. Frances stands out as a change-maker, leaving a legacy through her extensive collection of rare books and her efforts to preserve some of Shakespeare’s earliest works.

“Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon! The moon! the sun: it is not moonlight now. I say it is the moon that shines so bright. I know it is the sun that shines so bright.” – William Shakespeare

Gail Holmes has crafted well-developed characters, particularly Frances and Hannah. Frances embodies courage and determination, offering kindness and support to those around her, even when it puts her own safety at risk. Initially, I found it difficult to connect with Hannah, as she seemed unsympathetic to Frances’s plight. However, as the story unfolded, I came to understand Hannah’s protective nature, shaped by her past. By the end, I found myself rooting for her and wishing her well.

The supporting characters also add depth to the narrative. I was pleasantly surprised by Harry, who, unlike many male characters in historical fiction, fully supports Frances’s love of literature. It’s refreshing to see a man whose purpose in the story is not to belittle a woman.

Candice Broughton serves as a wonderful friend to Frances, showcasing a celebration of female friendship rather than pitting women against each other. As I finished the book, I found myself wishing for a longer epilogue to delve deeper into Frances’s life and relationships; however, this did not diminish my enjoyment of the story.

Readers of historical fiction will appreciate the pacing of In the Margins. The plot maintains momentum without overwhelming the reader with information. Each chapter contributes meaningfully to the story.

 Subplots and Tropes in In the Margins:

• Protagonist ahead of their time
• Marriage of convenience
• Historical figures, including Frances Wolfreston
• Alleged witchcraft and women burned at the stake
• Female friendship
• Mother-daughter relationships
• Religious representation
• Political and social upheaval during the English Civil War
• References to the present
• Pioneering women who laid the foundations for future change
• Encouragement of education, including teaching children to read and write and establishing Sunday School to help them understand the Bible
• Disability representation

In the Margins took me on an emotional journey, evoking joy, sadness, and even outrage, earning it a solid 5-star rating. I highly recommend this book to mature readers of historical fiction who enjoy a reimagining It’s sure to be one of my top reads for 2024. I look forward to future works from Gail Holmes, as this debut offering is truly outstanding.

With continued thanks to Ultimo Press and author Gail Holmes for providing a physical copy of this book for review in exchange for my honest opinion.