Rating: ★★★★☆ 3.5 rounded up to 4
Setting: Canada, Mid 19th century. 1843 - 1880s
Brief overview:
In this retelling of a criminal case from nineteenth century Canada, Margaret Atwood weaves a compelling and thoroughly readable account of human nature, sensationalism and mental illness with her highly evocative and iconic writing style.
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In 1843, Grace Marks and James McDermott were found guilty of the murder of Thomas Kinnear, as well as his housekeeper and lover Nancy Montgomery. Both were found guilty, with McDermott hanged and Grace sent to prison. Before his death, McDermott insisted the murder was Grace’s idea, and that her mental illness that had landed her in an asylum, was feigned. Grace, her life and lead up to this double homicide as well as her state of mind, are the central plot points of Alias Grace.
Our main character, Grace Marks, connects with our secondary character (the entirely fictional) Dr Simon Jordan, through a series of interviews whereby she discusses her life story, and the series of events that lead her to prison: the murder she was involved in, of Nancy Montgomery and Thomas Kinnear. There is also an epistolary element to the story, with letters sent between Dr Jordan and other doctors, his mother and a friend called Edward, where we are able to see his point of view regarding his interviews and understanding of Grace, and his own motivations.
We are constantly guessing between chapters as to the validity of Grace’s claims, of whether she is truly mad, manipulative, guilty or innocent. It’s a clever and impressive feat by Atwood, as she allows the question to sit front and centre throughout the narrative, with revelations and accusations unfurling through the book that keep you questioning everything anyone says or does.
The characters are realistic and believable, and Grace and her relationship to other women is a highlight of the book. The true gem are the scenes involving Mary Whitney, her best friend that she meets in service. As always, the way Atwood writes about women and their struggles beneath an oppressive patriarchal world, though bleak, is also hopeful, in the legacies of love and connection that women forge despite the hardships.
It wasn’t a perfect read, though. I had trouble with some of the pacing, and found the ending concerning Simon’s character rather frustrating and not at all satisfactory. I thoroughly enjoyed the story as it played out, and could easily slip into it, as the prose was beautiful and themes relevant and profound - but it was a bit too long, and yet somehow rushed towards the end, and the mix of well rounded female characters and half baked male characters makes it only partly memorable. Overall though, I would recommend it, especially to those who love true crime and those who enjoyed the Handmaid’s Tale.
I have been really, truly enjoying historical crime novels recently which are a little new to me. I am excited to see where the fancy takes me!
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