This is a debut novel by Caroline Rance inspired by her research into eighteenth century medicine while reading English and History at Keele university. Chester 1756: Mary Helsall starts a job as a nurse entering a world of stench and sickness where her caring duties are at odds with her impatient nature. She seeks solace in gin and a volatile relationship with hospital porter Anthony. But when a diseased beggar arrives for treatment, it becomes clear that he knows Mary has a lot to hide.From the bleak Wirral shore, to the screams of the operating theatre, and from a backstreet gin shop to the dungeons of the gaol, Mary searches for the hope of an independent future. First, though, she must fight the attraction of oblivion and make a choice between duty, money and a love overshadowed by addiction. An historical novel full of alcohol, gruesome diseases, surgery, smuggling, prison dungeons and general grimness. Florence Nightingale it ain't!! This, in a way, is one of its strengths i.e. it portrays nurses as individual women rather than caricatures. It wil appeal to book groups as there are plenty of issues for discussion. Its topical theme of women and alcohol links the 18th century with today.
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From the Publisher
There are countless issues for discussion in Caroline Rance's debut novel. Her themes - women and alcohol - links the 18th century with the present. Above all, her nurse Mary Helsall sure is not Florence Nightingale!! Apart from the fact the book is beautifully written, this is one reason why Picnic is so delighted to be publishing it. Caroline's 18th century nurses are individual women not caricatures . . .
About the Author
Caroline Rance is an at-home mum and a freelance copywriter and proof-reader. A former charity administrator, she read English and History at Keele University where her research into 18th century medicine inspired her to write her debut novel KILL-GRIEF. In 2005 she won the Chester Festival of Romance Poetry Competition. She is now writing her second novel for Picnic Publishing.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By Penny Morton
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Despite good reviews in the press and elsewhere I found this book quite disappointing. It is quite long and tedious at times as the author slowly revels her plot. The flash backs to earlier events didn't always make it clear what was happening and who was involved. I had hoped there would be more details in the medical scenes but these tended to be limited and repetitive. The author repeatedly refers to the petticoats of the heroine Mary and seemed somewhat obsessed with this item of her clothing. The scenes in the infirmary and prison are very unpleasant but the author describes the numerous vomiting she describes with gusto. On several occasions I nearly abandoned the book but eventually finished it and got to the rather weak ending. In conclusion I am sorry to say it is long - winded and tedious.
Format:Paperback
Kill-grief the book is about kill-grief the liquor (gin): how people deal with the problems and opportunities that life serves them.
Caroline Rance is the most viscerally evocative writer I have read. You feel all the sensations and emotions experienced by Mary, the chief character. The reader is immediately carried into her world of mud, blood, pain, and hope. The story is quite simple, but deft flashbacks to the past as the narrative develops creates a rising tension that soon catches and holds the reader. The dialogue perfectly balances the use of dialect with plain language, setting the scene, but not overwhelming the ear. The characters are complex and never do quite what you expect them to do, which makes them believable. Even the worst characters evoke some sympathy.
The image created in the final sentence is a wonderfully climactic cinematic metaphor. But don't cheat! You will appreciate it much less, if you skip to the end.
Caroline Rance is the most viscerally evocative writer I have read. You feel all the sensations and emotions experienced by Mary, the chief character. The reader is immediately carried into her world of mud, blood, pain, and hope. The story is quite simple, but deft flashbacks to the past as the narrative develops creates a rising tension that soon catches and holds the reader. The dialogue perfectly balances the use of dialect with plain language, setting the scene, but not overwhelming the ear. The characters are complex and never do quite what you expect them to do, which makes them believable. Even the worst characters evoke some sympathy.
The image created in the final sentence is a wonderfully climactic cinematic metaphor. But don't cheat! You will appreciate it much less, if you skip to the end.
By Jackie
Format:Paperback
This book transports you straight into the horrors of an 18th century English hospital. The problem was that I'm not sure it is a place I ever want to witness! The squalor was vividly described, and I don't think I have ever read a book which conveys the smells of the scene so convincingly. It was disgusting!
The book has clearly been meticulously researched and contains many interesting snippets about the medical practices of the time, but the majority of the time I didn't really want to read about them:
"He pressed his thumb into the inflamed skin and a thicker bead of pus exuded from the cut, retreating like a wary maggot when he let go."
I was alternately absorbed and revolted!
The book follows Mary, a reluctant nurse, who has to deal with the all the bodily functions thrown at her, on top of the secrets she is hiding. Mary is struggling to become independent and is initially over-whelmed by her new life in Chester, as she is used to a very different life by the sea. As the book progresses she gains in confidence and her hidden past is gradually revealed. The book is very well paced and the plot, although quite simple, is compelling.
If I had to make one criticism it would be that the male characters in the book did not stand out for me. Mary was such an amazing character that all the men in the book seemed to pale into insignificance beside her. I didn't really mind this though - it is good to see such a strong female character, particularly in historical fiction, every once in a while.
Recommended to historical fiction fans with a stomach of steel!
The book has clearly been meticulously researched and contains many interesting snippets about the medical practices of the time, but the majority of the time I didn't really want to read about them:
"He pressed his thumb into the inflamed skin and a thicker bead of pus exuded from the cut, retreating like a wary maggot when he let go."
I was alternately absorbed and revolted!
The book follows Mary, a reluctant nurse, who has to deal with the all the bodily functions thrown at her, on top of the secrets she is hiding. Mary is struggling to become independent and is initially over-whelmed by her new life in Chester, as she is used to a very different life by the sea. As the book progresses she gains in confidence and her hidden past is gradually revealed. The book is very well paced and the plot, although quite simple, is compelling.
If I had to make one criticism it would be that the male characters in the book did not stand out for me. Mary was such an amazing character that all the men in the book seemed to pale into insignificance beside her. I didn't really mind this though - it is good to see such a strong female character, particularly in historical fiction, every once in a while.
Recommended to historical fiction fans with a stomach of steel!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kill Grief by Caroline Rance
What an interesting insight into life and medicine in the 18th century. I found Mary's story gripping from the start and once I had become accustomed to the author's style, didn't... Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2009 by Mrs. Sarah C. Landers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kill Grief - a great read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - read it in 3 days on holiday (in a very different setting to 18th century Chester!).
Caroline Rance's style is very readable. Read more
Caroline Rance's style is very readable. Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2009 by Elizabeth Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous Assault On The Senses!
Having not read any historical fiction since Poldark days, I was in two minds about choosing a book in this genre. Read more
Published on 15 Jun 2009 by Mrs. F. Kearney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating, engaging and absorbing
Kill-Grief is a really engaging book, one in which the sights, smells and sounds of Chester really come alive. Read more
Published on 8 Jun 2009 by Gillian McDade
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kill Grief
This is one of the most evocative works of historical fiction I've read in some time. Rance's pitch perfect dialogue and sense of time and place make this a gripping read.
Published on 8 Jun 2009 by Book binger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kill-Grief
This book takes the reader right back to the stench and squalor of 18th Century Chester. It is easy to empathise with all the characters,whether you like them or not, and the... Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2009 by J. Griffiths
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