LoveReading Says
LoveReading Says
Longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize 2016.
March 2016 MEGA Debut of the Month.
Our first-person narrator, Anne Jaccobs, is an extraordinary young woman for her period. This is Georgian London in 1763 and she a lady eager to learn. When her tutor oversteps the mark she diverts and becomes infatuated with Fub, the butcher’s boy. Her well-to-do family have plans for her but 19-year old Anne is an interesting, forceful character. In a novel rich in period detail we follow this spirited girl through some highly unexpected scenarios which two-thirds of the way through the book turn into a bawdy romp. At times dark, at times humorous, this is an historical novel not to be missed, a debut from the much-loved Blue Peter presenter. ~ Sarah Broadhurst
Sarah Broadhurst
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The Butcher's Hook Synopsis
The debut novel by actress and presenter Janet Ellis. A dark and twisted tale set in 18th century London. Georgian London, in the summer of 1763. At nineteen, Anne Jaccob is awakened to the possibility of joy when she meets Fub, the butcher's apprentice, and begins to imagine a life of passion with him. The only daughter of well-to-do parents, Anne lives a sheltered life. Her home is a miserable place. Though her family want for nothing, her father is uncaring, her mother is ailing, and the baby brother who taught her to love is dead. Unfortunately her parents have already chosen a more suitable husband for her than Fub. But Anne is a determined young woman, with an idiosyncratic moral compass. In the matter of pursuing her own happiness, she shows no fear or hesitation. Even if it means getting a little blood on her hands. A vivid and surprising tale, The Butcher's Hook brims with the colour and atmosphere of Georgian London, as seen through the eyes of a strange and memorable young woman. -~-~-~-~-~- 'Do you know what this is?' He holds a short twist of thick metal, in the shape of the letter 'S', sharpened at both ends. I shake my head. 'A butcher's hook,' he says, testing the tip of his finger against each point. 'A perfect design. Whichever way up you use it, it's always ready. One end to hook, the other to hang. It has only one simple purpose.' He stands on a stool and fixes it over the bar above him. It waits there, empty. He climbs down. 'Pleasing, isn't it?'
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781473625112 |
| Publication date: |
25th February 2016 |
| Author: |
Janet Ellis |
| Publisher: |
Two Roads an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton General Division |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Primary Genre |
Historical Fiction
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| Other Genres: |
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| Recommendations: |
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Press Reviews
Janet Ellis Press Reviews
'a spirited, dark debut set in Georgian London with a heroine who will stop at nothing to get what she wants Woman and Home Ellis has created something marvellous in the character of Anne Jaccob - her voice is strange, dark and utterly mesmeric. This is historical fiction as I've never encountered it before: full of viscera, snarling humour and obsessive desire. I loved it.' Hannah Kent, bestselling author of BURIAL RITES
'Beautifully crafted. Janet Ellis is a masterful storyteller' Clare Mackintosh, bestselling author of I LET YOU GO
Author
About Janet Ellis
Janet Ellis trained as an actress at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She is best known for presenting Blue Peter and contributes to numerous radio and TV programmes. She recently graduated from the Curtis Brown creative writing school. The Butcher's Hook is her first novel.
Photo credit: Leigh Quinell
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