Historical
Novel Society - Editor's Choice February 2007
It’s always a treat to get a book from a small publishing house, and an even
bigger treat if the book turns out to be a good one. This is the tale of the
Mayflower Maid, an obscure servant who is mentioned as being on that ship and
arriving in the New World. We don’t know much about her, but in this novel
her life as this author imagines it is laid before us: her unhappy beginnings
in rural Lincolnshire, her involvement with the Separatists, years in service,
engagement, and subsequent departure on the Mayflower.
Ms Allan has endeavoured to get under the skin of everyday
life in the early 17th century and manages it well, conveying a sense of
immediacy and excitement. I particularly enjoyed seeing the viewpoint of a
minor player in this well-known story, making this grand drama seen very human
and fresh. Life on board the Mayflower and after making landfall are
described in unflinching detail, making it one of those important and useful
historical novels which, I felt, tells is like it actually was without
idealising it. This is not a long book, but it is crammed with incident and
manages to make history – and a story that we all think we know well –
seem close and exciting. It looks as if there is going to be a sequel too…
-- Rachel A Hyde
Like the fiction of films or
costumed re-enactments, Sue Allan's historical novel takes us beyond court
records and official memoirs to conversations and emotions whose reality went
unrecorded. Cleverly noticing the Pilgrim least studied by historians, Sue
invents a tale of adventure and romance that lets us imagine the life of a
maidservant who chose to join the "Mayflower" Pilgrims.
Well-researched and evocative portrayals of Gainsborough Old Hall and the
Pilgrim Country of Nottinghamshire will make you want to visit the home of her
heroine Dorothy yourself.
---- Jeremy Bangs, Director, Leiden American Pilgrim
Museum
"Heart -rending plot and compelling characters, Mayflower Maid has you empathizing with Bessie and rooting for her group to find their freedom, at the same time as opening up a past world to the reader." Karen Parsons, Lincolnshire Echo
Thrilling tale of persecution...Prepare to be shocked... Scunthorpe Telegrapgh
On picking up 'Mayflower Maid' I was not sure what to expect...I was in for a treat!. So vivid is the description I was able to picture every sentence...equal to that in George Elliot's 'Mill on the Floss'...Anne Howitt- Cowan - Secretary ,Friends of Gainsborough Old Hall.
From Amazon.com website
 A
retelling of a history like never before, August 7, 2005
I had the pleasure of reading a review copy of this novel sent to a friend and was completely stunned by its sheer story telling elegance of a tale I thought I pretty much knew and, to be brutally frank, had previously considered to be dull and boring beyond redemption. The Mayflower Maid sets out and accomplishes, in my humble opinion, to retell the complete story of the Pilgrim Fathers persecution and eventual escape from the religious intolerance of 1600's England. The twist this time is that it is beautifully told through the life of a common maid servant named Dorothy and her relationship with one of the Separatist followers. An historical romance? No, I would not call it that, though indeed a love story of sorts runs through it. To describe it as mere 'romance' novel seriously undermines the thought provoking, honestly dark tale this historical adventure undoubtedly is. I enjoyed it greatly. |
'I very much enjoyed reading 'Mayflower Maid'. It had an excellent story line and I thought it conveyed the world of early 1600's with real sympathy and accuracy.' David Mordaunt.
"I read your book the Mayflower Maid and loved every minute of it. Your words are so descriptive to make you really feel inside the story. You could feel the heartache, the desperation and on occasion the joy. The story was well researched to depict as much historical fact to have learned something.. While making for an interesting story to keep my attention. Thank you for a wonderful story. Deborah M , Arcade, NY"
"We know Sue well because she has spent many hours researching her historical facts here. This is an excellent opportunity for people all over the world to get to know more about The Hall...Its a great story!" Becky Fawcette, Community and Visitor Services, Gainsborough Old Hall.
"I think your novel is excellent and I wish you every success with it. Please feel free to use any of my 'Mayflower images on your web site." Dr. Mike Haywood, Maritime and Portrait Artist (especially Pilgrim subjects).
From e-mailings in response to sample chapters posted pre-publication:
Your novel deserves to be a big success.
Cape Cod and Plymouth are quite familiar to me. We
used to spend a week on the Cape each summer. The events you present in these
locations are nicely done .I found nothing which seemed implausible." Art
( a descendant) Kansas, USA.
"You two are quite a couple. I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors. Mark, Texas"
"I am descended from William Brewster and William Bradford and I am certainly going to get all my friends to buy your wonderful book when it comes out." Lorna B. Calif.
"I finished reading and was impressed with the knowledge and research you have completed."- K .C Mayflower descendant and Asst. Historian from Ohio .
"How much is the book in USD and where can I purchase one please?." - E.S. - Mayflower descendant and Historrian from South Carolina.
" I love it - I felt as if I were there - I got lost in it! I love to read good books and you have a great one!" - Debbie, New York.
" Wow! I never knew any of this stuff! I thought all that crap about Mayflower was just so boring until now." W. W , Bismarck.
"I do not know how much research you have done but I find this very disgusting..." anonymous. U SA
'' I just could not put it down. I was drawn straight into the story! I thought the rape scene was so sensitively handled...I just hope they get what's coming to them later in the book" -M. J Housewife Clapham , London.
“
Chapter two was so brutal I wasn’t sure I wanted to read on - I’m so glad I
did! Absolutely compelling!” S.T, Kent, UK.
'I wish you the very best from my heart and know its a hit.... smile you made it..... God Bless YOU !!!!!!" DP. NY
".....I want more.....wonderful book that can bring me to tears.." F.C Yahoo Chatter U.S.A.
"Thank you for allowing me the privilege to read on and experience the crossing of The Mayflower. As a resident of Plymouth I am in awe of the realism contained in this novel. Surely this is destined to become the defining classic tale of the Pilgrim Fathers." M.S.B Plymouth.
" You mean there's another Boston?" J.McA, Boston.
" Such a great idea to include the location shots on your site , though I pretty much got them in my head from the wonderful descriptions. I think the falconry scene was a lovely touch. In fact so many lovely descriptive passages made this tale come alive for me." Mrs. C.D A, Ashford, Middlesex
" Did you really have to debase this story with sex?" D.A.R member Boston Mass.
"Thanks for your interest and enthusiasm in furthering the Pilgrim Heritage mission" The Pilgrim Heritage Trust.
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