Becoming Herself by Maureen Reid is a truly engaging piece of women’s historical fiction that will quickly capture your attention, wind its way into your heart, and have you pushing aside all responsibilities to further engage in this novel. In this book, you will meet a young girl who suffers the loss of first her mother, and then her father as he cannot handle the responsibilities of two young children, and so turns them over to an orphanage. Page by page the author will take you through young Maggie’s life as she leaves “Maggie” and becomes Margaret. Young Margaret will have to set aside her Irish-ness to become more “something else” to assimilate. She will experience much throughout her life, but each thing she endures will only make her stronger.
Becoming Herself is the first book that I have read by Maureen Reid, and I was truly captivated by this author. Her storytelling swept me away with Maggie’s story and I absolutely devoured this book. My heart broke so many times throughout this book as Maggie/Margaret has to go through so much. So quickly she loses her mother, then her father walks away. At the orphanage, since her sister is younger and more malleable she’s quickly adopted, and that leaves Maggie alone. The author intrigues me with how Margaret (Maggie) doesn’t make a huge fuss. I honestly thought that she would cry and say that they must be kept together, but she lets her sister go. It seems to happen with such calm and grace, but you just know that Margaret is sad and hurting knowing that her sister is leaving her, too.
This book is broken into three parts. While there are no true chapters, there are small designations throughout that mark the passage of time in this book. These designations in and of themselves spur me onward to read what is to come next in this character’s life. When she designates herself to be with Eli, I can’t help but hope that someone better will come along. LOL! I didn’t want Margaret to settle for someone who is simply there and shows no true romantic interest in her. As the story moves along, I keep hoping for the spark of romance to happen, but it seems that in this case, there is to be none.
I think that it is for this very reason that I truly grow to not like Eli. He might have his physical attractions, but when it comes to him overall – he’s as bland as a bowl of plain unsweetened oatmeal. You begin to notice something just beneath the surface with him, and it’s only a matter of time before it makes itself known. I kept waiting on him to try to be a better man to Margaret, but apparently, he saw no flaws in who he was as a person. Eli is basically stuck in a time that no longer exists.
While this story focuses on Margaret and is told from her point of view (memories, writings, etc.) the variety of characters the author gives readers and how true to life they are is wonderful. It’s so easy to imagine the settings, the scenery, the situations that they dealt with. Margaret’s longing for something more, the dissent with some of the children. I couldn’t help wanting more for Margaret. While she does find a brief moment of happiness, it’s fleeting.
This work of historical fiction is truly engaging and well-written from beginning to end. This book invokes a myriad of emotions. You feel the happiness of the characters. You can’t help but smile in some of the lighter moments and scowl when things turn ugly. Family dynamics are broad and wide and the author captures them expertly with this family. The ending...is shocking and takes a twist I could never have seen coming. I’ll say no more other than...brace yourself.
I so thoroughly enjoyed this book and am so glad that I was offered an opportunity to read it. Margaret’s story is one that flows across the spectrum. She is an inspirational character and yields so much to this engaging work of fiction. I am rating this book a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars. I have read many historical fiction books before, but none probably as fast as I read this book. LOL! If you enjoy historical fiction, I encourage you to pick up this book. Engage in Margaret’s story as she experiences prejudice, struggles with the roles she takes on in life and looks to forge her own path in this world. This book is worth picking up.
Thank you to the author and Book and Wine Lovers Marketing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Please feel free to check out my fellow bloggers, reviewers, and bookstagrammers as well they share their thoughts, reviews, and spotlights about this novel.
Becoming Herself by the award winning author Maureen Reid
Published March 2019
Red Penguin Books
Available in paperback, Kindle and hardcover at Amazon,Target, Barnes and Noble
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@bookandwinelovers
What a great post! Thank you!
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