I really enjoyed The Misbegotten; I don’t normally choose books depending on the season (unless for a specific event such as the R.I.P. challenge) but this was a perfect October book! A big, thick novel with an atmospheric nineteenth century setting, a dark and gothic feel, and a mystery at its heart: ideal for this time of year.
In 1803, a little girl known only as Starling is found wandering in the marshes and is taken in by Alice Beckwith, a loving, kind-hearted young woman with a mysterious past of her own. Having grown up with only an elderly servant for company – except for the occasional visit from her guardian, Lord Faukes, and his grandson, Jonathan Alleyn – Alice is delighted to have Starling living with them and they soon come to think of each other as sisters. The only threat to their relationship, as far as Starling is concerned, is Alice’s love for Jonathan.
In 1821, we meet Starling again, now working as a maid in the household of Jonathan Alleyn, who has been left mentally disturbed after returning from the Peninsular War. We learn that Alice disappeared several years earlier and that Starling believes Jonathan may have killed her.
Into the Alleyn home comes another young woman, Rachel Crofton, who has recently left her position as a governess to marry the wine merchant Richard Weekes. Married life isn’t quite what Rachel had hoped it would be and when Jonathan’s mother asks her to become a companion to her reclusive son, Rachel agrees. Soon she finds herself spending more and more time at the Alleyns’ house and as she gets to know both Jonathan and Starling better, she becomes determined to uncover the truth behind Alice’s disappearance.
The Misbegotten is a story of secrets: secrets between family members, between husbands and wives, between parents and children, between friends. As the story unfolds, we see the consequences of these secrets and how they lead to lies, to devastating tragedies and to the destruction of relationships. The suspense builds as Rachel and Starling come closer to discovering what really happened to Alice and the plot takes some unexpected twists and turns. I was reminded of one of my favourite Victorian authors, Wilkie Collins, whose novels also include similar elements – and I was also reminded of Jane Austen, because most of the action takes place in the city of Bath.
The characters are interesting and well developed and I found that I cared about them all. I cared about Rachel, trapped in an unhappy marriage and doing all she can to help another unhappy family. I cared about the gentle, loving Alice who had vanished without trace. I cared about Jonathan, struggling to cope with his wartime experiences and the loss of the woman he claims to have loved. And I cared about Starling, who is not at all easy to like but who is doing what she believes is right.
This is a long and complex novel and sometimes there are details, subplots or conversations that seem irrelevant – but as the various threads of the story come together we find that everything that happens is significant after all. The only time I began to get impatient was towards the end, when there are some lengthy passages describing Jonathan’s adventures in the Peninsular War. Although these are very well written (and again, very relevant) I was so caught up in the main plot by that point that I resented being pulled away from it even for a few pages!
This is the first Katherine Webb book I’ve read, but based on this one she seems to be just the sort of author I love. I’m sure I’ll be reading more!
I just finished reading a Wilkie Collins and am still in the mood for that kind of book. This sounds perfect! Can’t wait to check it out. 🙂 Thanks for the review.
I love books like this and I can’t wait to read more by Katherine Webb. 🙂
I’m not a fan of novels written in 19th century setting… but it looks interesting! Great review, Helen 🙂
Book Maniac Reviews
It’s a fascinating story! The 19th century is one of my favourite time periods. 🙂
I loved this too, and I really must read more by the author.
I remember that you enjoyed this one. I’m looking forward to reading more by the author as well.
I enjoyed the legacy and although a bit less, the second one (don’t rememeber the title). Didn’t know this one though. She is the author that I put in the Kate Morton type of stories and a good family secret/plot is always a good read. 🙂 Thank you for telling about this last one!
Yes, this reminded me of a Kate Morton book too. I think I’ll look for The Legacy next. Thanks!
I have a copy of this that I’d more or less forgotten about. I couldn’t be more delighted to have your lovely review bring it back to my attention!
It’s definitely worth reading, in my opinion. I’m glad I could remind you about it!
I am pleased to hear you enjoyed this. I hadn’t heard of it before but I like the sound of it.
I think you might enjoy it, Jessica. I can’t wait to read more of her books.