The Trial of Lotta Rae: The unputdownable historical novel of 2022

Reviews

Mrsbookburnee

At the beginning we sympathise with his plight, as he is doing right by his family, but as time goes by, our hatred grows and we long for his comeuppance, seeing him as almost worse than the rapist. 4.

Paradise Library

Despite losing everything, Linden continues to seek Lotta’s downfall. Reading The Trial of Lotta Rae brought back that same dismay I’d felt in the lecture theatre and I was so angry about the treatment of this poor girl who believed in justice. The ending is not satisfactory in the slightest, yet this is the author’s choice, to show us that justice is not always served and that life is still not fair. Her desire for revenge is justified, but this subsides; while she does not forgive, she chooses to focus on what’s important.

MacGowan’s writing is so emotive and provocative, that at times I wasn’t sure if my tears were of rage or sadness. I do not feel that I have ever been effected by a fictional character so much, my heart broke for Lotta and the injustice she endured. While we have come such a long way in those 100 years, current events show us that in many countries, women are still seen as inferior to men. I’ve not hated anyone quite as much for a long time!

But Lotta’s story is a tragic one. It is hinted at throughout the book and we know it’s coming, but the timeline stops short of any key social reform. Lotta may start off as a naïve girl, but over time she becomes an independent woman.

I especially enjoyed the sections where Lotta addresses William, as these have further insights into Lotta’s feelings. It’s a powerful image, but I would have liked it to be a little more empowering – we walk around London with suffragettes, war widows and prostitutes, but never get to see any change. A thought-provoking debut that will stay with readers long after the last bell has chimed.

Characters are well-drawn and relatable. I was incensed that in my lifetime, it had been legal for a man to rape his wife.