What do readers think of The Gifts by Liz Hyder? Write your own review.

It was a slow start but stay the course. The author's well thought-out evolution of the story is thought provoking. Touching on feminism, nature, religion, and science in a time when women had little choices, opportunities or the ability to question authority.

It took me a couple of weeks to complete the reading of this book. It was enjoyable and I particularly liked the short chapters. The skipping around between characters was easier to follow using the short chapter approach. The writing was consistently good. I especially like the character Annie Meake, the long suffering wife of Dr. Meake. She displayed the kind of loving patience that many people display despite misbehaving spouses. What was missing for me at the end was some kind of impactful meaning behind the use of angels in the plot. Yes, angels are mysterious, heavenly creatures that most anyone would find intriguing; however, that was all the storytelling was about—mysterious, heavenly creatures that would benefit only one man. For me it cheapened the writing and narrative that was good to the point that at the end my reaction was "so what"? I did not have takeaways from this book.

In many ways this book will generate a lot of questions about miracles, their meaning and what they do for humans. On the surface we have a fairly simple tale about four different women in a time when they were far less valued than today. The miracle brings them all together.

The men involved are not truly out of the ordinary, but one will be ruled by an obsession that is unusual. The women are truly fascinating, all from different stations of life and having great talents. They are also strong women who want more out of their lives.

The book is truly their story and readers will be drawn to each one. What happens to two of them is extraordinary and that event will bring all of them together and change their lives forever.

This book makes you stop and think about the struggle for women to find their place and it also makes you think more about the miracles and how religion looks at them.

I loved the idea of women sprouting wings at different times of their lives and appreciated those characters as well as Mary. It took me a bit to get into the book and did enjoy the last 1/2-1/3 most of all - probably because it was coming to a culmination. The representation of someone's actions being sanctioned because he thinks a god is telling him to do so is so appalling for so common it also appears to be in our reality. I wish others could see this as the nonsense and egocentrism and it is. Book clubs could have discussions around the characters, the choices and comparison to current time.

The design of this book is stellar and I was very excited when I received it. The author's writing is very descriptive and engaging. I enjoyed all of the visual effect she imbedded into her writing. I really felt like I was watching the events of the book unfold. The five different narrators of the story gave key insights that enhanced the journey of the "fallen angels" and really add a nice tone to the book. This novel was very thought provoking and I can't wait to share it with patrons. I'm eager to do a second, slower read-through.

The Gifts is an historical fiction story based in London in the 19th century. As the story unfolds we follow the lives of eight characters and learn how their lives intertwine. In those times, in a dominant man's world, it is interesting to see how the female characters deal with the gender limitations and remain strong. Diverse traits including greed, ego and determination bring the characters to life. The storyline leaves the reader on the edge waiting to see what a turn of the page brings. I suggest this book to friends who enjoy a thrilling storyline. I found the very short chapters made it easy to squeeze in a little reading when I didn't have a lot of time to spare. Well done!

What a story! This is about an amazing set of women in the Victorian age, each trying to become who they really are in terms of their gifts and talents, in a world that wants to narrowly confine the roles of women and how they may be.

Hyder's use of "angels" , these "gifts from God", as a tool to exaggerate the unbelievable rules of "ownership" of women at that time is brilliant. Her protagonists are diverse, as are the antagonists, and it is amazing that most have no knowledge of the others.

Once you get used to the short chapters that move quickly from person to person, the story flies along. It was fun to read and also thoughtful. I loved it, and look forward to what she will write in the future.

TBD