What do readers think of Accidents of Providence by Stacia Brown? Write your own review.

Stacia Brown’s "Accidents of Providence" follows two significant storylines. The main narrative details the life of Rachel Lockyer, an unmarried glove maker who finds herself pregnant at a time in history when all women were marginalized and those unmarried and pregnant were further disdained by society and punished harshly for their unfortunate circumstances.

Another storyline, which is intertwined with Lockyer’s, is that of the Levellers, a socialist political group advocating legal equality (not necessarily for women, though) and religious tolerance. William Walwin, the father of Rachel’s unborn baby, is actively, albeit hesitantly at times, involved with this group.

The story moves through Rachel’s pregnancy, her relationship with William Walwin, the investigation of the events surrounding her baby’s death, her trial for violating “An Act to Prevent the Destroying and Murdering of Bastard Children", and the decline of the Leveller’s influence in 17th century England.

Overall, this is an absorbing book; however, I could see no reason for Rachel to be in love with William Walwin, an insipid and uninspiring character at best.

This books was a quick read for me, however, I felt it lacked something in the telling of the story. It was obvious that the author did a great deal of research into the time period and her details were very vivid. I thought the main characters lacked some development and never did get that interested in their story. I would have rather seen some development of the lives of the main characters rather than some of the graphic descriptions she did have of animal treatment.

Very enjoyable read. I could not put this book down. I finished it in two days. I liked the history lesson, and the characters were very believable. The ending had an interesting twist.

This novel was just...ok for me. I couldn't really connect with the characters and at times it felt like a fictionalized thesis...I guess I was expecting more; oh well.

The author does a good job in referencing history and in presenting characters--some based on real people who lived in London during the 17th Century and other fictitious characters who fit in and complement the story.
The story is woven around the Puritan assumption that a woman's sexuality was not hers to do with what she wished ergo Rachel Lockyer's dilemma and its effects on members of her community.
If a book group were to select ACCIDENTS OF PROVIDENCE as a choice, the title could act as a springboard for discussion. How interesting would that be?
Though I found the book interesting in its topic, I did not find it remarkable in its presentation.

Mediocre is the word to describe this book. The story line had no real interest for me, and, while I felt sympathy for Rachel, the rest of the characters did nothing to capture my imagination. I would not recommend to my fellow Book Club members.

An unplanned pregnancy resulting in the death of the child as a result of an affair at any time is difficult, but one set in the historical context of the mid 1600s when social conventions backed by law treated this as a crime punishable by death makes for an intriguing even if the depth of the characters seems to be less credible.

Accidents of Providence by Stacia Brown tells the story of a woman in Oliver Cromwell's England who is accused of having a baby out of wedlock.

The setting of the story is very good. It is obvious Ms. Brown has done her research. The dialogue is also very good. However, some of the main character's internal dialogue gets lengthy (and doesn't add anything to the novel). As well, there are some scenes that also don't add anything to the novel. For example, the main character (a glove-maker) makes gloves for all of her gaolers on Christmas Eve, but that is the last that the reader hears about the gloves.

Overall I enjoyed this book, but I was not swept away by it.