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The Secrets of Blythswood Square

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The Secrets of Blythswood Square

By: Sara Sheridan
Narrated by: Cathleen McCarron
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About this listen

THE ENCHANTING NEW NOVEL BY THE AUTHOR OF THE 2022 WATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE YEAR, THE FAIR BOTANISTS.

A story of secrets, friendship and intrigue, set against the backdrop of subversive mid-19th century Glasgow, by the author of the critically acclaimed The Fair Botanists

You wouldn't suspect it, but scandalous secrets are being kept on Blythswood Square...

1846. Glasgow is a city on the cusp of great social change, but behind the curtains, neighbours are watching, and rumours of improper behaviour spread like wildfire on the respectable Blythswood Square.

When Charlotte Nicholl discovers that the fortune she has been bequeathed by her father is tied up in a secret collection of erotic art, she is faced with a terrible dilemma: sell it and risk shaming her family's good name or lose her home.

An encounter with Ellory McHale, a talented working-class photographer newly arrived in Glasgow, leads Charlotte to hope she has found not only someone who might help her, but also an unlikely friend.

Yet Ellory is hiding secrets of her own - secrets that become harder to conceal as she finds herself drawn into Charlotte's world.

As the truth begins to catch up with both women, will it destroy everything they've fought to build - or set them both free?

©2024 Sara Sheridan (P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Feel-Good

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All stars
Most relevant  
I enjoyed reading about the colourful world of Glasgow in the mid 19th century with its characters and their attitudes.
Beautifully narrated.
The dominance of the church and its strict and often toxic rules cast a huge shadow.
Limited options for women and anyone living outside the ‘norms’ dictated by religion and society.
The early development of photography and the direction it was heading.
The enslaved.
Secrets.
Much much more.
Another winner from Sara Sheridan!!!

Excellent strong female characters

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Thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish

A brilliant journey through Glasgow. Hugely appreciated the contrast of modern day insta world to that of the 1840s.

Strong likeable real characters.

The religious undertones cleverly done.

Highly recommend!

Fabulous

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As a Glasgweigan it was interesting to hear about Glasgow hiatorically at both a time of shame and of prosperity. Glasgow is very much a character in this novel, which is fitting since it holds a narrative about a female photograph and how she composes photos. all in all it was a great listen.

The narrator and story is excellent

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Sheridon puts the characters you’d least expect up front and centre and writes about topics of utmost relevance to our contemporary lives within a context that fills in many gaps of conventional history lessons, all the while allowing us the enjoyment of a bloody good novel. Ellory, Jeremiah and Jane are worthy of future attention in a Glasgow that Sheridan makes sure to capture the personality of the city even to this day. I read some of the chapters and listened to others and can recommend both formats to those who enjoy a glimpse into an often unrecorded past, set within a rich ecosystem of cast, set and narrative (though reading the book myself would win if it were a competition.)

Important Social History Masquerading as Bloody Good Fiction

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Aspects of this book I really liked - but I feel it lacked a little something in the authenticity of the characters and I could see the mechanisms at work. For example, the main plot line had little surprise in it. What I did enjoy was the agency given to the more minor characters, and the outrage of the more strait laced characters which was quite comedic. Whilst I felt fine with the inner monologues of the straight male characters, I felt Jeremiah’s inner monologues were a bit stilted and lacking in authentic character voice. His character was absolutely my favourite though when perceived through action and interaction. I enjoyed the fiesty nature of the female characters but occasionally their shame and outrage and the resolution of that felt a little two dimensional. All this aside, it was an enjoyable book overall and it particularly good to have Frederick Douglas’s visit to Glasgow feature.

Some great moments, lovely evocation of place

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Very good . Loved characters and issues raised. Things that were scorned and how people responded to being a little different in thinking!! X

The different characters which portray life fairly realistically.

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I was really absorbed in this story and the characters. I've read/listened to a lot of books set in this era and a lot have been quite nothing-y and I was worried this was going to be the same. It wasn't. While the very familiar theme of societal expectations was very much present, it was dealt with through the less common lens of erotica and women in photography. There were some really lovely relationships in this book, making it all more human, and that were a delight to see unfold. It's not the greatest read of all time, but it's thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying. I'm also a big fan of this narrator.

Really enjoyable

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I enjoyed the characterisation and fast narrative, historical references and Glasgow descriptions. It was fun too.

An original read

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Loved The Fair Botanists and was eager for this second novel. It didn’t disappoint. Equally well written with, again, strong female characters, well depicted and instantly likeable. The social constraints of the time were clearly illustrated, as were the strengths of the women in overcoming them. Would highly recommend.

Excellent, well narrated and engaging from the get go

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I liked the whole book entertaining sad and knowledgeable I like the authors narrative as well

Victorian scotland

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