The Lady Brewer of London: A Novel

I think it should be mentioned that events in this book will be triggering for some people. Overall the drama of the book got overwhelming for me. So many depressing events with hardly any lighthearted things thrown in. This could very well have been an accurate description of life for women in that day, but I guess I wasn’t in the mood to read about it and be saddened by it without a balance of good things. I thought it an interesting choice for the author to describe all rape events in detail while completing skipping any description of loving intimate acts. I would much prefer to read about loving encounters and skip the rape details. Each day after reading this book I felt unsettled. This is not what I prefer in a book.

‘The Lady Brewer of London’ tells the tale of the naive nineteen year old daughter of a wealthy merchant, Anneke Sheldrake who suddenly finds her family bankrupted when her father’s ship is swept away at sea. Forced to find a way to provide for herself and her siblings Karl and Betje, Anneke rejects an offer of ‘companionship’ *cough*servantship*cough* from a despised, newly married cousin and instead turns to her late mother’s family business—brewing ale.

Armed with her mother’s recipes, she then makes a bold deal with her father’s aristocratic employer and the legal guardian of her half-sibling Tobias, putting her home set in Medieval England and family at risk. Thanks to her fierce determination, Anneke’s brew wins a following and begins to turn a profit, but her rise threatens some in her community and those closest to her are left to pay the price.

As Anneke slowly pieces her life together again, she finds an unlikely ally in the aristocratic son and Tobias’ Master, Leander. Determined not only to reclaim her livelihood and her family, Anneke vows not to let anyone stand in the way of her forging her own destiny which led to an unforgettable historical tale set in fifteenth-century England of a brilliant woman’s defiance, courage, and ingenuity.

Far exceeding my expectations, this compelling read had the perfect blend of European historical literature, minor doses of slice of life and women’s fiction. It was not over romanticized and the content feature showcased Anneke’s journey in becoming a brewmaster and everything that it entails.

Though this novel comes with praises, there were a few drawbacks that prevented this being rated five stars. Anneke was painstakingly naive, gullible and immediate trust to those whose intentions are unclear left a bad taste in my mouth especially when it pertained to her newest employee, Westel. Despite everyone's warnings and growing suspicions when it came to his odd behavior, she simply ignored them which included her very own gut instincts and put her, siblings, and the staff in danger. It was difficult to look past her actions but considering her young age and primary shelter upbringing, I did give her minor leeway. Keyword: Minor.

All in all, it was an absolute delight to receive this giveaway and I will most definitely seek out reading the author’s similar works as I had enjoyed ‘The Lady Brewer of London’ quite immensely.

I really could not decide how many stars to give this novel. It was a good book for the first 2/3, which means that section is probably 4 stars. The last 1/3 was very disappointing. That part earns 2 stars. I hate books where the bad guy just keeps reappearing, all but rising from the dead—the cujo ending. The protagonist was just plagued by bad luck. She seemed to be cursed. Really? What other disaster could befall her? Eliminate the last 200 pages already!

Life was extraordinarily hard for women in the 1400s. But when Anneke Sheldrek's ship merchant father drowns at sea, she faces untold debts, troubles, and tragedies. Time after time, she makes knife-edge decisions, all with the goal of keeping her family together. Not all of them work out to her benefit.

This book is not for the faint-hearted. Every time you think nothing worse could happen, something does-- including violence, abuse, and rape. Several times, I was tempted to put the book down and read something lighter. But reading to the happier ending of this historical novel with romantic elements was well worth it.

I DID NOT FINISH THE LADY BREWER OF LONDON DUE TO PERSONAL REASONS.

My review is my own thoughts and opinions; my experience in reading the story. My experience in reading The Lady Brewer of London was traumatic and unenjoyable. I wanted to try something new, and so I picked up The Lady Brewer of London with the expectations of reading a predictable and heartwarming tale about a woman's triumph in life while facing adversity. My assumptions were soon to be proven incorrect. The Lady Brewer of London is not heartwarming or romantic, but a memoir-like contemplation of the woes and tribulations of the female protagonist, who struggles to survive in a very abrasive and judgmental society. I have done my best to compile my thoughts though I am certain even more grievances were not included.

With implications regarding the synopsis and the introductory to the story, the tragedies begin early for the main character. Upon the death of her merchant father, Anneke strives to not only work to provide for herself, but that of her much younger siblings and servants previously employed by her father.

The time period in which Anneke lives is one of both religion(s) and superstition. In this time period, the 1400s, both fictional and historical, it was believed that ill fortune only found those who have sinned and were thus deserving of any such fate. Those in power, mainly of the church, law, or 'esteemed society', found reward in putting down others, and the widely reluctant townsfolk didn't dare speak up when unlawful events happened, for fear of retribution, because even the law was ill bigotted.

Anneke's reputation soon deteriorates, not due to her character, but due to accusations of misguided notions, poisonous words, understood social standings, and accepted duties of the female and male sex. Soon, the superstitions of the town folks seeped in, and no one wanted to be associated with Anneke. Not only is she ostracized by the townsfolk who knew her character intimately, she is also threatened by those in the brewery business.

Descriptive details are given of Anneke's body, from her relishing in her nakedness or spiteful words from her aunt putting down Anneke's attractive attributes. It felt awkward to be reading such descriptions, and while I can understand why they were given, I personally just didn't feel they were needed.

Despite the trials that Anneke and her family and servants face, she does find some solace for a time being, in a steady routine in which she is successful. Of course, there are not many safe and happy things in the course of events for Anneke. There was happiness and grief, success and ruin, wonderful friendships and dangerous enemies, safety and rape, death and birth, acceptance and rejection, fidelity and infidelity.

The signs were there, from characteristics and warnings from the mouths of servants, and when the events occurred, I skipped several pages of Anneke's violent rape. The rape is not alluded to, but written out in graphic detail, and Anneke has flashbacks of the rape throughout the book, through both detailed and fleeting thoughts.

Anneke becomes a fugitive from the law, not solely due to the events surrounding the ruination of her business, but also because of the superstitions of her neighbors, who are only egged on by her close relative. The setting quickly changes from family home to treacherous traveling, and soon, a brothel. While Anneke does find some spiritual healing, new friendships and camaraderie while residing within the walls of said brothel, she also continues to see vulgarity and cruelty.

Anneke is not the only person facing trauma. One character suffers from surviving horrific burns that forever mar their body. Some characters suffer from beatings. We see characters coming to terms of not being able to protect someone they care about from irrevocable trauma. There is also a character that suffers from medical issues.

There is a bloody and graphic childbirth scene that is significant to Anneke's character development. Please note, that childbirth in the 1400s usually resulted in death. Anneke has to undergo certain rites, for the aftermath of childbirth was considered dirty in the sensibilities of certain men and the church.

Soon, Anneke had to find work once more, and while she does find honest work, she also makes really poor life choices, which I could not condone or find any romantical justifications. No matter the situation, infidelity, adultery, and cheating is wrong. I didn't view her newfound relationship romantic and I skipped the detailed intimacy scene(s).

There was also the recurring theme of men of power finding women to be a hindrance to society. Those said men, how had a penchant for being violent, and often did everything to diminish the humanity, rights and livelihood of women, through means of rape, beating, slandering spirits and reputations with poisonous words and profanity, public water boarding, hateful threats both carried out and implied, and more.

I wanted Anneke to find genuine happiness, safety, and security for her and her family. Her story though, is one full of heartache and tragedy, and was not enjoyable to read.

Upon reaching chapter 54, 83 percent of completing the book I have been trying to push myself to read for days, I couldn't take reading the book anymore and decided that not completing the book would be in the best regard for my mental health. The last scene was of the man who raped Anneke, holding her in a chokehold from her hair, forcing her to be on her knees while putting his cock to her mouth, of course this scene was done in a much more descriptive manner (people do rush in at the end of the scene).

In conclusion, while I accomplished reading a book that was different and out of my comfort zone, The Lady Brewer of London was not the book for me and I would not revisit the world within its pages, nor do I think I would check out more works from the author, despite liking the general narrative style. I sincerely regret purchasing such a book and wished I would have not pushed myself to read The Lady Brewer of London, for when I thought events might get better, they only became more traumatic and nightmarish.

I permanently deleted The Lady Brewer of London from my Kindle library, and I would not recommend this book to other readers.

The overly-detailed processes of ale-making and continual agonized internal dialog of the protagonist had me skimming over pages and paragraphs. Read 50% and decided it wasn't worth more of my reading time.

The author doesn't spare the reader any of the realities that would have plagued (pun intended) women living in early 15th century England. While there was pain and discomfort in this reading, I appreciated that the story line wasn't just a feel good story. Especially loved the connection to The Goodwife of Bath!

It's interesting to find out that women were craftspeople with their own businesses so long ago. I found the author's afterword regarding why men took over from women eye opening. The characters were well developed and I found myself rooting for Anneke. I hope that there was no one ever as evil as her menial, though. Quite a satisfying read overall

I enjoyed this book so very much. What women not to include the family suffered it brought tears to my eyes!! This book was hard to put down!! I just wanted to keep reading & never stop until i finished it!! Totally a must read for historical fiction readers you will never want to put it down!! Bravo Karen Brooks!!

Another successful historical novel by Karen Brooks. The details of female brewers of ale and eventually beer were intriguing. The story made my heart pound. How one person could suffer so many trials and continue forward grabbing on to the life she so dearly wanted at great cost was an incredible feat. I am thankful for all that I’ve learned due to the extensive research Ms Brook’s books provides.