This isn’t a bad story but it wasn’t for me. There is a good story in there but the author uses a combination of a Scottish dialect and almost “poetic” style that I found it really difficult to read. As a result, I found it really hard to truly appreciate the story of Thomas Aikenhead.

4 stars

This is the story of Thomas Aikenhead. He was a young man of just twenty when he was hanged for blasphemy. He was the last man to be hanged for blasphemy in the United Kingdom.

The book starts out when he was a child and carries on through to his time at the university, where his insatiable lust for learning got him into trouble. Thomas had a love of learning throughout his life. It started very early on and was demonstrated by his always asking questions – of everyone.

The eventual charges were that for more than twelve moths Thomas decried against the word of God and said that he preferred Mohammed above Jesus. He does not recall ever thinking on the matter of Mohammed and Jesus. He believes that his words were misconstrued. He has only stated what other people believe. He has no defense counsel, no one would come forward. There were witnesses who say that he blasphemed.

Some say that he was murdered.

This book, a historical novel, is a fascinating view of Scotland, its culture and people, during the 18th Century. It is well written and easily accessible.

Thanking Netgalley and Freight Books for forwarding to me a copy of this remarkable book to read.