The Strange Adventures of H was a delightful romp through Restoration London. It contained tragedy, happiness, sadness, survival and a host of other adventures. H was a victim of first some harsh, selfish, cruel and one delightful, loving relative Aunt Madge from whom she was separated during the great plague of the mid 1600's in London, her aunt having temporarily moved to her country home. To survive H had to turn to prostitution as that was the only way she could not starve as she was thrown out of her home in the midst of the Great Plague. But H retained all the loving qualities her Aunt Madge had taught her while she was growing up and she truly retained a heart of gold and compassion for all she found in distress and tried to help them if she coulld. Parts of the book were funny and reminded me a little of "Forever Amber" and some of the adventures she encountered during the plague and great fire of London during the Restoration. But all in all H had a much bigger heart and finally learned at the end of the book that it's not what other people say or think about you that matter so much as what kind of a human being you have truly been during your life. I really devoured this book and my thanks to Net Galley, Sarah Burton and Legend Press for giving me the opportunity to read it.

The Strange Adventures of H is far and away the most entertaining book I have read in months. It’s a joyous mesh of some great English novels of the 17th, 18th, 19th and even 20th centuries. It’s a bawdy, vivid, thrilling romp set to a backdrop of plague, fire, brothels and playhouses.

The novel is an account of the childhood and young adulthood of the eponymous H. She and her sisters are orphaned at a young age. She is sent to London to live with a kind aunt, but falls prey to her licentious cousin and loses her home in the chaos of the Great Plague of London. Her only means of survival is to turn to prostitution. She makes friends, suffers setbacks and successes, and is eventually reunited with her family.

Innocence to experience
Set in the late 1660s, The Strange Adventures of H brings to mind the worlds of Defoe’s Moll Flanders, Fielding’s Tom Jones and Cleland’s Fanny Hill and has a raciness that fits in well with the novels of the era.

Independent women
It has a strong feminist theme familiar from the writings of Mary Wollstonecraft and the Brontë sisters, to name but a few. H and her friends frequently decry the powerlessness of women and their financial and social dependency on men. Their driving ambition is to live independent, self-determined lives. Many (by no means all) of the men in the book are pathetic, cruel or stupid, and the women have little patience with or respect for them. But this novel is not a polemic and the ideology is doled out lightly. For example, quoting Mother (the owner of the brothel where H lives and works), H reflects:

'“There are some women you may never get to the bottom of,’ she would say, “but you can size up any man in a twinkling.” I did not think that Mother liked the male sex very much at all, but rather as my Aunt Madge had not liked to eat celery; it was not an aversion, she merely did not see the merit in it.'
Source: The Strange Adventures of H | Sarah Burton

Societal change
The Strange Adventures of H is also an archetypical rags-to-riches and social outcast-to-social-success (or -marriage) tale, reminiscent of stories like Great Expectations, Vanity Fair or even Jane Eyre.

What keeps it true to the 17th century, however, is its raw bawdiness, amorality and devil-may-care boisterousness. Politically, the monarchy (Charles II) is back, Cromwell’s austere Puritanism has been ousted and the playhouses and brothels are thriving once again.

It’s not all fun and games. The revels of the rich are contrasted with poignant scenes and hints of the misery endured by the poor. There are subthreads in the story related to infanticide, child abuse and child prostitution, disease, domestic abuse and more.

Pitch-perfect writing
As if all that great storytelling isn’t enough, to top it all this novel is wonderfully written. Burton is a professional writer and academic, and boy does she know her literary history, but it’s hard to believe that this is her first novel. For a start, she pulls off an almost magical feat of making you feel like you’re reading a novel actually written in the 17th C, which just happens to be extremely easy to read. I was at a loss to figure out how she had done it. Perhaps it’s just that the story, setting and characters are so vivid that your suspension of disbelief is complete.

Taken together, it all adds up to a rich, enthralling novel. One of those books you race to get through and then bitterly regret turning the last page.

My thanks to Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.

This is a really well written, and immensely enjoyable read. The heroine is charming and the characterisation of supporting characters doesn’t disappoint. I have read a lot of historical novel and count this as one of the best of the bunch. I have quite a few novel set during the plague, I found the storyline of this one more human, H negotiates all the problems thrown her way, in such a determined way, never giving in. You are really rooting for her.
I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a historically based story with a great heroine.

Even if the cover of The Strange Advantentures of H and the very first chapter caught my attention, by the time I reached the 16th chapter, I found myself skipping over pages.
Why is that? Becuase this book felt like reading a history book, reading the account of a person and not like a story.
I tried and tried to keep reading because I liked H and her sister, Evelyn and I felt for them too but unfortunately the writing style ruined it all for me, i was lost in the details.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.

I really enjoyed this book and following H on her strange adventures. The detail, which was subtle and not overly descriptive, and the language used in the book really helped to immerse me in the era. I found that I grew fond of H and her friends.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

#TheStrangeAdventuresOfH #SarahBurton

WHY ISNT ANYONE TALKING ABOUT THIS BOOK?!?

This book- given to me by Netgalley for an honest review- absolutely took me by surprise. I devoured every piece of this book and came back asking for more. Brilliantly written with such vivid characters and settings, I felt like I had traveled back to the Great Plague of London.

If Kya from "Where the Crawdads Sing" was my favorite character of 2018-2019, H easily has been my favorite of 2020.

She is dynamic, a true powerhouse of strong will and resilience in the face adversity. I found so much of her to be relatable and memorable. I read some of the author's interviews and can completely back her when she said that while writing this book, there were moments when H just "took over." I never once felt like I was reading a character. H is fleshed out, as well as the cast of characters that she interacts with. This is the kind of book I think we all wish we could write.

ENOUGH GUSHING!

Let's talk plot. This story begins as H and her siblings are being raised by a brutally strict father in a time where virtue was a woman's only true offering to the world. After her father dies, H's siblings are cast to the wind to discover life on their own. With no where else to go, H and her sister are taken in at her aunt's where they learn to adjust to city life. They are introduced (way too early) to the life of raucous men and the seedy underbelly of London. I am purposefully being vague here because I want YOU to experience what I did with this book.

But I do want to share- *TRIGGER WARNINGS* there are moments of sexual assault and rape in this book. Although very tastefully described to the authors credit- I want to make sure I am representing this book correctly. At times, it is hard to continue reading.

PLEASE pick this book up when it becomes available. I know I will be buying my hard copy!

I am normally proud to say that I don't give five stars to books because there is always something missing. Well, I am proud to say that in this case, I have to give five stars to The Strange adventures of H, since all the elements for a great book were present. I laugh, cried and got emotionally attached to the characters and their stories! It is by far the best book I have read so far this year and therefore needs to be pointed out as such!.

The Strange Adventures of H is much like the title says. Sent with her sister to live with their elderly aunt after their father’s death, H is almost immediately surrounded by an eclectic cast of characters that reside in 16th century London. When fate deals H a cruel hand, it is to these individuals that she must turn if she is to somehow survive.

London in the late 16th century was tumultuous time in history. Not only was the city and surrounding areas besieged by the plague, but it was also decimated by the Great Fire, and again it later survived the Shrove Tuesday riots. Through all of this H is there with her insights and views and opinions on matters. Through her eyes we the reader are a witness to history, walking alongside one who – though fictional in this case – was one of countless there at the time.

In reading The Strange Adventures of H, it becomes obvious almost immediately the amount of research Burton has put in to the novel. Not only for H herself, but for the people around her (whether they be friend or foe) as well as the city of London itself. The descriptions given are vibrant and full of detail and are given from someone who absolutely loves the subject matter.

The life that H leads is not an easy one and Burton doesn’t shy away from that fact. Though in the end H does prevail, it is a difficult road for her. Several times I had to remind myself that H was just a teenager, a young woman who had yet to even reach 20 during the events of the novel. Such is her strength of character and such are the trials she is put through.

In the end, despite the difficulty I sometimes had reading The Strange Adventures of H, I really enjoyed it. I say difficulty simply because of the sometimes heavy subject matter and also that the book is a bit of a long one. History buffs who are looking for a novel that really seems to grasp the era it is set in and portray it accurately will likely enjoy it. Readers who are looking for a novel with a strong female character, one who is well rounded and well written will likely enjoy it. Readers who are looking to branch out and try something new will likely enjoy it.

I invite any one and every one to pick up a copy and delve in to The Strange Adventures of H.

As a big historical fiction fan, this was on my radar for a while and I kept putting off reading it because I knew it would be good! I am so glad it didn't disappoint!

I was totally captivated by this book, from start to finish! I loved the setting and most of all, I loved H. It really was a joy to watch her find grow and become so strong!

Highly recommend it! My only regret is not reading this sooner.

I liked this book! It sat on my kindle for ages and then I ended up just purchasing my own paperback copy of it and I'm glad that I did.
- The plague bit hits a little differently in November of 2020 #covid
- The author clearly did her research, but at the same time, I didn't feel fully immersed in the 17th century? Adding in an occasional prithee wasn't super doing it for me. It could have just as easily been set in the 18th or 19th century and it wouldn't have lost or gained anything
All in all, I enjoyed H's story and would definitely read anything else the author puts out.

This book has everything to like, great complicated characters, a protagonist who is impossible not to love, despite her flaws, and a journey through soaring highs and desperate lows, all set against the turmoil of London during the reign of Charles II. The history here is fantastic, but only serves as the setting for a unforgettable story.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love historical fiction, especially ones with light touches of feminism. I loved watching H learn about herself and become such a strong independent woman. The story is super engaging, and I cannot wait to read more about H!

Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.

H is the story of a young woman, disandvantaged by society just at the moment when the Plague enters the world stage. Through cunning, wit, bravery, and a willingness to leave behind everything she thought she knew about being a young woman in society, H charts a new course for herself and her small family, rewriting the ways in which women can gain power and prestige in society.

I loved this historical fiction book about a girl who becomes a strong independent woman in 17th century England. This is a book that will inspire women and show that they truly can do everything on their own. I loved watching H overcome her adversities and becoming a strong independent woman.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

This book was surprisingly amazing! I really liked the writing style and connected to the main character from the beginning. If you are looking for a historical novel, I recommend this one.

The Strange Adventures of H, quite honestly, had me drawn in from the second I saw it’s ambiguous title and gothic style cover.
To put it simply, The Strange Adventures of H, is exactly that. From childhood to womanhood we follow our protagonist H, as she reflects over the happenings in her life that brought her to present day. Told in first person by H herself, she talks us through her life, occasionally addressing the reader. It felt very classical and fit perfectly with the timeframe the book supposedly takes place.
We’re taken through the plague and the Great Fires of London via what felt like an astonishingly real perspective, which in itself was harrowing.
H suffers a great deal of trauma and turmoil and I think the thing I enjoyed the most about this book is watching her strength prevail time after time. In many ways, this is a feminist novel of sorts. H deals with a number of things that could set her back as a woman, due to the horror of them as well as the timeframe being the 17th century. By the end of the book, H is a powerful woman. A woman with money, with friends, with found family. A woman who needed nothing but herself to get to the point she reaches. She is turfed from her home during the plague, whilst carrying twins and still finds a means of helping herself. During the Great Fire when she hears her aunt will not leave despite her house being set to burn down, H devises a plan to get her to safety all whilst making sure H’s aunt doesn’t realise that she is in fact, H.
H is ASTONISHINGLY strong and powerful. A complete force to be reckoned with and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her strange adventures.
I finished it this morning, and many hours after I just can’t stop thinking about this book.

A great first novel, To be brought through London in the depths of 17th century is always fun! The adventures were a wonderful read.

Although I didn't manage to finish this book due to personal reasons (I ran out of time to read it and it expired when I was about 80% through), I still feel entitled to give it a small praise by saying that I really really want to get my hands on it and finish it as soon as possible.
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. It kept me hooked up until the end and I would've finished it were it not for personal healthcare reasons.
You know the synopsis? Yea, that isn't even a third of the story in my opinion. This book gave me so much more than I was expecting, both in character development and action, as well as in exploring the societal issues of the time period the book was set in.
Speaking of, one of the issues was the black death spreading throughout London. No other better time to be reading about such a tragedy than this one. It really made me think about how we've both evolved and declined as humans. The fact that people back then managed to put end to a pandemic so fast without the means that we have at our disposal today, while we're still struggling quite a lot, makes me very uneasy.
I loved, loved, loved seeing how H evolved as a person, how she changed and became more and more independent with each and every hardship that came in her way and, once again, can't wait to see how she manages to pull through it all when I finally get my hands on the finished copy.
I'm not going to rate the book for the reason that I didn't finish it, and sometimes the ending makes or breaks a story for me, but if I were to rate it based on the 80% that I read from it, it would probably stand at about 4/5 stars. I really recommend it to people that are interested in finding out more about the period of time that it's set in, people that are interested to read about how society dealt with pandemics back in the day and also... People that want to be surprised, because neither I, nor the synopsis tell you what the book is really going to be about and the depths it's going to go through to explore the surprise themes. Just you read!

I received The Strange Adventures of H as part of a NetGalley giveaway.

H is born the youngest child of a poor pastor's family in 17th century England. Orphaned at a young age, she is sent to London to live with her Aunt Madge, who showers her with parental love, but she also experiences trauma and loses everyone and everything in the Great Plague and Great Fire of London. With nowhere else to turn, she is forced to begin a new life as a prostitute named Doll, one that will both lead her to new experiences and reconnect her with her past.

This is a strange, offbeat read, but I found myself enjoying it. A lot of the characters, It's a bit anachronistic, as many characters, H included, are very modern in their outlooks. This gave me a little pause, but on the whole it's a quiet and unassuming book--normal people living lives that are both ordinary and extraordinary.

DNF at 45%

I had a such weird relationship with this book. I didn’t like it per say, but I would find myself captivated by the narrative, which kept me reading. I desperately wanted to finish it, but it got to be such a tedious read. I would read and read but make very little progress. I think I and whoever formatted the book have very different ideas of what 272 pages looks like. Despite not finishing it, I think I would still recommend it to people looking for a very specific type of book. In the end, this one just wasn’t for me.