We read Fayne for our most recent bookclub and after discussing it was 4 stars across the board.

Ann-Marie MacDonald has such a talent for building atmosphere and setting a story in time and place—in Fayne we’re on the moor, straddling Scotland and England (a theme of inbetweeness will come up again and again) where the honourable Charlotte Bell is being raised and educated by her single father Lord Henry Bell in the late nineteenth century, sequestered from all outside contact due to an unnamed condition.

MacDonald is in no rush to move the plot forward, uses language and terms of the time, and because of that devotion to authenticity it takes a good 50 pages to get my bearings and delve into the mysteries of the bog and this strange family. There’s a chance I might have abandoned this book had I not been reading it for bookclub, but once you get in, you’re in and it’s a fascinating story filled with nuanced realistic characters (no villain is just a villain) and a plot of interconnected secrets and tales that all eventually come to light.

We could all agree this was beautifully written and well done but that both the beginning and end left us wanting—the beginning being a bit too slow to get into and the end too convenient with every possible loose end tied up. There was also a consensus that (no spoilers) when MacDonald introduced magical realism into the chat, it was to the book’s detriment. I think there was also some amazing discussion about the main plot point (no spoilers) and how it was handled might have left some of us feeling she tried to both do too much while somehow not giving us enough at the same time.

All in all most of the above was easy to overlook in the face of such an ambitious, enveloping and immersive story and I’m glad I read it. Ann-Marie MacDonald is a Canadian treasure for a reason and she lives up to it here for sure.

Slow and deliberate, beautiful writing. Fayne is atmospheric and detailed, though the 700 page length makes the title somewhat inaccessible. I’d recommend it to fans of Amor Towles or similar.

3.5 stars

I’m a huge fan of this author’s books so was excited when I received an ARC of her latest. Her books are often long but I will say I was a little intimidated when I saw the length of this one. I started out reading the ebook but then switched to audio as it seemed to keep my attention better. For reference, the audio is 31 hours!

The writing was whimsical and inviting, bringing the reader into the lives of the Bells in the late nineteenth century. The story takes place at Fayne, which is situated between Scotland and England in the moorlands. Lord Bell is master of Fayne but in need of both money and a male heir to pass his estate and title upon his demise. He marries a young wealthy American who is both beautiful and eager to have a child. The story actually starts by introducing Charlotte Bell, Lord and Lady Bell’s daughter, at about 11 years old. The reader learns early on that Charlotte’s brother Charles died as an infant and her mother died during childbirth with Charlotte. The reader is also told about “a condition” that has caused Charlotte to be isolated at Fayne. The story goes on from there.

I will admit that I had no idea what the plot was even about for the first third of the book. It’s not until much later that the plot starts to take shape. I will also confess that I almost didn’t make it past the first third as the plot really stalled for me. In fact, it came to a grinding halt for a few months until I was able to get my hands on the audiobook.

Once the plot started coming together, I found myself becoming more invested and eager to keep listening. It picked up considerably by the halfway point until the ending. Although I thought the ending was drawn out a bit too much.

The strength of this book was the author’s ability to take the reader to the bogs of Scotland. The characters were also brought to life. I came to really understand each one and felt myself drawn into their lives. My challenge was really the length. I thought it could easily have been edited down quite a bit, particularly the first third of the plot and the ending.

I absolutely recommend to readers looking for a historical fiction with a unique location and subject. I’m nursing a bit of a book hangover after finishing this one!

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story was definitely a newer type of genre for me to read; and I can’t say I was mad about it.
There are times where the plot dragged and the characters were just in a lull but overall it made for a different (good) kind of read. I enjoyed it.

Many thanks to Net-Galley publishers for the free copy in exchange for this review.

I bow down to Ann-Marie McDonald for this novel. It must have been a vast undertaking of research and writing, the latter of which is a joy to read.

Historical fiction just happens to be my favourite fiction genre and this book ticked all the boxes! It is a meaty story, fat and juicy with over 700 pages, a thick, rich gravy of characters and topped with the proper 'auld' English/Scottish word-spice of the 19th century.

The story opens in Part 1 with the the two main characters, Charlotte Bell and her father Lord Henry Bell, 17th Baron of the DC de Fayne, having a conversation in his study. We learn that Fayne sits on a moor, a 'shifting array of boggy expanses', bordering England and Scotland; Fayne House is an imposing 4-story granite manor of indeterminate age; Henry spends most of his time studying birds and acting as Teacher to Charlotte who, although of school age, cannot attend school due to her 'condition'. She is a quick study, highly intelligent and bent on one day attending University in Edinburgh to become a Physician even though girls are not accepted.

Feminist that I am, I was incredibly curious as to Charlotte's 'condition' and her desire to break the glass ceiling of the late 19th century. The hook was in!

I set aside time during which I should have been working to follow Charlotte and Lord Henry, the beautiful and tragic Lady Marie, Charles, the infant heir to Fayne whose early death left Fayne heirless, Charles' and Charlotte's mother who died during Charlotte's birth, the interfering Aunt Clarissa whose meddling exploits caused so much misery, the independent, unmarried Rosamund Gourley who does admirably as such, the servant nurse Knox as a major character, the fervent need for Lord Henry to produce another male heir, as well as the artifact found buried in the bog that questions everything we have learned thus far!

The settings alternate between Fayne on the moor and the Bell estate in Edinburgh where one is as important to the story as the other.

As a minor point, the story did lag for several pages a couple of times, but did not take anything away from my satisfaction in having read this novel.

Overlong and strange. The author is a great writer and the story had moments where it was interesting however, it did not move well. It could have been half the length and been better for it.

I've been a huge Ann-Marie MacDonald fan for years and I was looking forward to this one for so long. Unfortunately it was really slow moving and SOOO long, I just couldn't get into it like I was hoping to. I ended up DNFing at 20%. I hope I can try again at a later time, maybe by listening to the audiobook edition. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada, Knopf Canada and Ann-Marie MacDonald for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

"Fayne" is a captivating historical fiction novel set in the late nineteenth century. The story revolves around Charlotte Bell, a young girl growing up in the secluded estate of Fayne, which straddles the border between England and Scotland. Charlotte's life has been shrouded in mystery, as her adoring father, Lord Henry Bell, has kept her isolated from the world due to a mysterious condition. However, Charlotte's insatiable curiosity and love for the moorlands lead her on a journey of self-discovery and uncovering family secrets.

The author skillfully paints a vivid picture of the atmospheric setting, immersing readers in the vast and lonely estate of Fayne. The descriptions of the moorlands and the treacherous yet healing ways of the bog create a sense of intrigue and add depth to the narrative. The estate itself becomes a character, with its secrets and hidden histories waiting to be unraveled.

Charlotte is a strong and compelling protagonist. Her thirst for knowledge and adventure is palpable, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she defies societal expectations and seeks to uncover the truth about her family. The relationship between Charlotte and her tutor adds an additional layer of depth to the story, as they embark on explorations of the bog and make unexpected discoveries.

The mystery element of the novel is intriguing and keeps readers engaged throughout. The author expertly weaves together family secrets, the tragic loss of Charlotte's mother, and the untimely death of her older brother, Charles. As Charlotte delves deeper into her family's past, she uncovers hidden truths that challenge her understanding of her own identity. The revelations are well-paced and satisfying, adding a layer of suspense to the narrative.

The writing style is evocative and lyrical, capturing the essence of the time period and the emotions of the characters. The author's attention to detail brings the story to life, making the reader feel as though they are walking alongside Charlotte through the moorlands and experiencing her discoveries firsthand.

While "Fayne" is a captivating and well-written novel, there are moments when the pacing slows down, particularly during the exploration of Charlotte's daily life at the estate. However, these moments are balanced by the overall strength of the story and the author's ability to create a sense of intrigue and mystery.

In conclusion, "Fayne" is a compelling historical fiction novel that combines elements of mystery and self-discovery. With its atmospheric setting, well-developed characters, and intriguing plot, this book offers an immersive reading experience. Fans of historical fiction and those who enjoy unraveling family secrets will find "The Secrets of Fayne" to be a satisfying and thought-provoking read.

I very much enjoyed this engaging and beautifully-written book by Canadian author Ann-Marie MacDonald. Her earlier book, Fall on Your Knees, is one of my top five books of all time, and now I remember why! She is quite simply a brilliant writer. The descriptive passages are so evocative, and I also appreciated the dialogue and the fact that it seemed very "spot on" for the time and place (although I'm certainly not an expert). I have found that is not always the case with historical fiction, which can be frustrating and makes me think the author is too lazy to do the required research. Not the case here, by any means!!

This story takes place in 19th century England and Scotland. Fayne is the name of the sprawling Estate on the Scottish moors, where tween Charlotte Bell is growing up with her father, Lord Henry Bell (her mother and brother both having passed away some years earlier) The Estate is isolated and it is a lonely life, with Charlotte being kept sheltered at home due to a mysterious medical condition. Charlotte is very bright and curious about the world around her, and enjoys many bird-watching outings on the Estate with her father and the Estate's manager. Eventually, however, she finds some old correspondence of her mother's and begins asking questions. Bit by bit, we learn (as she does) that her life and her family's history are not what she understood them to be.

The book goes back and forth in time between Charlotte as a young girl, and her mother Marie, when she and Henry met, and the early years of their marriage. I must say, I enjoyed the parts about Charlotte much more than the storyline about her mother. I was not overly fond of the mother character. Also, I did feel that the book was about 25% longer than it needed to be, and the last quarter of the book dragged a bit. Nonetheless, this book and Charlotte's character will stay with me, and I remain in awe of Ms. MacDonald's spectacular writing.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Knopf Canada/Penguin Random House Canada, for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me and I had to DNF it. I'm definitely willing to try and read it again when I'm in the mood for this chonky novel.

While I found this to be very well-written, I found it was a bit slow for me. However, I appreciate that this title would be very popular in my store amongst the literary crowd.

I was very excited to be given the opportunity to review this book.
I loved the authors other novel fall on your knees, so I was looking forward to it.
The book is a a bit too long and I think it could be condensed.
But I enjoyed it
3.5 stars

I’ve never read this author but I know she’s huge in the literary world, and Canadian to boot! The moodiness of the cover mixed with the title Fayne drew me right in, but it was the writing that kept me coming back for more. I normally shy away from longer books, but this one just kept begging to be read. I’d definitely recommend this, even if you’re intimidated by the length. I also recently got a copy of the audio on audible and plan to listen on there, since I hear the audio is also fantastic

This book deserves all the awards! It is a true literary masterpiece with a unique style of writing that will make you feel like you are living in this time period, in this landscape of the magical, yet barren world of Fayne. This is a story of privilege and power, personal injustice and gender inequality which highlights the many ills of patriarchy.
Fayne is a place, a mood, and a legacy to be maintained and inherited. This masterpiece has the rich development and literary engineering one comes to expect from this fabulous author. Anne Marie MacDonald makes this place and these vibrant characters come alive!
This is a story of great depth and many twists. It highlights the agony of keeping up pretences, succession by a (necessary) male heir, and the treacherous lengths a family will go through to continue it’s legacy/ existence. At its heart is a novel “Where various lies are scattered about like bits of bone and beak.” Pg. 57
This is a story woven of the love of a father and a mother for their child. It’s also a story of secrecy, lies and sheltered truths. It dives into the realm of mental illness created by patriarchal judgments of women’s nurturing and caring. It depicts the blatant pathologizing of nurturing and attachment as mental illness. By doing so, it shone a light on how this continues to be true today in our culture of separation and individuation. This passage explains it best:

“And is not some madness merely memory gauded up in wrong costumes and thrawn words?” Pg. 601

Themes of gender identity, power-over, and male dominated identities permeate this epic read. The resulting tragedies for the women characters in this novel highlight an era not too far in our societal past.

A favourite passage of mine : “To my surprise, the telling felt more balm than bane. And it occurred to me that memory is shaped not merely by events and their retention, but also by the telling, and by the listening. Thereby, too, is shaped the future.” This listening is what we, the reader, offer Charlotte and Charles when we sit to bear witness to their coming of age.
When Charles discovers their “personal plight was part of a larger injustice” my heart broke into tiny pieces as they grappled with the role they were forced to play in the unfolding tragedies. The ending comes too soon (yes, this is a tome of a book but I didn’t want it to end) and it’s magical and satisfying conclusion will have you feeling all the feels! This book is a work of wonder and really deserves to be on your TBR pile, I hope it eats up awards like the bog devours at Fayne.
Ann Marie MacDonald has provided her fans with another standout literary experience. This book is one to absorb/immerse yourself in and discuss into the night with your book club. Thank you to MacDonald for bringing these important topics to light and shining a beacon on the importance of being yourself while trying to thrive in a male dominated world created by men for men. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. I’m giving this book all the stars!

Beautifully written prose. It took me the first 10 to 20 pages to get into it, but then I fell hard. It called to me to be read, to not be put down. I absolutely loved the location for part one. The scenes with Charlotte and her tutor while they are experimenting and learning together was exceptional to me. I loved the topics and Charlotte's enthusiasm so much that I was disappointed when the scene shifted to Edinburgh and the story of her parents' life together. It took me a bit to get back into accepting the change of scenery and characters until I found myself much to my surprise equally enthralled. From that point on it begins shifting between the two timelines and the family's history and secrets truly begin to unfold. A cautionary tale about how even though we may keep things from our loved ones in hopes of protecting them, eventually all truth comes out.
I can't say enough how beautifully written Fayne is, very highly recommended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I'm a HUGE Ann-Marie MacDonald fan and this book did not disappoint. She is a fabulous writer and grabs you in to the story and the setting. Of course the book is lengthy - that's how this fabulous author rolls - but the commitment is worthwhile and you feel a sense of sadness and completion when it it finished. Do yourself a favour and give this a read!!

Loved it! What a completely original coming of age story! So many emotions stirred with each chapter

A lovely and enveloping historical fiction. Totally worth the read for anyone looking for historical fiction reading!

I'm just a liminal girl in a liminal manor house in the moorlands.

Charlotte is kept sheltered from the world due to a mysterious medical condition. She sees a few servants and her brilliant but reclusive scientist father. The introduction of few strangers into Charlotte's life ultimately lead to the end of her isolation. Charlotte has bigger dreams than being a wife, she wants to be a scientist like her father but education for women is not common and difficulties arise due to "her condition." I have to say that I thought I knew where this story was going, but I did not. It surprised me more than once.

The story alternates between Charlotte's and back in time to her parents courtship and their marriage. This is a story that tells very epic stories through the eyes of a few characters. The writing is beautiful and evocative. I felt like I was in the moors with the characters. It is unsurprising that there is a little vein of magic and folklore throughout. It felt like an organic and intrinsic part of the story. There are plenty of parts that horrify and enrage. The world was not kind to women in this time and place. The ending was gentler than I was expecting and I'm really glad for it. I was anticipating having my heart ripped out but instead found it positive and life affirming. This book made me feel all the feels and left me pleased and not gutted.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada, Knopf Canada for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.

This book is very well written and very well researched and the moorland setting is beautifully described. Charlotte is quite the character and when cultural confines are placed on her as a young woman, you can feel her betrayal through the pages.

However, I did not finish the book due to my own issues and not that of the author. Had I done some research ahead of time about the book I would not have requested an early copy as I struggle with the historical fiction genre.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.