Sassy, determined and will not be silenced, meet Florence.

 

The Library Thief - Kuchenga Shenjé 

368 pages, Hardcover, Expected publication May 7, 2024 

Florence arrives on the doorstop of Lord Belfield's home, claiming to have been sent by her father to perform duties as a bookbinder. Through persuasion Florence able to secure employment. As Florence begins the task of repairing the books, she discovers a mystery surrounding the death of Lord Belfield’s wife Persephone. A mystery that Florence is compelled to solve no matter the personal cost. 

The main character is Florence, as she goes on her journey, we are allowed to see the influences good and bad that have shaped her past and influence her future. Florence soon realises as a woman she has limited autonomy, an insecure financial outlook and that having a mind of your own can be a dangerous thing. Florence is book-smart she is not very life-smart and some of the issues she comes across are completely new to her. As Florence is exposed more to the personal circumstances those around her face, she endeavours to be accepting and supportive. However, seeing this through Florence’s view tends to lessen the impact that they themselves feel in being ostracised. Being limited to experiencing every situation through Florence’s point of view meant a reliance on her empathy and comprehension of the situation.  For me, there was just a tad too much character introspection that just slowed the story, as Florence tried to resolve her internal conflicts.  

The supporting characters are well drawn on the page, are vibrant and all have secrets. Each of them assists or hinders Florence and invariably become a prime suspect in who murdered Persephone. The relationship between Florence and Lord Belfield is dynamic and complex, as you are never sure just where it will go. Wesley is the much-needed confidante, who is forced to hide their true self. The women who come into Florence’s world, all have their own motives, hopes and dreams. 

At the beginning you feel that this is going to be a gothic mystery and there are shades of Rebecca, Jane Eyre, Fingersmith. About the halfway mark, the story takes a slightly different direction and there is a sprinkling of the Dictionary of Lost Words with women’s rights at the time explored.  

Shenje has a clear sense of narrative direction and weaves into the story messaging around race, sexuality, identity, violence, social structures, misogyny, and power imbalance. This is not lectured at you but deftly highlighted in the story through the characters and their actions. 

It is a strong debut, giving voice to characters normally silenced in history and providing a much needed feeling of hope at the end.  

To find out more about the author head over to their website.