A powerful, humbling and extremely entertaining re-imagining of the Gunpowder Plot, this is a read that at times had a great amount of humour, and at other times was incredibly harrowing. The chapters are haunting, the characters will grip you, and the setting is… frankly quite frightening.
You will read this book with half a mind on the fictional aspects but also the reality that this isn’t all fiction. The failures for marginalised communities are intrinsically woven into our history as are the flaws of the political justice system, both then, and now.
Despite the harrowing nature of much of this book, I absolutely adored it, and I was completely entranced by the main characters, particularly Delphine, from start to finish. A brilliant, powerful read, Elle Machray is not afraid to address the dark past of racism and slavery in colonial England.
About the Book
1770. Delphine lives in the shadows of London: a secret, vibrant world of smugglers, courtesans and small rebellions. Four years ago, she escaped enslavement at great personal cost. Now, she must help her brother Vincent do the same.
While Britain’s highest court fails to administer justice for Vincent, little rebellions are no longer enough. What’s needed is a big, explosive plot – one that will strike at the heart of the transatlantic slave trade. But can one Black woman, one fuse and one match bring down an Empire?
An incendiary alternative history, Remember, Remember is a gripping story of conscience, conspiracy, queer identity and courage in the face of injustice.
About The Author
Elle Machray (they/her) lives in Edinburgh and studied Politics at the University of Leeds.
Elle started in writing in lockdown and was selected to join the inaugural cohort of the HarperCollins Author Academy in 2021.
Elle’s debut novel, REMEMBER, REMEMBER was longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Prize, judged by the late Dame Hilary Mantel and is set for publication by HarperNorth in February 2024. REMEMBER, REMEMBER is an alternative history which reimagines the gunpowder plot. The novel follows Delphine, an escaped enslaved woman as she takes on the British Empire to save her brother.
In the moments between working and writing, Elle practices karate and explores the beauty of Scotland with her dog, Bruce.
Photo Credit; Megan Amato
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