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Title: The Crimson Ribbon

Author: Katherine Clements

Narrator: Katie Scarfe

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-27-14

Publisher: Headline Digital

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Beauty and brutality: with the vibrancy of Sarah Dunant and a gothic touch, Katherine Clements conjures the extraordinary women you never knew about in the turbulent years of the English Civil War. Based on the real figure of the fascinating Elizabeth Poole, The Crimson Ribbon is the mesmerising story of two women's obsession, superstition, and hope.

May Day 1646: The Civil War is raging and what should be a rare moment of blessing for the town of Ely takes a brutal turn. Ruth Flowers is left with little choice but to flee the household of Oliver Cromwell, the only home she has ever known. On the road to London, Ruth sparks an uneasy alliance with a soldier, the battle-scarred and troubled Joseph. But when she reaches the city, it's in the Poole household that she finds refuge. Lizzie Poole, beautiful and charismatic, enthrals the vulnerable Ruth, who binds herself inextricably to Lizzie's world. But in these troubled times, Ruth is haunted by fears of her past catching up with her. And as Lizzie's radical ideas escalate, Ruth finds herself carried to the heart of the country's conflict, to the trial of a king.

Members Reviews:

Crimson Ribbon

I'm really torn rating this... 3.5-4 stars

The Crimson Ribbon is not what I thought it was going to be, but I found it intensely readable. There's tragedy, friendship, passion, secrets, and misplaced loyalties (among other things) that add up to a very well written book. It is uniquely written, and kept my attention. Ruth Flowers is our main storyteller and is a creation of fiction. Many of the characters including Lizzie Poole and Oliver Cromwell are real people from the 17th century British civil war era. I didn't like some of the things Ruth did or allowed to happen but her story was very interesting! I wonder if we will get a sequel? I could see it happening and would definitely read it. There is an informative author's note & historical note at the end of the book that I found very helpful. This is a side of the King Charles-Cromwell saga that I'd never heard of and found intriguing.

I will look out for more works by Katherine Clements in the future!!

Not worth the time!

I started reading this book with enthusiasm and was expecting a good historical novel with some love twist but halfway through the book I couldn't wait for it to be finished!

Elizabeth Poole is a real character but Ruth Flowers was added to the plot by the writer to put some perspective into Elizabeth's personality and possibly to personalize the story. Unfortunately Ruth is completely unrelatable character for me. She is prejudice, short sighted and unreasonable. She is definitely not what you expect of a so called witch of the 17th century (wise and in touch with the wisdom of the nature).

Also dialogues and self thoughts sound repetitive after a while.

In short, I don't recommend this book.

Four Stars

great story

The Crimson Ribbon

This novel is set during the turbulent times of the English Civil War and begins on May Day, 1646, when the mother of Ruth Flowers is hung as a witch. Like many other women of that time, Ruthâs mother was a healer. She worked in the house of Oliver Cromwell, but the master was away and there was no protection to be found when a mob forms after a birth goes wrong.