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This is the true, fictionalized account of Anne Greene, a young woman who lived in the mid-1600's in England. Anne was a house maid who became pregnant by the heir of the estate. She miscarried the baby at about 5 months, and the child never drew a breathe. She was charged with infanticide and ordered to be hung by the neck. The order was carried out, with her father and brothers pulling on her feet to hasten her death and spare her suffering. At the end of her trial medical scholars from Oxford University requested her body for dissection and study, and it was granted by the judge. After her death which was certified by leaving her in the noose for thirty minutes with no signs of life, and an additional exam upon being cut down which confirmed no sign of life, Anne was transported to a nearby house where approximately thirty men were gathered to witness the dissection. With the knife drawn for the first cut, Anne's eyelid twitched. She wasn't dead. The case was recorded by a pamphleteer for posterity and Anne lived to bear three children, and make a nice pocket of change touring England with her erstwhile coffin, and telling her tale. The construction of the book is a bit clumsy, but the plot rolls along and there are some ghoulish bits to make it a fun read. Good for the reluctant reader.

2023-06-02 15:29