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Available
Description
Fiction. Literature. Thriller. Historical Fiction. HTML:"One of America's most notorious murder cases inspires this feverish debut" novel that goes inside the mind of Lizzie Borden (The Guardian). On the morning of August 4, 1892, Lizzie Borden calls out to her maid: Someone's killed Father. The brutal ax-murder of Andrew and Abby Borden in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts, leaves little evidence and many unanswered questions. In this riveting debut novel, Sarah Schmidt reimagines the day of the infamous murders as an intimate story of a family devoid of love. While neighbors struggle to understand why anyone would want to harm the respected Bordens, those close to the family have a different tale to tell�??of a father with an explosive temper, a spiteful stepmother, and two spinster sisters desperate for their independence. As the police search for clues, Lizzie's memories of that morning flash in scattered fragments. Had she been in the barn or the pear arbor to escape the stifling heat of the house? When did she last speak to her stepmother? Were they really gone and would everything be better now? Shifting among the perspectives of the unreliable Lizzie, her older sister Emma, the housemaid Bridget, and the enigmatic stranger Benjamin, the events of that fateful day are slowly revealed through a high-wire feat of storytelli… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Beamis12
I have never read anything before, fictional or not, about these murders though of course I have heard the rhyme. This is a very interesting take on the Borden family and the murders of the two elder Bordens. Emma, ten years older than Lizzie, a young woman who has had to take on the role as main
Written in a strange almost dreamlike manner, the ominous tone and the forbading atmosphere of the house permeated throughout. So very strange some of the things going on, from the mutton soup which always seems to be on the stove, never refrigerated, eaten daily to Mrs. Bordens strange attempt to hold on to Bridget. Not a happy home, definitely not a happy family. Two others are introduced to this story, an uncle and a young boy for hire.
Not a book I can recommend to everyone, but I thought this was inventive and we'll written, albeit as I said, strange.
ARC by Netgalley.
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confidante and caregiver of a younger Lizzie. She promised her mother on her deathbed and Lizzie took full advantage of this promise. Emma, though was not in the house during the times of the murders. Lizzie, in her thirties, acts and sounds like a young child. Stunted growth. The young, Irish servant Bridget is our main narrator.Written in a strange almost dreamlike manner, the ominous tone and the forbading atmosphere of the house permeated throughout. So very strange some of the things going on, from the mutton soup which always seems to be on the stove, never refrigerated, eaten daily to Mrs. Bordens strange attempt to hold on to Bridget. Not a happy home, definitely not a happy family. Two others are introduced to this story, an uncle and a young boy for hire.
Not a book I can recommend to everyone, but I thought this was inventive and we'll written, albeit as I said, strange.
ARC by Netgalley.
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LibraryThing member Lauranthalas
As a fictional work regarding Lizzie Borden and the infamous murders, I was very excited to read this debut novel (plus the cover is amazing). The novel included things that should make a good story: murder, dysfunctional family, creep factor, etc. Overall I was disappointed; I wasn't fond of the
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writing style and it was a little slow. Show Less
LibraryThing member Whisper1
If you like to read about body functions, people slurping their food, picking their skin, wiping hands on clothes, then this is the book for you. The mention of these habits, and many more, were mentioned so much that it took away from the story line.
Many books are written about Lizzie Borden.
The tale of deaths on a stinking hot August 4, 1892 is told from varying points of view of the characters. Broken into chapters, Lizzie, her sister Emma, their Uncle John who visited the family during the time of the murders, Bridget, the Irish maid, and a new before-known character of Benjamin, we learn of their thoughts and behaviours.
Benjamin, a creepy near-do-well character who supposedly was hired by Uncle John to perform maiming and killing of the Borden family, was hiding in the house and barn when the murders occurred, leaving him without the payment he was promised.
The internal machinations of Lizzie's thoughts are portrayed in a manner that clearly points to an unhealthy mental state. Both Andrew and Lizzie's step mother are not liked, and there is a long litany of grievances they did, with enough ugliness of character to render their bloody, over the edge deaths.
The continued hacks to the bodies with a rendering that is clearly one of vengeance is vividly described, and leaves the reader knowing that who ever did the killing was not someone you would like to have in your house for dinner.
The reader is left to ponder who actually did the killings. Like many books before this one, this is an ageless tale with no definitive answer regarding who committed the murders.
Many books are written about Lizzie Borden.
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There are those who believe she alone was responsibly for the axing of her father and his wife. Then, there is an other minded group who are firm in advocating that she did not do this dastardly deed.The tale of deaths on a stinking hot August 4, 1892 is told from varying points of view of the characters. Broken into chapters, Lizzie, her sister Emma, their Uncle John who visited the family during the time of the murders, Bridget, the Irish maid, and a new before-known character of Benjamin, we learn of their thoughts and behaviours.
Benjamin, a creepy near-do-well character who supposedly was hired by Uncle John to perform maiming and killing of the Borden family, was hiding in the house and barn when the murders occurred, leaving him without the payment he was promised.
The internal machinations of Lizzie's thoughts are portrayed in a manner that clearly points to an unhealthy mental state. Both Andrew and Lizzie's step mother are not liked, and there is a long litany of grievances they did, with enough ugliness of character to render their bloody, over the edge deaths.
The continued hacks to the bodies with a rendering that is clearly one of vengeance is vividly described, and leaves the reader knowing that who ever did the killing was not someone you would like to have in your house for dinner.
The reader is left to ponder who actually did the killings. Like many books before this one, this is an ageless tale with no definitive answer regarding who committed the murders.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jody12
The true story of the Bordens of Fall River, Massachusetts is a strange one, and this fictionalised version by Australian author Sarah Schmidt follows the mould rather well. Told through the eyes of the Borden sisters Lizzie and Emma, and also their Irish maid, Bridget, we get a descriptive, and at
Opinions differed quite severely on this one. A good portion of us enjoyed this book, finding the style clever and completely engrossing. The historical aspect of Lizzie Borden drew some in and had them researching the topic, curious as to the factual outcome of the case. The song of Lizzie Borden was recalled …
Lizzie Borden took an axe,
And gave her mother forty whacks
When she saw what she had done
She gave her father forty-one
Contrary to this favoured view, it was thought to be repetitious, have poor character development and a weak writing style. With no appealing characters and a low impact outcome, they found little to like or even care about. Contrasting viewpoints? Very much so, which made our discussion all the more interesting.
It was decided that the Lizzie Borden story surely involved a case of mental illness (possible psychotic episode), and a dysfunctional family during a time when such circumstances were ignored or accepted. And whether you like or dislike the story and/or the writing style, the sensual and tactile narrative, the continual tasting, smelling, touching (eg. pears, stew, blood!) that brought life to Lizzie and her surroundings did in fact create a fascinating atmosphere. And if it gave the reader an uncomfortable sensation, then who’s to say … maybe it came very close to what was actually going on within Lizzie’s troubled mind.
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times graphic, retelling of this historical massacre that does little towards solving the mystery. The family dynamics are toxic and many questions are left unanswered concerning the relationship between father and daughters, and between the family and community itself. But then, as a novel, these are not necessarily what is required of it.Opinions differed quite severely on this one. A good portion of us enjoyed this book, finding the style clever and completely engrossing. The historical aspect of Lizzie Borden drew some in and had them researching the topic, curious as to the factual outcome of the case. The song of Lizzie Borden was recalled …
Lizzie Borden took an axe,
And gave her mother forty whacks
When she saw what she had done
She gave her father forty-one
Contrary to this favoured view, it was thought to be repetitious, have poor character development and a weak writing style. With no appealing characters and a low impact outcome, they found little to like or even care about. Contrasting viewpoints? Very much so, which made our discussion all the more interesting.
It was decided that the Lizzie Borden story surely involved a case of mental illness (possible psychotic episode), and a dysfunctional family during a time when such circumstances were ignored or accepted. And whether you like or dislike the story and/or the writing style, the sensual and tactile narrative, the continual tasting, smelling, touching (eg. pears, stew, blood!) that brought life to Lizzie and her surroundings did in fact create a fascinating atmosphere. And if it gave the reader an uncomfortable sensation, then who’s to say … maybe it came very close to what was actually going on within Lizzie’s troubled mind.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
See What I Have Done works best for those readers who come to the story relatively innocent. A lack of knowledge about Lizzie, her family, the murders, and the trial will help readers enjoy the story and its multiple what-ifs. However, any readers looking for answers to this famous double murder or
For those readers who are like me and are only familiar with the children’s rhyme, See What I Have Done fills in those gaps in knowledge. We get a feel for the family dynamic, for Emma’s and Lizzie’s relationship, for life at the house and in town. We understand the injuries to Mr. and Mrs. Borden, where they were found and how. We gain insight into the confusion after the discovery of the bodies and the police investigation. And we get a small taste of the trial as well as Lizzie’s life after it. Granted, most of this is pure speculation on Ms. Schmidt’s part, but she creates the story in such a way that it is easy to believe what she presents.
Ms. Schmidt also introduces a shady new character who plays eyewitness to much of what occurs that fateful day, without being an eyewitness to the murders themselves. This character’s only purpose is to provide a view of the Borden household from a stranger’s perspective; there is no historical context for this character. As such, this additional character causes me more than a little consternation. In a novel where she remains, from what I can tell, fairly close to the actual events, this fictional character seems unnecessary. I can not help but wonder if she could not have done the same thing with existing characters like neighbors or townspeople passing the house. It would change the dynamic of the story to have done so by making the Borden family a bit more sympathetic. As it is, one is left with an impression that pretty much everyone hated everyone else, including extended family, to the point where murder seemed like a great conflict resolution tool.
The other area in which Ms. Schmidt plays is Lizzie’s mental health. As with the extra character, I am not certain she is doing the story justice by calling into question Lizzie’s mental stability. It is very obvious that Ms. Schmidt believes Lizzie was the only person capable of committing the murders, but there is no indication in any primary documentation that she was suffering from mental health issues. The stream-of-consciousness type quality Ms. Schmidt adds to Lizzie’s narrative, the inability to discern between dreams and reality, her selfishness, her fascination with blood and the bodies, and her callousness during the immediate investigation all hint at a level of psychopathy that does not fit with historical witness accounts. While authors of historical fiction are always allowed to play with the truth in order to tell their story, this is one area of author’s license which seems to harm Lizzie’s story more than help it.
These few concerns were not enough to temper my enjoyment of the story in the end. Rather, I found the details of the murders and the Borden family dynamic fascinating. With a lack of definitive answers, we will never know just who killed Lizzie’s father and stepmother, but Ms. Schmidt does a decent job of presenting the known facts. Her version of Lizzie Borden is a damaged soul, searching for love in a household that seemingly provided very little. We will never know just how accurate Ms. Schmidt’s vision is, but outside of a few niggling issues with the dramatic license she takes with certain characters, for the most part See What I Have Done is a well-written depiction of August 4, 1892.
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looking for a long trial scene may be best served avoiding the story altogether. Ms. Schmidt does not solve any of the mystery; she does not shed new light on it. Rather, she takes the data as it is known and interprets potential scenarios that may explain the murders, Lizzie’s conflicting witness statements, and a complete lack of answers about what actually occurred that long ago August day.For those readers who are like me and are only familiar with the children’s rhyme, See What I Have Done fills in those gaps in knowledge. We get a feel for the family dynamic, for Emma’s and Lizzie’s relationship, for life at the house and in town. We understand the injuries to Mr. and Mrs. Borden, where they were found and how. We gain insight into the confusion after the discovery of the bodies and the police investigation. And we get a small taste of the trial as well as Lizzie’s life after it. Granted, most of this is pure speculation on Ms. Schmidt’s part, but she creates the story in such a way that it is easy to believe what she presents.
Ms. Schmidt also introduces a shady new character who plays eyewitness to much of what occurs that fateful day, without being an eyewitness to the murders themselves. This character’s only purpose is to provide a view of the Borden household from a stranger’s perspective; there is no historical context for this character. As such, this additional character causes me more than a little consternation. In a novel where she remains, from what I can tell, fairly close to the actual events, this fictional character seems unnecessary. I can not help but wonder if she could not have done the same thing with existing characters like neighbors or townspeople passing the house. It would change the dynamic of the story to have done so by making the Borden family a bit more sympathetic. As it is, one is left with an impression that pretty much everyone hated everyone else, including extended family, to the point where murder seemed like a great conflict resolution tool.
The other area in which Ms. Schmidt plays is Lizzie’s mental health. As with the extra character, I am not certain she is doing the story justice by calling into question Lizzie’s mental stability. It is very obvious that Ms. Schmidt believes Lizzie was the only person capable of committing the murders, but there is no indication in any primary documentation that she was suffering from mental health issues. The stream-of-consciousness type quality Ms. Schmidt adds to Lizzie’s narrative, the inability to discern between dreams and reality, her selfishness, her fascination with blood and the bodies, and her callousness during the immediate investigation all hint at a level of psychopathy that does not fit with historical witness accounts. While authors of historical fiction are always allowed to play with the truth in order to tell their story, this is one area of author’s license which seems to harm Lizzie’s story more than help it.
These few concerns were not enough to temper my enjoyment of the story in the end. Rather, I found the details of the murders and the Borden family dynamic fascinating. With a lack of definitive answers, we will never know just who killed Lizzie’s father and stepmother, but Ms. Schmidt does a decent job of presenting the known facts. Her version of Lizzie Borden is a damaged soul, searching for love in a household that seemingly provided very little. We will never know just how accurate Ms. Schmidt’s vision is, but outside of a few niggling issues with the dramatic license she takes with certain characters, for the most part See What I Have Done is a well-written depiction of August 4, 1892.
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LibraryThing member irregularreader
Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her father forty whacks
When she saw what she had done, she gave her mother forty-one
– Old jump rope rhyme
When I was growing up in [the dark ages] 1980s Massachusetts, we still learned that rhyme. Though Fall River was over an hour south of the town I grew up
Sara Schmidt brings something new and visceral to the legend. Centered around the day of the murders and the times immediately before and after, we are allowed to take nothing for granted in this tale. The story is told from four different perspectives: Lizzie herself, her older sister, Emma, Bridget, the family’s downtrodden servant, and Benjamin, a mysterious young man with a rather violent disposition. The narrative skips across perspectives and across time, slowly moving us toward what actually happened in the house on that hot summer day.
What struck me about this book was how horrible everyone was. Andrew Borden is a miserly wretch, Abby an unstable, clingy lump. Lizzie is spoiled, manipulative, and childlike. Truly, the only people in the house you feel for are Emma Borden and Bridget the maid, both trying to seek their own way out of a toxic household.
The Borden murders took place on August 4th, 1892, in an era before air-conditioning. The Borden house has no electricity or indoor plumbing, and everyone is wearing long sleeves, long skirts, and high collars. Schmidt takes full advantage of the season and makes the book feel claustrophobic and oppressive in the description of the sticky, unmoving air, the rank smells, and the congealing food. The horror of this story is less about the violence of the murders themselves, but of being trapped in a truly nightmarish situation.
In all, this was an interesting take on the Lizzie Borden legend. While it took bit to get used to the way Lizzie Borden is voiced in this book (she has a manic style of speech and thought that reminds me of the poem The Bells by Edgar Allen Poe), once over that hump I found the book impossible to put down. Fans of the Borden legend, or of the mystery and/or horror genres should enjoy this book.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When she saw what she had done, she gave her mother forty-one
– Old jump rope rhyme
When I was growing up in [the dark ages] 1980s Massachusetts, we still learned that rhyme. Though Fall River was over an hour south of the town I grew up
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in, Lizzie Borden still felt like our own homegrown boogieman. Little wonder, then, that I remain fascinated by the legend of Lizzie Borden. Even now, 125 years after the infamous murders, there is no firm concensus of what occurred that day.Sara Schmidt brings something new and visceral to the legend. Centered around the day of the murders and the times immediately before and after, we are allowed to take nothing for granted in this tale. The story is told from four different perspectives: Lizzie herself, her older sister, Emma, Bridget, the family’s downtrodden servant, and Benjamin, a mysterious young man with a rather violent disposition. The narrative skips across perspectives and across time, slowly moving us toward what actually happened in the house on that hot summer day.
What struck me about this book was how horrible everyone was. Andrew Borden is a miserly wretch, Abby an unstable, clingy lump. Lizzie is spoiled, manipulative, and childlike. Truly, the only people in the house you feel for are Emma Borden and Bridget the maid, both trying to seek their own way out of a toxic household.
The Borden murders took place on August 4th, 1892, in an era before air-conditioning. The Borden house has no electricity or indoor plumbing, and everyone is wearing long sleeves, long skirts, and high collars. Schmidt takes full advantage of the season and makes the book feel claustrophobic and oppressive in the description of the sticky, unmoving air, the rank smells, and the congealing food. The horror of this story is less about the violence of the murders themselves, but of being trapped in a truly nightmarish situation.
In all, this was an interesting take on the Lizzie Borden legend. While it took bit to get used to the way Lizzie Borden is voiced in this book (she has a manic style of speech and thought that reminds me of the poem The Bells by Edgar Allen Poe), once over that hump I found the book impossible to put down. Fans of the Borden legend, or of the mystery and/or horror genres should enjoy this book.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member linda.marsheells
Having grown up in the area of course this topic is well-known and widespread, so i felt pulled to read this novel. NO disappointment here!
We have all read the Lizzie Borden story or seen the movies....40 whacks and all that, parents murdered, and of course during the times, women were thought of
SO. Schmidt gives us an unique perspective by writing from several viewpoints.....Lizzie, her sister Emma, Bridget the maid, John the uncle and Ben- the hired thug. She gives us several possibilities but one reality. Strange household filled with tension and sickness both mental and physical, no matter what ultimately occurred. And i do believe that sister Emma knew the truth from the start.
SEE WHAT I HAVE DONE is intriguing from the first page.
ps- Lizzie and i share the same birthday!!??? oh noooooooooo a hundred years apart but odd fact to find out.
We have all read the Lizzie Borden story or seen the movies....40 whacks and all that, parents murdered, and of course during the times, women were thought of
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as being incapable of wielding such power.SO. Schmidt gives us an unique perspective by writing from several viewpoints.....Lizzie, her sister Emma, Bridget the maid, John the uncle and Ben- the hired thug. She gives us several possibilities but one reality. Strange household filled with tension and sickness both mental and physical, no matter what ultimately occurred. And i do believe that sister Emma knew the truth from the start.
SEE WHAT I HAVE DONE is intriguing from the first page.
ps- Lizzie and i share the same birthday!!??? oh noooooooooo a hundred years apart but odd fact to find out.
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LibraryThing member iadam
I received a free advance e-copy of this book and have chosen to write an honest and unbiased review. I have no personal affiliation with the author. A new look at the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. So much cruelty and violence. Very interesting family dynamics. Everyone is twisted and has
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horrible secrets. After reading this book I have doubts that Lizzie Borden was the killer. An extremely well written psychological thriller. I couldn’t put it down. Excellent research on the part of the author. This book is worth the read and I look forward to reading more from Sarah Schmidt in the future. Show Less
LibraryThing member ecataldi
This fictional retelling of the Lizzie Borden murders was gripping from page one. Sarah Schmidt does a wonderful job recounting the events leading up to the infamous murder of Lizzie Borden's parents by telling the story in multiple voices. Lizzie, her sister Emma, the maid Bridget, and a
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mysterious man by the name of Benjamin view the events though different eyes and add an air of mystery. Did Lizzie Borden really murder her parents with an ax? Why was the Borden house so messed up? What are they all hiding? It's eerie and compelling and an overall quick read. Dark, morbid, and fascinating - historical fiction at it's best! Show Less
LibraryThing member melaniehope
I love reading books that are based on actual, true life people and events. Although this story was a fictionalized version, it was a great interpretation of the life of Lizzie Borden. Lizzie gained infamy after being tried and acquitted for the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall
The author did a great job of setting up an atmosphere of a family that just did not seem "right." Very well done and their was a few subtle hints throughout the story of how things unfolded in these murders. At the end of the book the author included true facts. It was fascinating to learn that Lizzie was basically acquitted of these murders because the male jury believed no woman was capable of committing an act like this. Really great book! I received a complimentary ebook via Netgalley.com
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River, Massachusetts.The author did a great job of setting up an atmosphere of a family that just did not seem "right." Very well done and their was a few subtle hints throughout the story of how things unfolded in these murders. At the end of the book the author included true facts. It was fascinating to learn that Lizzie was basically acquitted of these murders because the male jury believed no woman was capable of committing an act like this. Really great book! I received a complimentary ebook via Netgalley.com
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LibraryThing member susan.h.schofield
This was a really good, creepy fictionalized version of the Lizzie Borden story. Like most people, I knew the rhyme, but not much else about Lizzie Borden. This gave a lot of background about Lizzie and her family and what occurred prior to her parents murder. It introduced a fictional witness,
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Benjamin, to give a third party view of what might of happened. The author clearly did a lot of research and really knew the details of the case. I won a copy of this book from Goodreads. Show Less
LibraryThing member Schmerguls
5502. See What I Have Done, by Sarah Schmidt (read 24 Sep 2017) This is a work of fiction by an Australian writer but she has done considerable research on the Lizzie Borden case, which has long been of great interest to me. Books on the case I have read heretofore are The Girl in the House of
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Hate, by Charles Samuels (read 4 Jan 1955, re-read 11 Aug 1962), Lizzie Borden: The Untold Story, by Edward D. Rabin (read 11 Aug 1962), Goodbye Lizzie Borden, by Robert Sullivan (read 27 Feb 1977), and Lizzie Borden: A Case Book of Family and Crime in the 1890's, edited by Joyce G. Williams et al, (read2 Aug 1982), Thus it is obvious that I am interested in the facts of the case. This novel jumps around in time, concentrating on the days from Aug 2, 1892 to Aug. 6, 1892--the date of the murders was Aug 4, 1892. Chapters alternate narrators between figures in the case, and there is one "figure", Benjamin, who is so far as I know entirely fictional. I admit I do not like a book where I cannot tell what is true and what is fiction. So I was often irritated as I read the book, though it ends up as a somewhat satisfying story. Show Less
LibraryThing member theeccentriclady
I've always wondered about the rhyme about Lizzy Borden so when this book crossed my path I thought I'd give it a try. Written from a unique perspective, it is basically coming from inside the mind of Lizzy. The sentence structure is sometimes fleeting and broken which mirrors our thought process.
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The lack of details and quick switches in thought keep the reader on their toes. I find it fascinating to see the thought processes of people who are mad. Of course this is an unresolved murder and this is all only conjecture but it did make for an interesting read but probably not to everyone's taste. Show Less
LibraryThing member msf59
“Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, she gave her father 41.”
“Someone’s killed Father.” These words were uttered by Lizzie Borden, on the morning of August 4, 1892, in Fall River, Massachusetts. In this impressive debut, the author
“Someone’s killed Father.” These words were uttered by Lizzie Borden, on the morning of August 4, 1892, in Fall River, Massachusetts. In this impressive debut, the author
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recreates, the events of these horrific murders, blending fact and fiction. It is told from shifting perspectives, so the reader gets a panoramic view of this cold, disturbed household. Lizzie's older sister Emma comes off as the most “normal”, (think of Marilyn in The Munsters) but most of the others are twisted, oddballs, creating a cast of suspects, nearly as large as the Murder on the Orient Express. Show Less
LibraryThing member RidgewayGirl
The murders of Lizzie Borden's parents, along with the court case that decided she wasn't guilty of the murders is an endlessly fascinating facet of American history. Here, Australian author Sarah Schmidt gives us her interpretation of events. It begins with some promise, rendering a portrait of a
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claustrophobic living situation with an autocratic father making hasty decisions, an older sister torn between a desperation for escape and a love for her troubled little sister, and an unstable and erratic Lizzie. But the characterizations remains opaque, the trial is side-stepped and there's too much wrapped up in the final moments for an event steeped in ambiguity. A story like this requires unanswered questions. Show Less
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
If you're fairly familiar with the case of Lizzie Bordon, you can dive right into this book. If, however, you're like me and most of what you know is from a History Channel documentary you watched more than ten years ago, it makes for a rocky start to this book. I did appreciate the author's
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creativity in her approach to this story, but it did cause a very nonlinear story to emerge, which was frustrating at times, as the characters shifting between the day of the murders and the lives they lived up to that point. A decent book, but I do wish I'd at least read the Wikipedia article about Lizzie Bordon before jumping in. Show Less
LibraryThing member lauriebrown54
Most Americans are familiar with the kid’s rhyme “Lizzie Borden took an axe; and gave her mother forty whacks; When she saw what she had done; she gave her father forty-one”. Borden was a real person, and the murders of her father and step-mother were indeed the bloody result of multiple axe
This fictionalized version of the tale starts with Lizzie yelling for the maid to come quickly, because someone had killed her father. Then we have a short recital from her older sister, Emma. From there we bounce back to the day before the murders; the different chapters are told by Lizzie, Emma, the maid Bridget, and Benjamin, a crude thug hired by their uncle to ‘do something’ to their father. The minutia of what happened that day, and the day of the murder, are seen from all points of view. From them we get lots and lots of back story, too. From them we also realize that Lizzie is most likely an unreliable narrator- very unreliable. I never did decide if she was mentally ill or just incredibly self-centered.
We are never given a rock solid case that Lizzie performed the murders, although it doesn’t look good for her. The things that made me wonder were the presence of the uncle (who seems to have a very unhealthy relationship with Lizzie, and perhaps Emma), and the thug for hire who was on the premises when the murders were done.
The most prominent thing about the book is the mood. The Borden household is claustrophobic in the extreme. The father is abusive, stingy, and a control freak. The step-mother tries, but ends up punching herself in the stomach repeatedly to vent her frustrations. Bridget the maid is normal; she just wants to earn enough money to get out of that household. Emma is a sympathetic character; she has been thwarted all her life, unable to do the things she wants, told by her mother to take care of Lizzie before she died. Lizzie is… horrible. Cruel to Emma and to her stepmother, she is almost out of touch with reality. The prose creates the hot, close atmosphere of the household, and it’s hard to take. I wanted to be away from those people; I can only imagine how much the Bordens wanted away from each other! Reading this is an immersive experience; the author describes the smells, the sounds of their bodies, the heat, the godawful food, in great detail. It’s not a pleasant read, but it is well done. Four stars out of five.
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wounds. Lizzie was tried for the murders and acquitted, in large part because people back then couldn’t believe that a gentlewoman would do such a thing. This fictionalized version of the tale starts with Lizzie yelling for the maid to come quickly, because someone had killed her father. Then we have a short recital from her older sister, Emma. From there we bounce back to the day before the murders; the different chapters are told by Lizzie, Emma, the maid Bridget, and Benjamin, a crude thug hired by their uncle to ‘do something’ to their father. The minutia of what happened that day, and the day of the murder, are seen from all points of view. From them we get lots and lots of back story, too. From them we also realize that Lizzie is most likely an unreliable narrator- very unreliable. I never did decide if she was mentally ill or just incredibly self-centered.
We are never given a rock solid case that Lizzie performed the murders, although it doesn’t look good for her. The things that made me wonder were the presence of the uncle (who seems to have a very unhealthy relationship with Lizzie, and perhaps Emma), and the thug for hire who was on the premises when the murders were done.
The most prominent thing about the book is the mood. The Borden household is claustrophobic in the extreme. The father is abusive, stingy, and a control freak. The step-mother tries, but ends up punching herself in the stomach repeatedly to vent her frustrations. Bridget the maid is normal; she just wants to earn enough money to get out of that household. Emma is a sympathetic character; she has been thwarted all her life, unable to do the things she wants, told by her mother to take care of Lizzie before she died. Lizzie is… horrible. Cruel to Emma and to her stepmother, she is almost out of touch with reality. The prose creates the hot, close atmosphere of the household, and it’s hard to take. I wanted to be away from those people; I can only imagine how much the Bordens wanted away from each other! Reading this is an immersive experience; the author describes the smells, the sounds of their bodies, the heat, the godawful food, in great detail. It’s not a pleasant read, but it is well done. Four stars out of five.
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LibraryThing member Cariola
Australian Sarah Schmidt takes a whack at the well-known story of the Lizzie Borden case. She structures her novel in chapters devoted to key figures: Lizzie Borden, the accused murderer of her father and stepmother; Bridget, the family maid, who was at home at the time of the murders; Emma, the
The book left me feeling that I had only half the story and with more questions than I had when I started it. I wanted to know more about Bridget, the only apparently "normal" person in the household. Indeed, an entire novel from her point of view would probably have been more interesting. I'm not sure just what role Benjamin is meant to play. Is he a foil to Lizzie, meant to show how he recognizes in her one of his own kind, capable of murder? Or are we to suspect, despite what he tells us, that he is the real murderer that got away? With the entire family barfing up the mutton that has been simmering on the stove for days, why does no one suspect it has been poisoned or gone bad? (Lizzie at one point asks Bridget if there is any prussic acid in the house--a rather heavy-handed hint.) What exactly was it that turned Lizzie against her stepmother, a woman she had called Mother for years but then began referring to as Mrs. Borden?
The novel had it's interesting moments, but, for me, too many holes to recommend, even for fans of the unsolved murders.
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older sister, staying with friends during the initial events; John, the sisters' maternal uncle; and a wholly fictional character, Benjamin, a thug hired by John to threaten Mr. Borden, supposedly on Lizzie's behalf. We are never witness to the murder or the trial or to any post-trial events: Schmidt focuses instead on each character's observations and psychological responses. Lizzie comes across as a spoiled, immature, perhaps mentally unbalanced woman in her early 30s. Her sister Emma says time and again that Lizzie always gets her way and that even their strict, stingy father gave in to her every whim. Emma's own happiness--a desire to see Europe, dreams of becoming an artist, even a possible marriage--have been constantly thwarted by the expectation that she will, as her dying mother asked, "take care of Lizzie." Uncle John seems to be a little too close to Lizzie. A shady character, he has a history of borrowing money from his brother-in-law but never paying it back. Did he--or Benjamin, a deranged young man who lives only to make enough money to return home and kill his father--have anything to do with the bloody axe murders? Or was Lizzie finally pushed over the brink when her father killed her pet pigeons? While we never get a definitive answer, Schmidt clearly believes that this is the case.The book left me feeling that I had only half the story and with more questions than I had when I started it. I wanted to know more about Bridget, the only apparently "normal" person in the household. Indeed, an entire novel from her point of view would probably have been more interesting. I'm not sure just what role Benjamin is meant to play. Is he a foil to Lizzie, meant to show how he recognizes in her one of his own kind, capable of murder? Or are we to suspect, despite what he tells us, that he is the real murderer that got away? With the entire family barfing up the mutton that has been simmering on the stove for days, why does no one suspect it has been poisoned or gone bad? (Lizzie at one point asks Bridget if there is any prussic acid in the house--a rather heavy-handed hint.) What exactly was it that turned Lizzie against her stepmother, a woman she had called Mother for years but then began referring to as Mrs. Borden?
The novel had it's interesting moments, but, for me, too many holes to recommend, even for fans of the unsolved murders.
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LibraryThing member Perednia
Amazing in descriptions to show the oppressiveness of sisters bound to each other whether they want their own lives or not, the heat, the casual cruelty, family abuse and the human wish for love.
LibraryThing member gpangel
See What I have Done by Sarah Schmidt is a 2017 Atlantic Monthly Press publication.
After seeing some reviews for this book pop up on Goodreads and realizing the book was based on the infamous Lizzie Borden murders, I knew I had to read it.
For decades, I have been fascinated by the Borden murders,
Still, I never pass up the chance to read a book about the murders, fiction or nonfiction. This newest look at the day the Borden’s died and the subsequent fallout, is a work of fiction, and it appears to have received a few mixed reviews.
Initially, my personal experience with the novel, was one of boredom. The only interesting cog in the wheel was the arrival of Lizzie’s uncle on her mother’s side of the family, which explores a theory only some give credence to. I was glad the author decided to explore that angle, and the question of what John's motive may have been.
Other than that, there wasn’t much here I had not heard before, and many times it reminded me of the old made for television movie starring Elizabeth Montgomery. The speculation was different, but the characters and the family dynamics were very similar, as was the overall atmosphere.
However, towards the last quarter of the book, things really started to perk up. At one point, a chill went down my spine, literally.
The author doesn’t attempt to solve the riddle, instead leaving the reader, once again, to spend their spare time mulling over the evidence presented, which left plenty of room for reasonable doubt.
Although the book raised some interesting questions and presented some unexplored theories, and the author did a fair job of recreating the intense hostility and resentment in the Borden household, as well as giving the main players individual and pronounced personalities, there was something missing or lacking along the way that prevented the type of suspenseful build up I was hoping for. Perhaps my familiarity with the case squashed the anticipation aspects just a little, so maybe it was just me.
Still, I think the book was worth the time I invested in it, and it has renewed my interest in this case, causing me to rethink the facts I am one hundred percent sure of. But, at the end of the day, I find myself continuing to waffle, unable or unwilling, to stand on one side of the fence or the other.
The bulk of the book was mildly interesting, and kept me engaged just enough to propel me forward, but by the end, I was feeling much more impressed, and my attention was totally undivided.
So, for that reason, I gave the book a nudge up on the rating scale. - 3.5 stars
After seeing some reviews for this book pop up on Goodreads and realizing the book was based on the infamous Lizzie Borden murders, I knew I had to read it.
For decades, I have been fascinated by the Borden murders,
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never quite sure if I fully believed in Lizzie’s guilt or innocence. I’ve read true crime and historical fiction based on Lizzie or the murders in general. Some of these novels are quite convincing, for one side or the other, and entirely plausible, while others are so far fetched I barely recognize the central characters. The same can be said for true crime books which also tend to lean to one side or the other and like to add, or leave out, any evidence that doesn’t fit their narrative. Still, I never pass up the chance to read a book about the murders, fiction or nonfiction. This newest look at the day the Borden’s died and the subsequent fallout, is a work of fiction, and it appears to have received a few mixed reviews.
Initially, my personal experience with the novel, was one of boredom. The only interesting cog in the wheel was the arrival of Lizzie’s uncle on her mother’s side of the family, which explores a theory only some give credence to. I was glad the author decided to explore that angle, and the question of what John's motive may have been.
Other than that, there wasn’t much here I had not heard before, and many times it reminded me of the old made for television movie starring Elizabeth Montgomery. The speculation was different, but the characters and the family dynamics were very similar, as was the overall atmosphere.
However, towards the last quarter of the book, things really started to perk up. At one point, a chill went down my spine, literally.
The author doesn’t attempt to solve the riddle, instead leaving the reader, once again, to spend their spare time mulling over the evidence presented, which left plenty of room for reasonable doubt.
Although the book raised some interesting questions and presented some unexplored theories, and the author did a fair job of recreating the intense hostility and resentment in the Borden household, as well as giving the main players individual and pronounced personalities, there was something missing or lacking along the way that prevented the type of suspenseful build up I was hoping for. Perhaps my familiarity with the case squashed the anticipation aspects just a little, so maybe it was just me.
Still, I think the book was worth the time I invested in it, and it has renewed my interest in this case, causing me to rethink the facts I am one hundred percent sure of. But, at the end of the day, I find myself continuing to waffle, unable or unwilling, to stand on one side of the fence or the other.
The bulk of the book was mildly interesting, and kept me engaged just enough to propel me forward, but by the end, I was feeling much more impressed, and my attention was totally undivided.
So, for that reason, I gave the book a nudge up on the rating scale. - 3.5 stars
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LibraryThing member flourgirl49
Virtually every person in this book was portrayed as crazy, nasty, abusive, or exhibiting filthy personal habits of behavior and hygiene. The overall atmosphere was dark and oppressive. I did not like the way the author switched back and forth between the day of the murders and the day before the
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murders. For a while I thought to myself that all these people ever ate were johnnycakes, mutton soup and pears, but then I realized that it was the same story over and over again, just told by different people over the course of the two days. I wanted to take a shower when it was all over. Yuck. Show Less
LibraryThing member seasonsoflove
Everyone thinks they know what really happened that fateful day in Fall River. Everyone has an opinion on Lizzie Borden's guilt or innocence.
Schmidt explores what could have happened from four points of view: Lizzie herself, Emma, her sister, Bridget, the family's maid, and Benjamin, a stranger
There is so much to like about this book. Schmidt has a beautiful lyrical writing style that makes everything that's happening feel both real and surreal.
This book is also absolutely fascinating. Schmidt has clearly done her research, and can back her theories up. Even though I know a lot of facts about this case, Schmidt had me turning page after page, having to find out what happens, unable to put it down.
I did feel the addition of Benjamin was somewhat unnecessary. The people involved in this true story are already fascinating enough without needing to add in a fictional mysterious stranger.
I've always read and watched about unsolved mysteries, and the Borden case is one of those I've read about a lot. So I was extremely excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this book.
Schmidt explores what could have happened from four points of view: Lizzie herself, Emma, her sister, Bridget, the family's maid, and Benjamin, a stranger
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brought into the outskirts of their world.There is so much to like about this book. Schmidt has a beautiful lyrical writing style that makes everything that's happening feel both real and surreal.
This book is also absolutely fascinating. Schmidt has clearly done her research, and can back her theories up. Even though I know a lot of facts about this case, Schmidt had me turning page after page, having to find out what happens, unable to put it down.
I did feel the addition of Benjamin was somewhat unnecessary. The people involved in this true story are already fascinating enough without needing to add in a fictional mysterious stranger.
I've always read and watched about unsolved mysteries, and the Borden case is one of those I've read about a lot. So I was extremely excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this book.
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LibraryThing member SadieBabie
I didn't know anything about the Borden murders (still don't, beyond what I read in this book), so I came to this fresh. I thought it was such an intriguing story, and I liked how the finger never settled exactly on one person and left it open to interpretation as to the range of motives. It shows
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that even if there is an accepted version, there are always multiple possibilities. Sometimes the writing style jarred me, just a few sentences which needed a bit of polishing, but overall I enjoyed it. Show Less
LibraryThing member a1stitcher
Another version of the Lizzie Borden story, from the viewpoints of four of the characters involved.
LibraryThing member Charrlygirl
3.5 stars!
SEE WHAT I HAVE DONE is a beautifully written re-telling of the Lizzie Borden story.
I've always been fascinated by Lizzie Borden. Having lived all my life in Massachusetts, it's a story everyone is familiar with, even children, because of that horrible rhyme: Lizzie Borden took an ax...
This narrative was split into several different viewpoints which was a bit confusing at first, but became easier as the tale went on. Because the story was told in this way, there ended up being a lot of repetition as each character had mutton soup at various times and they seemed to be preoccupied with pears.
That said, language is used beautifully even if it was a bit quirky. In fact, the prose was so lyrical at times that it distracted from the story. The characters were vividly drawn though and had strong personalities. I'm not sure how much of the narrative was actually true, but just about everyone in this tale is horrid. The creepy uncle who hangs about touching Lizzie and her sister in inappropriate ways. Mr. Borden who wasn't above smacking his grown children in the face whenever he was displeased. Mrs. Borden, (who was NOT Lizzie's real mother, by the way), seemed more of a doormat than a person. Lastly, Emma, Lizzie's sister, who cannot seem to figure out the simplest of mysteries, even when all the facts were right there under her nose.
All in all, I did enjoy this story, most especially because of the quirky, but eloquent prose. This story has been told before, but I liked how this tale was presented-so vividly, yet convoluted at the same time. I look forward to reading Sarah Schmidt's work in the future, and I do recommend this book, though it might not work for everyone.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
SEE WHAT I HAVE DONE is a beautifully written re-telling of the Lizzie Borden story.
I've always been fascinated by Lizzie Borden. Having lived all my life in Massachusetts, it's a story everyone is familiar with, even children, because of that horrible rhyme: Lizzie Borden took an ax...
Show More
Because of my interest and due to the reviews of some of my friends, I decided to finally read this book that I had requested from NetGalley last year. I'm glad I did!This narrative was split into several different viewpoints which was a bit confusing at first, but became easier as the tale went on. Because the story was told in this way, there ended up being a lot of repetition as each character had mutton soup at various times and they seemed to be preoccupied with pears.
That said, language is used beautifully even if it was a bit quirky. In fact, the prose was so lyrical at times that it distracted from the story. The characters were vividly drawn though and had strong personalities. I'm not sure how much of the narrative was actually true, but just about everyone in this tale is horrid. The creepy uncle who hangs about touching Lizzie and her sister in inappropriate ways. Mr. Borden who wasn't above smacking his grown children in the face whenever he was displeased. Mrs. Borden, (who was NOT Lizzie's real mother, by the way), seemed more of a doormat than a person. Lastly, Emma, Lizzie's sister, who cannot seem to figure out the simplest of mysteries, even when all the facts were right there under her nose.
All in all, I did enjoy this story, most especially because of the quirky, but eloquent prose. This story has been told before, but I liked how this tale was presented-so vividly, yet convoluted at the same time. I look forward to reading Sarah Schmidt's work in the future, and I do recommend this book, though it might not work for everyone.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
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Awards
Women's Prize for Fiction (Longlist — 2018)
Dublin Literary Award (Longlist — 2019)
Davitt Award (Longlist — Debut Novel — 2018)
Ned Kelly Award (Shortlist — 2018)
Australian Book Industry Awards (Shortlist — Literary Fiction — 2018)
The Indie Book Award (Longlist — 2018)
MUD Literary Prize (Winner — 2018)
Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year (Fiction — 2017)