Gillespie and I

In 1933 London, elderly Harriet Baxter recounts her relationship with Scottish artist Ned Gillespie and his family during the 1888 Glasgow International Exhibition. The narrative moves between these two time periods as Harriet, aided by her maid Sarah, documents her memories of that significant year. After arriving in Glasgow following her aunt's death, Harriet becomes closely involved with the Gillespies - Ned, his wife Annie, their daughters Sybil and Rose, and his mother Elspeth. She positions herself as Ned's champion and supporter, aiming to help advance his artistic career while becoming increasingly embedded in the family's daily life. The story takes an unexpected turn when a series of events leads to a criminal trial, calling into question everything that came before. The relationship between narrator and reader becomes complex as the truth grows increasingly uncertain. This Victorian-era novel examines themes of memory, perspective, and the reliability of narrative, while exploring the sometimes murky boundaries between friendship, obsession, and manipulation.

Readers describe an unsettling psychological tale with Gothic elements and an unreliable narrator whose true nature emerges slowly. The book maintains suspense through careful pacing and misdirection. Readers appreciated: - Complex, layered storytelling - Period detail of 1880s Glasgow - Growing sense of unease - Subtle clues scattered throughout - Last third's dramatic revelations Common criticisms: - Slow start puts some readers off - Middle section drags - Length (500+ pages) feels excessive - Some find the ending frustrating or unclear Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (450+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (300+ ratings) Reader comments highlight the divisive ending: "Brilliantly constructed but left me angry" notes one Amazon reviewer. Multiple Goodreads reviews mention struggling through the first 150 pages before becoming fully engaged. The unreliable narrator receives particular praise, with readers noting how their perception shifts completely on second reading.

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🎨 The Glasgow International Exhibition of 1888 was a real event that attracted over 5.7 million visitors and showcased Scotland's industrial and cultural achievements. 🏠 Victorian Glasgow was known as the "Second City of the Empire" due to its rapid industrial growth and wealth, making it a thriving hub for artists and intellectuals in the late 19th century. ✍️ Author Jane Harris spent over seven years writing "Gillespie and I," meticulously researching Victorian Glasgow to create an authentic historical atmosphere. 🖼️ The book's exploration of an "obscure artist" reflects the reality of many talented Victorian painters who never achieved recognition during their lifetimes. 📚 The novel's unreliable narrator technique draws inspiration from classic Gothic literature, particularly Wilkie Collins's "The Moonstone" and Sarah Waters's "The Little Stranger."