The Day She Cradled Me

This is a fictional story based on the life of baby farmer and murder Minnie Dean who was hanged in 1895, the only woman ever hanged in New Zealand. It starts from when Minnie has been charged and is awaiting trial. Reverend Lindsay decides to find out more and meets with Minnie on several occasions, the narrative being told by them both.

I am a distant relative of Esther Wallis who was adopted by Minnie and Charles Dean in 1890 when she was 10 years old to help look after the children. Esther gave evidence at Minnie’s trial. I am disappointed with the author’s portrayal of Esther in this book as it not based on known information - it seems that Esther has been blamed for things she did not do. When an author is dealing with real show more people, even in a fictionalised account, I don’t feel this is appropriate unless it is based in fact, especially when an innocent child is involved.

The book felt like a romanticised version of events and the writing a bit clunky. With the text jumping from past to present the structure was a bit irritating, and the vilification of characters, that were actually real people, disturbing. It’s worth reading to have another dimension to the events surrounding this period in New Zealand’s history, but I had to made myself finish it. show less