No Shame, No Fear

Reader reviewed by Amy Ward

I just completed the book No Shame, No Fear by Ann Turnbull. The book is set in the 1600's during the persecution of the Quakers by the Anglican church in England. Susanna, a 15-year-old Quaker girl, meets William, a 17-year-old Anglican and they fall in love. The story focuses on their struggle to be together against the odds. It also focuses on the struggle of the Quakers and the torment they suffered at the hands of the authorities. The story is very engaging and the love between Susanna and William is inspiring. Readers will get a very detailed and accurate description of the Quakers struggle to practice their beliefs. The book made this reader very grateful that I live in a place where I can practice my beliefs freely! I am very excited to read the sequel Forged In The Fire.

Reader reviewed by Abi

This story takes place in the mid-1600's, a time when, in England, it was illegal to be a quaker. It is in this time that Susanna, a 15 yr old quaker working in a printing press meets 17 yr old William, a nobleman's son. William finds himself lured by the quaker faith, though his choice comes at a price, his father, strongly against the quakers disowns him. In a time where persecution is great and love seems a lost cause these brave youth perserver against all odds.

Reader reviewed by graceface

Persecuted for her belief, Susanna, a young Quaker girl, leaves her family in the country for the city, where she can work and help provide for her family. At the same time, Will, after finishing his studies returns home to the same city as Susanna is moving to. They meet and fall in love. However, they come from two clashing societies and beliefs, which ultimately becomes a test for their relationship. Being a fan of historical fiction, I am in love with this book. But you don't have to be a history buff to enjoy this book. It is a classic tale of unconditional love that readers of all ages and tastes will enjoy,

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

England, 1662, at the beginning of the Quaker prosecution. 15-year-old Susanna Thorn decides shes old enough to get a job in town in order to support her Quaker family. 17-year-old William has just returned from Oxford, and his rags-to-riches father is encouraging him to be apprenticed to a good connection in London. Their paths cross accidentally one day in the middle of the road, and their lives are changed forever.

William finds himself inexplicably drawn to Susanna and her Quaker tradition. He begins to attend these illegal Quaker gatherings with the full knowledge that if his father finds out he will have a heart attack and probably disown his only son. Meanwhile, the prosecution of the Quakers is hitting Susanna hard, hurting those she loves, and she fears for her beloved Williams life.

William and Susannas relationship is a love that by all means should not occur, and yet with true love, they just might be able to make it out alright. Their story is sweet and full of the tense detail of excellent historical fiction. Anyone who likes historical fiction and a good love story should read this book.

Reader reviewed by Lulu

No shame, No fear is both a historical fiction and a romance. It tells the story of two teenagers; Will, 17 and Susanna, 15. Susanna is a Quaker, which in 1662 was against the law. Will is the son of a wealthy alderman of the town that Susanna finds employment in with other Quakers. They fall in love, and Will becomes a Quaker against the wishes of his father.

This book deals with some not-so-well-known events that took place in the 1600s, and some of the most interesting. The persecution of the Quakers is not what most people think of when they hear the words 'the 1600s'- most think of the great plague, or the fire of london for example. That is what makes this book so good- it turns something that most people don't care about into an engaging and interesting story.