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    Sin Eater: A Novel
    Sin Eater: A Novel
    Sin Eater: A Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    Sin Eater: A Novel

    Written by Megan Campisi

    Narrated by Shiromi Arserio

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    “For fans of The Handmaid’s Tale...a debut novel with a dark setting and an unforgettable heroine...is a riveting depiction of hard-won female empowerment” (The Washington Post).

    The Sin Eater walks among us, unseen, unheard
    Sins of our flesh become sins of Hers
    Following Her to the grave, unseen, unheard
    The Sin Eater Walks Among Us.

    For the crime of stealing bread, fourteen-year-old May receives a life sentence: she must become a Sin Eater—a shunned woman, brutally marked, whose fate is to hear the final confessions of the dying, eat ritual foods symbolizing their sins as a funeral rite, and thereby shoulder their transgressions to grant their souls access to heaven.

    Orphaned and friendless, apprenticed to an older Sin Eater who cannot speak to her, May must make her way in a dangerous and cruel world she barely understands. When a deer heart appears on the coffin of a royal governess who did not confess to the dreadful sin it represents, the older Sin Eater refuses to eat it. She is taken to prison, tortured, and killed. To avenge her death, May must find out who placed the deer heart on the coffin and why.

    “Very much reminiscent of The Handmaid’s Tale…it transcends its historical roots to give us a modern heroine” (Kirkus Reviews). “A novel as strange as it is captivating” (BuzzFeed), The Sin Eater “is a treat for fans of feminist speculative fiction” (Publishers Weekly) and “exactly what historical fiction lovers have unknowingly craved” (New York Journal of Books).
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateApr 7, 2020
    ISBN9781797102139
    Author

    Megan Campisi

    Megan Campisi is a playwright, novelist, and teacher. Her plays have been performed in China, France, and the United States. She attended Yale University and L’École International de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq. The author of Sin Eater, she lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her family.

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    Reviews for Sin Eater

    4/5

    286 ratings21 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Life was harsh in the 16th century, and it was even more harsh for sin eaters. Shunned, despised, feared, it was a lonely, despairing life for those condemned to the life of a sin eater. As way of background, sin eaters aren’t fictional - they were people (in this book, women) who consumed a meal in order to spiritually take on the sins of a dying person, thus the sins of the dying were absolved. There are specific foods to be eaten for specific confessed sins. It was believed that sin-eaters took on the sins of all people whose sins they had eaten, and were therefore condemned to hell to be with the original sinner, Eve.
      This book is alternate historical fiction - there are many parallels to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (the Virgin Queen) but the names have been changed (to protect the sinners?). Our sin eater is May Owens, who at 14 is convicted of stealing bread and sentenced to become a sin eater. When she believes her sin eater mentor has been murdered she’s determined to find who killed her. It’s truly a harsh, dark life that May lives and Campisi describes. This is an atmospheric book filled with characters both at the top and the bottom of the social ladder. May hears all their sins. There’s no joy in this life - every person she comes across in the fulfillment of her duties is having a very bad day. But while May might be uneducated, she’s intelligent and resourceful, and manages to carve out something of a life for herself. It’s this journey that Campisi takes us on.
      It’s difficult for me to rate this book - I didn’t love it, yet I did find it compelling, and I wanted to know what would become of May. I listened to much of it, and the narration was excellent, so I’ll round up what would be a 3.5 for the book alone to a 4 with the narration bonus points. (And in honestly, I realize that in a year other than 2020, during election season, I may well have enjoyed it a good bit more.)
      My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

      3 people found this helpful

    • 2/5
      This has nothing in common with Alice or the Handmaid's Tale... It starts with an interesting concept, but goes nowhere, and with terrible execution.

      The protagonist has no substance or motivation. Because there's no reason for her to be invested in the mystery, it is not compelling to the reader either.

      Someone please do a word count for the word "folk." Not only does the author use it every time she refers to humans, she even alters words to incorporate it: "Your face is so different from everyfolk else's."

      Frequently, "folk" appears 3-4 times in a single sentence. It must be used hundredS of times throughout the novel.

      Maybe if this word is your kink, this is the book for you. Otherwise, skip this one.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Liked how she used actual historical figures and gave a different view of them. Such an interesting story.
    • 5/5
      I went in blind without reading the description! I enjoyed it! Very thought provoking!
    • 5/5
      I'm rather picky with fiction, preferring non-fiction. Think I was hooked from page one, I loved the history, the darkness of the tale, everything. The narrator was also amazing, I normally have a hard time connecting to the MC, but Ms. Arserio really brought her to life.
    • 5/5
      Stunning listen! Historical details masterfully rolled into a you g woman’s terrible but fierce coming of age in medieval times drama. Loved the narration too!
    • 5/5
      such a well written and descriptive book. while listening i could truly picture the setting and how the characters look, and even the smells of the city. a great read!
    • 5/5
      Both the writing, and the narration were a relief after a string of novels that have either been difficult to follow or were delivered by narrators so self-important that the personal experience was lost for me as a listener… It is a delicate balance, the audiobook, and I can’t help but wonder if this author who is a playwright might not have an advantage in this format. I look forward to the next release. And I’m going to search by narrator for some other things to listen to in the meantime.

      The voice of this novel is strong. If you are a reader, who is interested in story over sensationalism it is worth a read, or a listen, or both. Spoiler alert, There is no gratuitous, sex or explicit violence, but there is certainly insensitivity, prejudice, class struggle, intrigue and cruelty driving the plot ; the descriptions palpable, the characterizations at times amusing, and often pointed; the perspective innocent, without being vapid on the part of the protagonist.

      Also, nice cover art work .
    • 4/5
      The world created in this book is breathtaking and intriguing
    • 5/5
      If you're a fan of The Handmaiden's Tale or Only Ever Your's, you'll love this book.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this book! The narration was was excellent and enjoyable. The subject matter is dark but for me very entertaining.
    • 4/5
      I was immediately draw into this alternative England during the reign of Queen Bethany (who seems remarkably like Elizabeth the first).   We see everything through the eyes of a teenage sin eater.  Sin eaters were outcasts, untouchable, even lepers avoid them, but at least they didn't starve.
      At the heart of this book is a mystery, and I feel that was the weakest point of the book, there are several twists and turns with regard to this, but I didn't really care that much about it.
      This is certainly not a world I would like to live in. It is a fascinating glimpse into the world of the medieval poor.   I don't feel it was a particularly memorable book but a worthy debut and I will be keeping a close eye out for more by this author. 
    • 5/5
      I picked up this book a few months ago. I am kicking myself a little that I did not pick it up and start reading it sooner until now. There are mentions of this book being a cross between The Handmaid's Tale meets Alice in Wonderland. I have not seen The Handmaid's Tale yet but honestly, I would not say this book has similarities to Alice in Wonderland. It is more unique and dark. Which I really enjoyed for the fact that this book was something different that I have not read in a long time. It actually made me think of one of my favorite series by Maria Snyder and the first book that started it all, Poison Study. That series like this one is fantasy. However, I would say this book is darker. All of the characters in this book were great. I really connected to them all. Besides the characters, it was the world that author, Megan built as well that had me hooked. This book is easily a five star recommended read for me. I read this book in one day. I want more.
    • 5/5
      A stunning and powerful read!This was such a different historical/fantasy fiction read. I was totally drawn in and fascinated by what happened to fourteen-year-old May for stealing a loaf of bread. In the 18th century she probably would have been transported. In 16th century England she's sent to be a Sin Eater. A young girl sentenced apprenticed (can one really say that?) to an older Sin Eater, to a life of isolation where she must hear the last confessions of the dying, must learn what is eaten to mark their sins, and then take those sins upon herself. Somewhat like a court imposed Pardoner, without the freedom and ability to mix with people.May had a somewhat checkered upbringing. An orphan raised by a criminal family, which I think colors the way she moves forward once she decides to take control of her destiny. The journey towards that independence is fraught.This is a story of incredible resistance, and hope despite the horrific sentence May's received. Complicating the situation is the plots surround the royal court and the virgin queen, Queen Bethany.A deer heart is placed on a coffin of a royal attendant, and the older Sin Eater refuses to eat it. She is tortured and dies horrifically.May vows to avenge her death, a road that will be dangerous and frightening, as May comes into her own and rethinks who she is. A personal reinterpretation of her role gives May a new perspective. An exciting moment!As the plot develops May meets a host of different people, bringing into focus the daily lives of various groups of society, especially the poor and persecuted, during these times. The rich and powerful are also exposed to us.The cover is a striking comment on the Sin Eater's burden, referencing European and British sixteenth century still life works. I've always loved these works, the richness of the colors reflecting the food! And that cover, the intricacy of the pomegranate certainly aided my imaginative reinterpretation of the story.I was struck by the amount of food the Sin Eater must eat in a day--to the point of obesity if the description of the older Sin Eater is any hint. In fact I found myself repulsed by the amount of food they are required to eat, and the type--deer's heart. Grimacing now!It is no wonder Trish Todd of Atria books in her forward says this is, "An extraordinary, lyrical feat of imagination, Chaucerian in its cast of characters."The journey with May is an exceptional dark fantasy adventure into reinvented Elizabethan times, ending with the hope for May.An Atria books ARC via NetGalley
    • 3/5
      Sin Eater's premise is fascinating. A newly orphaned teenage girl in 16th century England is forced to become one of society's most reviled but necessary servants: a sin eater. The dying confess their sins, and she eats the corresponding foods, thereby absorbing their sins and freeing their souls.The strength of this novel is atmosphere. Campisi thoroughly immerses us in the slums and the castle. The sights, sounds, and smells come alive. All the fears, stigmas, superstitions, power, and powerlessness are laid out for us to witness.Unfortunately, for me, the storytelling fell short. Pacing is extremely slow and content is repetitive. We spend a lot of time going along with May as she listens to confessions, announces the foods to be cooked and presented, then sits and eats them all. The first few times were interesting, but by one-third in I'd had enough descriptions of lamb's heads and mustard seeds. Though, on the bright side, this works well as a snacking deterrent. I wasn't the least bit hungry.The plot is thin, with the mystery aspect not coming into play until about two-thirds through the book.Character development is minimal at best. I initially felt for May, our narrator, but her character doesn't have much of a trajectory. Other characters filled their assigned roles as expected.By midway, I could have put the book down and not finished.The ending, for me, felt anticlimactic.Overall, while well written, the story never lived up to its promise.*I received a review copy from the publisher.*
    • 3/5
      With a disturbing cover that is eerily compelling, Sin Eater by Megan Campisi cements that sense of unease with a story that is a chimera of mystery, historical fantasy, and socio-political commentary. Set in a fictional Britain that winkingly resembles that of the 16th century, the book borrows recognizable elements from that time period and uses them as a springboard for Campisi’s own imaginative interpretation. In her opening notes, the author explains that Sin Eaters did exist, but their genesis and the myths surrounding them are mostly undocumented. Apparently, these outcasts symbolically removed a dying person’s sins by eating bread laid out at their sickbed or funeral. This novel is Campisi’s attempt at building a deeper first-person narrative based on the meager details available. Orphaned and rejected by relatives who steal her home from under her, May is jailed for stealing bread. Sentenced to serve as an apprentice to a Sin Eater, she has no idea why her relatively small transgression warrants such extreme punishment. May receives a brand of an “S” on her tongue and a heavy yoke-like collar that will perpetually advertise her lowly station for the rest of her life. No longer allowed to speak, she is condemned to be untouchable and fated to serve “Eve” (the book’s version of Satan) after her death if she neglects any part of her duties. These responsibilities include hearing last confessions, ordering specific foods to be prepared based on the sins committed, and consuming them upon the person’s death. She thereby absolves the deceased of wrongdoing and transfers the sins onto her own soul. Every town needs a Sin Eater, one who is tolerated as an unwelcome but necessary part of every citizen’s life. May learns the rituals from the town’s existing Sin Eater, a slovenly older woman whom she dubs Ruth since they cannot speak to each other. May heartbreakingly tries to wring any possible affection from her teacher and forms an attachment despite her rough treatment. The premise of this novel is fascinating, but the storyline become a bit muddled when the two Sin Eaters are called to the Queen’s court. While performing their ritual, they are exposed to activities that some powerful people want to conceal, thereby endangering their lives. The book then morphs into a murder mystery involving court intrigue, religious intolerance and disputes about succession to the throne. The events described reference the turmoil seen during the reigns of Bloody Mary and Elizabeth I. Those who are unfamiliar with this historical period may miss many of the nuanced comparisons, and May’s use of nicknames for the characters she encounters can be difficult to decipher. The best parts of Sin Eater are outside of the central mystery—the plotlines depicting May’s discovery of kindness and kinship with fellow pariahs and her gradual realization of her own power within the social hierarchy. Ironically, the nature of her position and the fear it inspires serves as a source of freedom and provides unfettered access into all echelons of society. Original and well-written, Megan Campisi has taken a disturbing footnote from history and embellished it into a commentary on corruption and the price of freedom. Sin Eater is rewarding for those who persevere, enduring the twisting and somewhat divergent paths that the book wanders down along the way.Thanks to the author, Atria Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
    • 4/5
      Sin Eater by Megan CampisiSource: NetGalley and Atria BooksRating: 4/5 stars**MINI-REVIEW**The Bottom Line: Upon reflection, I can’t say I loved this book, but I can definitively say I found it fascinating. Though the names have been altered, the setting is clearly England during the reign of Elizabeth I and there are nefarious deeds being perpetrated in the castle. Getting to the bottom of the mystery requires the abilities of one young lady, a recently appointed sin eater who is caught up in a mess she never should have been privy to. In truth, I could have done without the whole court conspiracy bit and just read about the life of May, the sin eater. Her punishment is reprehensible, the people she lives among treat her as an outcast, at best, yet they need her on a daily basis to make themselves feel better about their miserable lives. The dynamic between May and the people she “serves” was the most intriguing aspect of this read, followed closely by the sins and the foods associated with them. Finally, “watching” as May comes to terms with her life sentence was like watching a train wreck, you know its’s bad and you should be watching, but you also can’t stop yourself. The writing is top notch the story is fascinating, but this isn’t going to be a story for all readers. This book sort of defies placement within a specific genre, the abuse May suffers, and the matching up of the fake names with the real historical figures will be bothersome to many. For the rest of us, it’s just an intense and wonderfully weird read.
    • 4/5
      Before reading this book, I had heard of sin eaters, but really knew very little about them. This was an eye-opener to say the least! A macabre story set during 16th century England, the tale gives readers a fairly detailed account of the the sin eating duties that were prevalent during that time.May Owens, a lonely and hungry orphan, gets caught stealing bread and is given a harsh and unexpected sentence. She is to spend the rest of her life as a sin eater. Only fourteen, May knows little about the life of a sin eater. By chance someone directs her to the home of another sin eater. There, May is taken under a sort of apprenticeship, where she learns what is expected of her going forward.At first, her new role seems like a prison, but May soon discovers there is a sort of freedom in being an outcast and being invisible to others. She learns that she has a certain power that stems from other people’s fear of death.When May realizes that there is treachery within the Queen’s royal household, she sets out to get to the bottom of it and set right the past wrongs that have been done. I had no idea I was in for such a wonderful historical mystery. This was an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it to readers who love folklore, mysteries and historical fiction.Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
    • 5/5
      Orphan May stole a loaf of bread and when arrested expected to die a horrible death. The Recorder stared hard at her and sentenced her to be branded as a Sin Eater. The teenager would be shunned for the rest of her life but would never again starve. She was to hear the sins of the dying and eat the proscribed foods to take their sins upon herself. The dead would fly to heaven; a locked collar kept May chained to hell.Being a sin eater is a constricted life, alienated from society, yet May has unlimited access to the darkest secrets of the human heart for the the dying are eager to shrug off their worst sins before judgement.The Queen's ladies in waiting are dying. May hear their confession but is given foods for sins never confessed. Something is afoot in the palace, and illiterate, powerless May is the only person who can cipher out the truth. Sin Eater by Megan Campisi is set in a familiar Elizabethan-inspired alternative world with the virgin Queen Bethany jealously guarding her favorite while lords present themselves as suitors. The stench and inhumanity of the times are vividly described, as are the consequences of the quest for beauty and power.May is a remarkable and sympathetic heroine whose story arc takes her from powerlessness to embracing her destiny. The story winds up to a tense climax.I was given access to a free ebook by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
    • 5/5
      A fourteen-year-old girl's life is torn asunder, first by the death of her parents, and again, when she is caught for stealing bread and taken to prison. There she is sentenced to be a sin eater, condemned to live her life in silence, outcast from all in society except at their deathbeds. What she learns there will force her into a mystery that could cost her life.We know very little of sin eaters, so to some extent this work is a flight of fancy in the form of historical fiction, but oh what a flight it is. The story is immersive and the heroine relatable. Underneath the atmosphere and mystery, there lies an exploration of the lives of women and outcasts within society and the lengths one might go to avoid being the latter. The denouement was both exciting and thoroughly satisfying. A perfect light read.I received a complimentary copy of this book directly from Atria Books. Many thanks to all involved in providing me with this opportunity.
    • 5/5
      Megan Campisi created such an interesting tale, set in such an interesting place that I was immensely happy to lose myself in there for the hours it took me to read it. Apparently sin eaters, as recently as a hundred years ago, were actual people from various cultures throughout history. I find the practice disturbing yet oddly beautiful. I found the world the author created for this book, which I would say was similar to ye olde England, the perfect backdrop for these unfortunate souls. The religion, the royalty, the poverty all mimicked that time in our actual history, but everything was tweaked just a bit and twisted around so that I found myself very happily immersed in this great new world. The main character, May, is ostracized by her circumstances living in the fringes of society and I loved how the author identified the characters so removed from May's plight by never giving them names. Instead they were identified by the characteristics May saw in them - Mush Face, Painted Pig, Fair Hair, Black Fingers. Such dark subject matter, but really delightful to read. This was one of my top reads for 2019! I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy. This opinion is my own.