"He really does not know. Men such as him do not have to clean up the messes they make, but we have to clean up our own messes, and theirs into the bargain. In that way they are like children, they do not have to think ahead, or worry about the consequences of what they do. But it is not their fault, it is only how they are brought up" (Atwood, 214).

While this piece of historical fiction does touch on some insightful speculation, I found this particular musing to be the most representative of the novel as a whole. Whether or not Grace is innocent or guilty, she is a woman. For this, she is constantly adjusting her actions and words in order to bypass or mitigate any potential dangers inherently related to being female. This is demonstrated well with small, reoccurring details such as Grace's need to lock the door before she sleeps.

The gender double-standards of the time (mid-1800's) are well illustrated with the consequences of Mary's actions, juxtaposed to the those of Dr. Simon Jordan. This narrative strength aside, because much of what is presented are Grace's testimonials to Dr. Jordan, the overall voice of the novel is eerie and uncomfortable. What we read is the character Grace has curated to extract sympathy from Dr. Jordan and others working to exonerate her. Grace's character is ultimately muted of nearly any individuality, and her lack of anger is truly frustrating.

Whether the reader is supposed to be unnerved in this manner to serve a greater purpose, I have no idea. The quotes at the beginning of each section do well to frame the prevailing feeling of the era, but the accounts from the titular unreliable narrator do little to evoke understanding beyond anger at the injustices of the 19th century.