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catsandbones's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
booksbybindu's review
5.0
Review
It’s official - Laura Purcell is the queen of modern gothic historical fiction, there is nothing she can do wrong. ‘The Shape of Darkness’ is a riveting tale that has all the hallmarks of this genre - the dark and dirty bleakness of Victorian Britain, a supernatural storyline and characters that pop off the page. It’s prose is claustrophobic but divine, there are enough red herrings and twists to make sure the reader is captivated, and when you read the final page you just want to dive straight back into the world which Laura has created.
Agnes is a silhouette portrait maker as a means to help support herself, her mother and her orphaned nephew Cedric. However, in the age of Victorian photographer less people are wanting her services. Agnes still gets a few clients but suddenly her clients are being murdered and she has no idea why?! Agnes has heard of mediums and spiritualism and attends a seance where we find Pearl an albino 9 year old who acts as the medium.
It is the characters in this book that makes it shine, especially those of Agnes and Pearl. They both share the same innocence and naivety. I personally don’t believe in spiritualism, even when my mum did, to me there is always an explanation and so many of the practitioners of this time period were charlatans. But even so this story sucks you in and you want to believe that Pearl actually has the gift, especially with her blackouts and memory loss. You want to believe that she is special and has a gift and not just being exploited by her elder half-sister. The resolution to the story for both these characters made me gasp, I totally wasn’t expecting either of them in all honesty. I thought the story was going in another direction but then that’s what I love. When an author surprises you it’s truly a magical moment and there were many of those moments in this book.
Truly this book is great - just read it peeps.
It’s official - Laura Purcell is the queen of modern gothic historical fiction, there is nothing she can do wrong. ‘The Shape of Darkness’ is a riveting tale that has all the hallmarks of this genre - the dark and dirty bleakness of Victorian Britain, a supernatural storyline and characters that pop off the page. It’s prose is claustrophobic but divine, there are enough red herrings and twists to make sure the reader is captivated, and when you read the final page you just want to dive straight back into the world which Laura has created.
Agnes is a silhouette portrait maker as a means to help support herself, her mother and her orphaned nephew Cedric. However, in the age of Victorian photographer less people are wanting her services. Agnes still gets a few clients but suddenly her clients are being murdered and she has no idea why?! Agnes has heard of mediums and spiritualism and attends a seance where we find Pearl an albino 9 year old who acts as the medium.
It is the characters in this book that makes it shine, especially those of Agnes and Pearl. They both share the same innocence and naivety. I personally don’t believe in spiritualism, even when my mum did, to me there is always an explanation and so many of the practitioners of this time period were charlatans. But even so this story sucks you in and you want to believe that Pearl actually has the gift, especially with her blackouts and memory loss. You want to believe that she is special and has a gift and not just being exploited by her elder half-sister. The resolution to the story for both these characters made me gasp, I totally wasn’t expecting either of them in all honesty. I thought the story was going in another direction but then that’s what I love. When an author surprises you it’s truly a magical moment and there were many of those moments in this book.
Truly this book is great - just read it peeps.
themis_biblos's review
3.0
This is my third book by Laura Purcell and I liked it even less than Silent Companions. Agnes was weak and boring and the plot twist at the end did not change that. Pearl and her father were the most intriguing characters, but we didn't get to know them too well, especially the father.
paperbacksandpines's review
4.0
Another great read by Laura Purcell. I loved the premise of the book, the topic of spiritualism, the characters, and their lives. This is a perfect fall or winter read. I can't wait to read [b:The Corset|39098246|The Corset|Laura Purcell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521746242l/39098246._SY75_.jpg|60683917] and [b:Bone China|44597241|Bone China|Laura Purcell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556549547l/44597241._SY75_.jpg|69230264] next. I'd probably give this book a 3.5 but that may be because I listened to it as an audiobook and my attention span isn't as focused when listening to audiobooks, not through any fault of the author.
per_fictionist's review
4.0
LAURA PURCELL DID IT AGAIN! The Shape of Darkness was my third Purcell and it was equally enjoyable as my first! I think we can all collectively admit that no contemporary author spins a Victorian gothic mystery like Purcell does with so much ease and grace.
The characters and her rich atmospheric writing pulls you in and the compelling plot makes you stay. It often baffles me how effortless it is to get absorbed in her books and THE SHAPE OF DARKNESS, is no exception.
It's Bath, 1854 where Agnes Darken, a professional silhouette maker lives with her weak and ailing mother trying hard to make her ends meet. On the other side of town, Pearl lives with her rather autocratic sister Myrtle with their father who is on his death-bed. Pearl has the inexplainable ability to communicate with spirits from the other world. After a murderer, strikes Bath where he mysteriously kills Agnes' customers one by one, Agnes soughts the guidance of 11 year old Pearl.
As intriguing as the synopsis sounds, Purcell delivers so much more. Exhilaration engulfs you with every twist and you find yourself transported to the Victorian Era and well I don't think anyone would ever complain that :D This I felt was more of a murder mystery than her other books and I enjoyed it to bits!
The characters and her rich atmospheric writing pulls you in and the compelling plot makes you stay. It often baffles me how effortless it is to get absorbed in her books and THE SHAPE OF DARKNESS, is no exception.
It's Bath, 1854 where Agnes Darken, a professional silhouette maker lives with her weak and ailing mother trying hard to make her ends meet. On the other side of town, Pearl lives with her rather autocratic sister Myrtle with their father who is on his death-bed. Pearl has the inexplainable ability to communicate with spirits from the other world. After a murderer, strikes Bath where he mysteriously kills Agnes' customers one by one, Agnes soughts the guidance of 11 year old Pearl.
As intriguing as the synopsis sounds, Purcell delivers so much more. Exhilaration engulfs you with every twist and you find yourself transported to the Victorian Era and well I don't think anyone would ever complain that :D This I felt was more of a murder mystery than her other books and I enjoyed it to bits!
nattly's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
squirrelsonbookshelves's review
4.0
To start, I fcking LOVE Ms Purcell. Gothic supernatural suspense. Perfection.
I was a little less enamoured by Bone China, and I was dubious as I started reading this one, about a silhouette cutter and her clients dying off. Enter the medium...
The thing I've loved about LP previously is that it was a whole "is it ACTUALLY supernatural?" thing, and I was concerned that she'd lost that vibe, but nope, it's back with a boom.
It was a slow start but then I was hooked.
Still not overtaken The Corset, but it's reignited my love of both LP and Gothic suspense.
I was a little less enamoured by Bone China, and I was dubious as I started reading this one, about a silhouette cutter and her clients dying off. Enter the medium...
The thing I've loved about LP previously is that it was a whole "is it ACTUALLY supernatural?" thing, and I was concerned that she'd lost that vibe, but nope, it's back with a boom.
It was a slow start but then I was hooked.
Still not overtaken The Corset, but it's reignited my love of both LP and Gothic suspense.
readingwithmani's review against another edition
5.0
Well I hope I don't have nightmares tonight. Worth it though.
haallere's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5