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beckys_book_blog 's review for:
The Fascination
by Essie Fox
Victorian England. A world of rural fairgrounds and glamorous London theatres. A world of dark secrets and deadly obsessions…'
I loved The Somnambulist by Essie Fox so I was so excited to be sent a proof copy of this book!
This was a meticulously researched novel delving into the depths of Victorian England with an enthralling host of characters and some unbelievable freak shows, museums and gruelling events.
The story is narrated by Keziah Lovell who is forced to tour fairs with her father to promote his elixir potion. She has an identical twin sister Tilly except that her sister hasn't grown since she was five. When the girls reach fifteen they are sold to an Italian known as 'Captain' and Tilly joins the London theatre.
In alternating chapters of the story we meet Theo who is being raised by his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, a cruel man who has a dark interest in strange human curiosities. Seabrook remarries and Theo is disinherited and forced to find employment in London.
In London Theo crosses paths with the twins and becomes fascinated with Tilly. How are their lives connected? What dark secrets and lies will be unravelled?
I loved the atmosphere and images that this book conjured up whilst reading. It really portrays some of the shocking realities of Victorian England. If you had a physical deformity you were considered a 'freak' and these people were often exploited for the entertainment of others. There were some really great villans within these pages and the mysterious element kept me turning the pages.
Despite some of the dark undertones this is also a very uplifting story with some very loveable characters. I loved the ultimate message of acceptance and love that came across in abundance with the main characters.
This is a fantastic original, atmospheric, gothic novel which is so rich in detail you feel like you’ve actually visited the theatres, fairs and mansions and seen some of the morbid curiosities first hand!
I loved The Somnambulist by Essie Fox so I was so excited to be sent a proof copy of this book!
This was a meticulously researched novel delving into the depths of Victorian England with an enthralling host of characters and some unbelievable freak shows, museums and gruelling events.
The story is narrated by Keziah Lovell who is forced to tour fairs with her father to promote his elixir potion. She has an identical twin sister Tilly except that her sister hasn't grown since she was five. When the girls reach fifteen they are sold to an Italian known as 'Captain' and Tilly joins the London theatre.
In alternating chapters of the story we meet Theo who is being raised by his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, a cruel man who has a dark interest in strange human curiosities. Seabrook remarries and Theo is disinherited and forced to find employment in London.
In London Theo crosses paths with the twins and becomes fascinated with Tilly. How are their lives connected? What dark secrets and lies will be unravelled?
I loved the atmosphere and images that this book conjured up whilst reading. It really portrays some of the shocking realities of Victorian England. If you had a physical deformity you were considered a 'freak' and these people were often exploited for the entertainment of others. There were some really great villans within these pages and the mysterious element kept me turning the pages.
Despite some of the dark undertones this is also a very uplifting story with some very loveable characters. I loved the ultimate message of acceptance and love that came across in abundance with the main characters.
This is a fantastic original, atmospheric, gothic novel which is so rich in detail you feel like you’ve actually visited the theatres, fairs and mansions and seen some of the morbid curiosities first hand!