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A review by thebookboy
The Vet's Daughter by Barbara Comyns
5.0
More of a 4.5 but rounding it up to a 5 due to sheer enjoyment.
I love anything a bit quirky and gothic, so The Vet's Daughter was the perfect choice. Reminiscent of Shirley Jackson's style and yet with a more prominent thread of good humour running through, Comyns' novel is a fun exploration into Edwardian England, gender roles, parental tyranny, the fragility of young women at the time and much, much more.
It's a highly visual piece - there are parrots in the bathroom, small sets of puppies, deaf/mute characters who can only converse with their hands. It feels sort of like a fairytale in many ways (wicked "stepmother", magical goings on, escapes to the countryside) and yet it retains a really nice sense of unique power which means that it doesn't feel cliche or tired.
Highly recommended - I think these characters will stick with me for a long time!
5 stars.
I love anything a bit quirky and gothic, so The Vet's Daughter was the perfect choice. Reminiscent of Shirley Jackson's style and yet with a more prominent thread of good humour running through, Comyns' novel is a fun exploration into Edwardian England, gender roles, parental tyranny, the fragility of young women at the time and much, much more.
It's a highly visual piece - there are parrots in the bathroom, small sets of puppies, deaf/mute characters who can only converse with their hands. It feels sort of like a fairytale in many ways (wicked "stepmother", magical goings on, escapes to the countryside) and yet it retains a really nice sense of unique power which means that it doesn't feel cliche or tired.
Highly recommended - I think these characters will stick with me for a long time!
5 stars.