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callmesparrow 's review for:
Victorian Psycho
by Virginia Feito
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito...what can I say? This novel was a breeze to read at just 192 pages, I finished it over the course of about three hours including pauses for me to tab the ever-loving heck out of it. Not knowing the tone going in I was initially a bit jarred by the satirical nature of a lot of it, but quickly fell in love. It’s funny, it’s gruesome, it’s weird, it’s poignant in a lot of ways...it’s just a damn good novel! We follow Winifred Notty, a governess arriving at her new post with the Pounds family at Ensor House. We very, very quickly learn that Miss Notty has something quite wrong with her that she is intimately aware of and relishes in. We follow her descent into depravity and madness as we get to see just what she gets up to with the residents of Ensor house, along with its guests and staff. This book has an ending you will never forget.
I was pleasantly surprised that not only is Victorian Psycho a fun ride of a read, but it also has quite a few things to say. It tackles themes of misogyny and classism and the way those two things overlap. It tackles the expectations we place on young girls, especially affluent young girls, and how those expectations are worlds different for young boys. It tackles the inherent absurdity and detachment that can come with wealth and privilege. It’s never heavy handed—or, well, it’s isn’t preachy. It smacks you in the face with the obvious message quite often but always in a tongue in cheek way, a little side wink to us, the reader, from Winifred.
This novel I think is going to easily slot itself into my top three favorite reads of 2025. I can’t see it getting knocked out by anything other than an absolute miracle of a novel. I’m excited to see if it will take the number one slot! Give this one a go. You absolutely will not regret it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide attempt