Today I am delighted to join in the celebrations for the launch of the paperback copy of The Fascination by Essie Fox which was published on June 6th by Orenda.I am reposting the review which I published for the original publication of the hardback version of this gothic Victorian novel. For the chance to win a print copy of The Fascination see the foot of this post for details.Victorian England. A world of rural fairgrounds and glamorous London theatres. A world of dark secrets and deadly obsessions…
Twin sisters Keziah and Tilly Lovell are identical in every way, except
that Tilly hasn't grown a single inch since she was five. Coerced into
promoting their father's quack elixir as they tour the country
fairgrounds, at the age of fifteen the girls are sold to a mysterious
Italian known as ‘Captain’.
Theo is an orphan, raised by his
grandfather, Lord Seabrook, a man who has a dark interest in anatomical
freaks and other curiosities … particularly the human kind. Resenting
his grandson for his mother’s death in childbirth, when Seabrook
remarries and a new heir is produced, Theo is forced to leave home
without a penny to his name.
Theo finds employment in Dr
Summerwell’s Museum of Anatomy in London, and here he meets Captain and
his theatrical ‘family’ of performers, freaks and outcasts.
But
it is Theo’s fascination with Tilly and Keziah that will lead all of
them into a web of deceits, exposing the darkest secrets and threatening
everything they know…
Exploring universal themes of love and loss, the power of redemption and what it means to be unique, The Fascination is
an evocative, glittering and bewitching gothic novel that brings alive
Victorian London – and darkness and deception that lies beneath…
My Thoughts
Dark
and mysterious, you are taken along on a horrifying journey as you
follow the story of Tilly and Keziah and also, Theo. As you soon
discover, there are some disturbing elements behind certain people’s
actions. People’s vulnerabilities are laid bare and exploitation takes
place on an industrial scale.
As I read this book, full of gothic overtones as it is, I had
Christina Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market’ in my mind. It is the other worldly
tone and cruelty that seems to lurk beneath the surface. The museum
with its grotesque exhibits both fascinates and repulses the observers.
In some ways, this story is a plea for us to accept those who are
different and to end exploitation. This is a singular piece of writing
which shocks and beguiles in equal measure.
In short: dark deeds and shocking events.
About the Author
Essie Fox was born and raised in rural Herefordshire, which inspires much of her writing.
After studying English Literature at Sheffield University, she moved to
London where she worked for the Telegraph Sunday Magazine, then the
book publishers George Allen & Unwin – before becoming self-employed
in the world of art and design.
Always an avid reader, Essie now spends her time writing historical gothic novels. Her debut, The Somnambulist, was shortlisted for the National Book Awards, and featured on Channel 4’s TV Book Club. The Last Days of Leda Grey, set in the early years of silent film, was selected as The Times Historical Book of the Month. Her latest novel, The Fascination is
based in Victorian country fairgrounds, the glamour of the London
theatres, and an Oxford Street museum full of morbid curiosities.
Essie is also the creator of the popular blog: The Virtual Victorian She has lectured on this era at the V&A, and the National Gallery in London.You can follow Essie here: Twitter | Website
Book links: Amazon UK
Thanks to Essie Fox, Karen Sullivan and Anne Cater of Orenda Books for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Check out these brilliant bloggers!
To win a print copy of The Fascination, just Follow and Retweet the pinned Tweet at @bookslifethings and good luck!
This giveaway starts on June 15th 2024 and the closing Date is 20th June 2024
and there is one winner.
*Terms and Conditions –UK only. The winner will be selected at
random via a random tweet selector from all valid entries and will be notified by X (Twitter)
and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right
to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the
competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with
third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed
to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize. I am not
responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize
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