The Fascination by Essie Fox #Review #Repost #Giveaway

 

 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!

 

 Giveaway (UK only)

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