Stacey Halls

In London , 1847, a home receives it's finishing touches . Charles Dickens and a wealthy widow, Angela Burdett-Coutts have co-founded and co- funded a home for " fallen women". Some are destitute, some convicted criminals of petty theft, and some are prostitutes . All are very young women. The house is headed up by Matron Mrs. Holdsworth. There are many challenges for both the young women trying to overcome their backgrounds, and make their way in this new home, as well as those faced by Mrs. Holdsworth. Meanwhile, Angela is frightened by the release from prison of her stalker of 10 years. These stories come together in the end. And interesting and entertaining story based on the real Urania House , which was co-founded and co-funded by Charles Dickens and Angela Burdett-Coutts, something I was previously unaware of.… (altro)

Never say never? It seems this adage comes true at least once in our lives.

Stacey Halls has written some of my favourite Historical Fiction novels. Beautifully written, ‘populated’ with characters that stay with you. Therefore, I was delighted to be approved for an ARC of her latest novel The Household. Alas, we were simply NOT meant to be.

The story is based on true events and, without a doubt, the vast majority of readers will find it interesting, moving even. To me? It was utter boredom on pages. A heiress with money to waste chooses to ‘’create’’ a ‘’household’’ for fallen girls instead of a hospital or an orphanage. The ‘’girls’ feel as if they have been locked up - never mind that most of them have recently arrived from prison - screaming ingratitude towards Angela with every sentence. Her keeper desperately tries to resemble Mrs. Danvers and poor Angela (the only character who is remotely interesting) tries to escape her stalker while pining for a man 30 years her senior.

Not impressed.

I am sorry to say that the toils, woes and troubles of prostitutes did not attract my sympathy or my interest. In addition, Mrs Holdsworth was irritating to the core. Certain parts of the plot ‘’felt’’ fake and cheap. For example, the remarks about colonization from a girl who can’t write her own name seem to serve a gimmick urge to satisfy a portion of the so called ‘’modern’’ audience. And don’t even get me started on the atrocious dialogue.

Yes, well, I doubt these people even KNOW how to read…

The atmosphere is excellent, and the sense of setting is beautiful. And that’s just about it. Unfortunately, this novel was not for me but I have no doubt it will appeal to the majority of today’s readers.

And that says a lot about today’s readers.

Many thanks to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.… (altro)

This is the debut historical fiction by English author Stacey Halls, a story set in Lancashire around the infamous, historic Pendle Hill Witch Trials of 1612.

Fleetwood Shuttleworth, is the young mistress of Gawthorpe Hall, and is struggling with her current pregnancy, knowing that the previous ones have ended in tragic miscarriages. Fleetwood hires local girl Alice Grey as a midwife to help her with the pregnancy. Soon the troubles that are brewing around them envelop Fleetwood and Alice and they find themselves fighting potentially life threatening accusations of witchcraft. Fleetwood must fight both to save her unborn child and her friend Alice’s life. She has to manage the limitations of her role as a woman in her dealings with both her husband Richard and his friend, the ambitious magistrate Roger. Roger is determined to impress King James by ridding Lancashire of witches, even if these are merely local midwives and healers, and the only evidence against them is that they have a familiar or animal companion, that no one has even actually seen.

I enjoyed this story and its historical context. The misogyny and total lack of logic is frustrating beyond belief, but reflects the dangerous reality of the times. Fleetwood is a fairly meek character but does her best, within the confines of her role, to fight against the injustices around her. I liked her close relationship with her dog and her insistence on her riding everywhere despite her pregnancy. This was a good read about female friendship and the dangers of living as a woman in a man’s world.… (altro)

What carried me through this novel was the nicely done reconstruction of Edwardian settings and interactions, any British historical background or bourgeois milieu from the XIX and XX centuries being a guilty pleasure of mine; pretty much like looking at a dolls' house as an adult, but with a story to go with the tiny furniture and characters.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!





This said, the focus of the story - what horrors men can make women endure, nearly without noticing any of the consequences but their own feelings, motives and needs - was a bit askew in its realisation. The point was obvious since the start, and well done for the ever so subtle insight into the creeping, silent expectation that an abused daughter needs justification for not wanting to address, forgive or see her father again; however, when it came to the disfunctional Englands, the narration fell short of conveying the effects of gaslighting on people around the victim. I never really believed the "good husband" deception, it all felt quite contrived when it came to the main plot - a nursery maid moving to an isolated wealthy family mansion and being drawn into the abusive household's secrets. The female characters, the nurse and the lady, felt real and likeable, but I could tell the big reveal since the start, and the psychological tricks and manipulations on the part of the husband never looked realistic to me.
All in all, there were a couple of powerful statements here and there, such as when Ruby, the protagonist, refuses to see her father just because she doesn't want to, without yielding to the temtation to justify herself further after all hhe had put her through; and I could feel her back straightening as if it were mine. But the writjng is discontinuous in defining characters and motivations, and this pulls the whole novel down from memorable feminist literature to mere entertainment.… (altro)