The Doll Factory
Author: Elizabeth Macneal
Published by: Picador
Pages: 376
Format: Hardback
My Rating ★★★★★
Freedom is a precious thing.
London.1850.
The greatest spectacle the city has ever seen is being built in Hyde Park, and among the crowd watching two people meet. For Iris, an aspiring artist, it is the encounter of a moment - forgotten seconds later, but for Silas, a collector entranced by the strange and beautiful, that meeting marks a new beginning.
When Iris is asked to model for Pre-Raphaelite artist Louis Frost, she agrees on the condition that he will also teach her to paint. Suddenly her world begins to expand, to become a place of art and love. But Silas has only thought of one thing since their meeting, and his obsession is darkening…
Rich and evocative, The Doll Factory is a mesmerizing novel set amidst the vivid chaos of Victorian London. It is a passionate love story and a thrilling tale of one woman’s determination to break free.
My thoughts
The Doll Factory is told from the perspective of three characters. The first is Iris Whittle, a young lady working long hours in a doll shop. Mrs Salter, the mistress who runs the shop, provides discipline, and a steady sense of unhappiness, by cruelly pinching the soft inner sides of her girls’ elbows. In the shop, Iris works quietly alongside her twin sister, Rose, who suffered with smallpox, at great cost to her physical appearance and confidence. Iris is ambitious and hardworking, longing for more than the factory and the path seemingly laid for her. She dreams of being an artist, expressing herself on canvas, giving vent to her talents, rather than spending long hours of monotony painting dolls faces.She wants to paint and live the kind of life that would allow her to do so professionally.
When she meets pre- Raphaelite artist Louis Frost, and he asks her to model for him, she agrees, on the condition that he teaches her to paint professionally. Her family strongly disapprove of her decision, but Iris is determined to see it through and gain a sense of freedom and control over her own life: something she has never felt the luxury of before. Things go well, she forms close friendships with other aspiring artists, earns money from modelling, and (perhaps most importantly) begins to really gain confidence as a painter in her own right. Over time, her relationship with Louis grows into a very close friendship. And, after spending so much time together, eventually they fall in love.
The plot grows darker when Iris is briefly introduced to Silas, a taxidermist by trade. It is such a fleeting moment that Iris soon forgets him completely. However, it’s simply not the same for Silas. As soon as he has met her he is bewitched and he fantasises about the life that he could have with Iris. His obsession with her becomes increasingly strange and inappropriate, and the book takes on an undertone of extreme darkness. Peculiar and frightening things emerge about Silas as the plot thickens and he acts upon his obsession with Iris. The revelations that are revealed as the book goes on, exploring the depths of Silas’ madness were very well executed.
It is certainly a book about things being something other than they appear to be, but most of al, this is a story about striving for freedom. Iris is a hugely likable character with a fascinating backstory and an admirable determination to change her life for the better. She’s pretty badass and not afraid to fight for what she wants. The other key characters, including Louis and Albie add greatly to the portrayal of Victorian London and the attitudes of the time. I especially loved Albie and how courageous he is throughout the book, particularly for a young boy living in such difficult circumstances.
The Doll Factory was an immersive, authentic read with unexpected darkness and a great historical setting that drew me in very quickly. Once I’d started reading I was glued to the book in every free moment I could spare. The pacing throughout works really well, and I would describe the book as part historical drama and part thriller. There were a few moments where things with Silas felt a tiny bit too dramatic, but the ending was perfect, and I enjoyed every moment of nail-biting tension leading up to those final few lines.
Overall, I felt The Doll Factory was captivating and authentic. Set in historic London of 1850, it is both dark and beautiful. I was expecting good things, but what I found within its pages was even better than I had hoped for. Simply put, this is a gripping, absorbing and gritty historical fiction novel with fantastic characters, great writing and some unexpected twists along the way. Highly entertaining and a very satisfying read, this is definitely one of my very favourite reads of the year so far.
Overall reaction:
Published by: Picador
Pages: 376
Format: Hardback
My Rating ★★★★★
Freedom is a precious thing.
London.1850.
The greatest spectacle the city has ever seen is being built in Hyde Park, and among the crowd watching two people meet. For Iris, an aspiring artist, it is the encounter of a moment - forgotten seconds later, but for Silas, a collector entranced by the strange and beautiful, that meeting marks a new beginning.
When Iris is asked to model for Pre-Raphaelite artist Louis Frost, she agrees on the condition that he will also teach her to paint. Suddenly her world begins to expand, to become a place of art and love. But Silas has only thought of one thing since their meeting, and his obsession is darkening…
Rich and evocative, The Doll Factory is a mesmerizing novel set amidst the vivid chaos of Victorian London. It is a passionate love story and a thrilling tale of one woman’s determination to break free.
My thoughts
The Doll Factory is told from the perspective of three characters. The first is Iris Whittle, a young lady working long hours in a doll shop. Mrs Salter, the mistress who runs the shop, provides discipline, and a steady sense of unhappiness, by cruelly pinching the soft inner sides of her girls’ elbows. In the shop, Iris works quietly alongside her twin sister, Rose, who suffered with smallpox, at great cost to her physical appearance and confidence. Iris is ambitious and hardworking, longing for more than the factory and the path seemingly laid for her. She dreams of being an artist, expressing herself on canvas, giving vent to her talents, rather than spending long hours of monotony painting dolls faces.She wants to paint and live the kind of life that would allow her to do so professionally.
When she meets pre- Raphaelite artist Louis Frost, and he asks her to model for him, she agrees, on the condition that he teaches her to paint professionally. Her family strongly disapprove of her decision, but Iris is determined to see it through and gain a sense of freedom and control over her own life: something she has never felt the luxury of before. Things go well, she forms close friendships with other aspiring artists, earns money from modelling, and (perhaps most importantly) begins to really gain confidence as a painter in her own right. Over time, her relationship with Louis grows into a very close friendship. And, after spending so much time together, eventually they fall in love.
The plot grows darker when Iris is briefly introduced to Silas, a taxidermist by trade. It is such a fleeting moment that Iris soon forgets him completely. However, it’s simply not the same for Silas. As soon as he has met her he is bewitched and he fantasises about the life that he could have with Iris. His obsession with her becomes increasingly strange and inappropriate, and the book takes on an undertone of extreme darkness. Peculiar and frightening things emerge about Silas as the plot thickens and he acts upon his obsession with Iris. The revelations that are revealed as the book goes on, exploring the depths of Silas’ madness were very well executed.
It is certainly a book about things being something other than they appear to be, but most of al, this is a story about striving for freedom. Iris is a hugely likable character with a fascinating backstory and an admirable determination to change her life for the better. She’s pretty badass and not afraid to fight for what she wants. The other key characters, including Louis and Albie add greatly to the portrayal of Victorian London and the attitudes of the time. I especially loved Albie and how courageous he is throughout the book, particularly for a young boy living in such difficult circumstances.
The Doll Factory was an immersive, authentic read with unexpected darkness and a great historical setting that drew me in very quickly. Once I’d started reading I was glued to the book in every free moment I could spare. The pacing throughout works really well, and I would describe the book as part historical drama and part thriller. There were a few moments where things with Silas felt a tiny bit too dramatic, but the ending was perfect, and I enjoyed every moment of nail-biting tension leading up to those final few lines.
Overall, I felt The Doll Factory was captivating and authentic. Set in historic London of 1850, it is both dark and beautiful. I was expecting good things, but what I found within its pages was even better than I had hoped for. Simply put, this is a gripping, absorbing and gritty historical fiction novel with fantastic characters, great writing and some unexpected twists along the way. Highly entertaining and a very satisfying read, this is definitely one of my very favourite reads of the year so far.
Overall reaction: