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The Fascination
The estranged grandson of a wealthy collector of human curiosities becomes fascinated with teenaged twin sisters, leading them into a web of dark obsessions. A dazzlingly dark gothic novel from the bestselling author of The Somnambulist.
‘Mysterious, sometimes shocking, full of surprises and twists … brimming with Victorian wonders!’ Sean Lusk
A magical, macabre masterpiece’ A.J. West
‘Fascinating and immersive’ Anna Mazzola
___________________
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…
_________________
‘An opium trance of a novel, a vivid fantasmagoria’ Noel O’ Reilly
‘Deliciously dark, full of twists and surprises’ Liz Hyder
‘Filled with gothic darkness and glorious hope’ Liz Fenwick
‘Rich, dark and heady … a glorious gothic carnival’ Kate Griffin
‘Truly unexpected and original’ Kate Forsyth
‘Beautifully researched, full of horrors and delights’ Bridget Walsh
‘A cast of characters Dickens would be proud of’ Frances Quinn
‘A dizzying potion of a novel’ Polly Crosby
‘A twisty, gothic’ Rebecca John
‘Rich in peril, tempered with strange, theatrical beauty’ Kate Mascarenhas
‘Haunting and emotive’ Gill Paul
‘A gorgeously gothic slice of Victoriana’ Katherine Clements
‘Exceptional storytelling, exquisitely told’ Nydia Hetherington
‘Very fine historica
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2023
103 people are currently reading
1736 people want to read
About the author
Essie Fox
9 books363 followersMy latest novel is called Dangerous, and it will be published by Orenda Books in April 2025. It's a slight change from my normal style of novels in that it's a historical crime mystery - but still very gothic. It's the story of Lord Byron in Venice, when a novel called The Vampyre is fraudulently published under his name, and he is then suspected of murder when several women of his acquaintance are found dead with wounds to their throats.
The Fascination which was published in HB in 2023 is set in the world of Victorian rural fairgrounds, the glamour of the London theatres and an anatomy museum in a shop on Oxford Street - based on one that really did exist! It's a book about deception, obsession, and what it is to be ''different'.
The Last Days of Leda Grey is about an Edwardian silent film actress who has lived in a crumbling cliff top house for more than half a century, until she confides her story to the journalist, Ed Peters ... who rapidly finds himself immersed inside her dark and eerie world.
I've also written three Victorian novels, the first of which - The Somnambulist - was shortlisted for the UK National Book Awards, featured on Channel 4's TV Book Club, and has been optioned for TV/film.
Elijah's Mermaid, features the hypocrisy in Victorian art and literature. It has brothels, asylums, and freak shows...not forgetting the mermaids!
The Goddess and the Thief is an 'oriental gothic', with Indian Maharajahs, Hindu gods and sacred diamonds ... including candlelit seances which are held in English drawing rooms.
My website is: www.essiefox.com
I blog as The Virtual Victorian. www.virturalvictorian.blogspot.com
The Fascination which was published in HB in 2023 is set in the world of Victorian rural fairgrounds, the glamour of the London theatres and an anatomy museum in a shop on Oxford Street - based on one that really did exist! It's a book about deception, obsession, and what it is to be ''different'.
The Last Days of Leda Grey is about an Edwardian silent film actress who has lived in a crumbling cliff top house for more than half a century, until she confides her story to the journalist, Ed Peters ... who rapidly finds himself immersed inside her dark and eerie world.
I've also written three Victorian novels, the first of which - The Somnambulist - was shortlisted for the UK National Book Awards, featured on Channel 4's TV Book Club, and has been optioned for TV/film.
Elijah's Mermaid, features the hypocrisy in Victorian art and literature. It has brothels, asylums, and freak shows...not forgetting the mermaids!
The Goddess and the Thief is an 'oriental gothic', with Indian Maharajahs, Hindu gods and sacred diamonds ... including candlelit seances which are held in English drawing rooms.
My website is: www.essiefox.com
I blog as The Virtual Victorian. www.virturalvictorian.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
March 20, 2024
When I started this book, I had no idea that I would enjoy this book as much as I did. I enjoyed the gothic feel of this book. I also enjoyed the characters, even the unlikeable ones. There were characters that I was rooting for while there were others I was booing and hissing at during the book. I thought the author did a great job with all of them. I also love the setting being Victorian England. Hence, the gothic feel of the book. Plus, it adds to the atmosphere of the book.
I couldn't help but feel for twin sisters Keziah and Tilly Lovell. Then there is Theo, deemed a bastard/illegitimate, who is cast out by his grandfather. This book shows those who are deemed as being different and how they are treated by their families and society. Circuses/shows/big tops, whatever you wish to call them, are a place to see extraordinary and odd things. This book explores the fascination people have with those who do not fit in with ‘conventional’ society, those who are different, those who are ‘freaks/oddities.
This is not always an easy book to read. Human Nature can be messy and not always pleasant.
I found this book to be evoking of emotion and thought provoking. I found this book to be well written, well thought out, and captivating. I was fully invested in the story. I look forward to reading more books by Essie Fox in the future.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
I couldn't help but feel for twin sisters Keziah and Tilly Lovell. Then there is Theo, deemed a bastard/illegitimate, who is cast out by his grandfather. This book shows those who are deemed as being different and how they are treated by their families and society. Circuses/shows/big tops, whatever you wish to call them, are a place to see extraordinary and odd things. This book explores the fascination people have with those who do not fit in with ‘conventional’ society, those who are different, those who are ‘freaks/oddities.
This is not always an easy book to read. Human Nature can be messy and not always pleasant.
I found this book to be evoking of emotion and thought provoking. I found this book to be well written, well thought out, and captivating. I was fully invested in the story. I look forward to reading more books by Essie Fox in the future.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
November 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this book.
Not a “Can’t put it down, page turner of a story” but an enjoyable little read.
Historical, London fiction, with a hint of the Greatest Showman vibe.
Interesting characters - not too many that they got confusing but enough to entwine the plot through them all.
A “little” surprise at the end - pardon the pun - was unexpected.
Not a “Can’t put it down, page turner of a story” but an enjoyable little read.
Historical, London fiction, with a hint of the Greatest Showman vibe.
Interesting characters - not too many that they got confusing but enough to entwine the plot through them all.
A “little” surprise at the end - pardon the pun - was unexpected.
September 22, 2023
I'm really not sure how to feel about this read. I contemplated leaving my review without a rating but I feel slightly too strongly about some parts of the book to leave it.
This book has all the furnishings of a great story but doesn't deliver. This is the first neo-victorian book I've read that goes into the Victorian obsession with cabinets of curiosities, taxidermy, scientific experiments and freakshows. I quite liked the spooky, creepy gothic backdrop of the story and it certainly sets up an interesting scene for the story. Characters like Theo, Tilly and Keziah are certainly interesting but not very fleshed out. We only really get to know them through their traumas of being mistreated and feeling an outcast. It is almost as if they cannot be much more than what other people make them out to be, which is actually an idea the book is refuting.
There are a few really great passages but overall, I got quite frustrated with the writing style and even more so with the scenes that added tension but interrupted the general flow of the novel. Those scenes give the book an air of not being quite finished, needing a bit of final editing. Too much of the scene-setting in the Victorian age also relies on authors we recognize as Victorian today, using them as buzzwords to situate the story in its setting. That pulls me out of the historical setting, because it casts the time in a more contemporary light, as in how we see it today. No, not for me.
In short, a lot of Victorian "furniture" but it doesn't quite manage to make it feel like the novel has a 19th century "interior."
This book has all the furnishings of a great story but doesn't deliver. This is the first neo-victorian book I've read that goes into the Victorian obsession with cabinets of curiosities, taxidermy, scientific experiments and freakshows. I quite liked the spooky, creepy gothic backdrop of the story and it certainly sets up an interesting scene for the story. Characters like Theo, Tilly and Keziah are certainly interesting but not very fleshed out. We only really get to know them through their traumas of being mistreated and feeling an outcast. It is almost as if they cannot be much more than what other people make them out to be, which is actually an idea the book is refuting.
There are a few really great passages but overall, I got quite frustrated with the writing style and even more so with the scenes that added tension but interrupted the general flow of the novel. Those scenes give the book an air of not being quite finished, needing a bit of final editing. Too much of the scene-setting in the Victorian age also relies on authors we recognize as Victorian today, using them as buzzwords to situate the story in its setting. That pulls me out of the historical setting, because it casts the time in a more contemporary light, as in how we see it today. No, not for me.
In short, a lot of Victorian "furniture" but it doesn't quite manage to make it feel like the novel has a 19th century "interior."
July 2, 2023
This was an intriguing and enchanting read with a twist at the very end that I didn’t see coming (and I’m not convinced was entirely necessary but I could tie it back to one or two things during the story).
Each of the characters came to life but there were some elements that were not entirely credible, for instance, Captain never taking Ulysses to task, which seemed out of character. And a raft of fairly excessive coincidences that led the group into one another’s paths.
I so wanted to give it five stars but oh my, there were far too many errors - it’s like whoever proofed it got bored and didn’t concentrate towards the end. So probably 4.5 stars, which might seem harsh but, personally, I think published authors need to be held to high standards otherwise where will we end up?
Each of the characters came to life but there were some elements that were not entirely credible, for instance, Captain never taking Ulysses to task, which seemed out of character. And a raft of fairly excessive coincidences that led the group into one another’s paths.
I so wanted to give it five stars but oh my, there were far too many errors - it’s like whoever proofed it got bored and didn’t concentrate towards the end. So probably 4.5 stars, which might seem harsh but, personally, I think published authors need to be held to high standards otherwise where will we end up?
June 29, 2023
Tilly and Keziah Lovell are twins. Tilly stopped growing around the age of five, after suffering a head injury at the hands of their alcoholic father, Alfred Lovell.
Alfred starts calling himself a “Professor Lovell” and makes a miracle potion (heavily dosed with gin and opium) that cures all ailments. He takes his daughters around the country and parades them in front of the crowds.
Theo Seabrook lives with his grandfather, Lord Seabrook. He’s been interested in ‘curiosities’ ever since he was a child and saw his grandfather’s ghastly collection.
One day, Theo attends a fair where he spots Tilly and Keziah, and he becomes mesmerised…
How I loved this book!
It’s a story about dark secrets, deadly obsessions and drug dependency. On the other hand, it’s a story about love, hope, and the longing to be accepted for who we are.
Tilly wanted fame and loved the hustle and bustle of performances and the theatre. Keziah was the opposite, she longed for the peace and quiet. The two sisters complemented each other beautifully like yin and yang.
There are other fabulous characters in this book, including Martha, Aleski, Captain, and Miss Miller.
It’s a book not to be missed!
Alfred starts calling himself a “Professor Lovell” and makes a miracle potion (heavily dosed with gin and opium) that cures all ailments. He takes his daughters around the country and parades them in front of the crowds.
Theo Seabrook lives with his grandfather, Lord Seabrook. He’s been interested in ‘curiosities’ ever since he was a child and saw his grandfather’s ghastly collection.
One day, Theo attends a fair where he spots Tilly and Keziah, and he becomes mesmerised…
How I loved this book!
It’s a story about dark secrets, deadly obsessions and drug dependency. On the other hand, it’s a story about love, hope, and the longing to be accepted for who we are.
Tilly wanted fame and loved the hustle and bustle of performances and the theatre. Keziah was the opposite, she longed for the peace and quiet. The two sisters complemented each other beautifully like yin and yang.
There are other fabulous characters in this book, including Martha, Aleski, Captain, and Miss Miller.
It’s a book not to be missed!
September 11, 2023
Despite the promising blurb, the most exciting thing about this book is its front cover.
Unfortunately I found the plot suffered on an over-reliance on narrative rather than any action or dialogue. I would compare it to wading through a pile vintage clothes, looking for just one decent thing among all the clutter. Overall I found the pace slow and ineffective, really dulling my engagement. The premise which promises Freak Shows in Victorian London is overselling at its best, whatever was there was side lined in favour of clunky and often uninteresting primary plot.
⭐2.5⭐
Unfortunately I found the plot suffered on an over-reliance on narrative rather than any action or dialogue. I would compare it to wading through a pile vintage clothes, looking for just one decent thing among all the clutter. Overall I found the pace slow and ineffective, really dulling my engagement. The premise which promises Freak Shows in Victorian London is overselling at its best, whatever was there was side lined in favour of clunky and often uninteresting primary plot.
⭐2.5⭐
November 16, 2023
Here's how the publisher's blurb for Essie Fox's The Fascination ends: "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..."
That description nails it. Of course, on its own it doesn't tell you much about the plot or specific characters, but it offers an apt description of what readers can experience with this novel. So let me share some of those details in a way that avoid ruining any of the many surprises the novel offers.
The Fascination, set in Victorian England, is built around two communities, each very different from the other, but also with surprising areas of overlap. One community is comprised of a family of outcasts. The Captain, serves as the gentle patriarch of the group, and has gathered around himself an assortment of waifs and outsiders, including people with physical differences that make them a form of entertainment for others. The second community is formed of the wealthy and powerful, mostly men, who are collectors of human oddities with jar after jar filled with nonviable fetuses, anatomical specimens, and strange creatures concocted from mixes of human and animal remains.
At the novel's start, nearly identical twins Keziah and Tilly serve as "models" of the effects of their unscrupulous father's quack remedy. The one way in which the girls aren't identical? Tilly stopped growing at age five. Their father tells his eager audiences that Keziah has always willingly taken his remedy, leading to her obvious good health, while Tilly has always refused to take it, which explains her her small size. This of course is nowhere near the truth, but it makes for a good sales pitch. When their father, in a fit of rage, sells the girls to the Captain, they become part of the family that forms one of the book's communities.
Theo begins his life in the novel's second community. He's bastard whose mother died giving birth to him. Now he's being raised by his wealthy grandfather, who blames the boy for his mother's death and whose real pleasure in life comes from collecting those human and semi-human preserved creatures—which he considers science and sees as proof of his intellectual superiority. When Theo's grandfather fathers a son of his own, Theo is cast out, no longer the heir, no longer afforded the cruel but luxurious home he's been raised in.
You can see the overlap in the Venn diagram of these two communities.
If you enjoy Gothic tales with unexpected heroes and dastardly villains and sudden swings between triumphs and tragedies, you're going to find The Fascination a—well, yes—fascinating read.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
That description nails it. Of course, on its own it doesn't tell you much about the plot or specific characters, but it offers an apt description of what readers can experience with this novel. So let me share some of those details in a way that avoid ruining any of the many surprises the novel offers.
The Fascination, set in Victorian England, is built around two communities, each very different from the other, but also with surprising areas of overlap. One community is comprised of a family of outcasts. The Captain, serves as the gentle patriarch of the group, and has gathered around himself an assortment of waifs and outsiders, including people with physical differences that make them a form of entertainment for others. The second community is formed of the wealthy and powerful, mostly men, who are collectors of human oddities with jar after jar filled with nonviable fetuses, anatomical specimens, and strange creatures concocted from mixes of human and animal remains.
At the novel's start, nearly identical twins Keziah and Tilly serve as "models" of the effects of their unscrupulous father's quack remedy. The one way in which the girls aren't identical? Tilly stopped growing at age five. Their father tells his eager audiences that Keziah has always willingly taken his remedy, leading to her obvious good health, while Tilly has always refused to take it, which explains her her small size. This of course is nowhere near the truth, but it makes for a good sales pitch. When their father, in a fit of rage, sells the girls to the Captain, they become part of the family that forms one of the book's communities.
Theo begins his life in the novel's second community. He's bastard whose mother died giving birth to him. Now he's being raised by his wealthy grandfather, who blames the boy for his mother's death and whose real pleasure in life comes from collecting those human and semi-human preserved creatures—which he considers science and sees as proof of his intellectual superiority. When Theo's grandfather fathers a son of his own, Theo is cast out, no longer the heir, no longer afforded the cruel but luxurious home he's been raised in.
You can see the overlap in the Venn diagram of these two communities.
If you enjoy Gothic tales with unexpected heroes and dastardly villains and sudden swings between triumphs and tragedies, you're going to find The Fascination a—well, yes—fascinating read.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
April 6, 2024
The Fascination is a stand-alone historical novel set in Victorian England. It’s about the seedier underside of the society, the fascination of Victorians with macabre and everything different. It’s about found families and acceptance too, and written well enough that I was wavering between three and four stars. And then, in the last paragraph, the author slaps the reader with a wet dishrag, yelling “April Fools. Question everything you’ve read.” So here I am, questioning.
The setting is Victorian only because the author says so. The descriptions are sparse and could be from any era. Author especially fails to grasp the material culture and the value of money. It’s difficult to believe that a travelling musician could have a large house with papered walls and rooms for several people, and a boat too, without independent means, which there apparently weren’t. A penniless apprentice of an anatomist definitely can’t afford tailor-made suits (in plural) and colourful silk waistcoats. A troupe of freaks doesn’t get to perform in one of the finest theatres in London, and they do not get costumes made of fresh materials for every production. The book is set in a fantasy, where these things are possible so that the reader can feel happy for the characters and where they end up in life. It almost worked.
There are two point of view characters, Keziah, whose chapters are told in first person past tense, and Theo, whose chapters are in third person present tense, which took a moment to get used to. For all that the reader gets an insight in Keziah, she’s curiously bland. She doesn’t have interests, skills, hopes or dreams until at the very end. She exists solely to tell the story of her twin sister, Tilly.
A violent incident in Tilly’s childhood has stopped her growth when she was five. She’s an adult woman in a child’s body. But she’s beautiful, can sing, and loves to perform, so she has found a place on stage. The plot revolves mostly around her, her addiction to opium and her abduction by evil people who covet everything different.
We only get Keziah’s view of Tilly. She observes her constantly, yet not once does she wonder what Tilly’s life is like, being different and constantly gawped at. We’re not given scenes either, where people would treat Tilly, or the other different characters, badly. It’s presumed. There are no descriptions of everyday life where Tilly’s life might be difficult because of her size. The idea is probably to show Keziah acceptance of her sister the way she is, but it comes across as wilful blindness.
That is doubly so when it comes to Theo, and it’s a deliberate choice by the author. He’s a grandson of an aristocrat who gets thrown out of his home without a penny when the grandfather finally manages to produce a male heir. Lord Seabrook has an unhealthy fascination with the macabre and his collections include human specimen preserved in formaldehyde. It doesn’t come as a surprise that he turns out to be the bad guy of the story.
Theo is saved by his governess who arranges him an apprenticeship with an anatomist, a disgraced doctor who runs a museum of macabre. Theo wants to become a doctor, but lack of funds makes it impossible. Or that’s what the reader is given to understand.
The last paragraph of the story reveals that Theo is physically different too. Since the author wants to keep it a secret, I won’t reveal it here—though other reviewers have done so. By leaving the revelation at the end, the author probably wants the reader to question their prejudices. Kezhia certainly points it out.
But it doesn’t work. The reader needs a chance to realise their prejudices exist and that’s only possible if they know the pertinent facts about the character and can work them along the way. Even if the author doesn’t want to state the difference outright, there were plenty of chances for giving the reader hints, to make them question their understanding of Theo along the way.
Theo is a point of view character who never questions his difference, doesn’t rue it or wonder if it hinders his chances in life. He doesn’t ask if he’ll ever end up as a specimen in his grandfather’s collections. He’s utterly indifferent about it. The author fails to get inside the character to show the reader what it feels like to be different in a society that reviles those that aren’t perfect. He turns out to be gay too, which we only find out from another character, not him.
According to Keziah, people don’t notice Theo’s difference, because he’s such a charismatic person. But he’s not. He’s reticent and apologetic, colourful waistcoats and all. And so, instead of turning the mirror at the reader, the last sentence screams GAWP, and we gawp. And we see that Aleski, the character with hirsutism is only accepted as a bedfellow after he shaves his face, and Martha only gets the life she’s dreamed of after her cleft mouth is operated. The reader is disgusted, but not with Theo who is a lovely person, or the other characters, except maybe Keziah. The reader is disgusted with the book and its author.
I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
The setting is Victorian only because the author says so. The descriptions are sparse and could be from any era. Author especially fails to grasp the material culture and the value of money. It’s difficult to believe that a travelling musician could have a large house with papered walls and rooms for several people, and a boat too, without independent means, which there apparently weren’t. A penniless apprentice of an anatomist definitely can’t afford tailor-made suits (in plural) and colourful silk waistcoats. A troupe of freaks doesn’t get to perform in one of the finest theatres in London, and they do not get costumes made of fresh materials for every production. The book is set in a fantasy, where these things are possible so that the reader can feel happy for the characters and where they end up in life. It almost worked.
There are two point of view characters, Keziah, whose chapters are told in first person past tense, and Theo, whose chapters are in third person present tense, which took a moment to get used to. For all that the reader gets an insight in Keziah, she’s curiously bland. She doesn’t have interests, skills, hopes or dreams until at the very end. She exists solely to tell the story of her twin sister, Tilly.
A violent incident in Tilly’s childhood has stopped her growth when she was five. She’s an adult woman in a child’s body. But she’s beautiful, can sing, and loves to perform, so she has found a place on stage. The plot revolves mostly around her, her addiction to opium and her abduction by evil people who covet everything different.
We only get Keziah’s view of Tilly. She observes her constantly, yet not once does she wonder what Tilly’s life is like, being different and constantly gawped at. We’re not given scenes either, where people would treat Tilly, or the other different characters, badly. It’s presumed. There are no descriptions of everyday life where Tilly’s life might be difficult because of her size. The idea is probably to show Keziah acceptance of her sister the way she is, but it comes across as wilful blindness.
That is doubly so when it comes to Theo, and it’s a deliberate choice by the author. He’s a grandson of an aristocrat who gets thrown out of his home without a penny when the grandfather finally manages to produce a male heir. Lord Seabrook has an unhealthy fascination with the macabre and his collections include human specimen preserved in formaldehyde. It doesn’t come as a surprise that he turns out to be the bad guy of the story.
Theo is saved by his governess who arranges him an apprenticeship with an anatomist, a disgraced doctor who runs a museum of macabre. Theo wants to become a doctor, but lack of funds makes it impossible. Or that’s what the reader is given to understand.
The last paragraph of the story reveals that Theo is physically different too. Since the author wants to keep it a secret, I won’t reveal it here—though other reviewers have done so. By leaving the revelation at the end, the author probably wants the reader to question their prejudices. Kezhia certainly points it out.
But it doesn’t work. The reader needs a chance to realise their prejudices exist and that’s only possible if they know the pertinent facts about the character and can work them along the way. Even if the author doesn’t want to state the difference outright, there were plenty of chances for giving the reader hints, to make them question their understanding of Theo along the way.
Theo is a point of view character who never questions his difference, doesn’t rue it or wonder if it hinders his chances in life. He doesn’t ask if he’ll ever end up as a specimen in his grandfather’s collections. He’s utterly indifferent about it. The author fails to get inside the character to show the reader what it feels like to be different in a society that reviles those that aren’t perfect. He turns out to be gay too, which we only find out from another character, not him.
According to Keziah, people don’t notice Theo’s difference, because he’s such a charismatic person. But he’s not. He’s reticent and apologetic, colourful waistcoats and all. And so, instead of turning the mirror at the reader, the last sentence screams GAWP, and we gawp. And we see that Aleski, the character with hirsutism is only accepted as a bedfellow after he shaves his face, and Martha only gets the life she’s dreamed of after her cleft mouth is operated. The reader is disgusted, but not with Theo who is a lovely person, or the other characters, except maybe Keziah. The reader is disgusted with the book and its author.
I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 20, 2023I loved this book. It was an intricately woven tale full of gothic darkness and glorious hope.
June 28, 2023
I could not wait to get my mitts on this book. The world of circuses, sideshows and show people living on the fringes of society during the Victorian era has, aptly, always fascinated me so I was looking forward to reading another take on the period. And what a take Essie Fox has on this world and this era. This book immediately drew me into a world so perfectly dark, macabre and gothic in its beauty and held me in its thrall until the very last word and beyond, much as it holds Theo in his obsession. You could say he and I were on the same page from the beginning.
The book tells the stories of twins, Keziah and Tilly, who are identical in every respect except Tilly stopped growing at a very young age, a disparity which their charlatan father exploits in peddling his quack elixir around country fairs and showgrounds until the day he realises he can make more by selling them to a passing stranger. And the story of Theo, a neglected and lonely child who endures a miserable upbringing by his unpleasant grandfather in a forbidding country house, until he is cast out in favour of a new family and has to make his way in the unfriendly world alone. The lives of these three young people become inextricably, almost fatally, entwined, as the telling of their story is reflectively entwined by the alternating voices of Keziah and Theo.
The author spares the reader no quarter in laying out the peril and exploitation that life as a person singled out as ‘different’ in Victorian England entailed. Theo comes from a wealthy family, the Lovells are poor, but it is made clear that wealth and status are no protection from stigma if your antecedents or appearance do not align with what society considers respectable. Illegitimacy is just as much of a stigma as disfigurement and it is only be looking out for one another that such people can navigate a world that treats them as pariahs. Limited choices lead them to make their living any way they can, which largely means allowing the more privileged to ogle or abuse them.
This book is very dark, people of a squeamish disposition may find parts of the book very harrowing to read. The author writes so vividly and passionately about the hardship, the squalor, the seaminess, the sheer depravity of the parts of the Victorian underworld that the characters are forced to inhabit and the vulnerability that their situation exposes in them. However, these bleak and brutal descriptions are provided as a purposeful and necessary contrast to the light and innocence and beauty that the love and friendship and community that the unfortunates find in the care and company of one another. to the strength and courage that their connections and devotion give to them as a collective. To the heart of the story, which turns what is respectable and what is good and glorious on its head in the mind of the reader. We are left in no doubt by the end whose side we are on, who are the heroes of the story and who are really the ‘freaks’ of this society.
The book is challenging but captivating, brutal but seductive, dark but illuminating. It is full of shocks and surprises, not least at the very last, and I was bound within its world, willingly and completely, for as long as the author still had things to say. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time to come and I know I will return to it again, rereading the story with fresh eyes and the insight that the final revelations have given me on the characters and their motivations. It is perfectly crafted and truly transportive. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The book tells the stories of twins, Keziah and Tilly, who are identical in every respect except Tilly stopped growing at a very young age, a disparity which their charlatan father exploits in peddling his quack elixir around country fairs and showgrounds until the day he realises he can make more by selling them to a passing stranger. And the story of Theo, a neglected and lonely child who endures a miserable upbringing by his unpleasant grandfather in a forbidding country house, until he is cast out in favour of a new family and has to make his way in the unfriendly world alone. The lives of these three young people become inextricably, almost fatally, entwined, as the telling of their story is reflectively entwined by the alternating voices of Keziah and Theo.
The author spares the reader no quarter in laying out the peril and exploitation that life as a person singled out as ‘different’ in Victorian England entailed. Theo comes from a wealthy family, the Lovells are poor, but it is made clear that wealth and status are no protection from stigma if your antecedents or appearance do not align with what society considers respectable. Illegitimacy is just as much of a stigma as disfigurement and it is only be looking out for one another that such people can navigate a world that treats them as pariahs. Limited choices lead them to make their living any way they can, which largely means allowing the more privileged to ogle or abuse them.
This book is very dark, people of a squeamish disposition may find parts of the book very harrowing to read. The author writes so vividly and passionately about the hardship, the squalor, the seaminess, the sheer depravity of the parts of the Victorian underworld that the characters are forced to inhabit and the vulnerability that their situation exposes in them. However, these bleak and brutal descriptions are provided as a purposeful and necessary contrast to the light and innocence and beauty that the love and friendship and community that the unfortunates find in the care and company of one another. to the strength and courage that their connections and devotion give to them as a collective. To the heart of the story, which turns what is respectable and what is good and glorious on its head in the mind of the reader. We are left in no doubt by the end whose side we are on, who are the heroes of the story and who are really the ‘freaks’ of this society.
The book is challenging but captivating, brutal but seductive, dark but illuminating. It is full of shocks and surprises, not least at the very last, and I was bound within its world, willingly and completely, for as long as the author still had things to say. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time to come and I know I will return to it again, rereading the story with fresh eyes and the insight that the final revelations have given me on the characters and their motivations. It is perfectly crafted and truly transportive. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
June 30, 2023
The fairground is coming.
Oh my goodness I enjoyed The Fascination. Rarely has a book been more aptly named. Essie Fox delves into the world of ‘fascinations’ and does so with such dexterity and beauty in her writing that the reader is held spell-bound.
The plotting here is so skilful because the different threads, the small seemingly incidental moments, and much bigger themes, are deftly woven into a truly mesmerising narrative and it’s not until the final word is read that the reader can fully appreciate how wonderful the plotting is. The attention to detail, wonderful descriptions, the appeal to the senses, and the absolutely authentic historical accuracy of the era make The Fascination so immersive and spell-binding. It’s one of those stories where I found I thoroughly resented real life getting in the way of my reading.
I adored meeting the characters whom I completely forgot were artistic creations. They all felt so vivid and real. I thought giving Keziah a first person voice in contrast to the other elements of the narrative was inspired because she is the most ‘normal’ or conventional of the characters and yet is the one who most often feels on the periphery of the action. She is a kind of Shakespearean Touchstone, shining a light on the qualities and flaws of others in the story. And what others they are. The cast here is diverse, complex, believable, interesting and captivating. It’s difficult to be too precise here for fear of spoiling the story for other readers because plot and character are so exquisitely interwoven.
Whilst there’s an element of unworldliness and ethereal fragility in the story, with the fairytale of Snow White and Rose Red creating a magical aspect, Essie Fox does not shy away from aspects that transport The Fascination from simple (if pretty well perfect) entertainment into a narrative that swirls through the reader’s mind, drawing them in to a world of difference, sexuality, depravity, betrayal, family and abuse, counterbalanced by community, understanding, support, kindness, truth and, above all else, love. These aspects create a story that is both entertaining, but also incredibly affecting. I have a feeling The Fascination will resonate with me for a very long time.
The Fascination is a beautiful and tender homage to those who find themselves on the outskirts of so-called normality, and that renders them as wonderful as any other being. I thought The Fascination was simply astounding. It’s magical, moving and magnificent. I adored it.
Oh my goodness I enjoyed The Fascination. Rarely has a book been more aptly named. Essie Fox delves into the world of ‘fascinations’ and does so with such dexterity and beauty in her writing that the reader is held spell-bound.
The plotting here is so skilful because the different threads, the small seemingly incidental moments, and much bigger themes, are deftly woven into a truly mesmerising narrative and it’s not until the final word is read that the reader can fully appreciate how wonderful the plotting is. The attention to detail, wonderful descriptions, the appeal to the senses, and the absolutely authentic historical accuracy of the era make The Fascination so immersive and spell-binding. It’s one of those stories where I found I thoroughly resented real life getting in the way of my reading.
I adored meeting the characters whom I completely forgot were artistic creations. They all felt so vivid and real. I thought giving Keziah a first person voice in contrast to the other elements of the narrative was inspired because she is the most ‘normal’ or conventional of the characters and yet is the one who most often feels on the periphery of the action. She is a kind of Shakespearean Touchstone, shining a light on the qualities and flaws of others in the story. And what others they are. The cast here is diverse, complex, believable, interesting and captivating. It’s difficult to be too precise here for fear of spoiling the story for other readers because plot and character are so exquisitely interwoven.
Whilst there’s an element of unworldliness and ethereal fragility in the story, with the fairytale of Snow White and Rose Red creating a magical aspect, Essie Fox does not shy away from aspects that transport The Fascination from simple (if pretty well perfect) entertainment into a narrative that swirls through the reader’s mind, drawing them in to a world of difference, sexuality, depravity, betrayal, family and abuse, counterbalanced by community, understanding, support, kindness, truth and, above all else, love. These aspects create a story that is both entertaining, but also incredibly affecting. I have a feeling The Fascination will resonate with me for a very long time.
The Fascination is a beautiful and tender homage to those who find themselves on the outskirts of so-called normality, and that renders them as wonderful as any other being. I thought The Fascination was simply astounding. It’s magical, moving and magnificent. I adored it.
October 4, 2023
This was an intriguing read that brought alive the aspect of Victorian England that was fascinated with the unusual that unfortunately led to human beings being labelled freaks and paraded for entertainment.
Keziah and Tilly Lovell are identical twins in every way but one. Tilly is a perfectly proportional miniature version of her twin. Their unscrupulous father uses this difference in his daughters to peddle his fake and highly addictive 'elixir'and the girls are miserable until he sells them to a man known as Captain who heads a performing troupe and their lives change.
Theo Seabrooke is the grandson of a Lord who has always hated him and turns him out of his house when a new heir is born to him. Unable to pursue medical studies, Theo gets employed at a 'museum' showcasing human anatomical specimens and medical procedures.
Theo is drawn to the Lovell sisters when he sees them at a fair and he cannot shake off his concern for their plight. When their paths merge again, they discover the darkness and lies that drive many depraved humans who have affected their lives.
Set in a time when many medical conditions like cleft palate and hirsutism etc were not recognised as such but thought of as evil, with the individuals afflicted looked at with derision, this story highlights their struggles to live some semblance of a normal life and also the way they are pursued by the public and curiosity seekers for their uniqueness and sought to be put on display. Here we also encounter those who have a more warped mind and want to acquire what to them are 'specimens' which they and their friends can 'marvel' over.
I liked the characters in this book. They were a good mix of good, bad, empathetic and flawed. It was an engaging read.
Keziah and Tilly Lovell are identical twins in every way but one. Tilly is a perfectly proportional miniature version of her twin. Their unscrupulous father uses this difference in his daughters to peddle his fake and highly addictive 'elixir'and the girls are miserable until he sells them to a man known as Captain who heads a performing troupe and their lives change.
Theo Seabrooke is the grandson of a Lord who has always hated him and turns him out of his house when a new heir is born to him. Unable to pursue medical studies, Theo gets employed at a 'museum' showcasing human anatomical specimens and medical procedures.
Theo is drawn to the Lovell sisters when he sees them at a fair and he cannot shake off his concern for their plight. When their paths merge again, they discover the darkness and lies that drive many depraved humans who have affected their lives.
Set in a time when many medical conditions like cleft palate and hirsutism etc were not recognised as such but thought of as evil, with the individuals afflicted looked at with derision, this story highlights their struggles to live some semblance of a normal life and also the way they are pursued by the public and curiosity seekers for their uniqueness and sought to be put on display. Here we also encounter those who have a more warped mind and want to acquire what to them are 'specimens' which they and their friends can 'marvel' over.
I liked the characters in this book. They were a good mix of good, bad, empathetic and flawed. It was an engaging read.
April 24, 2023
"Some freaks are born, and some are made."
Dizzying and dazzling, this dark and suspenseful tale is set against a glamourise gothic backdrop of 17th century show business, drawing back the stage curtains to show us the disturbing underbelly of of the fairgrounds, theatres and circuses that entertained and delighted the masses.
Full of secrets, lies and deception — this was a twisty, — reflecting the true horrific histories of showmen in the Victorian era, not the Disney remakes full of hope and kindness and the growing morbid curiosity of the occult sweeping through the wealthy and elite of London and beyond.
The setting was engrossing and vivid - a flurry of colours and lights in painstaking detail that transported me to another time. Every little detail painting a picture of a macabrely beautiful world, of glamour and glitz juxtaposed harshly against hurt and heartbreak. We move easily between character, each with their own beautifully poetic ways of narration that fit the era but read easily— full of youthful curiosity and intrigue. their stories moved at a steady but leisurely pace, the intrigue building slowly and silently but with every word adding to the deep atmosphere and weaving all the little strands of this epic tale together.
Haunting and otherworldly, this is an intoxicating mystery that had me hypnotised.
Dizzying and dazzling, this dark and suspenseful tale is set against a glamourise gothic backdrop of 17th century show business, drawing back the stage curtains to show us the disturbing underbelly of of the fairgrounds, theatres and circuses that entertained and delighted the masses.
Full of secrets, lies and deception — this was a twisty, — reflecting the true horrific histories of showmen in the Victorian era, not the Disney remakes full of hope and kindness and the growing morbid curiosity of the occult sweeping through the wealthy and elite of London and beyond.
The setting was engrossing and vivid - a flurry of colours and lights in painstaking detail that transported me to another time. Every little detail painting a picture of a macabrely beautiful world, of glamour and glitz juxtaposed harshly against hurt and heartbreak. We move easily between character, each with their own beautifully poetic ways of narration that fit the era but read easily— full of youthful curiosity and intrigue. their stories moved at a steady but leisurely pace, the intrigue building slowly and silently but with every word adding to the deep atmosphere and weaving all the little strands of this epic tale together.
Haunting and otherworldly, this is an intoxicating mystery that had me hypnotised.
February 20, 2023
Novel set in LONDON
I had to jump on Goodreads to say how much I am enjoying this book. I haven't even finished it yet but am taking it slow so I can absorb and immerse myself in all of the wonderful atmosphere, scene setting and prose that this novel has. It might be about circuses and freak shows but the essence of it is humanity and it's very moving.
What a story and Tilly! oh I love her! Theo is a complex boy and someone is mistreating him so I want to smack them right now. Tilly is misunderstood and used by those who are supposed to love her.
Oh there is so much to this novel! I am indeed fascinated with it so the title fits! Right, I'm back to it. I will report back shortly.
I had to jump on Goodreads to say how much I am enjoying this book. I haven't even finished it yet but am taking it slow so I can absorb and immerse myself in all of the wonderful atmosphere, scene setting and prose that this novel has. It might be about circuses and freak shows but the essence of it is humanity and it's very moving.
What a story and Tilly! oh I love her! Theo is a complex boy and someone is mistreating him so I want to smack them right now. Tilly is misunderstood and used by those who are supposed to love her.
Oh there is so much to this novel! I am indeed fascinated with it so the title fits! Right, I'm back to it. I will report back shortly.
July 4, 2024
More like “The Disinterest”. The pacing was off, the climax was, well, anticlimactic, the characters were shallow and the writing was clunky. The first couple of chapters were intriguing, but then, everything fizzled out. Finally, I would expect an author of this calibre to do a minimum of research on basic Italian if she’s decided to create an important character who is Italian and constantly inserts Italian phrases in his speech. Aside from the constant “Mia CarO” when referring to a female character, what made me want to throw the book away in disgust was when I read that revenge “was a dish best served when the weather is cold”.
June 24, 2023
Actual rating 4.5.
A book that’s every bit as stunning inside as out, this one is a must read for historical fiction or gothic fans! And no, I’m not just saying that because it has a main character called Tilly 😉
I’m not quite sure how to describe this novel, other than as brilliant! It’s a little bit creepy and macabre, going back to a time where people couldn’t get enough of the different and unusual, but it’s also got a lovely found family and special friendship vibe which I adored. I thought the narrative choice of Theo and Keziah was really interesting and loved the way their stories were slowly woven together as the novel progressed. It’s certainly got its dark moments, with some truly monstrous characters, but it also has plenty of light, laughter and warmth.
Although it’s a fairly short read, I’d say this is one to savour rather than rush through - the writing is exquisite and there’s such a great sense of time and place to the story. And some of those characters are unforgettable! Please take this as a sign that you need to add this beautiful book to your collection 🙌
A book that’s every bit as stunning inside as out, this one is a must read for historical fiction or gothic fans! And no, I’m not just saying that because it has a main character called Tilly 😉
I’m not quite sure how to describe this novel, other than as brilliant! It’s a little bit creepy and macabre, going back to a time where people couldn’t get enough of the different and unusual, but it’s also got a lovely found family and special friendship vibe which I adored. I thought the narrative choice of Theo and Keziah was really interesting and loved the way their stories were slowly woven together as the novel progressed. It’s certainly got its dark moments, with some truly monstrous characters, but it also has plenty of light, laughter and warmth.
Although it’s a fairly short read, I’d say this is one to savour rather than rush through - the writing is exquisite and there’s such a great sense of time and place to the story. And some of those characters are unforgettable! Please take this as a sign that you need to add this beautiful book to your collection 🙌
February 13, 2024
"The Fascination" is another instance of an intriguing premise falling flat in execution. It has all the things I normally love in a book (medical oddities, Victorian London, traveling carnivals). Unfortunately, the climax of the book is pretty anticlimactic. It's so brief that there's no sense of suspense. After the climax, the book kept going... and going more and more astray. The major reveal on the last page makes no sense in a story where the author is otherwise deliberate and detailed about characters' "freakish" appearances. Don't get me started on the shaving scene. It's inconsistent for a character to suddenly develop a sensitivity about his appearance when he's been performing on stage and traipsing around the city without issue. Coupled with the repair of Martha's harelip, is the take-home message that everyone should conform to be happy?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2023
DNF pile for this book, which sounded so promising on the fly-leaf but was very disappointing.
Too much narrative rather than action or speech so the story never really went anywhere; like walking through glue.
Beautiful looking book but unfortunately too slow and ineffective to keep me engaged.
Too much narrative rather than action or speech so the story never really went anywhere; like walking through glue.
Beautiful looking book but unfortunately too slow and ineffective to keep me engaged.
June 15, 2023
I love gothic historical fiction so I knew this would appeal to me and boy I wasn't wrong! This is a book that is packed with tension, dark storylines, brilliant characters and an overriding sense of hope.
Twin sisters Keziah and Tilly are identical in every way apart from that Tilly stopped growing when she was 5. They are forced to parade around fairs in southern England, whilst promoting their fathers quack elixir. Then when they are aged 15 they are sold to a mysterious Italian known as the ‘Captain’. Theo is an orphan, raised by his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, a man who has an obsession with anatomical freaks and other curiosities. When he remarries and produces a new heir he throws Theo out of his home without a penny to his name. Theo finds employment in Dr Summerwell’s Museum of Anatomy in London. It is here that he is introduced to the Captain and his performers. Theo’s fascinated by the twins and this starts off a deadly chain of events…
I loved Theo as a character, there was an air of innocence and goodness that radiates from him right from the start to the end. I was so pleased that this didn’t change dispute the events which took place. Basically, an orphan but under the care of his grandfather, he grew up with a lack of compassion and love apart from those employed to look after him. He grows up to be a steady young man but with a fascination of what is different and imagines what could be through inspiration from the classics and myths he learnt as a schoolboy.
We also learn about the lives of the twins Keziah and Tilly Lovell. They like Theo are brought up in a less than loving household after their mother died when they were young. They have a father who would rather exploit their differences for material gain by making them tour local fairs and selling an expensive tonic that apparently allowed Tilly to grow strong whilst Keziah stopped growing at the age of 5. Tilly is shown as the girl who never grew up, but is blessed with talents that Keziah wished she had. Keziah is fiercely protective of Tilly though and will do anything for her.
Essie Fox has a way of creating characters that will stay in your heart for years to come. For me in this book it was Theo and Keziah who were the stars but even the supporting characters were fully drawn and vibrant. Each had a ‘difference’ or a traumatic backstory. The way Essie created villains though was outstanding. The writing manages to express the creepiness and downright evilness of some, where you can feel the hair on your arm definitely not liking what you are reading!
This book isn’t just about the suspense and mystery aspects it also tacked the theme of injustices of society, how one cope with being labelled as ‘different’ and how people have an inner strength to them.
This is the first book which I have read by this author but it is certainly not going to be the last. I’m excited to see what they do next!
Let me know if you pick this book up!
Twin sisters Keziah and Tilly are identical in every way apart from that Tilly stopped growing when she was 5. They are forced to parade around fairs in southern England, whilst promoting their fathers quack elixir. Then when they are aged 15 they are sold to a mysterious Italian known as the ‘Captain’. Theo is an orphan, raised by his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, a man who has an obsession with anatomical freaks and other curiosities. When he remarries and produces a new heir he throws Theo out of his home without a penny to his name. Theo finds employment in Dr Summerwell’s Museum of Anatomy in London. It is here that he is introduced to the Captain and his performers. Theo’s fascinated by the twins and this starts off a deadly chain of events…
I loved Theo as a character, there was an air of innocence and goodness that radiates from him right from the start to the end. I was so pleased that this didn’t change dispute the events which took place. Basically, an orphan but under the care of his grandfather, he grew up with a lack of compassion and love apart from those employed to look after him. He grows up to be a steady young man but with a fascination of what is different and imagines what could be through inspiration from the classics and myths he learnt as a schoolboy.
We also learn about the lives of the twins Keziah and Tilly Lovell. They like Theo are brought up in a less than loving household after their mother died when they were young. They have a father who would rather exploit their differences for material gain by making them tour local fairs and selling an expensive tonic that apparently allowed Tilly to grow strong whilst Keziah stopped growing at the age of 5. Tilly is shown as the girl who never grew up, but is blessed with talents that Keziah wished she had. Keziah is fiercely protective of Tilly though and will do anything for her.
Essie Fox has a way of creating characters that will stay in your heart for years to come. For me in this book it was Theo and Keziah who were the stars but even the supporting characters were fully drawn and vibrant. Each had a ‘difference’ or a traumatic backstory. The way Essie created villains though was outstanding. The writing manages to express the creepiness and downright evilness of some, where you can feel the hair on your arm definitely not liking what you are reading!
This book isn’t just about the suspense and mystery aspects it also tacked the theme of injustices of society, how one cope with being labelled as ‘different’ and how people have an inner strength to them.
This is the first book which I have read by this author but it is certainly not going to be the last. I’m excited to see what they do next!
Let me know if you pick this book up!
June 22, 2023
Gothic, often dark, distinctly disturbing at times – a world so vividly created, and a story that drew me in from the opening pages and kept me enthralled throughout. My goodness, this was a quite wonderful read!
Tilly and Keziah’s father makes his living from selling his cure-all at the country fairgrounds they visit in their vardo – a cruel man, who also sees an opportunity in exploiting Tilly’s stunted growth while encouraging her addiction. After an abortive escape attempt, the twins are sold to the Captain, finding refuge among his entourage of rescued “freaks” and misfits – and where Tilly begins to follow a career on the stage, delighting audiences with her diminutive stature and voice of an angel. Meanwhile, Theo Seabrook – after a sad and lonely childhood – is cast out by his grandfather, a bitter and corrupt man with a taste for the bizarre who has plans to take a new wife, finding a home and employment with Dr Summerwell’s Museum of Anatomy in London. This is where their stories become intertwined, when Theo’s fascination with the sisters – and Keziah’s trust in him as “God’s gift” – leads them all into the path of life-threatening danger.
Everything about this book is absolute perfection – unlike the world it depicts, rife with exploitation and moral corruption, and where life lacks value when an individual is anything less than perfect. There’s an all-pervading darkness, an atmosphere of threat and creeping darkness that chills – and the level of suspense that develops and is sustained throughout the story makes it a particularly compelling read. And yet there are moments of exquisite tenderness too, when differences are set aside – with a particular beauty distinctly at odds with the surrounding miasma of noxiousness.
The story is told in part by Keziah, partly from Theo’s viewpoint – and the author’s writing keeps you right by their sides throughout, present throughout their every experience, horrified at times by some of the twists and turns but entirely unable to look away. The characterisation is simply superb – every individual within its substantial cast entirely real and completely rounded, some of them wholly sympathetic, others believable personifications of pure evil.
The whole story is, of course, the product of the author’s exceptional imagination – but the depth of detailed research that underpins it all breathes life into her creation. Intensely moving throughout, the injustices and prejudice that the book uncovered sometimes made me weep, or moved me to anger – but there was one small nugget of information held back until near the end that filled me with warmth, gave me a feeling of hope, and even left an unexpected smile on my face.
This really was an exceptional read – unforgettable for its imagery and the depth of emotion the story provoked, the writing exquisite in every way, with characters who will live in my heart (and others, perhaps, in my nightmares…) for a very long time. Without question, this will be one of my books of the year.
Tilly and Keziah’s father makes his living from selling his cure-all at the country fairgrounds they visit in their vardo – a cruel man, who also sees an opportunity in exploiting Tilly’s stunted growth while encouraging her addiction. After an abortive escape attempt, the twins are sold to the Captain, finding refuge among his entourage of rescued “freaks” and misfits – and where Tilly begins to follow a career on the stage, delighting audiences with her diminutive stature and voice of an angel. Meanwhile, Theo Seabrook – after a sad and lonely childhood – is cast out by his grandfather, a bitter and corrupt man with a taste for the bizarre who has plans to take a new wife, finding a home and employment with Dr Summerwell’s Museum of Anatomy in London. This is where their stories become intertwined, when Theo’s fascination with the sisters – and Keziah’s trust in him as “God’s gift” – leads them all into the path of life-threatening danger.
Everything about this book is absolute perfection – unlike the world it depicts, rife with exploitation and moral corruption, and where life lacks value when an individual is anything less than perfect. There’s an all-pervading darkness, an atmosphere of threat and creeping darkness that chills – and the level of suspense that develops and is sustained throughout the story makes it a particularly compelling read. And yet there are moments of exquisite tenderness too, when differences are set aside – with a particular beauty distinctly at odds with the surrounding miasma of noxiousness.
The story is told in part by Keziah, partly from Theo’s viewpoint – and the author’s writing keeps you right by their sides throughout, present throughout their every experience, horrified at times by some of the twists and turns but entirely unable to look away. The characterisation is simply superb – every individual within its substantial cast entirely real and completely rounded, some of them wholly sympathetic, others believable personifications of pure evil.
The whole story is, of course, the product of the author’s exceptional imagination – but the depth of detailed research that underpins it all breathes life into her creation. Intensely moving throughout, the injustices and prejudice that the book uncovered sometimes made me weep, or moved me to anger – but there was one small nugget of information held back until near the end that filled me with warmth, gave me a feeling of hope, and even left an unexpected smile on my face.
This really was an exceptional read – unforgettable for its imagery and the depth of emotion the story provoked, the writing exquisite in every way, with characters who will live in my heart (and others, perhaps, in my nightmares…) for a very long time. Without question, this will be one of my books of the year.
July 2, 2023
The Victorian era. Where can one even begin in drawing out its themes, its achievements, its darknesses? Perhaps Charles Dickens, in the famous opening to A Tale of Two Cities, sums it up well by listing a series of contradictions (the best of times, the worst of times...) Yes, I know Dickens was writing about pre-Victorian France, not Victorian England, but aren't all writers working with an eye to their own time?
One might certainly think so in Essie Fox's new novel which, to me, casts a cool eye over an age of reason, progress and confidence: but also one of superstition, fear and vast social inequality. Highlighting the outsiders on the fringes of society - the travellers, the fairground folk, the "freaks" who offend against a rigid idea of nomality and the misfits who don't have a place in the highly structured social order - The Fascination shows both the freedoms such people could enjoy and the price that might be demanded.
The story is told from two viewpoints - those of Keziah and of Theo. Keziah, with her twin sister Tilly, suffers early in the story when her mother dies. Her father, a rather feckless drunk, takes up a new way of life as a travelling peddler of quack medicines, using the two (identical, except that Tilly stopped growing at the age of five) as part of his sales pitch.
Theo is the orphaned grandson of dissolute Lord Seabrook, who keeps a private collection of horror and curiosities which both fascinate and repel the boy.
Both the sisters and Theo are eventually cast out - the girls sold at the fair in a scene reminiscent of The Mayor of Casterbridge, and Theo dispensed with when Seabrook takes up with a new woman who gives him a son and heir. One of the joys to me of this book is Fox's willingness to use such tropes (banishment, inheritance) of Victorian melodrama - and, as the story develops, gothic - but in an intelligent and knowing way that supports, rather than distracting from, the story. So, the shop and museum of horrors owned by Dr Summerwell, where Theo eventually finds employment, is not just a grotesque flourish but has a deep connection with events here, suggesting a hidden side to Victorian society within which all kinds of dark things can flourish.
I wouldn't though want to overemphasise that darkness. Fox's villains are grotesque, but the main characters are an intelligent, resourceful, motivated and above all, loving, group of outcasts who live in a little community in Chiswick. The bustling London world may shun them - except when it wants a "freak" as the centrepiece to a pantomime or to perform at a fair - but they have a respect for each other and a sense of interdependence and trust that is heartwarming. Nor are they afraid to challenge the conventions or double standards of that wider society - Keziah for example taking great pleasure from a copy of Fanny Hill that comes into her hands.
The Fascination is a story which explores Victorian society in some depth, but more importantly it's a book that tells a vivid and engaging story with plenty of shocks and surprises - and which is written with great heart and soul. I'd strongly recommend it.
One might certainly think so in Essie Fox's new novel which, to me, casts a cool eye over an age of reason, progress and confidence: but also one of superstition, fear and vast social inequality. Highlighting the outsiders on the fringes of society - the travellers, the fairground folk, the "freaks" who offend against a rigid idea of nomality and the misfits who don't have a place in the highly structured social order - The Fascination shows both the freedoms such people could enjoy and the price that might be demanded.
The story is told from two viewpoints - those of Keziah and of Theo. Keziah, with her twin sister Tilly, suffers early in the story when her mother dies. Her father, a rather feckless drunk, takes up a new way of life as a travelling peddler of quack medicines, using the two (identical, except that Tilly stopped growing at the age of five) as part of his sales pitch.
Theo is the orphaned grandson of dissolute Lord Seabrook, who keeps a private collection of horror and curiosities which both fascinate and repel the boy.
Both the sisters and Theo are eventually cast out - the girls sold at the fair in a scene reminiscent of The Mayor of Casterbridge, and Theo dispensed with when Seabrook takes up with a new woman who gives him a son and heir. One of the joys to me of this book is Fox's willingness to use such tropes (banishment, inheritance) of Victorian melodrama - and, as the story develops, gothic - but in an intelligent and knowing way that supports, rather than distracting from, the story. So, the shop and museum of horrors owned by Dr Summerwell, where Theo eventually finds employment, is not just a grotesque flourish but has a deep connection with events here, suggesting a hidden side to Victorian society within which all kinds of dark things can flourish.
I wouldn't though want to overemphasise that darkness. Fox's villains are grotesque, but the main characters are an intelligent, resourceful, motivated and above all, loving, group of outcasts who live in a little community in Chiswick. The bustling London world may shun them - except when it wants a "freak" as the centrepiece to a pantomime or to perform at a fair - but they have a respect for each other and a sense of interdependence and trust that is heartwarming. Nor are they afraid to challenge the conventions or double standards of that wider society - Keziah for example taking great pleasure from a copy of Fanny Hill that comes into her hands.
The Fascination is a story which explores Victorian society in some depth, but more importantly it's a book that tells a vivid and engaging story with plenty of shocks and surprises - and which is written with great heart and soul. I'd strongly recommend it.
July 5, 2023
A charming and fascinating story of twin sisters, their life and the people they meet.
It's a mystery, quite a twisty tale coupled with romance, heartache, crime and violence - loads going on.
Set in the world of Victorian theatre, fairgrounds, museums and medical practises. Based on the lives of people considered in that era to be freaks.
It has some really great characters and a delicious little twist at the end which tested my preconceptions and which I also loved.
It's a mystery, quite a twisty tale coupled with romance, heartache, crime and violence - loads going on.
Set in the world of Victorian theatre, fairgrounds, museums and medical practises. Based on the lives of people considered in that era to be freaks.
It has some really great characters and a delicious little twist at the end which tested my preconceptions and which I also loved.
March 23, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. It is so beautifully written and takes the reader to the heart of Victorian England. I have always loved books about circuses and freak shows. This one certainly does not disappoint. There are wonderful characters who you instantly love. The beautiful Keziah and her sister Tilly. Also Theo who is cast out from his home to make his own way in life. There are plenty of really unlikeable characters too. This book had me hooked and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Thanks to Orenda Books for the proof copy. A very well deserved 5 stars.
October 16, 2025
A rich celebration of the victorian gothic. Essie Fox tells a great story and I am very happy to be carried along with her.
July 23, 2023
Really enjoyed this dual narrator approach and the twisty path that connected the characters. The little reveal at the end was a proper ahhh moment which I loved. Raw and abrasive at times but with sprinklings of love and la familia.
June 14, 2023
Identical twin sisters Keziah and Tilly are alike in every way, except that Tilly hasn’t grown an inch since she was five. Coerced by their violent and manipulative father into using their talents to promote his ‘miracle’ cure-all, they’ve spent most of their lives on the road. But when Keziah and Tilly are sold by their father to the mysterious Italian known as ‘Captain’, they find themselves joining a theatrical ‘family’ of human curiosities and heading for the bright lights of London.
Would-be doctor Theo, on the other hand, has been raised in relative stability and comfort but with very little love. His grandfather, Lord Seabrook, despises the medical profession in spire of his own interest in anatomical ‘curiosities’. When Lord Seabrook remarries and a new heir for his estate is procured, Theo finds himself cast out of his childhood home. Determine to pursue his dreams, he answers an advert placed by ‘gentleman anatomist’ Dr Eugene Summerwell.
Summerwell’s ‘Museum of Anatomy’ is home to Captain and his family of performers, freaks, and outcasts, Tilly and Keziah included. But as Theo, Keziah, and Tilly’s lives become intertwined, they soon realise that there is darkness lurking beneath the surface of their glittering new world. And, if they’re not careful, the web of lies and deceit that surrounds them could soon entangle them all.
The Fascination is a suspenseful tale that digs into the dark heart of the world of Victorian showmen and casts a light upon the often grim realities that lay behind fairs, showgrounds, and the theatrical marvels of the age. The era’s fascination with human ‘curiosities’ is thoroughly explored in the novel, as are the disturbing connections between the spectacles seen in Burlington Hall and Drury Lane and the anatomist’s ‘theatre’. Both worlds are vividly brought to life by Fox’s luminous prose, which pulled me right into the dark heart of Victorian England.
Tilly, Keziah, and Theo all make for empathetic protagonists in the face of almost insurmountable challenges and dangers. I really enjoyed the way in which each character’s motivations and vulnerabilities are explored, as well as the relationships that develop – and are uncovered – between them. Essie Fox also has a real talent for writing villains – there are several characters in here that I could quite happily have swung for(!) – and isn’t afraid of portraying the often heart-wrenching realities of life for her more vulnerable characters. As a result, content warnings should be noted for period-relevant attitudes towards – and language reflective of – disability, domestic and physical violence, emotional abuse, alcohol and drug use/abuse, coercion/coercive control, medical trauma/detail, and confinement. These topics are dealt with sensitively however it clear that Fox has done a great deal of research to really immerse her reader in the period and it’s details, however unpalatable they might be to modern readers.
Although I did find the book a little slow to start with, the pace really picks up once all the characters some together at Dr Summerwell’s ‘Museum’ in the second act, and the slow burn of tension built up in the first part of the novel really pays off towards the end, when all the threads are skilfully drawn together for an explosive – and unexpected – finale.
Fans of Elizabeth Macneal’s Circus of Wonders and Imogen Hermes Gower’s The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, will find much to enjoy in the rich detail and evocative stylings of The Fascination, with its immersive depiction of Victorian showmanship and the darker undercurrents that lie beneath the surface glamour. Offering a surprisingly sweet coming-of-age tale wrapped within a darkly Gothic tale of secrets and deception, The Fascination is sure to fascinate plenty of readers come release day!
NB: This review also appears on my blog at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre... as part of the blog tour for the book. My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Would-be doctor Theo, on the other hand, has been raised in relative stability and comfort but with very little love. His grandfather, Lord Seabrook, despises the medical profession in spire of his own interest in anatomical ‘curiosities’. When Lord Seabrook remarries and a new heir for his estate is procured, Theo finds himself cast out of his childhood home. Determine to pursue his dreams, he answers an advert placed by ‘gentleman anatomist’ Dr Eugene Summerwell.
Summerwell’s ‘Museum of Anatomy’ is home to Captain and his family of performers, freaks, and outcasts, Tilly and Keziah included. But as Theo, Keziah, and Tilly’s lives become intertwined, they soon realise that there is darkness lurking beneath the surface of their glittering new world. And, if they’re not careful, the web of lies and deceit that surrounds them could soon entangle them all.
The Fascination is a suspenseful tale that digs into the dark heart of the world of Victorian showmen and casts a light upon the often grim realities that lay behind fairs, showgrounds, and the theatrical marvels of the age. The era’s fascination with human ‘curiosities’ is thoroughly explored in the novel, as are the disturbing connections between the spectacles seen in Burlington Hall and Drury Lane and the anatomist’s ‘theatre’. Both worlds are vividly brought to life by Fox’s luminous prose, which pulled me right into the dark heart of Victorian England.
Tilly, Keziah, and Theo all make for empathetic protagonists in the face of almost insurmountable challenges and dangers. I really enjoyed the way in which each character’s motivations and vulnerabilities are explored, as well as the relationships that develop – and are uncovered – between them. Essie Fox also has a real talent for writing villains – there are several characters in here that I could quite happily have swung for(!) – and isn’t afraid of portraying the often heart-wrenching realities of life for her more vulnerable characters. As a result, content warnings should be noted for period-relevant attitudes towards – and language reflective of – disability, domestic and physical violence, emotional abuse, alcohol and drug use/abuse, coercion/coercive control, medical trauma/detail, and confinement. These topics are dealt with sensitively however it clear that Fox has done a great deal of research to really immerse her reader in the period and it’s details, however unpalatable they might be to modern readers.
Although I did find the book a little slow to start with, the pace really picks up once all the characters some together at Dr Summerwell’s ‘Museum’ in the second act, and the slow burn of tension built up in the first part of the novel really pays off towards the end, when all the threads are skilfully drawn together for an explosive – and unexpected – finale.
Fans of Elizabeth Macneal’s Circus of Wonders and Imogen Hermes Gower’s The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, will find much to enjoy in the rich detail and evocative stylings of The Fascination, with its immersive depiction of Victorian showmanship and the darker undercurrents that lie beneath the surface glamour. Offering a surprisingly sweet coming-of-age tale wrapped within a darkly Gothic tale of secrets and deception, The Fascination is sure to fascinate plenty of readers come release day!
NB: This review also appears on my blog at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre... as part of the blog tour for the book. My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
June 21, 2023
We've all seen The Greatest Showman where Barnum showcases those less fortunate in his circus, The Fascination is set along the same lines, but with Keziah, Tilly and Theo at the forefront.
Journeying back to Victorian London, we explore the dark, disturbing depths of 'entertainment' as those who are deemed different are exploited for their appearance and showcased as a 'freak show'.
Historical fiction is always a win, win for me and The Fascination didn't disappoint.
Atmospheric and full of gothicky goodness The Fascination is a cleverly written and well researched tale of secrets, fascinations and was absolutely wonderful to read.
Journeying back to Victorian London, we explore the dark, disturbing depths of 'entertainment' as those who are deemed different are exploited for their appearance and showcased as a 'freak show'.
Historical fiction is always a win, win for me and The Fascination didn't disappoint.
Atmospheric and full of gothicky goodness The Fascination is a cleverly written and well researched tale of secrets, fascinations and was absolutely wonderful to read.
May 20, 2023
The Fascination is the first novel I’ve read by Essie Fox, and I will definitely be looking out for her name in the future. Set in London during the Victorian period, there are dark undertones and a mysterious element that I loved, that run right throughout this novel, with a slight hint of the supernatural, which reeled me into the story even more. There is also a unique cast of characters who will keep you utterly enthralled in their lives as we follow their journeys.
Essie Fox tells the story from the perspectives of two of her main characters, Theo and Keziah Lovell. They are two characters who both come from very different backgrounds, but they will soon find their journeys in this book intertwined and I loved seeing how Essie Fox developed this and how she brought them together. These two characters are richly described and I felt as though I was stepping into their lives as I read this book, as Essie Fox brought them to life so well. Theo lives with his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, who has displayed no sign of any affection towards him. I really felt for Theo, especially when his grandfather throws him out of his house where he, effectively abandoned Theo to the care of his staff, who have grown fond of Theo. To add insult to injury, Theo’s grandfather is intending to move his new wife into the house along with his new born son, who he declares the heir to his estate and title, and this leaves Theo with nowhere to go. It is shocking to see how brutal his grandfather is with this decision, and Theo has no choice but to obey what he says.
Keziah Lovell is an identical twin, but her sister, Tilly, has remained the same height since she was five. Like Theo’s, their story is equally heartbreaking, especially as their father, who is a drunk, chooses to exploit Tilly’s condition for his own personal gain. He has produced a fake medicine which he uses Tilly and Keziah to sell to the public when they are shown on stage. You can see how desperate the sisters are to get out of this situation they are in, and to be away from their father, especially as their mother is no longer alive. And this is when Theo steps into their lives. He is determined to help them, but as Theo becomes involved in their story, things don’t go quite to plan.
The Fascination is a bewitching read that captures the imagination. It is unlike any other book I have read recently and so I can’t wait to read what Essie Fox writes next.
Essie Fox tells the story from the perspectives of two of her main characters, Theo and Keziah Lovell. They are two characters who both come from very different backgrounds, but they will soon find their journeys in this book intertwined and I loved seeing how Essie Fox developed this and how she brought them together. These two characters are richly described and I felt as though I was stepping into their lives as I read this book, as Essie Fox brought them to life so well. Theo lives with his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, who has displayed no sign of any affection towards him. I really felt for Theo, especially when his grandfather throws him out of his house where he, effectively abandoned Theo to the care of his staff, who have grown fond of Theo. To add insult to injury, Theo’s grandfather is intending to move his new wife into the house along with his new born son, who he declares the heir to his estate and title, and this leaves Theo with nowhere to go. It is shocking to see how brutal his grandfather is with this decision, and Theo has no choice but to obey what he says.
Keziah Lovell is an identical twin, but her sister, Tilly, has remained the same height since she was five. Like Theo’s, their story is equally heartbreaking, especially as their father, who is a drunk, chooses to exploit Tilly’s condition for his own personal gain. He has produced a fake medicine which he uses Tilly and Keziah to sell to the public when they are shown on stage. You can see how desperate the sisters are to get out of this situation they are in, and to be away from their father, especially as their mother is no longer alive. And this is when Theo steps into their lives. He is determined to help them, but as Theo becomes involved in their story, things don’t go quite to plan.
The Fascination is a bewitching read that captures the imagination. It is unlike any other book I have read recently and so I can’t wait to read what Essie Fox writes next.
June 7, 2023
Victorian England where a glamorous yet treacherous world of rural fairgrounds and London theatres entice and entertain the masses, lies a world of dark secrets and deadly obsessions.
Twin sisters Keziah and Tilly Lovell are mirrors of each other in every single way, that is except that Tilly has grown not a single inch since she was five. Coerced into promoting and astounding the crowds who come to witness an apparent miracle elixir created by their father as they are dragged cross-country until the age of fifteen and the girls find themselves sold to a mysterious figure known only as ‘Captain’ never shall they see their father again.
Theo, an orphan, raised by his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, a man obsessed with anatomical freaks and other such twisted designs, particularly the human kind, yet he resents his grandson for his mother’s death in childbirth and when Seabrook remarries, Theo is swiftly removed from the home and left penniless with not one person to call a friend, and nowhere to be able to rest his head.
Theo seeks and finds employment in Dr Summerwell’s Museum of Anatomy in London, and it is here he meets Captain and his family of oddities, freaks, and outcasts but Theo shall discover it will be his fascination with a certain pair of twins which will lead them all into the jaws of hell which could expose the darkest secrets and threaten everything they know and while all three of them may not quite fathom what the future holds, they have little choice but to take a chance and trust each other, even if previous experience tell them the exact opposite.
Intoxicating, gothic, dark, and gorgeously disturbing, The Fascination will become an obsession for many a reader.
Twin sisters Keziah and Tilly Lovell are mirrors of each other in every single way, that is except that Tilly has grown not a single inch since she was five. Coerced into promoting and astounding the crowds who come to witness an apparent miracle elixir created by their father as they are dragged cross-country until the age of fifteen and the girls find themselves sold to a mysterious figure known only as ‘Captain’ never shall they see their father again.
Theo, an orphan, raised by his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, a man obsessed with anatomical freaks and other such twisted designs, particularly the human kind, yet he resents his grandson for his mother’s death in childbirth and when Seabrook remarries, Theo is swiftly removed from the home and left penniless with not one person to call a friend, and nowhere to be able to rest his head.
Theo seeks and finds employment in Dr Summerwell’s Museum of Anatomy in London, and it is here he meets Captain and his family of oddities, freaks, and outcasts but Theo shall discover it will be his fascination with a certain pair of twins which will lead them all into the jaws of hell which could expose the darkest secrets and threaten everything they know and while all three of them may not quite fathom what the future holds, they have little choice but to take a chance and trust each other, even if previous experience tell them the exact opposite.
Intoxicating, gothic, dark, and gorgeously disturbing, The Fascination will become an obsession for many a reader.
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