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Velvet
Velvet is a laundress in a Victorian steam laundry. With both her mother and father dead, she is an orphan and has to rely upon her own wits to make a living. The laundry's work is back-breaking and Velvet is desperate to create a better life for herself. Then Velvet is noticed by Madame Savoya, a famed medium, who asks Velvet to come to work for her. Velvet is dazzled at first by the young yet beautifully dressed and bejewelled Madame. But soon Velvet realises that Madame Savoya is not all that she says she is, and Velvet's very life is in danger . . . A romantic and thrillingly exciting new novel from an acclaimed and much loved historical writer for teens.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
17 people are currently reading
1593 people want to read
About the author
Mary Hooper
159 books289 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
British children's and young adult author Mary Hooper was born in 1944, in Barnes, then in Surrey, nowadays in South West London. She left school at fifteen, and went to work as a window dresser, and then as a secretary. She eventually returned to school, as an adult student, earning a degree in English from Reading University. Hooper began her writing career with short stories, publishing in women's and teen magazines. Her first book, Jodie, was published in 1978. She is married, has two children, and one grandchild, and lives in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.
British children's and young adult author Mary Hooper was born in 1944, in Barnes, then in Surrey, nowadays in South West London. She left school at fifteen, and went to work as a window dresser, and then as a secretary. She eventually returned to school, as an adult student, earning a degree in English from Reading University. Hooper began her writing career with short stories, publishing in women's and teen magazines. Her first book, Jodie, was published in 1978. She is married, has two children, and one grandchild, and lives in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
April 30, 2018
Velvet is ill-suited for working at the laundry. She keeps fainting from heat and exhaustion, and even after being given a second chance, she mucks it up.
The fates--and Madame Savoya--have a different future in mind for Velvet. As an assistant to one of the most prestigious mediums in London, teenaged Velvet finds her hand-to-mouth existence raised up to one in which she mingles with the elite, embarks upon missions to uncover the mysteries of ectoplasm and materialization, and even--perhaps--young love.
Clearly no one could be a greater champion and philanthropist than Madame. Right?
Mary Hooper's Velvet is a vibrant, tongue-in-cheek exploration of the spiritualism craze in Victorian London. Our heroine is, clearly, in over her head; but by golly, one loves her for it. Very good.
The fates--and Madame Savoya--have a different future in mind for Velvet. As an assistant to one of the most prestigious mediums in London, teenaged Velvet finds her hand-to-mouth existence raised up to one in which she mingles with the elite, embarks upon missions to uncover the mysteries of ectoplasm and materialization, and even--perhaps--young love.
Clearly no one could be a greater champion and philanthropist than Madame. Right?
Mary Hooper's Velvet is a vibrant, tongue-in-cheek exploration of the spiritualism craze in Victorian London. Our heroine is, clearly, in over her head; but by golly, one loves her for it. Very good.
April 8, 2017
Velvet is one of those books which I love to read: Historical fiction which isn't weighy or dry with awesome characters I can relate to and an engaging storyline.
The thing I liked most about this book was the main character Velvet. She is a really interesting character and I enjoyed following her story from being an orphaned washer woman to become lady servant to one of the most prestigious mediums in the city. I loved how she was both quite streetwise in how she had had to look after herself and in the way she had lived since she had been on her own but also quite naive as well especially when it came to the the world of mediums. There were so many things in front of her eyes that just were quite right but she was so innocent in believing that she had been told that she didn't question the obvious things that were right in front of her for a long while.
The main focus of the story is the world of spiritualists and mediums and looks at how they made their business in the Victorian Era by conning people out of their money by playing on their weaknesses whilst they were grieving. I found it really fascinating and enjoyed finding out more about this world.
Another reason why I really liked this book was because it gave you a real sense of the history and was well researched. I am a big fan of historical fiction that gives the reader a real sense of period whilst not overburdening them with minor irrelevant details that do nothing more than make the story too weight and therefore a bit dry. This novel found that right balance and included some really interesting insights to victorian society, using Old Bailey Records no less, which I did not really know anything about. The part I found most chilling was the bit where Velvet visits a baby farm which was absolutely horrific.
The storyline for this book was really compelling for all the reasons I have already mentioned but also because it was nice and pacey meaning I didn't have a moment to get bored. Definitely one of the books out of the massive pile I have read this summer which I will be recommending regularly to others and certainly an author I am keen to read more of.
sum up
The thing I liked most about this book was the main character Velvet. She is a really interesting character and I enjoyed following her story from being an orphaned washer woman to become lady servant to one of the most prestigious mediums in the city. I loved how she was both quite streetwise in how she had had to look after herself and in the way she had lived since she had been on her own but also quite naive as well especially when it came to the the world of mediums. There were so many things in front of her eyes that just were quite right but she was so innocent in believing that she had been told that she didn't question the obvious things that were right in front of her for a long while.
The main focus of the story is the world of spiritualists and mediums and looks at how they made their business in the Victorian Era by conning people out of their money by playing on their weaknesses whilst they were grieving. I found it really fascinating and enjoyed finding out more about this world.
Another reason why I really liked this book was because it gave you a real sense of the history and was well researched. I am a big fan of historical fiction that gives the reader a real sense of period whilst not overburdening them with minor irrelevant details that do nothing more than make the story too weight and therefore a bit dry. This novel found that right balance and included some really interesting insights to victorian society, using Old Bailey Records no less, which I did not really know anything about. The part I found most chilling was the bit where Velvet visits a baby farm which was absolutely horrific.
The storyline for this book was really compelling for all the reasons I have already mentioned but also because it was nice and pacey meaning I didn't have a moment to get bored. Definitely one of the books out of the massive pile I have read this summer which I will be recommending regularly to others and certainly an author I am keen to read more of.
sum up
February 3, 2017
I don't feel like writing a fully fleshed out review, but I felt I had to elaborate on why I gave this book only 2.5, maybe 3 stars.
Reading the back gave me high hopes, but... this wasn't my kind of book.
Though there were several things which I enjoyed about it, it was never able to capture me fully and felt, too often, predictable. The historical setting intrigued me very much, and the first few chapters made me not want to put it away, but after the actual story started taking place that feeling left quickly. As a reader I was given way too much information to enjoy Velvet taking a 150 pages to figure it out herself, it made her look naïve and extremely gullible, and I probably wouldn't have felt that way if I was able to discover these things wíth her.
The middle part of the book was repetitive and felt as filler, but luckily the ending managed to sort of capture my attention once more. I can't say I was surprised by the last few revelations, but at least the ending left me satisfied, albeit a bit rushed.
Looking at the actual research that went into this book, which is explained in the back, I will be looking to read some more of Mary Hooper. My secret love for historical fiction has been sparked again by the little glimpses into life in Victorian England after the turn of the 20th century, so I hope I'll find one of her other books more satisfying.
Reading the back gave me high hopes, but... this wasn't my kind of book.
Though there were several things which I enjoyed about it, it was never able to capture me fully and felt, too often, predictable. The historical setting intrigued me very much, and the first few chapters made me not want to put it away, but after the actual story started taking place that feeling left quickly. As a reader I was given way too much information to enjoy Velvet taking a 150 pages to figure it out herself, it made her look naïve and extremely gullible, and I probably wouldn't have felt that way if I was able to discover these things wíth her.
The middle part of the book was repetitive and felt as filler, but luckily the ending managed to sort of capture my attention once more. I can't say I was surprised by the last few revelations, but at least the ending left me satisfied, albeit a bit rushed.
Looking at the actual research that went into this book, which is explained in the back, I will be looking to read some more of Mary Hooper. My secret love for historical fiction has been sparked again by the little glimpses into life in Victorian England after the turn of the 20th century, so I hope I'll find one of her other books more satisfying.
September 14, 2013
Rarely have I become so impatient with a character so quickly; very infrequently have I found fault with the arc of plot, the names of the characters, and the characters themselves all at once. Yet Hooper managed to give me all of these opinions and feelings with her book VELVET, which I finished on the grounds of wanting to find out if Velvet, the titular character, ever snapped out of her idiocy and realized what she should have realized on page one.
Velvet, born into the world as Kitty (see what I mean about these names?), was the daughter of a (reformed?)abuser and a weak-willed mother,Hope, who was not allowed to see her sisters, Verity or Patience (Again, the NAMES!). Hope is dead when we're introduced into the story, and Velvet has purportedly let her father drown in the Thames. She works as a laundress to make ends meet before she's gathered up by Madame, a young and beautiful medium, and wooed by her assistant, the slimy (not that she can tell), handsome George.
There's also her best friend Lizzie and the newly minted police officer and childhood sweetheart, Charlie.
Basically, Velvet gets ensnared in Madame's game, vaguely feels that there's something wrong but is too shallow to pay attention because of the gowns and jewels and love she's receiving, and continues on to the point of no return. She spends about 98% of the book being confronted by the truth that Madame is a FRAUD (and, three pages in, you'll realize I'm not spoiling anything here), and that George is obviously lying about something that, while at least holds more mystique, is not adequately alluded to.
And that's it. Were there no other plot details, Katie? you may ask. No, there were not. That was literally it, except for what is evidently supposed to be the climax of the novel in which Velvet finally comes to her senses, and the ending few paragraphs during which I made the mistake of eating dinner.
The sort of interesting thing about this book was the way in which the story was told. Third person limited, but strangely assuming of the reader; there were very few character introductions, but the story just jumped right in. Initially I thought there was a companion novel I might be missing, but I don't think that's true. The style of the telling was fine, but I got the distinct impression that Hooper did not believe Velvet to be very clever, either - either that or she was using Velvet's innocence and ignorance to help perpetuate ignorance in the reader, so that - by the end - the reader would be just as surprised as Velvet to find out the truth. I hate this kind of assumption, which can - unfortunately - be found in numerous TV shows and books: we're not stupid. Please stop treating us as such.
So, in conclusion to this endlessly ranting review - if you spend the money to buy this book, I'd suggest throwing it in the river Thames with Velvet's father.
Velvet, born into the world as Kitty (see what I mean about these names?), was the daughter of a (reformed?)abuser and a weak-willed mother,Hope, who was not allowed to see her sisters, Verity or Patience (Again, the NAMES!). Hope is dead when we're introduced into the story, and Velvet has purportedly let her father drown in the Thames. She works as a laundress to make ends meet before she's gathered up by Madame, a young and beautiful medium, and wooed by her assistant, the slimy (not that she can tell), handsome George.
There's also her best friend Lizzie and the newly minted police officer and childhood sweetheart, Charlie.
Basically, Velvet gets ensnared in Madame's game, vaguely feels that there's something wrong but is too shallow to pay attention because of the gowns and jewels and love she's receiving, and continues on to the point of no return. She spends about 98% of the book being confronted by the truth that Madame is a FRAUD (and, three pages in, you'll realize I'm not spoiling anything here), and that George is obviously lying about something that, while at least holds more mystique, is not adequately alluded to.
And that's it. Were there no other plot details, Katie? you may ask. No, there were not. That was literally it, except for what is evidently supposed to be the climax of the novel in which Velvet finally comes to her senses, and the ending few paragraphs during which I made the mistake of eating dinner.
The sort of interesting thing about this book was the way in which the story was told. Third person limited, but strangely assuming of the reader; there were very few character introductions, but the story just jumped right in. Initially I thought there was a companion novel I might be missing, but I don't think that's true. The style of the telling was fine, but I got the distinct impression that Hooper did not believe Velvet to be very clever, either - either that or she was using Velvet's innocence and ignorance to help perpetuate ignorance in the reader, so that - by the end - the reader would be just as surprised as Velvet to find out the truth. I hate this kind of assumption, which can - unfortunately - be found in numerous TV shows and books: we're not stupid. Please stop treating us as such.
So, in conclusion to this endlessly ranting review - if you spend the money to buy this book, I'd suggest throwing it in the river Thames with Velvet's father.
January 13, 2013
Rather boring.. I was most interested when the baby farm became a part of the whole thing but it wasn't for long. It was too obvious from the beginning that Madame was a fake so how did it take so long for Velvet to catch on, and I disliked how the entire time Velvet was certain she did not love Charlie yet as soon as George wrongs her and Charlie tells her she does love him she agrees she always has.
October 3, 2019
Trigger warning: mentions of death, child abuse
3 ⭐️
This book was... okay I guess?
The setting was interesting. Early 21st century London, with a hint of feminist theory sparkled here and there (although very lightly). The atmosphere is intriguing, and it would have been nice to get more from it, like the steam laundry or the street life.
But the main character is absolutely useless. While Velvet seems to be 16 or 17, she thinks and acts as if she’s 12. And, frankly, for a poor orphan who’s had to live on her own for about a year, it’s not really believable. Not to mention that she’s unable to carry out anything by herself and always needs to be saved and comforted by a guy.
The other characters are barely fleshed out. Lizzie is mentioned only in passing once Velvet finds Madame Savoya. George is a fine piece of ass... and that’s it, really, until that “plot twist” in the end. Charlie is only there to be the knight in shinning armour. As for Madame Savoya, she’s cunning, but any morally grey vibe is overlooked by Velvet’s being “naïve” (I’d just call that stupid, in her circumstances).
The action was okay, even if it could have taken a much more interesting turn had it been better developed and less black and white. I wish it’d been a historical fantasy novel instead. Maybe the whole thing would have seemed more vivid then.
3 ⭐️
This book was... okay I guess?
The setting was interesting. Early 21st century London, with a hint of feminist theory sparkled here and there (although very lightly). The atmosphere is intriguing, and it would have been nice to get more from it, like the steam laundry or the street life.
But the main character is absolutely useless. While Velvet seems to be 16 or 17, she thinks and acts as if she’s 12. And, frankly, for a poor orphan who’s had to live on her own for about a year, it’s not really believable. Not to mention that she’s unable to carry out anything by herself and always needs to be saved and comforted by a guy.
The other characters are barely fleshed out. Lizzie is mentioned only in passing once Velvet finds Madame Savoya. George is a fine piece of ass... and that’s it, really, until that “plot twist” in the end. Charlie is only there to be the knight in shinning armour. As for Madame Savoya, she’s cunning, but any morally grey vibe is overlooked by Velvet’s being “naïve” (I’d just call that stupid, in her circumstances).
The action was okay, even if it could have taken a much more interesting turn had it been better developed and less black and white. I wish it’d been a historical fantasy novel instead. Maybe the whole thing would have seemed more vivid then.
November 5, 2012
This review originally appeared HERE on my blog, My Life is a Notebook.
2 1/2 stars
Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for this eARC!
The blurb calls this book “romantic” and “thrilling.” The fact is, this book is neither.
Honestly, I was expecting so much more from this book. The premise was interesting, and Mary Hooper is an established historical fiction writer. Sadly, this book plays on too many historical fiction cliches that bother the heck out of me.
The first problem is the way the book was written. I have no idea why so many historical fiction books think they need to ramble on like historical pieces of the times. Yes, I understand there is certain language you can and cannot use when writing in historical periods, but we’ve cut out the rambling in modern day books for a reason. This is certainly a personal thing as well, since I prefer all unneccesary words to be cut, but still. It bothers me, and it made me iffy about the book from the get go.
The second was the characters. Apart from Madame Savoya, they were all pretty flat and generic. Velvet annoyed me especially, since she had the potential to be such a strong main character, but then fell into the utterly gullible and naive cliche. She toyed with Charlie (a boy from her past who is inexplicably smitten with her even though she brushes him off at every turn), with whom there was NO connection of any real kind, no matter how much they protested there was, and then she was completely taken in by both Madame Savoya and George, her assistant.
The kicker came with the ending–or rather, the lack thereof. I hit the button on my Kindle for the next slide and NOPE. Nothing. I literally couldn’t believe it. Looking back on those two pages or so, I guess they do suggest an ending, but it’s NOT a finished one. Not by a long shot. The climax is a brief and abrupt thing, then all of the sudden you have TWO pages of falling action and that’s just it. Note that when I say two pages, I’m talking for the screens of my small-as-possible Kindle. I’m not sure if this would even make two pages of book. Before this I was thinking of opimistically giving the book 3 stars, but this just killed the book for me.
I will say, however, that the idea continued to impress me all throughout the story. The intrigue that Hooper worked in was basic at times, but the entire setting–mediumship, etc–was really enjoyable and interesting. I learned a lot both about the real ideas of spiritualism and about how all the hoaxers got away with what they did. This is basically the thread that kept me reading.
I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, but I LOVE the genre. Maybe my standards for what I do read is a little too high, but this book just fell way short of all of them. I wanted so much more from the book, but I found the standard writing style, flat characters and an ending-that-wasn’t. Most of my frustration comes from the fact that I believed this book could be so much more. Hooper has a fantastic idea, but the execution just didn’t fit.
2 1/2 stars
Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for this eARC!
The blurb calls this book “romantic” and “thrilling.” The fact is, this book is neither.
Honestly, I was expecting so much more from this book. The premise was interesting, and Mary Hooper is an established historical fiction writer. Sadly, this book plays on too many historical fiction cliches that bother the heck out of me.
The first problem is the way the book was written. I have no idea why so many historical fiction books think they need to ramble on like historical pieces of the times. Yes, I understand there is certain language you can and cannot use when writing in historical periods, but we’ve cut out the rambling in modern day books for a reason. This is certainly a personal thing as well, since I prefer all unneccesary words to be cut, but still. It bothers me, and it made me iffy about the book from the get go.
The second was the characters. Apart from Madame Savoya, they were all pretty flat and generic. Velvet annoyed me especially, since she had the potential to be such a strong main character, but then fell into the utterly gullible and naive cliche. She toyed with Charlie (a boy from her past who is inexplicably smitten with her even though she brushes him off at every turn), with whom there was NO connection of any real kind, no matter how much they protested there was, and then she was completely taken in by both Madame Savoya and George, her assistant.
The kicker came with the ending–or rather, the lack thereof. I hit the button on my Kindle for the next slide and NOPE. Nothing. I literally couldn’t believe it. Looking back on those two pages or so, I guess they do suggest an ending, but it’s NOT a finished one. Not by a long shot. The climax is a brief and abrupt thing, then all of the sudden you have TWO pages of falling action and that’s just it. Note that when I say two pages, I’m talking for the screens of my small-as-possible Kindle. I’m not sure if this would even make two pages of book. Before this I was thinking of opimistically giving the book 3 stars, but this just killed the book for me.
I will say, however, that the idea continued to impress me all throughout the story. The intrigue that Hooper worked in was basic at times, but the entire setting–mediumship, etc–was really enjoyable and interesting. I learned a lot both about the real ideas of spiritualism and about how all the hoaxers got away with what they did. This is basically the thread that kept me reading.
I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, but I LOVE the genre. Maybe my standards for what I do read is a little too high, but this book just fell way short of all of them. I wanted so much more from the book, but I found the standard writing style, flat characters and an ending-that-wasn’t. Most of my frustration comes from the fact that I believed this book could be so much more. Hooper has a fantastic idea, but the execution just didn’t fit.
August 11, 2016
Ugh! To tell you the truth, Velvet was fair. Not so good, but not so bad. Yes, there were some good parts. Yes, there were some bad parts. It's so-so. Okay.
The cover of Velvet is nice. I love the background.
Velvet isn't on my recommended list. The synopsis and cover were screaming 'Read this book. Read me. Please read me.' Velvet didn't reach my standards. However I did learn some things about 'psychics'. The secrets of psychics revealed by Velvet and some other characters were fascinating and amazing. Those secrets are quite clever and sad. It's sad how false psychics can play some cheap trips and get a lot of money from their rich clients. It's so sad.
Velvet was a short read. Velvet should only be read if one is really bored out of their minds. It took me about two hours to finish Velvet.
The good part...
The writing. Velvet was easily understood. I found it interesting that the author, Mary Hooper, used some seventeen/eighteen century terms. Those old fashion words mad Velvet seem more alive. It made Velvet real. I am there with Velvet in every part of her story. It was a strong element of Velvet.
Deception. The deception of the villains in Velvet was beautiful. It was surprising and shocking. I had to reread that entire chapter because I was so stunned by the deception and hidden traps.
Charlie and George. Two brilliant characters, even though Charlie doesn't appear that often. George, crazier and more money hungry than Charlie.
The private meetings of Madame's clients. The side subplots of the story. It's so interesting to read about the deception in it.
The bad part...
The plot. It's not exactly anywhere near The Hunger Games or Grave Mercy, but it was still good. I felt that there wasn't enough twists and turns. The plot was sometimes slow and annoying. I felt that some of the events were a little too slow. I mean, the plot was just a little bit behind.
Velvet, the character. I was so disappointed in her. Velvet or Kitty was a bit slow. I typically wouldn't say blonde, but she is close to being called a dumb blonde. (She's not blonde though). Everything, the cheap tricks and the fake feelings, were obvious. She is so blind to not see it. I felt that Velvet mostly relied on luck and chance. It was by chance that she was born into the world of Velvet.
Rating: Three out of Five
-Alice of Wonderland
September 5, 2011
Life as an orphan isn't easy for Velvet and she has to work long gruelling hours in the laundry just to survive. Getting the chance to work as a lady's maid for clairvoyant Madame Savoya is her chance to move up in the world. Velvet is excited to be away from the laundry but the more she learns about her new boss the more suspicious she becomes. Is Madame Savoya all she really seems to be and if she isn't what should Velvet do about it?
I really enjoyed Mary Hooper's book Fallen Grace so was excited to get my hands on a copy of Velvet and couldn't wait to start reading. The stories are both set in Victorian London and although they are both about very different subject matters they both capture the era perfectly. I love Mary Hooper's writing style which is both descriptive and very easy to read. She is able to pull you completely into her world and has a way of writing characters that it is easy to relate to and care about.
Velvet is a great heroine and an interesting mixture of streetwise (she had to be to survive her upbringing) and naive (especially when it comes to her new boss). Although there were times I almost wanted to shake some sense into her it was easy to understand why Velvet was so keen to believe the best in her boss. After the things she had been through she desperately wanted to believe that her new and better life was real. When she starts to become suspicious she refuses to sit back and ignore things though - she has a good sense of right and wrong and is determined not to be a part of anything dishonest.
I have read about the Victorian spiritualist community before and find the methods that clairvoyants have used to trick people into believing they are genuine fascinating. The tricks of the trade so to speak were truly inventive, if despicable, in the way they took advantage of grieving relatives. What I had never heard about before were the baby farms and that added a horrific element to the story - it is awful to think that things like that really happened and it makes me glad that I'm not living in Victorian times. Velvet is a fantastic read and one that I'm sure will be popular with fans of historical fiction - if you have any interest in the Victorian way of life or clairvoyants then this is definitely a book I would recommend picking up. I'm also adding Mary Hooper to my must buy list of authors and am looking forward to working my way through her back list and picking up anything she writes in the future.
I really enjoyed Mary Hooper's book Fallen Grace so was excited to get my hands on a copy of Velvet and couldn't wait to start reading. The stories are both set in Victorian London and although they are both about very different subject matters they both capture the era perfectly. I love Mary Hooper's writing style which is both descriptive and very easy to read. She is able to pull you completely into her world and has a way of writing characters that it is easy to relate to and care about.
Velvet is a great heroine and an interesting mixture of streetwise (she had to be to survive her upbringing) and naive (especially when it comes to her new boss). Although there were times I almost wanted to shake some sense into her it was easy to understand why Velvet was so keen to believe the best in her boss. After the things she had been through she desperately wanted to believe that her new and better life was real. When she starts to become suspicious she refuses to sit back and ignore things though - she has a good sense of right and wrong and is determined not to be a part of anything dishonest.
I have read about the Victorian spiritualist community before and find the methods that clairvoyants have used to trick people into believing they are genuine fascinating. The tricks of the trade so to speak were truly inventive, if despicable, in the way they took advantage of grieving relatives. What I had never heard about before were the baby farms and that added a horrific element to the story - it is awful to think that things like that really happened and it makes me glad that I'm not living in Victorian times. Velvet is a fantastic read and one that I'm sure will be popular with fans of historical fiction - if you have any interest in the Victorian way of life or clairvoyants then this is definitely a book I would recommend picking up. I'm also adding Mary Hooper to my must buy list of authors and am looking forward to working my way through her back list and picking up anything she writes in the future.
September 12, 2011
I have a huge interest in stories about mediums and spirits especially those set in the Victorian/Edwardian period when spiritualism was at its peak. So reading Velvet a fictional yet realistic account on mediumship during that time was fascinating to me. Mary Hooper mixes fiction with fact and spins a realistic and creepy portrayal on what it might have been like working for a respected and popular medium during that time.
Velvet is my first book by Mary Hooper and I can certainly see why she is such a popular author! Mary has the rare ability to submerge the reader entirely in the past and learn something about life during that time without it ever feeling like a history lesson. Mary makes her characters and situations relatable to the reader and whilst the plot is rich with history it above all is a good story that will captivate any reader whether your particularly interested in history or not.
The main thing I loved about Velvet was the fascinating and at times creepy plot. The story is rich with suspense and intrigue and I, like our main character Velvet, was swept up in trying to find out if the mediums, particularly Madame Savoya, were what they seemed.
Despite all the sinister goings on Velvet still manages to find time for romance something I think all female readers will appreciate and Velvet’s boy troubles make this heroine from another time relatable to modern teens. I really liked the characters of Charlie and Lizzie Velvet’s friends and couldn’t help but feel sympathy towards Velvet after everything she’s had to go through, she’s really a character you want the best for.
The only thing that let this book down for me was that I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. Once the big climax was unleashed everything else sort of trailed off and I would have liked a bit more closure regarding some things.
Overall I found Velvet to be a highly engrossing read that I couldn’t wait to escape into each night. If you’re looking for a realistic ghost story or simply a good historical read I would highly recommend this book and will definitely be looking to read more by Mary Hooper.
Velvet is my first book by Mary Hooper and I can certainly see why she is such a popular author! Mary has the rare ability to submerge the reader entirely in the past and learn something about life during that time without it ever feeling like a history lesson. Mary makes her characters and situations relatable to the reader and whilst the plot is rich with history it above all is a good story that will captivate any reader whether your particularly interested in history or not.
The main thing I loved about Velvet was the fascinating and at times creepy plot. The story is rich with suspense and intrigue and I, like our main character Velvet, was swept up in trying to find out if the mediums, particularly Madame Savoya, were what they seemed.
Despite all the sinister goings on Velvet still manages to find time for romance something I think all female readers will appreciate and Velvet’s boy troubles make this heroine from another time relatable to modern teens. I really liked the characters of Charlie and Lizzie Velvet’s friends and couldn’t help but feel sympathy towards Velvet after everything she’s had to go through, she’s really a character you want the best for.
The only thing that let this book down for me was that I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. Once the big climax was unleashed everything else sort of trailed off and I would have liked a bit more closure regarding some things.
Overall I found Velvet to be a highly engrossing read that I couldn’t wait to escape into each night. If you’re looking for a realistic ghost story or simply a good historical read I would highly recommend this book and will definitely be looking to read more by Mary Hooper.
September 26, 2011
I have been avid fan of Mary Hooper ever since I read the wonderful Newes From The Dead and I haven’t been disappointed with any of her historical novels for children either, Fallen Grace was especially good with its focus on the Victorians’ obsession with death and mourning.
Velvet, our eponymous heroine, has not had an easy life – losing her mother, then neglected by an abusive, gambling father and eventually orphaned. The only thing keeping her from the workhouse is her daily drudgery in the steam laundry but Velvet aspires to greater things. Fate intervenes in the shape of the mysterious Madame Savoya, kin to the Romanovs, who is becoming one of the most popular spiritual mediums in London at a time when spiritualism is all the rage. Naturally Velvet jumps at the chance of becoming Madame’s maid/helper and, at first, she is dazzled by the glamour and excitement of her new life. Gradually the seeds of doubt are sown but discovering the truth could have fatal consequences.
Mary Hooper has the knack of drawing her readers straight in from the opening lines – you feel the intense heat and claustraphobic atmosphere of the steam laundry, you feel the tense expectation of the audience at her seances, you feel the desperation of those who will pay any price to have one more moment with their deceased loved ones. The inclusion of real-life characters such as the renowned Spiritualist, Arthur Conan Doyle and infamous Baby Farm murderer, Amelia Dyer, adds texture and depth to this gripping story. The fictional characters are all fully fleshed, flaws and all, especially Velvet’s fatal flaw – vanity. I love the way I always learn something new by reading Mary Hooper’s historical novels without feeling I’m back in the classroom. Her Historical Notes at the back of the book are particularly useful with the extra information on Baby Farms and Spiritualism.
Aimed at age 12+, this is an extremely engaging read for folk of any age who like a touch of warmth and zest in their historical fiction.
You can find up to date information on Mary hooper on her facebook page and she also contributes to a wonderful historical fiction blog The History Girls.
Velvet, our eponymous heroine, has not had an easy life – losing her mother, then neglected by an abusive, gambling father and eventually orphaned. The only thing keeping her from the workhouse is her daily drudgery in the steam laundry but Velvet aspires to greater things. Fate intervenes in the shape of the mysterious Madame Savoya, kin to the Romanovs, who is becoming one of the most popular spiritual mediums in London at a time when spiritualism is all the rage. Naturally Velvet jumps at the chance of becoming Madame’s maid/helper and, at first, she is dazzled by the glamour and excitement of her new life. Gradually the seeds of doubt are sown but discovering the truth could have fatal consequences.
Mary Hooper has the knack of drawing her readers straight in from the opening lines – you feel the intense heat and claustraphobic atmosphere of the steam laundry, you feel the tense expectation of the audience at her seances, you feel the desperation of those who will pay any price to have one more moment with their deceased loved ones. The inclusion of real-life characters such as the renowned Spiritualist, Arthur Conan Doyle and infamous Baby Farm murderer, Amelia Dyer, adds texture and depth to this gripping story. The fictional characters are all fully fleshed, flaws and all, especially Velvet’s fatal flaw – vanity. I love the way I always learn something new by reading Mary Hooper’s historical novels without feeling I’m back in the classroom. Her Historical Notes at the back of the book are particularly useful with the extra information on Baby Farms and Spiritualism.
Aimed at age 12+, this is an extremely engaging read for folk of any age who like a touch of warmth and zest in their historical fiction.
You can find up to date information on Mary hooper on her facebook page and she also contributes to a wonderful historical fiction blog The History Girls.
October 31, 2011
Velvet is a young woman struggling to survive on the grimy streets of Victorian London. Misfortune has blighted her young life, the death of her hard working mother then her cruel father have left her penniless and alone. Working in the confines of a laundry every day is a struggle lightened only by her friendship with fellow laundress Lizzie and childhood playmate Charlie.
However fortune begins to smile on Velvet when firstly she is prompted to handling personal laundry and becomes the protegee of the glamorous and mysterious Madame Savoya of Russian Royal descent with an increasingly successful career as a Spirit medium, one of a new and fashionable breed of women who help the bereaved by holding seances to convey messages from the "other side".
Madame is ably assisted by the suave and handsome George and Velvet is flattered and surprised when she is taken under their wings, given a job and invited into the elegant home of Madame as a personal maid. However Velvet is soon to become involved in the Spiritualism side of things, and discovers her own secret past may be about to rise up and haunt her.
This is a young adult book and would certainly appeal to younger teenagers, however it covers some gritty topics and the descriptions of the lengths spirit mediums would go to to achieve success are well researched and thorough, the side story of Victorian baby farming, although quite brief, is heart rending and poignant.Descriptive and enthralling, Velvet is a lovely readable story from the queen of young adult historical fiction which I devoured in one sitting.
However fortune begins to smile on Velvet when firstly she is prompted to handling personal laundry and becomes the protegee of the glamorous and mysterious Madame Savoya of Russian Royal descent with an increasingly successful career as a Spirit medium, one of a new and fashionable breed of women who help the bereaved by holding seances to convey messages from the "other side".
Madame is ably assisted by the suave and handsome George and Velvet is flattered and surprised when she is taken under their wings, given a job and invited into the elegant home of Madame as a personal maid. However Velvet is soon to become involved in the Spiritualism side of things, and discovers her own secret past may be about to rise up and haunt her.
This is a young adult book and would certainly appeal to younger teenagers, however it covers some gritty topics and the descriptions of the lengths spirit mediums would go to to achieve success are well researched and thorough, the side story of Victorian baby farming, although quite brief, is heart rending and poignant.Descriptive and enthralling, Velvet is a lovely readable story from the queen of young adult historical fiction which I devoured in one sitting.
October 24, 2015
Velvet continues to provide all the things that I love about historical fiction by Mary Hooper; excellent writing, interesting characters and to chance to learn history in such a mesmerising and entertaining way.
The main focus of Velvet is on mediums that were so popular in the Victorian Era. Madame Savoya rescues Velvet by giving her work as an assistant, a great promotion considering where Velvet is at the beginning of the book. She moves into Madame Savoya house where she has a warm bed, good food and new clothes.
As Velvet learns more about mediums and Madame Savoya ‘art’ it becomes clear that her saviour is not all she seems. For the first time I didn’t love Mary Hooper protagonist, Velvet is an intelligent and capable young woman and I liked her but didn’t care as much about her as I wanted.
I would have happily read Velvet in one sitting (unfortunately I couldn’t), the story is well paced and really really interesting so it’s very hard to put the book down before the end. Enjoy!
The main focus of Velvet is on mediums that were so popular in the Victorian Era. Madame Savoya rescues Velvet by giving her work as an assistant, a great promotion considering where Velvet is at the beginning of the book. She moves into Madame Savoya house where she has a warm bed, good food and new clothes.
As Velvet learns more about mediums and Madame Savoya ‘art’ it becomes clear that her saviour is not all she seems. For the first time I didn’t love Mary Hooper protagonist, Velvet is an intelligent and capable young woman and I liked her but didn’t care as much about her as I wanted.
I would have happily read Velvet in one sitting (unfortunately I couldn’t), the story is well paced and really really interesting so it’s very hard to put the book down before the end. Enjoy!
October 18, 2011
Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. It had all the elements that I love about Victorian England and so it drew me to it. It was suitable dark and mysterious. Full of imagined and very real ghosts. Velvet is a laundress who catches the eye of Madame a beautiful young mesmerist. Velvet has had a rough life and so does not really question her change of fortune. She is very naive and blindly devoted to Madame and George, a handsome assistant. Slowly she begins to see that things are not what they seem and that the spirits that Madame claims to have communicated with may or may not be real. It was a great read. If you liked this read Newes from the Dead which is also written by Mary Hooper.
May 27, 2019
Mary Hooper gehört für mich eindeutig zu der Kategorie Lieblingsautoren. Ich habe mich als Teenager in ihren Schreibstil verliebt und hatte bisher mit jedem ihrer Bücher unglaubliche Momente. Leider hat mich "Velvet" nicht so richtig abholen können. Das mag zum einen daran liegen, dass ich davor "Totenmädchen" gelesen habe, welches zu meinen Jahreshighlights zählt, aber auch daran, dass mich die Protagonistin in vielen Situationen genervt hat und ich sie tatsächlich selbst für die Gegebenheiten ein Stück zu naiv fand.
July 18, 2016
Although YA is not my favourite genre, an easy read is sometimes required - so long as it's well-written that is, and this one definitely is. It's the third book I've read by Mary Hooper, and although I felt the romance aspect of the story somewhat corny, I very much enjoyed it as a whole. This author doesn't disappoint.
July 20, 2019
A little bit too long but interesting and set in a time period I don't get to read about often.
December 6, 2017
The new 20th-century has not brought Velvet the promise and excitement that a new century should bring. Orphaned and working a backbreaking, sweaty job at a laundry, Velvet longs for a better life than she's ever known. Her Pa was a children's entertainer who spent their money on horses and drink. He made their lives miserables and though Velvet's mother had been brought up for better, she had to work as a laundress to make ends meet. Since her parents' deaths, Velvet her been on her own, trying to rise in the world but it isn't easy. Then she has the opportunity to work for Madame Savoya, a Russian aristocrat's granddaughter who uses her clairvoyant abilities to communicate with those who have passed over to the Other Side -for a fee of course. Velvet sees her dreams starting to come true -a nice place to live, beautiful clothes (if outmoded), and a man who loves her. She is ready to leave her past behind her. When startling messages come through for her, she begins to wonder if she can ever truly leave the past behind.
This book sounded like it would be a Gothic paranormal story, which I don't like, but I skimmed through it before I spent my time reading it and discovered that it is indeed straight up historical fiction. I found the plot rather predictable. It was VERY easy to see what was going on. However, I have the benefit of education and time. I've read quite a bit about the Spiritualist movement and how the Society for Psychical Research debunked most of the activity. Velvet has none of this knowledge, nor is she privy to the private sittings which reveal a lot about the characters. The ending is rather abrupt and comes about too quickly. I didn't find it plausible in the time frame given. More time spent developing the ending would have made the book a little better.
Without spoiling the plot, I will just say I did not care for any of the characters. They each have a selfish motivation that drives their actions. Some of the people who came for private sittings were fine enough on their own but in that situation, I disliked how they interacted with the spirits. One woman is so overcome with grief over her lost child, she has a serious mental illness. Her solution to her problem is shocking. I felt sorry for her but Queen Victoria didn't do anyone any favors mourning Prince Albert for decades! She created this unhealthy culture of grief. Only the secondary characters were remotely likable. Velvet's best friend Lizzie is an uncomplicated young woman. I don't agree with her simple life goals but I enjoyed her loving, cheerful family very much. I'm sure her father would be supportive if she wanted more out of life. I'm torn about Charlie. He is honorable and kind but yet can't let his childhood sweetheart grow up and move on. His character needs a little more development to make the plot work.
I would recommend this for people in their mid-teens to possibly late teens without much knowledge of history and Spiritualism.
This book sounded like it would be a Gothic paranormal story, which I don't like, but I skimmed through it before I spent my time reading it and discovered that it is indeed straight up historical fiction. I found the plot rather predictable. It was VERY easy to see what was going on. However, I have the benefit of education and time. I've read quite a bit about the Spiritualist movement and how the Society for Psychical Research debunked most of the activity. Velvet has none of this knowledge, nor is she privy to the private sittings which reveal a lot about the characters. The ending is rather abrupt and comes about too quickly. I didn't find it plausible in the time frame given. More time spent developing the ending would have made the book a little better.
Without spoiling the plot, I will just say I did not care for any of the characters. They each have a selfish motivation that drives their actions. Some of the people who came for private sittings were fine enough on their own but in that situation, I disliked how they interacted with the spirits. One woman is so overcome with grief over her lost child, she has a serious mental illness. Her solution to her problem is shocking. I felt sorry for her but Queen Victoria didn't do anyone any favors mourning Prince Albert for decades! She created this unhealthy culture of grief. Only the secondary characters were remotely likable. Velvet's best friend Lizzie is an uncomplicated young woman. I don't agree with her simple life goals but I enjoyed her loving, cheerful family very much. I'm sure her father would be supportive if she wanted more out of life. I'm torn about Charlie. He is honorable and kind but yet can't let his childhood sweetheart grow up and move on. His character needs a little more development to make the plot work.
I would recommend this for people in their mid-teens to possibly late teens without much knowledge of history and Spiritualism.
April 29, 2025
Velvet is an orphan, and works in a steam laundry. Her fortunes change when she catches the attention of a clairvoyant, Madame Savoya. Velvet goes to work for Madam as a ladies maid in a grand house in London. The more Velvet learns about mediumship the more she seems to think her employer is not what she seems.
This is a YA book so I flew the pages. The story was engrossing as I followed Velvet around on her adventures into the world of mediums.
I quite enjoyed this story. The author's notes at the back explains a little about the mediums of the time and their tricks. Also a couple of the clients are based on real cases from Old Bailey records.
My only niggle sometimes with YA, and it's not the books fault at all, is that they can be a bit sugary. This for me was the case with the ending. The book however is a YA novel and clearly shows. I did still however enjoy the story very much.
This is a YA book so I flew the pages. The story was engrossing as I followed Velvet around on her adventures into the world of mediums.
I quite enjoyed this story. The author's notes at the back explains a little about the mediums of the time and their tricks. Also a couple of the clients are based on real cases from Old Bailey records.
My only niggle sometimes with YA, and it's not the books fault at all, is that they can be a bit sugary. This for me was the case with the ending. The book however is a YA novel and clearly shows. I did still however enjoy the story very much.
May 13, 2018
3 stars
velvet is great for light reading. Although I cannot say i particularly found myself completely hooked at any point in the book , I did enjoy reading it and looked forwards to picking it up.
I won't add spoilers! But I felt it to be rather predictable and it didn't take long for me to work out the characters connections and where the story line was going. I would have liked at least another chapter to see what would happen with Velvets life but sadly I felt the ending was cut short.
That being said, it was evident the amount of research that went in to the historical aspects of the book (the surge of mediums during the Victorian era, baby farms, real names of real people from around that time period being used) The description throughout the whole book was incredibly vivid and well written.
A nice easy read.
velvet is great for light reading. Although I cannot say i particularly found myself completely hooked at any point in the book , I did enjoy reading it and looked forwards to picking it up.
I won't add spoilers! But I felt it to be rather predictable and it didn't take long for me to work out the characters connections and where the story line was going. I would have liked at least another chapter to see what would happen with Velvets life but sadly I felt the ending was cut short.
That being said, it was evident the amount of research that went in to the historical aspects of the book (the surge of mediums during the Victorian era, baby farms, real names of real people from around that time period being used) The description throughout the whole book was incredibly vivid and well written.
A nice easy read.
October 11, 2019
Velvet was pretty good read.
The only problem I had while reading was that the book was really slow—paced. Velvet is a girl that does laundry, she lost her mother when she was young and then her father soon after. She’s an orphan that tries to make end meets by working at the laundry.
Velvet’s development throughout the story was great. She did act naive during the story which kind of got irritating but it all ended well for her. It was nice seeing her get confidence by time. I love Madame’s character! The men, Charlie and George were also great throughout the story.
The only problem I had while reading was that the book was really slow—paced. Velvet is a girl that does laundry, she lost her mother when she was young and then her father soon after. She’s an orphan that tries to make end meets by working at the laundry.
Velvet’s development throughout the story was great. She did act naive during the story which kind of got irritating but it all ended well for her. It was nice seeing her get confidence by time. I love Madame’s character! The men, Charlie and George were also great throughout the story.
October 23, 2017
23/10/2017: I think this is certainly a book that I want to return to and give another read (although if I recall correctly I think I will need a tissue box or two next to me as I hold back the tears). Think I let my mum give this book a read and she cried too suggesting it wasn't my incredibly emotional immaturity showing through at the time.
https://cookingupatreat.com/2011/10/0...
https://cookingupatreat.com/2011/10/0...
October 29, 2017
J'ai adoré plonger dans l'univers des médiums de Londres, cette atmosphère de mystère nébuleuse est très bien rendue par l'auteur! L'appui d'éléments historiques donne une dimension encore plus réelle à l'histoire et on oscille d'autant plus entre doutes et vérités. J'ai passé un très bon moment aux côtés de Violet, un personnage attachant et (merci!) qui sort du standard de la jeune fille innocente et naïve. une belle lecture!
September 2, 2018
Overall Velvet was a good read and it kept me engaged for the most part. I would have liked the ending to be a bit more developed, but I did appreciate that the subject matter was well researched and found the sudden growth of mediums/ spiritualism in the Victorian Era to be interesting.
April 8, 2019
This was a perfectly readable book with a fast paced story loosely historically based. Very much in keeping with the style of Mary Hooper’s other books; this one just about ok for a HA y6 child. Good for linking in with Victorian topic
June 2, 2021
I really do love it when historical fiction novels bring in non-fictional elements within their stories. The infomation about the real mediums of the 1800/1900's, baby farms, the spiritualist church and Arthur Conan Doyle was enlightening.
January 25, 2018
Good story telling but would have loved some richer description. Good read for younger teens.
February 18, 2018
It was okay.
May 19, 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo-cl...
Part of the #365100books
Part of the #365100books
August 20, 2018
This could have been such a good book. I really didn't like the main character and it spoiled much of the story. She was so wishy-washy.
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