What do you think?
Rate this book
The Spirit Room
FINALIST - HNS INDIE AWARD 2015 (Historical Novel Society)
FINALIST - CHAUCER AWARDS FOR HISTORICAL FICTION 2013
HONORABLE MENTION - WRITER'S DIGEST SELF-PUBLISHED eBook AWARDS 2013
A captivating historical novel about two independent-minded sisters in Victorian era America
Set in New York state in the late 1850s, two sisters are forced into becoming hoax mediums by their reprobate father in the wake of their mother's death. Following a short apprenticeship with a renowned Spiritualist and her clairvoyant assistant, 17-year-old Izzie and 13-year-old Clara Benton set up shop with Papa in a rigged séance parlor dubbed The Spirit Room.
The intelligent, self-educated Izzie shows genuine psychic talent but fears the spirit-world voices she hears are like her mother’s, which she believes drove her mother to madness and early death. Vowing to return if Clara or her siblings need her protection, Izzie flees the family Spiritualism enterprise to go to Rochester with a new husband, a doctor specializing in “water-cure”—a trendy health spa therapy that the doctor soon begins to practice on his new wife. Clara, meanwhile, finds the Spirit Room gradually transformed, under her father's will, into a center for something much more malicious than hoax séances.
Becoming separated both physically and emotionally by complex turns in their paths, the young sisters, as the story unfolds, are becoming women. But will they be able to come out whole without each other?
In her noteworthy debut novel, Marschel Paul peppers her narrative with cultural and political references, from Madame Bovary to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, that effectively serve as touchstones for the story's themes of women’s independence and the power of female relationships—whether they be sisters, mentors, allies, or friends.
FINALIST - CHAUCER AWARDS FOR HISTORICAL FICTION 2013
HONORABLE MENTION - WRITER'S DIGEST SELF-PUBLISHED eBook AWARDS 2013
A captivating historical novel about two independent-minded sisters in Victorian era America
Set in New York state in the late 1850s, two sisters are forced into becoming hoax mediums by their reprobate father in the wake of their mother's death. Following a short apprenticeship with a renowned Spiritualist and her clairvoyant assistant, 17-year-old Izzie and 13-year-old Clara Benton set up shop with Papa in a rigged séance parlor dubbed The Spirit Room.
The intelligent, self-educated Izzie shows genuine psychic talent but fears the spirit-world voices she hears are like her mother’s, which she believes drove her mother to madness and early death. Vowing to return if Clara or her siblings need her protection, Izzie flees the family Spiritualism enterprise to go to Rochester with a new husband, a doctor specializing in “water-cure”—a trendy health spa therapy that the doctor soon begins to practice on his new wife. Clara, meanwhile, finds the Spirit Room gradually transformed, under her father's will, into a center for something much more malicious than hoax séances.
Becoming separated both physically and emotionally by complex turns in their paths, the young sisters, as the story unfolds, are becoming women. But will they be able to come out whole without each other?
In her noteworthy debut novel, Marschel Paul peppers her narrative with cultural and political references, from Madame Bovary to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, that effectively serve as touchstones for the story's themes of women’s independence and the power of female relationships—whether they be sisters, mentors, allies, or friends.
600 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
654 people want to read
About the author
Marschel Paul
1 book48 followersI grew up in Pennsylvania and Connecticut and spent my young adulthood in Boston and New York.
My work-life has been entwined with non-profit organizations advocating for artists and creativity, and for equal rights. This has been truly satisfying and an honor. I like working with people to create change!
When I was in the sixth grade, a casual, but life-long, interest in writing began when my teacher made me editor of the school newspaper and put me on stage at a school assembly to read one of my short stories out loud. It was a beatnik version of the classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears using hipster dialog. I have no idea where the inspiration came from.
I have just achieved a major personal goal and checked off the top-most item on my bucket list. I have published my debut novel, The Spirit Room.
My work-life has been entwined with non-profit organizations advocating for artists and creativity, and for equal rights. This has been truly satisfying and an honor. I like working with people to create change!
When I was in the sixth grade, a casual, but life-long, interest in writing began when my teacher made me editor of the school newspaper and put me on stage at a school assembly to read one of my short stories out loud. It was a beatnik version of the classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears using hipster dialog. I have no idea where the inspiration came from.
I have just achieved a major personal goal and checked off the top-most item on my bucket list. I have published my debut novel, The Spirit Room.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 4, 2013
*THIS IS A GOODREADS FIRST READS BOOK THAT I WON*
First of all, this might be one of the craziest books that I have ever read.
The book was set in the late 1850's to 1860. When I started the book I thought it was about 2 sisters who were mediums. One fake and one real.They held seances in The Spirit Room. Hence, the name of the book. BUT, the book is soooo much more than that! It includes coping with death, sibling love, prostitution, water therapy, alcoholism,and I think mental illness.
The author is so good at describing. I could picture each moment in the book from the decor of the houses, to the outside when it was snowing, to what each character looked liked and felt at that specific moment. I love that in a book. As I read the book, it was as though I played a movie about the book in my mind.
I couldn't put this book down. It is almost 600 pages and I read it in 3 days. It would have taken me less time if I didn't have 3 kids to look after! :)
I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone! The only things I didn't like about the book were the fact that Clara took so long to grow a set of balls and there was far too much..douching for my liking.
First of all, this might be one of the craziest books that I have ever read.
The book was set in the late 1850's to 1860. When I started the book I thought it was about 2 sisters who were mediums. One fake and one real.They held seances in The Spirit Room. Hence, the name of the book. BUT, the book is soooo much more than that! It includes coping with death, sibling love, prostitution, water therapy, alcoholism,and I think mental illness.
The author is so good at describing. I could picture each moment in the book from the decor of the houses, to the outside when it was snowing, to what each character looked liked and felt at that specific moment. I love that in a book. As I read the book, it was as though I played a movie about the book in my mind.
I couldn't put this book down. It is almost 600 pages and I read it in 3 days. It would have taken me less time if I didn't have 3 kids to look after! :)
I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone! The only things I didn't like about the book were the fact that Clara took so long to grow a set of balls and there was far too much..douching for my liking.
June 4, 2014
I have a love of historic novels set in this time period (late 18’00 to early 19’00s) and have yet to find one that didn’t teach me something new or that leaves me disappointed.
This novel is rich with its descriptions of the spiritual movement in America, water therapies, birth control, and how women were viewed in society. It has many subplots going and sometimes when a book does that there is the danger of making to overall storyline feel disconnected but this worked very well here.
It’s very character driven with each narrator having its own unique distinctive voice and way of dealing with growing up in a dysfunctional house.
The most baffling part of this novel is that is has been published over a year ago and for the life of me I cannot understand why so few GP readers have read this.
The storyline: A recently widowed father of two teenage girls undertakes to set them up as fake mediums, to take advantage of the midcentury enthusiasm for mediums and séances. The older girl, Izzy, really does "hear voices," but is frightened by them and unwilling to go ahead with the plan. Nevertheless she does, and the project appears to be a success. But not for long….
Recommended for all lovers of historic fiction.
This novel is rich with its descriptions of the spiritual movement in America, water therapies, birth control, and how women were viewed in society. It has many subplots going and sometimes when a book does that there is the danger of making to overall storyline feel disconnected but this worked very well here.
It’s very character driven with each narrator having its own unique distinctive voice and way of dealing with growing up in a dysfunctional house.
The most baffling part of this novel is that is has been published over a year ago and for the life of me I cannot understand why so few GP readers have read this.
The storyline: A recently widowed father of two teenage girls undertakes to set them up as fake mediums, to take advantage of the midcentury enthusiasm for mediums and séances. The older girl, Izzy, really does "hear voices," but is frightened by them and unwilling to go ahead with the plan. Nevertheless she does, and the project appears to be a success. But not for long….
Recommended for all lovers of historic fiction.
August 27, 2013
You know how it is when you find a book that is so interesting that you stay up way past your bedtime and let your chores go? That is this book. Don’t let the size of the book (about 600 pages) scare you. I could not put it down, and read it in three days, and I don’t consider myself a fast reader. I was drawn into the story of this family in New York in the 1850s. It covers historical issues that I haven’t read much about such as, water bath cures, prostitution and spiritualism. Primarily it about two sisters who have to find a way to take care of their family when their mother dies and they are left with a shiftless, abusive father. Historical fiction, especially when it deals with women’s issues is always fascinating to me. The characters the author created in this book are very authentic and diverse, and I really cared about the sisters and what happened to them. I think when you become emotionally invested in the characters of a book, the author has done a great job. This book is not sappy; it has some depth to it, but it does end on a hopeful note. I look forward to future novels by this author.
I received an copy of this book from the author through Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
I received an copy of this book from the author through Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2013
Based on the subject (19th century spiritualism, medical quackery, and abused children) this is not a book I would have sought out. But what a riveting and well written tale! From the first page, the voice and tone are true. Paul captures the textures, idioms, and idiosyncrasies of the era with the depth and detail that give each character full flesh. The subject matter is at times harsh and the book could easily slip into Victorian melodrama. But, to my great satisfaction, its narrative arc is far more contemporary. The story engaged me till the end,striking the perfect balance between resolution and ambiguity. While The Spirit Room does not need a sequel--it is completely satisfying in and of itself--I hope Paul has a follow up in the works.
September 7, 2016
A good opening to this book grabs your interest and pulls you into the life of the Benton family. The matter of spiritualism is intriguing and the author does a nice job of developing interest in the characters early on. A mix of information given and withheld makes you want to read "one more chapter" before you put it down!
This is a light read, with a side of spiritualism, about the challenges facing four siblings as they try to survive 19th century life in New York State with an abusive, self-centered, alcoholic father following the death of their mother.
If you enjoy historical fiction you'll enjoy this one.
This is a light read, with a side of spiritualism, about the challenges facing four siblings as they try to survive 19th century life in New York State with an abusive, self-centered, alcoholic father following the death of their mother.
If you enjoy historical fiction you'll enjoy this one.
June 25, 2013
Paul has written a gripping novel with two strong-minded and independent young women. The historical aspects are fascinating. I learned much about 19th century spiritualism, birth control, water cures and other issues pertaining to women at the time, but Paul never sacrifices her characters to historical details. It is Izzie and Clara you love and admire. The protagonists do not make predictable or easy choices, but they are thoughtful. Paul also does an excellent job of recreating upstate New York during this time period. A must read!
November 5, 2013
This is one of those books that made me forget to cook supper, do the laundry, etc. Hooked me from the very beginning and kept me hooked till the very end as I read about the heart wrenching adventures of the three sisters and their brother. Excellent excellent read!
September 5, 2013
** Paragraph 4 contains a sort-of spoiler. I’ve added a warning just before it.**
I’ll preface this by saying that I know the author personally. I met Marschel years ago (late 1990s, I think) at a writers’ conference and have kept in touch sporadically ever since, especially recently on Facebook. At the conference, Marschel was working on an early draft of Spirit Room, and I was lucky enough to hear her read excerpts from it. It’s a testament to the strength of Marschel’s writing that the main characters, Izzie and Clara, stayed with me all these years. I can tell you I was VERY happy to know she finished the novel so I could find out what happened to those girls.
This is the type of historical novel that lets you become absorbed in the lives of sympathetic characters and also learn about a particular period or social movement. The novel provides a fascinating look at the spiritualist movement in the United States in the mid-19th-century, its true believers and its cheerful hucksters. I was also interested to read about the intellectual and social validation that women spiritualists enjoyed within their circle of believers, and also the economic and gender constraints that played into the decisions of impoverished young women at that time.
An interesting subplot involves the “water cure,” which one of the characters passionately believes in, and because this character is a good, intelligent, and well-intentioned person, you want all his research and hard work to pay off. Of course, since I’ve never heard of the water cure, I’m assuming it just didn’t take hold. The irony is that this same character, claiming the rigors of scientific research to back up his faith in the water cure, uses science as a reason to deny the validity of Izzie’s experiences with “voices.”
**HERE’S THE SORT-OF SPOILER**
I was curious to see how the author would resolve the question of the voices that Izzie hears. Are they indeed communications from the spirit world--that is, is she a true medium? Or are the voices some kind of manifestation of stress, grief, or mental illness? I think it was a very interesting--and aesthetically satisfying--choice to have Izzie herself remain unsure about it right to the end, and thus the question lingers in the reader’s mind without ever being neatly resolved.
I’ll preface this by saying that I know the author personally. I met Marschel years ago (late 1990s, I think) at a writers’ conference and have kept in touch sporadically ever since, especially recently on Facebook. At the conference, Marschel was working on an early draft of Spirit Room, and I was lucky enough to hear her read excerpts from it. It’s a testament to the strength of Marschel’s writing that the main characters, Izzie and Clara, stayed with me all these years. I can tell you I was VERY happy to know she finished the novel so I could find out what happened to those girls.
This is the type of historical novel that lets you become absorbed in the lives of sympathetic characters and also learn about a particular period or social movement. The novel provides a fascinating look at the spiritualist movement in the United States in the mid-19th-century, its true believers and its cheerful hucksters. I was also interested to read about the intellectual and social validation that women spiritualists enjoyed within their circle of believers, and also the economic and gender constraints that played into the decisions of impoverished young women at that time.
An interesting subplot involves the “water cure,” which one of the characters passionately believes in, and because this character is a good, intelligent, and well-intentioned person, you want all his research and hard work to pay off. Of course, since I’ve never heard of the water cure, I’m assuming it just didn’t take hold. The irony is that this same character, claiming the rigors of scientific research to back up his faith in the water cure, uses science as a reason to deny the validity of Izzie’s experiences with “voices.”
**HERE’S THE SORT-OF SPOILER**
I was curious to see how the author would resolve the question of the voices that Izzie hears. Are they indeed communications from the spirit world--that is, is she a true medium? Or are the voices some kind of manifestation of stress, grief, or mental illness? I think it was a very interesting--and aesthetically satisfying--choice to have Izzie herself remain unsure about it right to the end, and thus the question lingers in the reader’s mind without ever being neatly resolved.
August 6, 2013
Marschel Paul’s The Spirit Room is strange, complex, intelligent--and a fine page-turner. Its plot takes many turns and makes for good story-telling because it’s driven by the characters and how they deal with the difficult situations in which they find, or create for, themselves. And these many characters are easily kept track of because Paul endows them with rich, individual personalities.
She evokes her settings--rural and urban 1850s New York--with precision. The reader knows she’s got it right, and can enjoy the time-machine experience.
The plot? “Papa,” the recently widowed father of two teenage girls, undertakes to set them up as fake mediums, to take advantage of the midcentury enthusiasm for mediums and seances and make some money. The older girl really does “hear voices,” but is frightened by them and unwilling to go ahead with the plan. Nevertheless she does, and the project appears to be a success. But not for long.
Paul shifts the scene to New York City and the problems faced by unemployed young girls; the story line continues to move from the sordid to the supernatural to the altruistic and the cynical, and back again. It all works out, but not as the reader expects. The final scene doesn’t really wrap things up.
Strong story, thought-provoking ethical situations, good social history, a crowd of vivid personalities. Get your copy!
She evokes her settings--rural and urban 1850s New York--with precision. The reader knows she’s got it right, and can enjoy the time-machine experience.
The plot? “Papa,” the recently widowed father of two teenage girls, undertakes to set them up as fake mediums, to take advantage of the midcentury enthusiasm for mediums and seances and make some money. The older girl really does “hear voices,” but is frightened by them and unwilling to go ahead with the plan. Nevertheless she does, and the project appears to be a success. But not for long.
Paul shifts the scene to New York City and the problems faced by unemployed young girls; the story line continues to move from the sordid to the supernatural to the altruistic and the cynical, and back again. It all works out, but not as the reader expects. The final scene doesn’t really wrap things up.
Strong story, thought-provoking ethical situations, good social history, a crowd of vivid personalities. Get your copy!
August 7, 2013
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway and I am really glad that I did. I was expecting it to be more of a paranormal story, but it is a historical novel set in 1850's New York state. It is obvious that the author thoroughly researched the time period, and the reader will learn all about everything from the theory and practice of hydrotherapy to how a brothel in New York City operated. She goes into great detail about women's issues and the fashions of the time. The characters are all well developed and easy to get to know and care about. This is a very good debut novel and I would read further works by this author. Thanks for the Giveaway!
May 28, 2013
A unique and fascinating read about the Benton sisters, upstate New York spiritualists and breadwinners of the 1850's. While fictitious, The Spirit Room opened my eyes to the struggles and victories of impoverished young women at the time. The author reveals a rare and captivating perspective on female livelihood that would be avoided in history classrooms. This novel is an amazing read and highly recommended to everyone, but especially to women. I was thoroughly engrossed with the book from page one, not expecting to finish this lengthy novel so quickly. You will not be able to put it down!
September 7, 2013
Explores the dark side of Spiritualism in 1850s America. A father involves his two oldest daughters in order to make his own fortune. Strong characters make this book a worthwhile read.
I wasn't sure quite what to expect from this First Reads giveaway. The seamy side of life is a large part of this story, but that's also what makes it so interesting.
For more, see my blog posting: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...
I wasn't sure quite what to expect from this First Reads giveaway. The seamy side of life is a large part of this story, but that's also what makes it so interesting.
For more, see my blog posting: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...
July 15, 2013
Very good! I have a lot of places I need to see next time I am in Rochester. I'm sticking with my opinion that I would have NEVER fit in if I had lived in the Victorian era.
July 14, 2015
We are proud to announce that THE SPIRIT ROOM by Marschel Paul is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
March 6, 2016
MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
I received this book for free in a Goodreads 'First Reads' giveaway. While reviews are not required when you win, they are recommended, and really it's just a common courtesy so I have no problem doing one. I was thrilled to find that my copy is signed by the author!
I have mixed feelings about this book. While I did love the story, there were some storytelling problems that I couldn't seem to let go of in my mind. Also, I understand why the description doesn't specifically mention what goes on in this story, but what is left unmentioned is really the bulk of the book, much more than the seance hoaxes that description implies it is about. I think this could be a disturbing shock to some readers. I certainly didn't see it coming and when it began, I was like 'Whaaaaat? What kind of book is this??' Having said that though, what happens is so sad that your heart just breaks as you watch events unfold.
You've already been warned, so here come the spoilers . . .
This book is really the story of thirteen year old Clara. While the narrative does jump back and forth between the points of view of Clara and her older sister Izzie, it really is Clara's story in the end. And what a disturbing and sad story it is. Mr. Benton, the girls' father, is an abusive, alcoholic, deadbeat. He can't keep a job and is always looking to make easy money in shady ways. Izzie is the oldest daugher, and at 17 years old she is smart and stubborn and will stand up to their father where her siblings won't. Clara and her twin brother Billy are thirteen years old, and then there is little sister Euphora, who is ten or eleven. Mr. Benton's physical abuse is directed at Billy, his only son, but his mental abuse carries over to all of the girls.
It is Papa who comes up with the idea for Clara and Izzie to become 'mediums' and begin holding fake spirit circles (seances). Clara has fun with it because she wants to be an actress anyway, but Izzie hates it. She's actually afraid of such things because her mother was convinced she heard voices of spirits and it drove her to her death. Izzie does not want to end up that way. When she has a chance to get married and move away from the whole depressing situation at home, she takes it. She promises to come back for her siblings if they ever call out for her and let her know they need help, but she *knows* she's leaving them in a bad situation.
I found I didn't really like Izzie in this book. She's too inconsistent, which is one of my problems with the storytelling. As the story goes on, I was never clear on if the relationship between her and her husband Mac was sincere or something shady. One moment they were tender and loving with each other, the next moment she's silently fighting against him in her thoughts, seemingly thinking he's an evil quack. One moment Mac is kind and attentive, the next it's strongly implied he's just using her and is possibly cheating on her all over the place. When she later wants to go visit her family he keeps her from going, saying he needs her there. It's never quite clear if he really feels he needs her there or if he's purposely keeping her away. And that brings me to another of the storytelling problems. What was the deal Papa and Mac made that cleared the way for Mac and Izzie to get married? Was Papa telling him to keep Izzie away so she wouldn't interfere? It had been mentioned early on that Mac offered to send money back to the family to help in place of what they were losing by Izzie moving away. Nothing ever came from that. It was hinted that Mac needed more financial supporters to open his new clinic. For a while I'd thought he'd turned the deal around and was blackmailing Papa, demanding money from him in exchange for his silence about the spirit circles being a hoax. Nothing ever came of any of it though, and I still don't know what the deal was.
After Izzie left, word got out anyway that Clara was a hoax and the seance business quickly died. Papa's need for easy money, and his brainwashing ways, begin Clara on a path into prostitution and THAT is what the bulk of the book is about. It does still hop back and forth between Izzie and her weird new life with a 'water-cure' obsessed husband, and Clara and the ongoing dramas at home, but it all comes back to the decisions Clara is forced to make, situations she's been forced into. Billy is eventually forced to flee. With the loss of the small income that he was bringing in, Papa now has ideas of bringing little Euphora into his sick money making scheme. And this is where Clara puts her foot down. She's become resigned to what she does (she's 13!!), but she will not let Papa brainwash her little sister the way he did with her.
With some outside help, Clara and Euphora flee and begin new lives elsewhere. When Izzie had left, she'd promised to come and get her siblings if any trouble arose. But Clara never mentioned what her father was getting her into because she was ashamed and embarrassed. Letters grew fewer, and even though Izzie often suspected things might need checking into she always let her husband keep her from going. So when she finally does stand up to him and go back home, it's too late. The girls are gone. She follows some tips that lead her to New York City and spends months searching for them but eventually goes back home to her husband. She finally receives word from Clara sometime later and rushes back to NYC, but still has no idea that Clara is a prostitute or what she's been through. The most heartbreaking part of the whole dang story is at one point in their reunion, after Izzie knows everything, when Clara is hitting her and crying "Where were you??" and pretty much blaming it all on her. In many ways, it's true.
It's also soooo sad that even once Clara has options, she finds it easiest to fall back on the life she's been groomed for. It's kind of a guilty slap in the face to Izzie that Clara's 'parlor house sisters' and madam stood up for her and protected her from her father, and that she wants to stay with them.
At 587 pages, you have plenty of time to get to know Clara. Like I said, Izzie's story is a little too inconsistent and unclear to really form any bond with her. If I were to strip away those weak points I would say I loved this book. I did not like the ending though. There were just too many unanswered questions. I mean, it's gnawing at me to the point I might try contacting the author just for clarification. The whole emphasis on the 'water-cure' institute didn't serve much purpose but to show some of the odd things people believed in at the time. There were any number of ways Mac could have kept Izzie away from her family. Even the voices and seances didn't serve much purpose beyond a gateway into Papa's money making schemes. What was the point of Izzie hearing "There's Hannah?" I thought for sure Hannah (Clara's friend) would end up dead somehow and that's why Izzie was hearing spirits talk about her. But nope. And what was the deal with Clara being so thin and pale and frail at the end? Was it implying she'd gotten some STD because of her line of employment, and she was dying? I almost wish there was going to be a sequel book, but if Clara were to die, I don't think I'd really care much about Izzie's story after that.
I received this book for free in a Goodreads 'First Reads' giveaway. While reviews are not required when you win, they are recommended, and really it's just a common courtesy so I have no problem doing one. I was thrilled to find that my copy is signed by the author!
I have mixed feelings about this book. While I did love the story, there were some storytelling problems that I couldn't seem to let go of in my mind. Also, I understand why the description doesn't specifically mention what goes on in this story, but what is left unmentioned is really the bulk of the book, much more than the seance hoaxes that description implies it is about. I think this could be a disturbing shock to some readers. I certainly didn't see it coming and when it began, I was like 'Whaaaaat? What kind of book is this??' Having said that though, what happens is so sad that your heart just breaks as you watch events unfold.
You've already been warned, so here come the spoilers . . .
This book is really the story of thirteen year old Clara. While the narrative does jump back and forth between the points of view of Clara and her older sister Izzie, it really is Clara's story in the end. And what a disturbing and sad story it is. Mr. Benton, the girls' father, is an abusive, alcoholic, deadbeat. He can't keep a job and is always looking to make easy money in shady ways. Izzie is the oldest daugher, and at 17 years old she is smart and stubborn and will stand up to their father where her siblings won't. Clara and her twin brother Billy are thirteen years old, and then there is little sister Euphora, who is ten or eleven. Mr. Benton's physical abuse is directed at Billy, his only son, but his mental abuse carries over to all of the girls.
It is Papa who comes up with the idea for Clara and Izzie to become 'mediums' and begin holding fake spirit circles (seances). Clara has fun with it because she wants to be an actress anyway, but Izzie hates it. She's actually afraid of such things because her mother was convinced she heard voices of spirits and it drove her to her death. Izzie does not want to end up that way. When she has a chance to get married and move away from the whole depressing situation at home, she takes it. She promises to come back for her siblings if they ever call out for her and let her know they need help, but she *knows* she's leaving them in a bad situation.
I found I didn't really like Izzie in this book. She's too inconsistent, which is one of my problems with the storytelling. As the story goes on, I was never clear on if the relationship between her and her husband Mac was sincere or something shady. One moment they were tender and loving with each other, the next moment she's silently fighting against him in her thoughts, seemingly thinking he's an evil quack. One moment Mac is kind and attentive, the next it's strongly implied he's just using her and is possibly cheating on her all over the place. When she later wants to go visit her family he keeps her from going, saying he needs her there. It's never quite clear if he really feels he needs her there or if he's purposely keeping her away. And that brings me to another of the storytelling problems. What was the deal Papa and Mac made that cleared the way for Mac and Izzie to get married? Was Papa telling him to keep Izzie away so she wouldn't interfere? It had been mentioned early on that Mac offered to send money back to the family to help in place of what they were losing by Izzie moving away. Nothing ever came from that. It was hinted that Mac needed more financial supporters to open his new clinic. For a while I'd thought he'd turned the deal around and was blackmailing Papa, demanding money from him in exchange for his silence about the spirit circles being a hoax. Nothing ever came of any of it though, and I still don't know what the deal was.
After Izzie left, word got out anyway that Clara was a hoax and the seance business quickly died. Papa's need for easy money, and his brainwashing ways, begin Clara on a path into prostitution and THAT is what the bulk of the book is about. It does still hop back and forth between Izzie and her weird new life with a 'water-cure' obsessed husband, and Clara and the ongoing dramas at home, but it all comes back to the decisions Clara is forced to make, situations she's been forced into. Billy is eventually forced to flee. With the loss of the small income that he was bringing in, Papa now has ideas of bringing little Euphora into his sick money making scheme. And this is where Clara puts her foot down. She's become resigned to what she does (she's 13!!), but she will not let Papa brainwash her little sister the way he did with her.
With some outside help, Clara and Euphora flee and begin new lives elsewhere. When Izzie had left, she'd promised to come and get her siblings if any trouble arose. But Clara never mentioned what her father was getting her into because she was ashamed and embarrassed. Letters grew fewer, and even though Izzie often suspected things might need checking into she always let her husband keep her from going. So when she finally does stand up to him and go back home, it's too late. The girls are gone. She follows some tips that lead her to New York City and spends months searching for them but eventually goes back home to her husband. She finally receives word from Clara sometime later and rushes back to NYC, but still has no idea that Clara is a prostitute or what she's been through. The most heartbreaking part of the whole dang story is at one point in their reunion, after Izzie knows everything, when Clara is hitting her and crying "Where were you??" and pretty much blaming it all on her. In many ways, it's true.
It's also soooo sad that even once Clara has options, she finds it easiest to fall back on the life she's been groomed for. It's kind of a guilty slap in the face to Izzie that Clara's 'parlor house sisters' and madam stood up for her and protected her from her father, and that she wants to stay with them.
At 587 pages, you have plenty of time to get to know Clara. Like I said, Izzie's story is a little too inconsistent and unclear to really form any bond with her. If I were to strip away those weak points I would say I loved this book. I did not like the ending though. There were just too many unanswered questions. I mean, it's gnawing at me to the point I might try contacting the author just for clarification. The whole emphasis on the 'water-cure' institute didn't serve much purpose but to show some of the odd things people believed in at the time. There were any number of ways Mac could have kept Izzie away from her family. Even the voices and seances didn't serve much purpose beyond a gateway into Papa's money making schemes. What was the point of Izzie hearing "There's Hannah?" I thought for sure Hannah (Clara's friend) would end up dead somehow and that's why Izzie was hearing spirits talk about her. But nope. And what was the deal with Clara being so thin and pale and frail at the end? Was it implying she'd gotten some STD because of her line of employment, and she was dying? I almost wish there was going to be a sequel book, but if Clara were to die, I don't think I'd really care much about Izzie's story after that.
July 15, 2018
Self-published. Too much description, poor writing, slow-moving.
August 2, 2013
Very wordy and sometimes goes into every little thought and detail that adds little to the story and much to the length--almost 600 pages. This is one an English teacher in High School (a former editor) would have you mark "Stop" and "Begin" to condense...too bad, otherwise a good story of growing up in an interesting household of death, abuse, escapes to freedom and a slice of life of the times.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews