A Factory of Cunning

by Philippa Stockley

'One freezing April morning, two veiled women step off the boat from Holland. They are on the a scheming French aristocrat, who goes by her nom de plume of Mrs Fox, and her loyal maidservant. With only a handful of gold and fearing for her life, Mrs Fox sets about establishing herslf with high society. Immoral and beautiful, Mrs Fox has always used men to support and amuse her. Trusting on her wits to keep ahead of the hangman, she manipulates others to gullible Lord Danceacre, sweet Violet Denyss and degenerate predator Earl Much. Yet in the earl, Mrs Fox has met an adversary whose sadistic visciousness is a match for her own attempts to destroy him. Through a dark, quick world of liars and lechers, where infidelity and intellect cross swords with desire and death, Mrs Fox hurtles towards a horrible climax. Here is London, 1784 ...welcome to a factory of cunning.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Georgian, 18th Century, British Literature

384 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2005

About the author

Philippa Stockley is a novelist, author, award-winning journalist, reviewer, painter and designer. She took a scholarship to Oxford (English) then to the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, studying art-historical clothing history, with an 18th century speciality. Following her debut novel, The Edge of Pleasure, her previous novel, Murderous Liaisons, first published as A Factory of Cunning, is an epistolary sequel to Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Her new novel Black Lily, a fast, suspense-filled 17th century story set in London, full of murky characters and pungent settings. Due out with Pimpernel Press on September 6: http://www.pimpernelpress.com/ Stockley lives in London and is completing an interiors book on old London houses for 2019

Reviews

[Madison Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Factory of Cunning was entertaining and clever (not to mention sufficiently scandalous). As a previous reviewer aptly noted, there is something decadent and enticing about journeying into the mind of characters who take such pleasure and relish in their own borderline-sociopathic quests to fulfill their narcissistic desires and agendas. Moreover, the epistolary format was pulled off rather more nicely than many authors manage. However, I must take issue with the fact that, despite the boundless opportunity to do so given the 18th century setting, the novel went nowhere and ultimately ended without having begun a dialogue of any weight or purpose, aside from being refreshingly intelligent and witty (unless, of course, one takes pause to pity those left in the wake of Fox and Much’s destructive lifestyles and dealings). It also must be duly noted that the novel walked the line between acceptable inspiration and pure ‘borrowing’ from Les Liaisons dangereuses.

[Roberto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Ms. Stockley , I´m writing this review now that I have read your novel " A Factory of Cunning". First of all , I must confess that I am not very fond of epistolary novels but nevertheless I enjoyed it although I have some mixed feelings about your book. I must concede to you that you had a gift to make every voice in this novel distinct and I absolutely LOVED your wordplays and wit. I also loved the 18th century Georgian England trivia you scattered along the novel. Also, you managed brilliantly to reveal the identity of " Mrs. Fox" which was , in fact, a already known and much hatred literary character. The twists and turns concerning the deceased Mrs. Danceacre was also quite unexpected. My main critic is that sometimes your writing style (specially at first) was somewhat dense in which I felt sometimes lost. The notes at the end of the book should be on the page they were mentioned. And I expected Urban Fine to be more wicked than he was and Mrs. Fox more cunning. Having said that , I hope that you continue to write more novels which I would read delighted. Yours truly, Mr. Rodrigues

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book really wanted to be dangerous liasons, but fell flat on pretty much every level.
it started out well enough. the characters had interesting premises and interesting circumstances and lots of creative ideas....but as the story progressed i wanted more depth from them. in dangerous liasons, the characters are bored nobles playing a strategy game in order to entertain themselves....and their feelings get in the way - that is interesting.
but in this book, the main character is not a noble with the excuse of being bored. she is motivated by greed - and takes delight in the ruin of others for reasons that are never explained. and she never moves past that place, we never see her with a deeper understanding of what she is doing or wrestling with a tendancy toward compassion. she doesn't have any. ultimately this book was a disappointment.

[P · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Factory of Cunning by Phillipa Stockley is a fine example of pretentious writing. Halfway through, I was left wondering what the point was. Granted, we have a feisty and unscrupulous protagonist straining to make ends meet in a foreign land, but that is all there is to it. To divert herself from the dullness of her daily life, she hatches schemes to destroy an Earl, who is equally unscrupulous, if not more. Of all the occupations in the world, she chose to become the mistress of a brothel in England. How lovely. I skipped to the last part of the book and what I read was meant to be scandalous, but it did not shock me at all.

I bought it at Amazon's used bookstore, and now I understand fully why the previous owner of this book was eager to part with it. I have pretty much the same feeling about this matter.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author uses letters and journal entries to plot a wickedly entertaining romp through grand estates and county seats and deep into London's back alleys and bawdy houses. Mrs. Fox, a noble woman, had suffered indignities and uncomfortable horrors to sail from Amsterdam and an scandalous past to seek revenge on a debauched British aristocrat, Earl Much. He had spent his life collecting priceless objects d'art and ruining young women. Her letters to a confidant blister the society they expose. All characters are either pursuing or being pursued to the highest bidder. The novel has been compared to Dangerous Liaisons and Tom Jones. Taking place in the Georgian Age, the reader glimpses a society long vanished but hilariously entertaining.

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book and delved in expectantly. Unfortunately it's written in the form of letters to and from the main character--a format I dislike because it seems overly edited. The author didn't create any sympathy for her characters, except maybe for the sidekick / maid but since she's not one of the letter writers or receivers she doesn't get much of a treatment. Also, I'm pretty decent at English colloquialisms and cultural references but this was so bogged down in them that I found it difficult to understand in many places. That led to skimming, which goes back to not getting it nor caring about the characters. I didn't get thorugh it and was sorely disappointed.

[Awet Moges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid sequel to one of the very greatest novels ever. I won't bother with the synopsis: only to justify the three star review:

The characterization and the plot are solid, but I can't help feel that this sequel was a missed opportunity.

Less of a true extension of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and closer to fan fiction quality where the author seems more excited to play with her favorite characters in a new setting (British aristocracy).

[Kristena West · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fabulous romp - a real Victorian jewel of the bon mot! Very dangerous Liaisons, and halfway through the book I disliked the "anti-heroine" as well. However, there was soooo much intrigue afoot that I was really very interested.

A good Read indeed. 4 stars for excellent writing!!! (there are so many "beach" books out there I can barely stand trying a new book anymore. Writers who write like; see jane run. jane picks up beach towel. jane begins to think. etc.)

[Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reads like a classic, but is a fast read about a wily woman on the run. Some of the writing (because of its older style) could be hard to follow, or the action/connections weren't immediately obvious to me, but I was definitely hooked.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book, written in the epistolary fashion, picks up where Dangerous Liasons left off. A slow start builds to a complex plot that will leave you reading into the night. I loved this book!

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is smart and fast paced. The writing is wonderful. Feelsas though you are reading something written in the period. I had to reread the ending just to make certain I had understood everything. This would make an incredible film.

[Kyri Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An epistolary novel that offers a "sequel" to Les liaisons dangereuses.

I found Factory clever, often devastatingly funny, wonderfully differentiated in its voices and considerable in its tension -- the latter two qualities being difficult to achieve in epistolary novels. Some of the plot elements -- Violet's experiences and the long-lost sister -- are well-worn, but the manner of telling is so fresh that it doesn't really matter. "Mrs. Fox", unrepentantly awful and cheerfully unsinkable, is a gem.

I think some readers will have trouble following the plotline, especially in the beginning, and the quick-spoken, intricate period diction, particularly in Mrs. Fox's voice, may lose some, but the book rewards close attention. It would appeal to readers who enjoyed books like SLAMMERKIN and THE DRESS LODGER, but its tone is far more arch.

Recommended.

[Myron Snyder · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to ask myself: Why do you keep reading this book? Every character is unlikeable. Even after I switched to skimming, I could no longer take it and stopped about 2/3 of the way through. If you think a sex trafficker with a murderer admirer is an interesting heroine, have at it. But I don't recommend it.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really surprised me; I loved it! It drew me in slowly, then just as I was hooked I started worrying the story would fail to deliver. The ending satisfied!
I loved Stockley's witty style of writing. I took great joy in the writing throughout the book. The characters were for the most part interesting and the plot certainly full of twists.
It is set in 18th century London which means I had to stumble over the old English and archaic references. I found myself reading with phone in hand, ready to google what 'stays' were. Pro tip: there's a glossary at the back! Luckily, I discovered this two-thirds of the way through. Some googling still required.

[Isa · Rating 3 out of 5]

for some reason i marked this with five stars before i even finished it - uh, yikes. i'm being generous now because it follows the exploits of my favorite literary character of all time (though i would have preferred for her to be referenced by her actual name instead of vague handwaving references to les liaisons dangereuses, which someone who hadn't read it would miss), but this was definitely not my favorite book. it reads like nine billion other period pieces of its type and the mood is not at all true to the novel from which it stems. which, if you like that kind of book, is a good thing, i guess. but i don't. not to mention it had no plot whatsoever and it was easy to get tangled up in all the different characters. the end is grisly but achieves nothing and - really? you expect me to believe that out of all the characters in liaisons THAT dimwit would organize something so dramatic as all that?

[Jennifer de Guzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decadent diversion, a delicious bit of dessert.

There is something enticing about reading a book about someone who takes such pleasure in being evil, a way of the shadow self living vicariously.

The epistolary account started a bit slowly, but as it dawned on me who our fantastic Mrs. Fox is (something I must have known when I decided to read the book but had since forgotten), the story took on more dimensions and became more enjoyable.

I'd call Mrs. Fox a singular creation -- arch, intelligent, utterly without compunction -- but it was not Philippa Stockley who created her. That distinction belongs to one of Mrs. Fox's contemporaries. I read her adventures that she had under her original identity with more relish than A Factory of Cunning. An original is always more vibrant than a copy.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Mrs. Fox" arrives in late eighteenth-century London on the run from a scandalous French past. She has taken on a new identity and wishes to rehabilitate herself to her former class level. At the same time a dear friend from the Netherlands has asked her to destroy Earl Much. Earl Much is a British aristocrat who collects priceless objets d'art and ruins young maidens.

The reader is transported to a world of bawdy houses, debauchery, ruination of willful maidens and intrigue. The earl proves to be a equal match to the cunning sinfulness of Mrs. Fox.

This is written in an epistolary mode, that of letters and diary entries. It was very difficult to get into the story to start with but finally near the middle of the story I started to 'get' it.

[Alethea · Rating 2 out of 5]

BEST PARTS:
The period details and the truth of London's seedy underbelly brought the period to life very vividly. Each character remained true to their characterization.

WORST PARTS:
The holes in the plot. The novel is epistolary, and I felt there were a few extraneous characters writing letters, along with a series of sub-plots that I didn't quite understand in the context of the central plot.

REVIEW:
I expected a good deal more from this novel. I was left feeling befuddled and confused.

[Marilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a Vanity Fair tradition, and set in the late 1700s, this book is a series of letters following the intrigues of a powerful woman. She wants to take the world for all its worth, but it ends up nearly taking her. She is a procuress, with all that entails.
Not a bad read. Just happened to pick it up off the shelf at the library. Washington Post Book World Best Book of the Year--whatever that award is...

[Lisa James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting historical fiction novel, comprised of letters back & forth between the principal characters, telling a WILD tale of betrayal, seduction, twisted lies, bizarre deceptions, etc. It was definitely a page turner, with enough plot twists & turns to make the reader dizzy :) Just at the end, when you thought the ending was indeed the ending, part 6 twists that ending on it's ear to the real ending, which ties everything up & makes you smile.

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, although the critics were smitten with it, this book is not only boring because of its prose written in letters, but because of the absolutely foreseeable plot. The protagonists get into foreseeable problems and story stats one dimensional from start to finish. I wish I hadn't bought and read this book.

[Brittany (Lady Red) · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’ve ever seen Harlots, this moves it a similar world, but is not as female centered. Which, honestly makes no sense since the main character is female.
Something was lacking here. This was, for me, too light for its subject matter, which included
TW
Rape, suicide, and a father who may or may not have perpetrated sex against his own child!

[Anne Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, light, quick read if you enjoy late 18th c. fiction. I'm not a huge fan of epistolary fiction, either then or now, but this was enjoyable. A little more character development would have been nice-- there didn't seem to be too many (if any) redeeming qualities to Mrs. Fox.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book- the format of using letters instead of typical prose was fun and different. Lot of witty writing, easy to miss if you don't read closely. I just wish the ending had been a little more complete- felt like a lot of buildup to a not 100%satisfying resolution.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently this novel takes over where Dangerous Liasions left off. It's sort of Fanny Hill meets Tom Fielding. I'm not sure how much I like it so far.

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull. The blurb on the back made it look quite good but I couldn't even finish it

[Sarah]

yeah. so. read through page 45 or so and then just decided not to keep reading. it didn't pique my interest at all. bah.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! A bit slow to catch onto the story, but a good read in the end.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hated it in the first 50 pages, but I stuck with it. It became quite a fun novel. Recommend for the determined reader who will wade through the muck to get to the gem.

[feimineach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Briefly: Beautifully written in a prose I could have read forever. Shame it tailed off at the end and lost me.