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The Unforgetting
Her fate was decided. Her death was foretold. Her past is about to be unforgotten...
1851. When Lily Bell is sold by her father to a 'Professor of Ghosts' to settle a bad debt, she dreams of finding fame on the London stage. But Erasmus Salt wants Lilly not as an actress, but as his very own ghost - the heart of his elaborate illusion for those desperate for a glimpse of the spirit world . . .
Obsessed with perfection, Erasmus goes to extreme lengths to ensure his illusion is realistic. When Lily comes across her own obituary in the paper, and then her headstones in the cemetery, she realises that she is trapped, her own parents think she is dead, and that her fate is soon to become even darker . . .
A spellbinding story of obsession, the lure of fame, and the power of illusion.
1851. When Lily Bell is sold by her father to a 'Professor of Ghosts' to settle a bad debt, she dreams of finding fame on the London stage. But Erasmus Salt wants Lilly not as an actress, but as his very own ghost - the heart of his elaborate illusion for those desperate for a glimpse of the spirit world . . .
Obsessed with perfection, Erasmus goes to extreme lengths to ensure his illusion is realistic. When Lily comes across her own obituary in the paper, and then her headstones in the cemetery, she realises that she is trapped, her own parents think she is dead, and that her fate is soon to become even darker . . .
A spellbinding story of obsession, the lure of fame, and the power of illusion.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 9, 2020
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1386 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 10, 2020
Lily Bell feels trapped. Sold by her step-father as payment for bad debt she is now the property of Erasmus Salt, a self-proclaimed Professor of Ghosts. Thinking she was being sold to be an actress, Lily thought at least her dire situation might lead to her following her dream of fame on the London stage, but instead she is hidden away and must perform each night as a ghost summoned from the dead. Growing increasingly frustrated and unsettled, Lily finally discovers the macabre lengths Erasmus has gone to for his illusion; the world thinks she is really dead. Knowing she’s in more danger than she thought, she starts to plot her escape. But as things become increasingly complex and grim, she fears she might never be free of the Professor’s clutches.
The Unforgetting started slowly but I was soon drawn into the strange, ominous, claustrophobic and bleak world Lily inhabits with siblings Erasmus and Faye Salt. Lily is an easy character to like. She’s sweet, naive, hopeful and has big dreams. She has concerns about Erasmus and things he expects of her from the start, but with the help of his sister Faye she brushes them aside as him knowing what is best for the performance. I liked that she also showed an assertive side and wasn’t afraid to make her voice heard. As her situation darkened, I felt scared for Lily and was worried she was going to meet a tragic end and was on tenterhooks until the last page.
Erasmus Salt is an arrogant, angry, ominous and devious man. I got bad vibes from him straight away but never imagined how vile and evil he and his plans could be. Stemming from a bizarre obsession with his deceased mother, he is consumed with the idea of actually returning a spirit to human form, and will stop at nothing to achieve it. Faye Salt, his sister, comes across initially as a mousy servant but it soon becomes clear she is terrified of her brother and, as her backstory is gradually told, we learn it has origins in their childhood, particularly after the deaths of their parents when they were still young. She starts as a background character but slowly becomes a vital part of the story and the character I found most interesting. I felt sad for her and understood why she did some of the more questionable things she did, and was willing her through the pages to find the strength she needed and to find happiness after all she’s been through. She and Lily have a relationship that is very close in proximity, but quite distant in emotion, which was interesting to read. Though I can’t help but think that if they had just confided in each other things could have turned out very differently for both of them.
The Unforgetting is a story about obsession, desire, love, loss, death, illusions and dreams. It is a story of smoke and mirrors where so often things aren’t what they seem and characters are misled or misunderstood. It started out quite simple but becomes a multilayered story that had some surprising twists and kept me captivated. There were a few unanswered questions but I liked the direction the author took the story and the way she ended it. This is the perfect read for lovers of historical fiction who like their stories a little bit eerie, strange and sinister.
Thank you to Orion for my gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The Unforgetting started slowly but I was soon drawn into the strange, ominous, claustrophobic and bleak world Lily inhabits with siblings Erasmus and Faye Salt. Lily is an easy character to like. She’s sweet, naive, hopeful and has big dreams. She has concerns about Erasmus and things he expects of her from the start, but with the help of his sister Faye she brushes them aside as him knowing what is best for the performance. I liked that she also showed an assertive side and wasn’t afraid to make her voice heard. As her situation darkened, I felt scared for Lily and was worried she was going to meet a tragic end and was on tenterhooks until the last page.
Erasmus Salt is an arrogant, angry, ominous and devious man. I got bad vibes from him straight away but never imagined how vile and evil he and his plans could be. Stemming from a bizarre obsession with his deceased mother, he is consumed with the idea of actually returning a spirit to human form, and will stop at nothing to achieve it. Faye Salt, his sister, comes across initially as a mousy servant but it soon becomes clear she is terrified of her brother and, as her backstory is gradually told, we learn it has origins in their childhood, particularly after the deaths of their parents when they were still young. She starts as a background character but slowly becomes a vital part of the story and the character I found most interesting. I felt sad for her and understood why she did some of the more questionable things she did, and was willing her through the pages to find the strength she needed and to find happiness after all she’s been through. She and Lily have a relationship that is very close in proximity, but quite distant in emotion, which was interesting to read. Though I can’t help but think that if they had just confided in each other things could have turned out very differently for both of them.
The Unforgetting is a story about obsession, desire, love, loss, death, illusions and dreams. It is a story of smoke and mirrors where so often things aren’t what they seem and characters are misled or misunderstood. It started out quite simple but becomes a multilayered story that had some surprising twists and kept me captivated. There were a few unanswered questions but I liked the direction the author took the story and the way she ended it. This is the perfect read for lovers of historical fiction who like their stories a little bit eerie, strange and sinister.
Thank you to Orion for my gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2021
The premise of this one sounded fantastic, sadly the execution didn't quite live up to my expectations. I was thoroughly engaged for the first half of the plot - the set up was fascinating, the setting and characters compelling, but somewhere around halfway this one lost its momentum.
I wouldn't say this was a bad book, or even that the ending let it down in any particular way, but the second half did bring my rating down and left the whole book feeling somewhat average. I wanted more of the Victorian era, I wanted to be transported there; I wanted more exploration of spiritualism, to watch the show for myself; I wanted higher tensions, to fear for our MC, but in all respects, I never felt quite sucked in enough to truly believe.
A slow-paced, quick read, but not one that I think will stick with me at all.
3 stars.
I wouldn't say this was a bad book, or even that the ending let it down in any particular way, but the second half did bring my rating down and left the whole book feeling somewhat average. I wanted more of the Victorian era, I wanted to be transported there; I wanted more exploration of spiritualism, to watch the show for myself; I wanted higher tensions, to fear for our MC, but in all respects, I never felt quite sucked in enough to truly believe.
A slow-paced, quick read, but not one that I think will stick with me at all.
3 stars.
March 1, 2020
1851, Lily Bell is sold by her father to Professor Salt. Lily believes she is going to be an actress on the stage but Salt has other ideas.
I am always drawn to books set in the Victorian era, especially if the story revolves around spiritualism. I did pick this book up purely on another readers recommendation and the cover.
I did go into the book blind and found that the story wasn't quite what I expected. I was expecting a creepy story about ghosts and spirits. The story for me however was about the relationship between two very different women.
The first half of the story was very interesting and I was quite invested for a long time. The second half of the story for me seemed to drag a little in places.
I certainly did enjoy the book although it wasn't what I thought it was going to be.
I am always drawn to books set in the Victorian era, especially if the story revolves around spiritualism. I did pick this book up purely on another readers recommendation and the cover.
I did go into the book blind and found that the story wasn't quite what I expected. I was expecting a creepy story about ghosts and spirits. The story for me however was about the relationship between two very different women.
The first half of the story was very interesting and I was quite invested for a long time. The second half of the story for me seemed to drag a little in places.
I certainly did enjoy the book although it wasn't what I thought it was going to be.
October 28, 2020
Visit the locations in the novel
A novel to transport you to the depths of Victorian Ramsgate and London.....
This is a great novel to read at this time of year in particular! Oh to be in Victorian England, or more accurately a ghost of Victorian England.
The setting is the London stage - where Lily Bell wants to be an actress. She dreams of this and nothing else so when her father sells her to someone and tells her she will be working in a theatre, she's quite intrigued. Selling your daughter was common at the time which is shocking in itself but when you realise who her father is selling her to, it's even worse!
Erasmus is a professor of ghosts and he wants Lily to become a ghost on his stage. This is method to the extreme - for Lily will have to become a ghost, hidden away, living under the stage and wearing a veil when out in public so no one can see her face....
The professor wants to create the ultimate illusion and Lily is his chosen one. However for Lily to take on this role and fool those who want to believe in the next life, she will have to give up her own....
The writing here is very good, with scene setting a plenty and lots of gloriousness gothic - ness.
There's themes of female identity, identity in general, the position of women in society and of course death, ghosts and spiritualism. Those Victorians had some strong beliefs!
There was also a very dark moment in the novel - which meant that the story went down a path I didn't expect. It was dark but also very sad and I wished it had been different as it gave the novel an extra darkness I didn't feel it needed. The ghost storyline and everything that that entailed was more than enough. It does tell more of Lily's story though so although vital to the plot in many ways, I loved the ghostly side of things much more.
Doesn't stop me recommending it though!
October 25, 2024
I am abandoning the book at 100 pages. I wanted something atmospheric, creepy, and captivating. So far, it has been morbid and slow-paced. All the characters seem flat to me. This is supposed to be pseudo-Victorian, but the narrative style is markedly modern, clipped and fragmentary. What I've read so far is rather gruesome than chilling, with many emotional triggers, and from what I've seen in other reviews, I'm not going to enjoy the direction this is taking.
In short, not for me.
In short, not for me.
November 17, 2019
It is 1851 and Lily Bell lives in relative poverty with her mother and stepfather. Lily dreams of finding fame as an actress on the London stage and when her stepfather informs her she is going to work for Erasmus Salt, a 'Professor of Ghosts' she believes her life is about to improve. However, her stepfather has sold her to Erasmus to clear a bad debt and Erasmus has other plans for her, he wants her to become his 'ghost'.....
In a world where death always featured largely, many Victorians found solace and faith in the dark world of spiritualism. This world is brought vividly to life in The Unforgetting, and in Erasmus Salt we have a truly sinister villain who has no redeemable qualities. A perfect read for fans of The Doll Factory, The Silent Ones and anyone who loves gothic fiction.
In a world where death always featured largely, many Victorians found solace and faith in the dark world of spiritualism. This world is brought vividly to life in The Unforgetting, and in Erasmus Salt we have a truly sinister villain who has no redeemable qualities. A perfect read for fans of The Doll Factory, The Silent Ones and anyone who loves gothic fiction.
October 18, 2020
DNF - I'm 70% in and honestly, I just can't be arsed to read it, I've got no interest.. I'm trying to learn that I don't have to finish a book I'm not enjoying and it might be for others taste but its not for me and thats not because of the actual plot, I think it had alot of potential but it was just written so weakly, flat, it's choppy and jumpy and there's trauma in the book but it just was so weakly written on the emotions of what trauma is, it just was so undeveloped, my mates reading it too, I'm just going to ask her how it ends cause its just a bit dull, it could have been brilliant, but it's not.
January 20, 2020
This was right up my street. Proper Victorian Gothic. Eruasums Salt has invented a ghost machine to fleece gulliable Victorian audiences. But his first actress has disappeared in mysterious circumstances. Thankfully he's found an even better actress to play his ghost in the form of Lily Bell. Lily has spent her whole life dreaming of being an actress and believes this is her big chance. Soon she comesto realise that the role is much more sinister than she had imagined and that Erusmus may have a much more worrying ulterior motive for his ghost machine. Terrific read.
September 12, 2020
This was dull and flat.
July 1, 2021
3.5
Unsettling, this gothic style story is dark and full of potential. Lily drawn to the stage is sold to Salt( The Ghost Professor) who wishes to call on the deceased. Assuming the role of the ghost, Lily is trapped by Erasmus in his macabre world with only Faye( his sister) as her companion.
I felt for Faye completely- having lost her parents so young she was completely reliant on her brother.
I felt that this could have been so much more though. Less characters perhaps and more development of the story line for Faye and her background.
As always a great discussion with the #HFBookclub.
Unsettling, this gothic style story is dark and full of potential. Lily drawn to the stage is sold to Salt( The Ghost Professor) who wishes to call on the deceased. Assuming the role of the ghost, Lily is trapped by Erasmus in his macabre world with only Faye( his sister) as her companion.
I felt for Faye completely- having lost her parents so young she was completely reliant on her brother.
I felt that this could have been so much more though. Less characters perhaps and more development of the story line for Faye and her background.
As always a great discussion with the #HFBookclub.
June 14, 2021
Rating - 3.5
June 2, 2020
Enjoyable read about a girl who is forced to play a ghost but something was missing to give it the 'wow' factor.
February 1, 2020
This is truly a gothic Victorian tale dripping in spiders webs and dust of stories past and I adored it!
The story is told with a multifaceted view by three main characters, each with their own battles of strengths and weaknesses;
First of all we have our Heroin Lily Bell, who only has the dream of being on stage and screen, by any means she can muster but this may come at a cost too dear, and it won’t just effect her....
Erasmus Salt, The self proclaimed ‘Ghost Professor’ who is Convinced he can call forth the souls of the departed if he only has the means to do so! Even if that entails fooling the human eye and mind until he can truly figure out a way to communicate with the dead....
And Faye Salt, The sister of the mad Ghost Professor and all round slave to his every whim and need but can she truly not see what a monster her brother is becoming? And doesn’t she have her own ambitions and goals in life other than to parade around with him?
This is all set to a backdrop of a gloriously gothic Victorian England and I devoured it!
How far can Lily Bell go before enough is enough? Does she really want to become an actress even if that means seeing her own grave and obituary??
This is a dark tale of family secrets, deceit and desires.
The story is told with a multifaceted view by three main characters, each with their own battles of strengths and weaknesses;
First of all we have our Heroin Lily Bell, who only has the dream of being on stage and screen, by any means she can muster but this may come at a cost too dear, and it won’t just effect her....
Erasmus Salt, The self proclaimed ‘Ghost Professor’ who is Convinced he can call forth the souls of the departed if he only has the means to do so! Even if that entails fooling the human eye and mind until he can truly figure out a way to communicate with the dead....
And Faye Salt, The sister of the mad Ghost Professor and all round slave to his every whim and need but can she truly not see what a monster her brother is becoming? And doesn’t she have her own ambitions and goals in life other than to parade around with him?
This is all set to a backdrop of a gloriously gothic Victorian England and I devoured it!
How far can Lily Bell go before enough is enough? Does she really want to become an actress even if that means seeing her own grave and obituary??
This is a dark tale of family secrets, deceit and desires.
January 8, 2020
Set in 1851 and Lily Bell believes she will be a famous actress in London, but then to settle a debt her parents sell her to Erasmus Salt. A stage magician obsessed with Lily.
Salt is planning an illusion and Lily is to be his very own ghost. But to make this believable, the world must believe Lily has died. So obituaries are written and Lily is kept hidden by Erasmus and his sister, Faye. Faye has now own demons to deal with due to events in her past. So a bond builds between them, but can these two strong women finally have lives of their own?
This is dark, gothic historical fiction at its best. A tale of obsession, control, illusion and mystery in the Victorian era. Beautifully written, chilling and haunting.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.
Salt is planning an illusion and Lily is to be his very own ghost. But to make this believable, the world must believe Lily has died. So obituaries are written and Lily is kept hidden by Erasmus and his sister, Faye. Faye has now own demons to deal with due to events in her past. So a bond builds between them, but can these two strong women finally have lives of their own?
This is dark, gothic historical fiction at its best. A tale of obsession, control, illusion and mystery in the Victorian era. Beautifully written, chilling and haunting.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.
October 18, 2020
Easy to read but my days anti climatic ending or what. My days, high hopes and then boom turned horrible fast and not horrible in the oooo the genre way. It was just a grim story, with a boring side story and honestly was scatty at times jumping between times at one point.
The ending was so disappointing I actually went "is that it". Not even a small feeling of o my is she going to die... Nothing. I grew attached to no characters, couldn't of cared less for a happy ending and got one anyway in which I actually wanted more upset, just didn't cut it and felt it did not live up to the back book statement and review.
The ending was so disappointing I actually went "is that it". Not even a small feeling of o my is she going to die... Nothing. I grew attached to no characters, couldn't of cared less for a happy ending and got one anyway in which I actually wanted more upset, just didn't cut it and felt it did not live up to the back book statement and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2021
This book took a while to hook me, in but after 100 pages it really had me. The middle section of the book was well paced and interesting. I enjoyed Lily’s developing story and details of Erasmus’ stage production. I especially enjoyed Faye’s gradually increasing role in the book and her back story.
Sadly though, the final third was completely rushed for me. Suddenly the pace picked up to much and I felt hurriedly pushed towards the climax in the final three chapters. And actually, the end of the book was extremely disappointing. The final showdown that I was expecting just kind of fizzled out.
Overall ok, but it could have been rounded off in a much more fitting and exciting way.
Sadly though, the final third was completely rushed for me. Suddenly the pace picked up to much and I felt hurriedly pushed towards the climax in the final three chapters. And actually, the end of the book was extremely disappointing. The final showdown that I was expecting just kind of fizzled out.
Overall ok, but it could have been rounded off in a much more fitting and exciting way.
May 12, 2023
While the premise sounded intriguing and the beginning was compelling- the middle and end were completely unsatisfactory, rushed and way too meandering.
November 26, 2022
For a debut novel (please correct me if I’m wrong!) this is an excellent read and I can’t wait for more works by Rose Black to come out.
I found the story itself very gripping, an odd mixture of fear, futility and hope which was imbued in all of the characters.
The technique of Pepper’s Ghost is something I’d heard about being used in Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride so I was fascinated to read a story that was an exploration of the special effect and the Victorian desire for spiritualism that was prevalent in the 1800s. I feel that there could have been more supernatural elements added in especially around the Salt’s Mother, and different locations as opposed to theatres, hotel rooms and the seaside.
The story does leave several unanswered mysteries and the ending felt a bit rushed in comparison to the rest of the story. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read though and recommend to anyone who loves gothic historical fiction.
I found the story itself very gripping, an odd mixture of fear, futility and hope which was imbued in all of the characters.
The technique of Pepper’s Ghost is something I’d heard about being used in Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride so I was fascinated to read a story that was an exploration of the special effect and the Victorian desire for spiritualism that was prevalent in the 1800s. I feel that there could have been more supernatural elements added in especially around the Salt’s Mother, and different locations as opposed to theatres, hotel rooms and the seaside.
The story does leave several unanswered mysteries and the ending felt a bit rushed in comparison to the rest of the story. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read though and recommend to anyone who loves gothic historical fiction.
April 30, 2024
So it’s now nearly 1am in England and I’ve devoured this book in one day. Loved it!
Take a bow, Rose Black, as this book was really well written and really enjoyed.
I didn’t know this author but this book was recommended to me by another book worm so I ordered it in Hardback (I love a good hardback! Make of that what you will! LOL!)
Gothic thriller would you call it? I’m not sure as there wasn’t much of the supernatural about this story of love, loss, grief and the trials of life.
It had a very Laura Purcell feel to it but without the supernatural horror twist. Still very good and worth a read. I shall be looking out for more books by this author.
Well done, Rose Black…. Where do you want your statue?
Take a bow, Rose Black, as this book was really well written and really enjoyed.
I didn’t know this author but this book was recommended to me by another book worm so I ordered it in Hardback (I love a good hardback! Make of that what you will! LOL!)
Gothic thriller would you call it? I’m not sure as there wasn’t much of the supernatural about this story of love, loss, grief and the trials of life.
It had a very Laura Purcell feel to it but without the supernatural horror twist. Still very good and worth a read. I shall be looking out for more books by this author.
Well done, Rose Black…. Where do you want your statue?
July 10, 2022
Quite possibly the most depressing book ever. I don’t even mind depressing books, not everything can be uplifting. However at one point the story just becomes so dreary it was like sitting in the rain on a dark day at the bus stop waiting for a bus that only comes every three hours. In the fog. With a crippling headache. Sorry I don’t like giving negative reviews but this is just info and it started off so well…
December 17, 2023
Did you know Faye was a spinster?! Because almost every time the character is encountered this is how she is described. It says a lot for how flat the characters are that they are often reduced to a single epithet. "The actress" is having a bad time? We are supposed to know her, emphasise with her, why wouldn't you just use her name?!
Flat and boring, characters with zero depth or personality, and worst of all, just really poorly written.
Flat and boring, characters with zero depth or personality, and worst of all, just really poorly written.
January 7, 2020
This is a story of obsession and haunting illusions that will leave the reader chilled to the bone. Set in the 19th century, the eerie gothic Victorian age, Black navigates the reader through a maze of shocking twists and disturbing turns that unhinges the mind and questions one’s grasp on reality.
Black’s writing is rich and insightful allowing the senses to come alive at the mere mention of textures, sounds and smells. The feel of the sand on your feet, the salty wind blowing in your hair and the taste of red wine in your mouth that suddenly makes you feel sick and dizzy. You quickly realise you have entered a world full of lies and deceit. Cheap tricks and fake scenes that encourage you to stay with Lily in her torment. It’s a battle of wills as the further you go, the darker the path becomes.
Lily as a main character grows on you. At first she is portrayed as innocent and naïve dreaming that she will become a famous actress on the stage. She adapts and changes as the narrative progresses. Lily is thrust into the claws of life and the real world, slowly seeing the evil standing in front of her. She faces many challenges and is forced to make sacrifices which build her strength and harden her skin. No longer soft to the touch, her hands become rough and are old before her years. I was biting my nails throughout, desperate for Lily to escape and be free from her fate. Her character development was intriguing to witness. At every stumble and fall you have been there to watch her pull herself back up, alone and afraid she carries on and fights for what she believes in.
The more Lily plays the part of the ghost, the more she starts to feel removed and doesn’t recognise herself. The reader sees her lose her grip on reality, questioning if she is truly dead or if it is just a performance. The two quickly become blurred as you too also begin to feel hazy about what is real and what isn’t. It’s enough to drive anyone mad and Black has captured this loss of control perfectly. Pushing the reader to the edge to look directly in the face of death and challenging it’s existence.
The women in the Victorian age had little say in matters and were often seen and not heard. In contrast, the women are the heart of this story, strong and brave. They support and look out for each other. For example Faye has always lived in her brother’s shadow and is presented as your average governess at first glance, a character in the background. What Black does with her is brilliant as we soon learn there is far more to her than meets the eye. Her story itself is just as tragic and sad as Lily’s, it broke me. I was a mess. I was in complete shock and awe at her inner strength. Very cleverly written, there is a lot of mysteries and unexpected events to surprise the reader.
Black voices sensitive topics such as rape, suicide and mental illness delicately and with care while still portraying a realistic view on them given the time. The pain and heartache these women had to silently suffer while still putting on a pretence that everything was fine is heartbreaking and you will find yourself ugly crying at the truth of it all.
I give The Unforgetting By Rose Black a Four out of Five paw rating
This book entraps you, bewitches you and finally, releases you. Black beautifully immerses the reader into the streets of the19th Century. Her strong female characters bring inspiring power and admiration to being a woman in a time when they were often seen as ghosts, drifting through life quietly and invisible. But this story gives them a chance to speak freely and break society’s chains. It’s also haunting to read how obsession can make people do unthinkable things. How it can drive one into madness and onto a path of destruction.
Black’s writing is rich and insightful allowing the senses to come alive at the mere mention of textures, sounds and smells. The feel of the sand on your feet, the salty wind blowing in your hair and the taste of red wine in your mouth that suddenly makes you feel sick and dizzy. You quickly realise you have entered a world full of lies and deceit. Cheap tricks and fake scenes that encourage you to stay with Lily in her torment. It’s a battle of wills as the further you go, the darker the path becomes.
Lily as a main character grows on you. At first she is portrayed as innocent and naïve dreaming that she will become a famous actress on the stage. She adapts and changes as the narrative progresses. Lily is thrust into the claws of life and the real world, slowly seeing the evil standing in front of her. She faces many challenges and is forced to make sacrifices which build her strength and harden her skin. No longer soft to the touch, her hands become rough and are old before her years. I was biting my nails throughout, desperate for Lily to escape and be free from her fate. Her character development was intriguing to witness. At every stumble and fall you have been there to watch her pull herself back up, alone and afraid she carries on and fights for what she believes in.
The more Lily plays the part of the ghost, the more she starts to feel removed and doesn’t recognise herself. The reader sees her lose her grip on reality, questioning if she is truly dead or if it is just a performance. The two quickly become blurred as you too also begin to feel hazy about what is real and what isn’t. It’s enough to drive anyone mad and Black has captured this loss of control perfectly. Pushing the reader to the edge to look directly in the face of death and challenging it’s existence.
The women in the Victorian age had little say in matters and were often seen and not heard. In contrast, the women are the heart of this story, strong and brave. They support and look out for each other. For example Faye has always lived in her brother’s shadow and is presented as your average governess at first glance, a character in the background. What Black does with her is brilliant as we soon learn there is far more to her than meets the eye. Her story itself is just as tragic and sad as Lily’s, it broke me. I was a mess. I was in complete shock and awe at her inner strength. Very cleverly written, there is a lot of mysteries and unexpected events to surprise the reader.
Black voices sensitive topics such as rape, suicide and mental illness delicately and with care while still portraying a realistic view on them given the time. The pain and heartache these women had to silently suffer while still putting on a pretence that everything was fine is heartbreaking and you will find yourself ugly crying at the truth of it all.
I give The Unforgetting By Rose Black a Four out of Five paw rating
This book entraps you, bewitches you and finally, releases you. Black beautifully immerses the reader into the streets of the19th Century. Her strong female characters bring inspiring power and admiration to being a woman in a time when they were often seen as ghosts, drifting through life quietly and invisible. But this story gives them a chance to speak freely and break society’s chains. It’s also haunting to read how obsession can make people do unthinkable things. How it can drive one into madness and onto a path of destruction.
January 10, 2020
WOW!
There is not a lot else I can articulate about this quite incredible story and how is it a debut novel, how?!
This is ,quite literally, an eleventh hour review after someone thought she was having a lovely day off, writing blog posts and dreaming inside the pages of books.
However, dear reader, this was sadly not to be as a bemused phonecall from my boss at 7.20 asking where I was (eating porridge and reading about Victorian music halls) led to me rushing into the hospital and working a full day shift.
It was pretty challenging dragging myself out of ghosts and limelight, to the world of bedpans and drug charts, but hey, we did it, go team nurses!
Anyhow, I digress, and the book is the thing which I want to talk to you about, so gather closer....
Ghosts-how can you live both a haunted life and yet haunt others whilst still living?
Sold by a man who gave her his name when he married her mother, but was never a father let alone a dad, Lily Bell is handed over to Erasmus 'Ras' Salt, Professor of Ghosts.
Lily tries to make the best of this situation as her dreams of an actress could yet be springboarded by Ras' intentions to use her as a living ghost in his stage show.
But even when the debt of her step father is paid off, how can she leave or start her own life when, technically, she is dead?
Thanks to an obituary, a death certificate signed by the man who sold her , and a gravestone with her name on, Lily is a living ghost. Tormented and chaperoned by Ras' sister Faye, she lives a nightmare existence where she is not allowed outside in daylight, and is confined to the backstage area of The Tivoli theatre.
Will she ever break free and who is genuinely on her side?
As things go from bad to worse, it appears that Lily is aspiring to invisibility....and her enquiries into her predecessors, the previosu 'ghosts' bring her ever closer to danger....
This complex and satisfying plot is played out against a brilliant sea side backdrop where Lily wants to be swept out of the life she has been cornered into, whilst every night her feet tread the mausoleum of the Tivoli, a grand dame theatre that has seen better days.
The short chapters give a feeling of urgency and intensity to the almost soporific, dreamlike feel of the narrative. So much is packed into a relatively short book, and that is becuase of the deftly handled multiple narrators-Lily, Ras, Faye and Ruth Bell, alongside occasional interludes from actor Tom Ames who is determined to track Lily down.
You have your heart in your mouth as the pages spin ever quickly through your fingers, waiting and hoping for rescue and retribution-I could not wait to rub home and dive into the world of ghosts again. The level of detail and historical scene setting is so sublime, that the atmosphere is difficult to shift.
At once, the reader feels like a ghost inhabiting the pages, haunting the narrative and watching over Lily from afar. This deserves to be a modern classic!
There is not a lot else I can articulate about this quite incredible story and how is it a debut novel, how?!
This is ,quite literally, an eleventh hour review after someone thought she was having a lovely day off, writing blog posts and dreaming inside the pages of books.
However, dear reader, this was sadly not to be as a bemused phonecall from my boss at 7.20 asking where I was (eating porridge and reading about Victorian music halls) led to me rushing into the hospital and working a full day shift.
It was pretty challenging dragging myself out of ghosts and limelight, to the world of bedpans and drug charts, but hey, we did it, go team nurses!
Anyhow, I digress, and the book is the thing which I want to talk to you about, so gather closer....
Ghosts-how can you live both a haunted life and yet haunt others whilst still living?
Sold by a man who gave her his name when he married her mother, but was never a father let alone a dad, Lily Bell is handed over to Erasmus 'Ras' Salt, Professor of Ghosts.
Lily tries to make the best of this situation as her dreams of an actress could yet be springboarded by Ras' intentions to use her as a living ghost in his stage show.
But even when the debt of her step father is paid off, how can she leave or start her own life when, technically, she is dead?
Thanks to an obituary, a death certificate signed by the man who sold her , and a gravestone with her name on, Lily is a living ghost. Tormented and chaperoned by Ras' sister Faye, she lives a nightmare existence where she is not allowed outside in daylight, and is confined to the backstage area of The Tivoli theatre.
Will she ever break free and who is genuinely on her side?
As things go from bad to worse, it appears that Lily is aspiring to invisibility....and her enquiries into her predecessors, the previosu 'ghosts' bring her ever closer to danger....
This complex and satisfying plot is played out against a brilliant sea side backdrop where Lily wants to be swept out of the life she has been cornered into, whilst every night her feet tread the mausoleum of the Tivoli, a grand dame theatre that has seen better days.
The short chapters give a feeling of urgency and intensity to the almost soporific, dreamlike feel of the narrative. So much is packed into a relatively short book, and that is becuase of the deftly handled multiple narrators-Lily, Ras, Faye and Ruth Bell, alongside occasional interludes from actor Tom Ames who is determined to track Lily down.
You have your heart in your mouth as the pages spin ever quickly through your fingers, waiting and hoping for rescue and retribution-I could not wait to rub home and dive into the world of ghosts again. The level of detail and historical scene setting is so sublime, that the atmosphere is difficult to shift.
At once, the reader feels like a ghost inhabiting the pages, haunting the narrative and watching over Lily from afar. This deserves to be a modern classic!
February 23, 2020
One morning young Lily Bell comes downstairs and hears the news that she has been sold by her step-father to the mysterious Erasmus Salt, a ghost professor. Despite her mother’s concerns, Lily has hopes this sudden, strange turn of events will be a springboard for her own aspirations. She has always nurtured dreams of becoming an actress, of performing on stage in front of an admiring audience and now such fantasies might just come to pass.
But Lily’s hopes are soon dashed because Erasmus Salt is no kindly professor wanting to make a starlet out of her. He is a ruthless man, intent on perfection, with no regard for the thoughts and feelings of others. His show will astound and mesmerise, Lily with play his ghost and the public will celebrate him for his achievements. When Lily comes across her own obituary in the paper and sees her very own tombstone in the graveyard, she realises the threat that hangs over her. She is entangled in a vicious web with little hope of escape.
I struggled to connect with Lily in the beginning but after a while I felt like I really got to know her, to understand her. She starts out believing that life is about to blossom for her, she will be a fine actress, collect admirers and fans with every performance, life will be bright and buzzing. Instead, she is cast in a role that swiftly robs her of any possibility and hope, which puts her in peril. Soon, everyone believes she is dead, even her own mother. Erasmus is a chilling character, cold and ruthless. He thinks his genius and ambition absolve him of any crime he commits. His sister, Faye, plays a big part in the story. She deceives herself, blindsides herself into believing her brother is good man but there is doubt festering away. And soon she realises the truth of all that he has done.
The Unforgetting is a chilling and engrossing book set in Victorian England that explores the glamour’s of fame, the dark corners of ambition and the price of love. I adored the writing, it’s nuanced and breath-taking, the characters are brilliantly brought to life and the story is a dark and delicious treat to devour over the cold Winter nights!
But Lily’s hopes are soon dashed because Erasmus Salt is no kindly professor wanting to make a starlet out of her. He is a ruthless man, intent on perfection, with no regard for the thoughts and feelings of others. His show will astound and mesmerise, Lily with play his ghost and the public will celebrate him for his achievements. When Lily comes across her own obituary in the paper and sees her very own tombstone in the graveyard, she realises the threat that hangs over her. She is entangled in a vicious web with little hope of escape.
I struggled to connect with Lily in the beginning but after a while I felt like I really got to know her, to understand her. She starts out believing that life is about to blossom for her, she will be a fine actress, collect admirers and fans with every performance, life will be bright and buzzing. Instead, she is cast in a role that swiftly robs her of any possibility and hope, which puts her in peril. Soon, everyone believes she is dead, even her own mother. Erasmus is a chilling character, cold and ruthless. He thinks his genius and ambition absolve him of any crime he commits. His sister, Faye, plays a big part in the story. She deceives herself, blindsides herself into believing her brother is good man but there is doubt festering away. And soon she realises the truth of all that he has done.
The Unforgetting is a chilling and engrossing book set in Victorian England that explores the glamour’s of fame, the dark corners of ambition and the price of love. I adored the writing, it’s nuanced and breath-taking, the characters are brilliantly brought to life and the story is a dark and delicious treat to devour over the cold Winter nights!
January 7, 2020
The Unforgetting by Rose Black is a mesmerising and chilling gothic thriller set against the atmospheric backdrop of Victorian London. It tells the story of Lily Bell, a young woman who is sold by her stepfather to a ‘Professor of Ghosts’ to settle a debt. She believes she is about to realise her long held dream of becoming an actress on the London stage, but unbeknownst to her the professor intends her to become his very own ghost, part of an elaborate illusion for a spellbound audience.
From the opening pages right up until the final page had been turned, this is a book that shocks, with twists and turns that will leave you breathless. The horror Lily feels at the situation she finds herself in is palpable, as she slowly comes to the devastating realisation that she is now a prisoner with no free will of her own. Alongside Lily’s tale is the story of Faye, the professor’s sister, whose life is about to become inextricably entwined with Lily’s. As the young actress begins to lose her grip on reality, both women are fighting their own inner demons, desperate to break free from the iron fist of Erasmus Salt who appears to have no redeemable qualities whatsoever.
The Unforgetting is a story that shines a spotlight on the dark side of Victorian England, an era where women had no say in their own lives, often having to rely on men for even the most basic of decisions. It deals with some difficult and upsetting subjects that do not always make for easy reading, but Lily and Faye do not only appear as victims. They show a resilience and strength of character that is nothing short of miraculous considering the inhumane treatment both receive from the terrifying Erasmus Salt.
Rose Black has written a mesmerising and chilling gothic tale of obsession and illusion. Her writing is beautiful, with a clever and intricate plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. The character development of both Lily and Faye is what makes this book so readable, each woman somehow managing to rise up from the ashes of the horrific lives they have been forced to lead.
The Unforgetting is a haunting tale that I would highly recommend and is a fantastic read to begin the new year with.
From the opening pages right up until the final page had been turned, this is a book that shocks, with twists and turns that will leave you breathless. The horror Lily feels at the situation she finds herself in is palpable, as she slowly comes to the devastating realisation that she is now a prisoner with no free will of her own. Alongside Lily’s tale is the story of Faye, the professor’s sister, whose life is about to become inextricably entwined with Lily’s. As the young actress begins to lose her grip on reality, both women are fighting their own inner demons, desperate to break free from the iron fist of Erasmus Salt who appears to have no redeemable qualities whatsoever.
The Unforgetting is a story that shines a spotlight on the dark side of Victorian England, an era where women had no say in their own lives, often having to rely on men for even the most basic of decisions. It deals with some difficult and upsetting subjects that do not always make for easy reading, but Lily and Faye do not only appear as victims. They show a resilience and strength of character that is nothing short of miraculous considering the inhumane treatment both receive from the terrifying Erasmus Salt.
Rose Black has written a mesmerising and chilling gothic tale of obsession and illusion. Her writing is beautiful, with a clever and intricate plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. The character development of both Lily and Faye is what makes this book so readable, each woman somehow managing to rise up from the ashes of the horrific lives they have been forced to lead.
The Unforgetting is a haunting tale that I would highly recommend and is a fantastic read to begin the new year with.
January 7, 2020
Our first review of 2020 and we start with a bang and not a whimper with Rose Black’s highly readable The Unforgetting. Set in Victorian England, the book pays more than a nod to classic Gothic literature.
At its centre is protagonist Lily Bell who dreams of a sparkling career on the London stage. When her father sells her to a professor of ghosts, Lily believes her dreams are about to be realised, but the truth is much darker and far more sinister. The professor wants to create the ultimate illusion and Lily is integral to it, her identity, sense of self and life soon eradicated in his quest to create his ‘ghost’.
From the very first pages, Black’s novel grabs our attention, drawing us into a beautifully evoked, sensory world. Through her well-woven, well-paced story, Black explores several important themes – identity, the position of women in a society in which they are disempowered, the Victorian fascination with death and spirituality, among them.
The Unforgetting is a well-written novel that holds our interest right until the very end. And that’s what good writing is all about, isn’t it? Engaging our imaginations, carrying us away from our realities, as we watch, enthralled, as the drama unfolds. The Unforgetting certainly does all that.
Highly recommended.
See: http://www.theliteraryshed.co.uk/read...
This review was written as part of the book's virtual book tour. Thanks so the publisher for sending a book proof. All opinions are our own; all rights reserved, 2020.
At its centre is protagonist Lily Bell who dreams of a sparkling career on the London stage. When her father sells her to a professor of ghosts, Lily believes her dreams are about to be realised, but the truth is much darker and far more sinister. The professor wants to create the ultimate illusion and Lily is integral to it, her identity, sense of self and life soon eradicated in his quest to create his ‘ghost’.
From the very first pages, Black’s novel grabs our attention, drawing us into a beautifully evoked, sensory world. Through her well-woven, well-paced story, Black explores several important themes – identity, the position of women in a society in which they are disempowered, the Victorian fascination with death and spirituality, among them.
The Unforgetting is a well-written novel that holds our interest right until the very end. And that’s what good writing is all about, isn’t it? Engaging our imaginations, carrying us away from our realities, as we watch, enthralled, as the drama unfolds. The Unforgetting certainly does all that.
Highly recommended.
See: http://www.theliteraryshed.co.uk/read...
This review was written as part of the book's virtual book tour. Thanks so the publisher for sending a book proof. All opinions are our own; all rights reserved, 2020.
October 19, 2021
Lily is "sold" to Professor Erasmus Salt, thinking it is the start of her acting career. However, Salt, merely wants her to be his "ghost" and create an illusion of bringing the dead back. When she discovers her own headstone and obituary, she realises that Salt is obsessed and not just with the illusion, but with bringing back a real ghost. She has to grow up from her sheltered existence and fight for her life and everything she loves.
I'm not sure why this hasn't been rated higher! A thoroughly enjoyable historical fiction with all the right elements. A dastardly, delusional, menacing villain and his morally inept sidekick; two female leads, one young and naive and the other older and beaten down who both grow into their strengths; a somewhat stereotypically handsome secondary male hero; and a very twisty chase. It does not have any supernatural elements, but is more of a thriller.
I'm not sure why this hasn't been rated higher! A thoroughly enjoyable historical fiction with all the right elements. A dastardly, delusional, menacing villain and his morally inept sidekick; two female leads, one young and naive and the other older and beaten down who both grow into their strengths; a somewhat stereotypically handsome secondary male hero; and a very twisty chase. It does not have any supernatural elements, but is more of a thriller.
February 11, 2024
Easy undemanding read of a girl who is sold by her step father to an illusionist who uses mirrors to conjure up a ghost on stage. He becomes obsessed with Lily, even publicly announcing her death and providing a gravestone for her and making her walk around veiled so no one will recognize her so his show is more believable. This appears to be tied to a childhood trauma where his mother « disappeared » and he believes he is getting closer to being able to call back the dead. However this plotline is not really developed, neither is the one regarding his mother. Also while he is obsessed with Lily being a ghost this doesn’t stop him from raping her resulting in a baby which he also incorporates into his show. There is a side plot involving his sister who also had an illegitimate child whom she gave up for adoption so she is sympathetic towards Lily. There is a love interest in the shape of an actor who played lily’s grieving husband on stage and who ultimately « saves » her. An entertaining enough story for a rainy day but not as scary as you would imagine from the blurb.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2022
The early stages of this book are definitely not for the faint of heart or easily disturbed. The early parts are deeply disturbing and twisted, as is its intent, given the circumstances in which poor Lily Bell has found herself. The author did a fantastic job at making me feel creeped out, uncomfortable, and disturbed, wondering how a situation could possibly work out.
To my relief, this did not remain the case for the entire novel. Once the scene is set, as it were, the story levels out into a steadier, calmer pace as Lily now begins to find her way out of the situation and on to the rest of the plot. As this happened, I began to respect Lily's perseverance and strength as she began to reclaim what she lost.
I ranked it at three stars because the beginning parts of the book are, for me, deeply disturbing and I did find myself hesitant to keep reading as I didn't want to see Lily become more trapped than she was, but I am glad I finished.
To my relief, this did not remain the case for the entire novel. Once the scene is set, as it were, the story levels out into a steadier, calmer pace as Lily now begins to find her way out of the situation and on to the rest of the plot. As this happened, I began to respect Lily's perseverance and strength as she began to reclaim what she lost.
I ranked it at three stars because the beginning parts of the book are, for me, deeply disturbing and I did find myself hesitant to keep reading as I didn't want to see Lily become more trapped than she was, but I am glad I finished.
February 13, 2022
This for me was really 3.5 stars but that wasn't an option so I've rounded up. I found this book quite sorrowful. Lily is persuaded to take up the position of a ghost for Erasmus to resolve family debts. She always wanted to be an actress but this isn't quite the role she hoped for. Erasmus has darker intentions of actually turning Lily into a real ghost, which gives the story a darker element. I enjoyed the story and the different elements and turns in the story that all draw together at the end. However, parts of the plot aren't developed enough to make some of this story plausible. I struggled with the character of Faye and found her to be a bystander to her brothers unlawful and immoral actions. However, I did find the characters of Lily and Erasmus were developed enough to enjoy the book.
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