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The Photographer
When tragedy strikes, photographer Charles Franklin turns his back on family portraiture and descends into the macabre world of post-mortem photography. Initially repulsed by this new work, he soon discovers an artistry within it that inspires him, but he becomes alienated from his community, until a 7-year old girl offers a chance for redemption.
259 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 23, 2022
It’s 1863 & Charles Franklin is attempting to carve out a career as a photographer. A laborious task in those days, requiring subjects to keep perfectly still for a lengthy time is no mean feat. But when tragedy strikes, Charles turns his back on family portraiture & instead turns his sights on more still subjects - the dead. As he enters the world of post-mortem photography Charles at first finds the process difficult. But with the help and sage advice of the very down to earth Bates, Charles slowly grows used to this somewhat macabre change in career. It suits him well - the reclusive & grim nature of the job fits perfectly with his own melancholic personality.
Life continues in this way until a knock at Charles’ door changes everything in a heartbeat. His emotions are churned up and spat out as he rethinks everything that was once important.
Oh I loved EVERYTHING about this book! The setting, the subject, the characters. Everything was riveting - I’ve heard a bit about post mortem photography but not much; this provided so much more detail and I was absolutely fascinated by it all. I even had to Google it; the photos I saw made my heart break. Mothers with sleeping babies & children, desperately capturing a snapshot of their time together. Death was a lot more common place back then, but the grief was clearly the same. Then there were the characters; I loved Charles, he came across as honest and troubled and grief stricken. Yet as his story unfolded I could see even more facets to his personality. I also loved the contrast between him and Bates, they were a great pair. In fact every character in this book added something to the story.
I’ve held onto this one for a while. I wanted to keep it for the spooky season and let me tell you it was the perfect read. Exceptionally well written and researched, with a brilliant plot, it’s a book I won’t forget in a hurry.
Life continues in this way until a knock at Charles’ door changes everything in a heartbeat. His emotions are churned up and spat out as he rethinks everything that was once important.
Oh I loved EVERYTHING about this book! The setting, the subject, the characters. Everything was riveting - I’ve heard a bit about post mortem photography but not much; this provided so much more detail and I was absolutely fascinated by it all. I even had to Google it; the photos I saw made my heart break. Mothers with sleeping babies & children, desperately capturing a snapshot of their time together. Death was a lot more common place back then, but the grief was clearly the same. Then there were the characters; I loved Charles, he came across as honest and troubled and grief stricken. Yet as his story unfolded I could see even more facets to his personality. I also loved the contrast between him and Bates, they were a great pair. In fact every character in this book added something to the story.
I’ve held onto this one for a while. I wanted to keep it for the spooky season and let me tell you it was the perfect read. Exceptionally well written and researched, with a brilliant plot, it’s a book I won’t forget in a hurry.
May 22, 2022
Firstly I wish to thank the lovely folk at Marrotte Books for sending me a copy of this brilliant book with a request for an open and honest review.
The premise of this book and its story really appealed to me. Post-Mortem photography has always fascinated me. The idea of a family often only being able to afford a photographer to take a picture of a family member after their passing and then the resulting photographs being kept as a keepsake and reminder of the departed family member.
Often, in Victorian photography, the sitters had to stay still for such a long time waiting for the exposure of the chemicals used to capture the images that the eventual picture was slightly out of focus because the sitter had moved as the living human body naturally does in life.
In Post-Mortem photography however… The subjects are no longer alive and are therefore completely still and the resulting photos are crystal clear and in perfect focus.
The book is set in the 1860s and tells the story of a young man who is a talented photographer. He is recently married and has also found out he is to become a father. His life is good.
Until one awful day when he loses his wife and their child. He then begins a new chapter in his life as a photographer… He begins photographing the deceased in a bid to assist their grieving loved ones. He spirals into a life of death and hopelessness.
He appears saved when, one day, a young girl shows up at on his doorstep… Giving him purpose in life again.
A truly beautifully written book with a story that is gripping, intense and endlessly fascinating.
A true page turner of a novel!
The book has clearly had a lot of research put into it. The characters feel real and the background setting of Victorian England feels true and immersive.
A book that I would and most definitely will recommend to friends and family and anyone else who care to listen to my bookish chat.
The premise of this book and its story really appealed to me. Post-Mortem photography has always fascinated me. The idea of a family often only being able to afford a photographer to take a picture of a family member after their passing and then the resulting photographs being kept as a keepsake and reminder of the departed family member.
Often, in Victorian photography, the sitters had to stay still for such a long time waiting for the exposure of the chemicals used to capture the images that the eventual picture was slightly out of focus because the sitter had moved as the living human body naturally does in life.
In Post-Mortem photography however… The subjects are no longer alive and are therefore completely still and the resulting photos are crystal clear and in perfect focus.
The book is set in the 1860s and tells the story of a young man who is a talented photographer. He is recently married and has also found out he is to become a father. His life is good.
Until one awful day when he loses his wife and their child. He then begins a new chapter in his life as a photographer… He begins photographing the deceased in a bid to assist their grieving loved ones. He spirals into a life of death and hopelessness.
He appears saved when, one day, a young girl shows up at on his doorstep… Giving him purpose in life again.
A truly beautifully written book with a story that is gripping, intense and endlessly fascinating.
A true page turner of a novel!
The book has clearly had a lot of research put into it. The characters feel real and the background setting of Victorian England feels true and immersive.
A book that I would and most definitely will recommend to friends and family and anyone else who care to listen to my bookish chat.
March 13, 2025
‘The dead can live again.’
Charles is an aspiring family photographer but after tragedy strikes and the love of his life Percy dies, he turns his back on it all. Then he is offered a job he finds himself in the macabre world of post-mortem photography.
I've wanted to read this for so long and I'm so glad I finally picked it up. If you are intrigued by Victorian post-mortem photography this is a read for you. A story of love, grief and friendship.
The details the author included of how the photographs were taken and the setting up of it all were fascinating. I'd love to read more by this author but it seems this is the only book they have written so far.
Charles is an aspiring family photographer but after tragedy strikes and the love of his life Percy dies, he turns his back on it all. Then he is offered a job he finds himself in the macabre world of post-mortem photography.
I've wanted to read this for so long and I'm so glad I finally picked it up. If you are intrigued by Victorian post-mortem photography this is a read for you. A story of love, grief and friendship.
The details the author included of how the photographs were taken and the setting up of it all were fascinating. I'd love to read more by this author but it seems this is the only book they have written so far.
May 26, 2022
This brilliant book is set in Victorian times, one of the time periods I most enjoy. It has now become one of my favourite reads of the year so far, it was amazing!
I have always been fascinated about the idea of post mortem photography. This was when a photographer was hired to take a photo of a loved one who had passed away to keep as a memory to a family. It seems very morbid in these modern times but it was a normal thing for the Victorians. It was a way of them commemorating the dead and helping them deal with their grief.
Grief is the main theme to this book. The main character called Charles loses his wife and he goes from being a happy, contented person to the complete opposite. The author explores Charles feelings intricately, it is very touching to read.
The writing is stunning - raw, powerful and poignant. It has a sad, eerie kind of vibe to it which you would expect with this topic. I had a few tears in my eyes, but not just because of sadness, there are some beautiful moments that are captured between Charles and a little girl who enters into his life that will give you all the feels.
If you like dark, historical fiction with fantastic character progression, this is the book for you. I adored it!
I have always been fascinated about the idea of post mortem photography. This was when a photographer was hired to take a photo of a loved one who had passed away to keep as a memory to a family. It seems very morbid in these modern times but it was a normal thing for the Victorians. It was a way of them commemorating the dead and helping them deal with their grief.
Grief is the main theme to this book. The main character called Charles loses his wife and he goes from being a happy, contented person to the complete opposite. The author explores Charles feelings intricately, it is very touching to read.
The writing is stunning - raw, powerful and poignant. It has a sad, eerie kind of vibe to it which you would expect with this topic. I had a few tears in my eyes, but not just because of sadness, there are some beautiful moments that are captured between Charles and a little girl who enters into his life that will give you all the feels.
If you like dark, historical fiction with fantastic character progression, this is the book for you. I adored it!
June 28, 2022
A melancholy tale of woe, the experiences of a man coping with extreme loss and how he manages to survive and to live again. Living does not only entail surviving, but allowing others to contribute to the events of your life in all ways possible. I was just really depressed reading this to be honest (good depressed, more melancholy), but it shaped up to be a good read.
December 31, 2022
“it fits her as badly as the role of father does me, but perhaps one day we shall both grow into that which we inhabit”
crying
crying
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2023
⭐️ 4 ⭐️
April 23, 2023
I don't think I've ever read a book I bought physically from a bookshop with so many errors in it -- dubious grammar, outright missed words and two chapters numbered as 22 -- but all that can be overlooked if the underlying story is good.
Unfortunately, that isn't the case here. I do think Blake could have written a wonderful non-fiction work on Victorian photography and death photography: all the passages explaining the process were (often morbidly!) fascinating, and while I'm no expert myself, they seemed convincingly meticulously researched to me. Conversely, some of the Victorian details felt heavy-handed.
The problems came with the story itself loosely hung around the idea of death photography. The pacing is very skewed, with very little happening in the first 100+ pages as the protagonist loses any motivation following the death of his wife. While potentially a realistic response to grief for some people, compelling reading it doesn't make, as our protagonist drifts aimlessly -- until suddenly
The only conceivable reason for that is to lead to the introduction of 'dear saintly child, Aggie'.
Which brings us to the second half of the book, which is as poorly paced and oddly motivated as the first. Now, we have a rabid uncle determined to reclaim his niece... and beat up an entire village to do so. The tone becomes one of 'survival drama', rather than the introspection of the first half, or the formulaic romance with the bakery girl of the second.
Not to worry, our protagonist and the little girl escape with their lives --
Female characters are treated poorly: Charles' wife, Percy, is doomed from the moment we see her, which is perhaps understandable, though her death is entirely intended to set up the rest of his, story, such that it is. Orpha dies purely to motivate Charles
Aggie herself is something of a stereotype of 'adorable, innocent, inspiring child'.
Various characters appear, like Percy's parents or Charles' colleague's enemies, and are never seen again. Even the selling point that he's a death photographer has little bearing on the plot beyond unsubtly showing us how uninterested in living he's become.
The rushed end doesn't explore if he plans to remain a death photographer.
Still, there are some beautiful lines and the occasional beautiful scene -- springs to mind.
Unfortunately, they never resolve into a coherent whole and the brilliant idea of a novel about a death photographer feels sadly squandered.
Unfortunately, that isn't the case here. I do think Blake could have written a wonderful non-fiction work on Victorian photography and death photography: all the passages explaining the process were (often morbidly!) fascinating, and while I'm no expert myself, they seemed convincingly meticulously researched to me. Conversely, some of the Victorian details felt heavy-handed.
The problems came with the story itself loosely hung around the idea of death photography. The pacing is very skewed, with very little happening in the first 100+ pages as the protagonist loses any motivation following the death of his wife. While potentially a realistic response to grief for some people, compelling reading it doesn't make, as our protagonist drifts aimlessly -- until suddenly
The only conceivable reason for that is to lead to the introduction of 'dear saintly child, Aggie'.
Which brings us to the second half of the book, which is as poorly paced and oddly motivated as the first. Now, we have a rabid uncle determined to reclaim his niece... and beat up an entire village to do so. The tone becomes one of 'survival drama', rather than the introspection of the first half, or the formulaic romance with the bakery girl of the second.
Not to worry, our protagonist and the little girl escape with their lives --
Female characters are treated poorly: Charles' wife, Percy, is doomed from the moment we see her, which is perhaps understandable, though her death is entirely intended to set up the rest of his, story, such that it is. Orpha dies purely to motivate Charles
Aggie herself is something of a stereotype of 'adorable, innocent, inspiring child'.
Various characters appear, like Percy's parents or Charles' colleague's enemies, and are never seen again. Even the selling point that he's a death photographer has little bearing on the plot beyond unsubtly showing us how uninterested in living he's become.
The rushed end doesn't explore if he plans to remain a death photographer.
Still, there are some beautiful lines and the occasional beautiful scene -- springs to mind.
Unfortunately, they never resolve into a coherent whole and the brilliant idea of a novel about a death photographer feels sadly squandered.
September 27, 2022
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this book, it was immersive and haunting and it was very easy to let yourself fall into this story and the Victorian setting. The topic of photographing the dead was very interesting and something I'd never heard of before. The author really did a great job of portraying grief and the theme of merging life and death, creating a crossing, a connection between those two spheres was really fascinating to read about. This is definetly a character driven book and mostly focuses on the psychological and emotional development of the protagonist, so if you're into plot driven stories this might not be the book for you. The language was very lyrical and full of imagery that helped illustrate the mood of the protagonist and was really what carried this book for me. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and it was a good book to read in autumn.
May 30, 2022
I love historical fiction but haven’t read as much as wanted to this year. This story has definitely reignited my need to read more historical fiction.
1863 and Charles Franklin is a family portrait photographer (usually getting frustrated at the wriggling babies who won’t sit still). When tragedy strikes, Charles can’t face the ‘living’ and enters the world of Post Mortem photography and becomes known as the ‘Death Photographer’
Charles world is turned upside down when a seven year old girl named Aggie turns up at his door, dropped off by a coachman. Can Aggie soften Charles heart?
I found this story absolutely fascinating. I had heard of post mortem photography in the Victorian times before but didn’t know anything about it. Although it seems morbid, taking a final photo of their loved ones helped families commemorate the dead as sometimes this would be the only photo they had of someone.
The author has clearly done his research and the Victorian setting felt so real. I really liked Charles, he was a gentleman (most of the time) and had standards and values that were important to him. Bates who Charles works with are like chalk and cheese but I enjoyed the camaraderie between them.
I don’t know what it is but I always feel any Victorian story has an eerie vibe to it and this is no exception due to the nature of the story. The author has captured the sense of love, loss, grief and redemption perfectly and there were a couple of times I had a few tears including the conclusion!
I haven’t read anything like this before and was completely enthralled. A brilliant debut that is dark, compelling and brilliantly executed that could just be on my top books of 2022
1863 and Charles Franklin is a family portrait photographer (usually getting frustrated at the wriggling babies who won’t sit still). When tragedy strikes, Charles can’t face the ‘living’ and enters the world of Post Mortem photography and becomes known as the ‘Death Photographer’
Charles world is turned upside down when a seven year old girl named Aggie turns up at his door, dropped off by a coachman. Can Aggie soften Charles heart?
I found this story absolutely fascinating. I had heard of post mortem photography in the Victorian times before but didn’t know anything about it. Although it seems morbid, taking a final photo of their loved ones helped families commemorate the dead as sometimes this would be the only photo they had of someone.
The author has clearly done his research and the Victorian setting felt so real. I really liked Charles, he was a gentleman (most of the time) and had standards and values that were important to him. Bates who Charles works with are like chalk and cheese but I enjoyed the camaraderie between them.
I don’t know what it is but I always feel any Victorian story has an eerie vibe to it and this is no exception due to the nature of the story. The author has captured the sense of love, loss, grief and redemption perfectly and there were a couple of times I had a few tears including the conclusion!
I haven’t read anything like this before and was completely enthralled. A brilliant debut that is dark, compelling and brilliantly executed that could just be on my top books of 2022
October 19, 2023
this was so beautiful, i didn’t write a review at the time of writing, not sure why. but im writing it now, in october, because i still look back on this book with fondness.
i would never have usually gone for a book with this sort of plot, but i was drawn in by the aesthetic of the cover, the time period and the subject matter. the feeling of hopelessness is conveyed so beautifully and i related to it a lot. i almost found myself wanting a tragic ending, for it to just end miserably in the middle, as it felt inevitable. i fell into that hopeless void with the main character.
when things turned around for him, i felt such a warmth in my heart, as he did too. all of it was just so lovely. i don’t think i cried when i read it, but thinking back on it now i honestly might.
i can’t recommend this book enough. it’s about healing from the darkest of depressions, finding new joy and being brave enough to let it into your life. it really meant a lot to me. i recommended it to my neighbour and she introduced it to her weekly book club. i heard back from her that they all loved it, too. i want more people to experience this book!!!!!
i would never have usually gone for a book with this sort of plot, but i was drawn in by the aesthetic of the cover, the time period and the subject matter. the feeling of hopelessness is conveyed so beautifully and i related to it a lot. i almost found myself wanting a tragic ending, for it to just end miserably in the middle, as it felt inevitable. i fell into that hopeless void with the main character.
when things turned around for him, i felt such a warmth in my heart, as he did too. all of it was just so lovely. i don’t think i cried when i read it, but thinking back on it now i honestly might.
i can’t recommend this book enough. it’s about healing from the darkest of depressions, finding new joy and being brave enough to let it into your life. it really meant a lot to me. i recommended it to my neighbour and she introduced it to her weekly book club. i heard back from her that they all loved it, too. i want more people to experience this book!!!!!
August 11, 2023
This book is a hidden gem. I have no memory of how I found it or why I bought it but I am so glad and grateful I did because I’ve read it twice and both times have been a thorough whirlwind of an experience.
It is a deeply melancholic but also wildly uplifting story with many curveballs and plot twists at the end especially.
The depiction of grief is so deeply and gently pure and I love how it shows the slow tainting of this grief by human nature overtime through the protagonist’s journey into the world of Victorian death photography.
I think it’s a great read for anyone since it has a bit of everything for all; there’s romance and drama and suspense and emotion and I personally just really like it.
A drawback of the photographer is definitely that most of the action is pretty definitely concentrated towards the end of the book so some might find it a bit of a bore to get to those bits? You also definitely need to READ THE EPILOGUE if you get to the end it is essential.
It is a deeply melancholic but also wildly uplifting story with many curveballs and plot twists at the end especially.
The depiction of grief is so deeply and gently pure and I love how it shows the slow tainting of this grief by human nature overtime through the protagonist’s journey into the world of Victorian death photography.
I think it’s a great read for anyone since it has a bit of everything for all; there’s romance and drama and suspense and emotion and I personally just really like it.
A drawback of the photographer is definitely that most of the action is pretty definitely concentrated towards the end of the book so some might find it a bit of a bore to get to those bits? You also definitely need to READ THE EPILOGUE if you get to the end it is essential.
April 13, 2024
If you’re interested in Victorian photography, in a climate of puritanical weirdness and a plethora of superstition then you’ll find this book fascinating. It creates the perfect fertiliser for this macabre, yet invaluable story. Be warned however, it is unusually disturbing in parts, (and that from someone who delighted in Fowles’ ‘The Collector’ and Süskind’s ‘Perfume’).
It’s skilfully written, though the proof-reader (if there was one) should be shot for the multitude of typos and formatting errors. That said, the author writes with a gifted, inventive style that suits the subject well, so much so, that some of the more ghoulish images are a little too vivid for those easily haunted.
I thought the story was well constructed, initially touching on the emotional detachment shown by fairground sideshows of the time, and their exploitation of those with physical anomalies. The light-hearted playfulness of the beginning is seeded with subtle omens, which creates the perfect contrast to the darkness that floods in as the protagonist’s world transforms through the eyes of grief.
Though feelings of disassociation and detachment are normal in bereavement, they’re also characteristics associated with psychopaths. The writer cleverly makes us question the boundaries of our own empathy in some pretty grotesque line-crossing.
Despite being deeply disturbing at times, The Photographer by E.S Blake makes for a fascinating read that is both bittersweet and touching. You may be left feeling ambivalent about Charles Franklin but either way, this book delves unflinchingly into the darkest depths of the psyche as well as the heart.
It’s skilfully written, though the proof-reader (if there was one) should be shot for the multitude of typos and formatting errors. That said, the author writes with a gifted, inventive style that suits the subject well, so much so, that some of the more ghoulish images are a little too vivid for those easily haunted.
I thought the story was well constructed, initially touching on the emotional detachment shown by fairground sideshows of the time, and their exploitation of those with physical anomalies. The light-hearted playfulness of the beginning is seeded with subtle omens, which creates the perfect contrast to the darkness that floods in as the protagonist’s world transforms through the eyes of grief.
Though feelings of disassociation and detachment are normal in bereavement, they’re also characteristics associated with psychopaths. The writer cleverly makes us question the boundaries of our own empathy in some pretty grotesque line-crossing.
Despite being deeply disturbing at times, The Photographer by E.S Blake makes for a fascinating read that is both bittersweet and touching. You may be left feeling ambivalent about Charles Franklin but either way, this book delves unflinchingly into the darkest depths of the psyche as well as the heart.
April 11, 2022
4.5 stars to this fascinating piece of historical fiction.
The Photographer really captured my attention.
Unique with both its storyline and approach.
Charles Franklin is a talented photographer but his love of the job is compromised when he tragically loses his wife and unborn child on the same day.
Some time later he is introduced to Bates, a fellow photographer, who shows Charles a different type of photography. He essentially brings the dead back to life. It is a service that living relatives choose to use.
As the tale progresses Charles becomes a talented 'death photographer' but this only covers up the sadness that he continues to feel since losing his family.
I'll admit, I didn't know this sort of thing existed, and I don't understand the appeal but I researched it after reading the book and although morbid, it was rather popular in Victorian times.
I got the sense when reading that this was well researched. The imagery portrayed was certainly fascinating even if it was also rather creepy.
The story itself is more one of redemption and I enjoyed seeing the growth of Charles as a character after facing such devastation during his life.
Many emotions are dealt with over the pages and for me they felt very real. I honestly don't know how I'd cope going through what he had to endure.
The Photographer is a clever and haunting piece of fiction.
The Photographer really captured my attention.
Unique with both its storyline and approach.
Charles Franklin is a talented photographer but his love of the job is compromised when he tragically loses his wife and unborn child on the same day.
Some time later he is introduced to Bates, a fellow photographer, who shows Charles a different type of photography. He essentially brings the dead back to life. It is a service that living relatives choose to use.
As the tale progresses Charles becomes a talented 'death photographer' but this only covers up the sadness that he continues to feel since losing his family.
I'll admit, I didn't know this sort of thing existed, and I don't understand the appeal but I researched it after reading the book and although morbid, it was rather popular in Victorian times.
I got the sense when reading that this was well researched. The imagery portrayed was certainly fascinating even if it was also rather creepy.
The story itself is more one of redemption and I enjoyed seeing the growth of Charles as a character after facing such devastation during his life.
Many emotions are dealt with over the pages and for me they felt very real. I honestly don't know how I'd cope going through what he had to endure.
The Photographer is a clever and haunting piece of fiction.
April 8, 2022
Review The Photographer by E.S. Blake
Publication date: 26th May 2022
Very rarely, the first page of a book can capture my attention like this story! Being a photography enthusiast myself, there was an instant connection. First few lines explained the process of creating a negative and the detail involved, as a short window in which to capture life.
This debut novel begins in 1863, with Charles and his wife Percy, the love of his life. They have the perfect married life until tragedy strikes and takes her and their daughter forever. From that point on, Charles starts to live an alternative to life - one of death, loneliness and pain. Struggling to return to his usual routine, Charles decides not to photograph babies or happy families anymore!!
Introduced to Bates the Photographer, Charles is presented to a new way of photographing - not life but death instead...
The service provided to the living relatives is crucial but feels like a fake at the same time...Hope is fading and all seems lost and without meaning until one day, when Aggie (7 years old) shows up at his doorstep!!
Thank you so much to @marrotebooks for this #gifted review copy and the opportunity of reading and sharing this story!
Publication date: 26th May 2022
Very rarely, the first page of a book can capture my attention like this story! Being a photography enthusiast myself, there was an instant connection. First few lines explained the process of creating a negative and the detail involved, as a short window in which to capture life.
This debut novel begins in 1863, with Charles and his wife Percy, the love of his life. They have the perfect married life until tragedy strikes and takes her and their daughter forever. From that point on, Charles starts to live an alternative to life - one of death, loneliness and pain. Struggling to return to his usual routine, Charles decides not to photograph babies or happy families anymore!!
Introduced to Bates the Photographer, Charles is presented to a new way of photographing - not life but death instead...
The service provided to the living relatives is crucial but feels like a fake at the same time...Hope is fading and all seems lost and without meaning until one day, when Aggie (7 years old) shows up at his doorstep!!
Thank you so much to @marrotebooks for this #gifted review copy and the opportunity of reading and sharing this story!
July 1, 2022
Set in the 1860s, this novel tells the story of Charles Franklin, a gifted photographer who after the sudden and devastating death of his wife and unborn child, he delves into the dark world of post-mortem photography. His own life rapidly descending into a pit of death, despair and helplessness, Charles is given a second chance at life when a young girl with connections to his past turns up at his doorstep.
This novel was an intensely gripping read from the beginning and quite unlike most historical fiction books I have read before. It is clearly meticulously researched in the field of photography and especially post-mortem photography which gave a very real, very graphic insight into the darker side of Victorian living.
The prose is beautiful, raw and pulls you in. The theme of grief is depicted exquisitely and I felt so personally connected to Charles as he tries to process his heartbreaking situation.
The Photographer is a novel that will haunt you. The impact it leaves remains well after the final page has been read.
This novel was an intensely gripping read from the beginning and quite unlike most historical fiction books I have read before. It is clearly meticulously researched in the field of photography and especially post-mortem photography which gave a very real, very graphic insight into the darker side of Victorian living.
The prose is beautiful, raw and pulls you in. The theme of grief is depicted exquisitely and I felt so personally connected to Charles as he tries to process his heartbreaking situation.
The Photographer is a novel that will haunt you. The impact it leaves remains well after the final page has been read.
October 6, 2022
"Would you say you are a squeamish man, Charles?"
What a perfect book to read in October, a dark and macabre Victorian mystery that tells the tale of a photographer of the dead, a novel that has an atmosphere so thick, so cloying, that it's like a fog descends over the pages as you're reading it. Except, that's not the core of this novel, not really. This is a story about a broken man, it's a story that examines grief so intensely, it's impossible not to be moved by it.
The Photographer truly is a beautifully written novel, with prose so authentic and raw that at times, it actually felt devastating to keep reading. This story was enthralling, it was absorbing, and I couldn't bring myself to peel my eyes from the page, despite how much it hurt. What a powerful novel this is, and not at all what I expected when I picked it up.
"I close my eyes, waiting for the end, the end I realize I have been seeking all along. The only true freedom, the only true escape. The only reunion."
What a perfect book to read in October, a dark and macabre Victorian mystery that tells the tale of a photographer of the dead, a novel that has an atmosphere so thick, so cloying, that it's like a fog descends over the pages as you're reading it. Except, that's not the core of this novel, not really. This is a story about a broken man, it's a story that examines grief so intensely, it's impossible not to be moved by it.
The Photographer truly is a beautifully written novel, with prose so authentic and raw that at times, it actually felt devastating to keep reading. This story was enthralling, it was absorbing, and I couldn't bring myself to peel my eyes from the page, despite how much it hurt. What a powerful novel this is, and not at all what I expected when I picked it up.
"I close my eyes, waiting for the end, the end I realize I have been seeking all along. The only true freedom, the only true escape. The only reunion."
January 16, 2024
Oh? My?
I’m obsessed. Obsessed.
I think I’m begging to understand that 1) I love historical fiction and 2) specifically historical fiction set in Victorian London where there is an exploration of their fears and everyday lives with a touch of romance.
This book gave me everything I wanted.
Yes there were some shallow points in the plot and characters but considering this book is less than 300 pages long, I’m willing to overlook that.
The exploration of Victorian photography (specifically of dead people) and the morals and practices surrounding it was fascinating. It was so interesting and, in my opinion, covered up the fact that I wish some points of the plot had been extended, namely Percy’s previous marriage and parents and the rival photographers.
All things considered this was a wonderful book to get lost in and I would 1000000% recommend (to readers who enjoy Elizabeth MacNeal’s books)
I’m obsessed. Obsessed.
I think I’m begging to understand that 1) I love historical fiction and 2) specifically historical fiction set in Victorian London where there is an exploration of their fears and everyday lives with a touch of romance.
This book gave me everything I wanted.
Yes there were some shallow points in the plot and characters but considering this book is less than 300 pages long, I’m willing to overlook that.
The exploration of Victorian photography (specifically of dead people) and the morals and practices surrounding it was fascinating. It was so interesting and, in my opinion, covered up the fact that I wish some points of the plot had been extended, namely Percy’s previous marriage and parents and the rival photographers.
All things considered this was a wonderful book to get lost in and I would 1000000% recommend (to readers who enjoy Elizabeth MacNeal’s books)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2022
No spoilers.
This is a new historical fiction, and it made for a really nice read. Although it centres on and around the subject of death, which could have easily been really depressing, the author somehow turns this around to make the story uplifting and inspiring.
It had really nice gothic aspects to it, which to me were reminiscent of some of the classics of the 1800s.
I couldn’t quite give it 5 stars as I felt the plot was slightly stilted - I was a little confused with the trajectory of the plot in the first half but in the second half this really became clear and it was much more exciting. There were also a few typos which were missed in proofreading and took me out of the story a couple of times.
But overall, a great book and lovely story.
This is a new historical fiction, and it made for a really nice read. Although it centres on and around the subject of death, which could have easily been really depressing, the author somehow turns this around to make the story uplifting and inspiring.
It had really nice gothic aspects to it, which to me were reminiscent of some of the classics of the 1800s.
I couldn’t quite give it 5 stars as I felt the plot was slightly stilted - I was a little confused with the trajectory of the plot in the first half but in the second half this really became clear and it was much more exciting. There were also a few typos which were missed in proofreading and took me out of the story a couple of times.
But overall, a great book and lovely story.
August 29, 2022
Wow. An incredible book of two very different parts set in Victorian Britain. In the first part, we follow Charles Franklin -a photographer- who is overwhelmed by grief and consequently enters the world of post-mortem photography to be with the dead where he feels he belongs. In the second part, we experience hope, joy and a great deal of tension as Franklin finds himself and relearns how to live & love.
May 19, 2024
Unfortunately I only managed 20% of this book. The premise sounded good, and i was excited to read it, but it wasn't engaging. I think i was expecting more of a gothic style, in keeping with the topic.
The main character was not likeable and the dialogue and descriptions were awkward. After a few chapters i assumed they were in America from the words and phrases, but then they mentioned London. "What in tarnation?"
The main character was not likeable and the dialogue and descriptions were awkward. After a few chapters i assumed they were in America from the words and phrases, but then they mentioned London. "What in tarnation?"
June 26, 2023
Wow! What a rollercoaster of emotions this beautifully written tale of love, loss and rejoining the world takes you on!
You’ll need the Kleenex for this wonderful tale of a man who is destroyed by the grief of losing his beloved wife and child.
His grief becomes his world until a little girl arrives on his doorstep…… 🤧
You’ll need the Kleenex for this wonderful tale of a man who is destroyed by the grief of losing his beloved wife and child.
His grief becomes his world until a little girl arrives on his doorstep…… 🤧
June 19, 2022
I really enjoyed this. The bits about Victorian memorial photography were fascinating. The second half of the book was very ‘Goodnight Mr Tom’ and not the way I expected the story to go. An excellent read, though
August 25, 2022
fun historical fiction about an odd subject matter - was interesting nonetheless, and the subject matter was linked well with the protagonist's personal life. also takes a focus on grief, and how tremendous the role it plays is. nice book :)
August 30, 2022
The Photographer so far is within my favourite books.
Possibly as a photographer myself, I was instantly in love with the way the author, Blake, talks about technical practices and development of the photographs from the point of view of the leading character of this book.
The narrative focuses on very important questions and concerns raised by Charles which are a reflection of what existence can become to any of us going through such events.
What happens to the photographer is literally what the synopsis already spoils. No filter however, very enriched with beautiful descriptions, thoughtful gestures and a very meaningful message.
Overall I loved all of it.
Possibly as a photographer myself, I was instantly in love with the way the author, Blake, talks about technical practices and development of the photographs from the point of view of the leading character of this book.
The narrative focuses on very important questions and concerns raised by Charles which are a reflection of what existence can become to any of us going through such events.
What happens to the photographer is literally what the synopsis already spoils. No filter however, very enriched with beautiful descriptions, thoughtful gestures and a very meaningful message.
Overall I loved all of it.
February 3, 2024
Intriguing premise, but turgid and stiff. It's unclear whether the author thought to attempt mimicry of the worst of Victorian writing, or simply can't believe in the powers of direct and elegant prose.
April 28, 2025
When Charles suffers a loss, he joins Bates who takes photographs of the dead.
Set in the 1800s in London.
A freebie on Kindle Unlimited.
The story was good. It could have done with better editing. Nice to read something a little different.
Set in the 1800s in London.
A freebie on Kindle Unlimited.
The story was good. It could have done with better editing. Nice to read something a little different.
July 28, 2023
This was a good book and a quick read. It was slow to start but around midway it pulled up the rating! I would definitely recommend if you want to be taken back in time, in a more unusual way
April 20, 2024
I loved this. It starts off slow but soon I couldn’t put it down.
January 23, 2025
the photographer
This was such a great book I literally couldn’t put it down. Needless to say I’ve not had much sleep in the past week 😀
This was such a great book I literally couldn’t put it down. Needless to say I’ve not had much sleep in the past week 😀
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