Status Updates From The Poison Thread

‘Pa went to his studio for a penknife…’ A penknife, to perform a Caesarean. Why not try a butterknife, while you are at it?

‘For myself, I belong to the Roman Catholic Church. If I am ashamed of any thought, I confess it to the priest and ask him to absolve me.’

Like with much else in the book, that is a strange statement: a Catholic with a peculiar understanding of penance is explaining confession to an Anglican, as if that is a foreign concept for the latter.

Ruth’s inner voice is constantly affectatious, which may be somewhat true for a thirteen-year-old, but her opinions and statements do not seem to be in contradiction with reality, which makes for a strange reality.

The language and attitudes make about as much sense as a family with both parents employed, yet struggling for money; or Victorians surprised by the possibility of a second child; or Ruth not rejoicing at the idea of not going back to school. Very little holds together, which is a poor premise for a crime novel with suggestions of the supernatural. (2/2)

'If I am honest, it is because we need you to earn a wage. Full time.'

It was here that I had to stop reading The Corset the first time I attempted. The concept of full-time work is an anachronistic one; furthermore, any legislation would normally be aimed at limiting excesses and apply to factory or mine work, with Ruth employed at neither. (1/2)