The Doll Factory
Books | Fiction / Literary
3.7
(65)
Elizabeth Macneal
The #1 international bestseller and The New York Times Editor’s Choice “As lush as the novels of Kate Morton and Diane Setterfield, as exciting as The Alienist and Iain Pears’ An Instance of the Fingerpost, this exquisite literary thriller will intrigue book clubs and rivet fans of historical fiction.” —A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window “A lush, evocative Gothic.” —The New York Times Book Review “This terrifically exciting novel will jolt, thrill, and bewitch readers.” —Booklist, starred review Obsession is an art. In this “sharp, scary, gorgeously evocative tale of love, art, and obsession” (Paula Hawkins, bestselling author of The Girl on the Train), a beautiful young woman aspires to be an artist, while a man’s dark obsession may destroy her world forever.Obsession is an art. In 1850s London, the Great Exhibition is being erected in Hyde Park and, among the crowd watching the dazzling spectacle, two people meet by happenstance. For Iris, an arrestingly attractive aspiring artist, it is a brief and forgettable moment. But for Silas, a curiosity collector enchanted by all things strange and beautiful, the meeting marks a new beginning. When Iris is asked to model for Pre-Raphaelite artist Louis Frost, she agrees on the condition that he will also teach her to paint. Suddenly, her world begins to expand beyond her wildest dreams—but she has no idea that evil is waiting in the shadows. Silas has only thought of one thing since that chance meeting, and his obsession is darkening by the day. “A lush, evocative Gothic” (The New York Times Book Review) that is “a perfect blend of froth and substance” (The Washington Post), The Doll Factory will haunt you long after you finish it and is perfect for fans of The Alienist, Drood, and Fingersmith.
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More Details:
Author
Elizabeth Macneal
Pages
368
Publisher
Simon and Schuster
Published Date
2019-08-13
ISBN
1982106786 9781982106782
Community ReviewsSee all
"4.5 stars <br/><br/>I really, really enjoyed this book. This story takes place in the background of Prince Albert’s “Great Exhibition”. Iris is a doll maker’s apprentice who dreams of fulfilling her dream of becoming a world-renowned painter. Iris was such a great feminist example of her time in this gothic/Victorian thriller. It then follows Silas, who is a mentally unhinged taxidermist who becomes obsessed with Iris after meeting her only once. I also loved the perspective of Albie, who is a street urchin who brings Silas dead animals for his taxidermy shop, but inadvertently introduces Silas to his newest obsession (Iris). This book really hooked me from the first page onwards and it was both really lyrically written as well as bone chillingly creepy and dark. It left me reeling at points and I could not wait to find out the ending. <br/><br/>The only thing I wish was different was Iris’ sister Rose. There was a lot left for the reader to fill in about what happened with her when Iris leaves to become a painter’s model. I felt like there could have been more development with her character cause her perspective would have added a little bit more depth to the story. <br/><br/>"
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Erin Smith
"The author writes the time period beautifully! It’s well written and builds up slowly. "
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Jessica Williams
"I am currently reading “left to Chance” great book started yesterday, will finish today, I can’t put it down"
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Stacey Newport