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thecaptainsquarters 's review for:
Victorian Psycho
by Virginia Feito
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ahoy there me mateys! I have Matey Tammy to thank for this wonderful Gothic Horror delight. As she says "The nitty-gritty: A grim, bloody delight with pitch perfect black humor, Victorian Psycho will make you gasp and laugh in the same breath." I listened to the audiobook narrated by Anna Burnett and I basically smiled like a loon the whole time.
Aye, a loon I might be given that a book filled with blood and viciousness makes me chuckle. The story follows Winifred Notty, a governess, in Grim Wolds, England who works for the Pounds family. She is quite unusual given her eccentric nature, bluntness, and calm but creepy observations of the world. The story is told through Winifred's diary and it really works. Winifred's employers are awful. The children are despicable. Winifred's childhood is both heartbreaking and terrible. Truly, Winifred has a distinct voice and a distinct plan for Christmas. But it was her everyday observations that I loved:
Aye, a loon I might be given that a book filled with blood and viciousness makes me chuckle. The story follows Winifred Notty, a governess, in Grim Wolds, England who works for the Pounds family. She is quite unusual given her eccentric nature, bluntness, and calm but creepy observations of the world. The story is told through Winifred's diary and it really works. Winifred's employers are awful. The children are despicable. Winifred's childhood is both heartbreaking and terrible. Truly, Winifred has a distinct voice and a distinct plan for Christmas. But it was her everyday observations that I loved:
“Leaves are strewn across the grounds in hues of bile and blood.”
and
“The guests take to their dancing while I serve myself some wassail from a large silver bowl on a corner table, disturbing the bronzed apples and lemon slices that bob like drowned corpses on the surface."
and
“The shade is "Mummy Brown." If mummified Egyptians had known they were fated to be pulverized to produce an umber for such a mediocre painter, they surely would have chosen other burial options.”
There are shocking moments, bloody moments, and over-the-top moments (the baby!). The writing is evocative and vivid. The humor is dark and black. This is certainly a book I will listen to again. It was a perfect read and I, frankly, loved it. I will be picking up the author's debut. Arrr!
Side note: This novel is scheduled to be made into a film. I am all for it. Arrr!