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40x40

Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Corset in Books

Oct 4, 2019  
The Corset
The Corset
Laura Purcell | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Mystery
9
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A gripping read
I love it when you pick up a book that you know nothing about, from an author you've never read before and it turns out to be a fantastic and addictive read.

This is marvellous Victorian thriller set from the points of view of two flawed yet highly interesting characters. The central plot of murder, intrigue and abuse is written very well and is a brilliant page turner. I literally couldn't put this book down. It's not perfect and gets a tad rambly at times with some slightly old school language, but for the most part it's such an entertaining read. And the ending was completely unexpected and such a great twist, I really didnt see it coming.
  
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ClareR (6129 KP) rated The Corset in Books

Sep 28, 2018  
The Corset
The Corset
Laura Purcell | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Mystery
9
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Victorian tale (so pretty horrifying then)
Dorothea is a rich, upper class 25 year old, who believes that she can change a convicts attitudes by the power of phrenology (better than Greyskull, I suppose). Well, if she's kind to them, their heads will change shape, and they'll magically/ scientifically reform (I still think she'd have more luck with Greyskull, to be honest). This was a common belief in Victorian times: that the lumps, bumps and the shape of a persons head would tell the phrenologist all they needed to know about a person. So, Dorothea visits the local women's prison regularly to test her theories. This is where she meets Ruth, who believes that she can kill someone with the power of her sewing. We learn Ruth's story as told to Dorothea: how she lost her baby sister and father (her fault, she sewed bad feelings in to a baby hat); her mother, a seamstress went blind (also her fault), and was consequently sold in to a life of slavery and abuse at Metyards dress making shop.
As the story unfolded, I was left wondering if Ruth did indeed have some sort of magical power. It's quite a menacing atmosphere in the book. Dorothea comes across as frivolous, only concerned with her comfy life - but this also changes as the book develops.
And that twist at the end!
Contrary to my He-Man allusions at the start, I really enjoyed this book. It was a real treat to read, and completely unexpected, as I hadn't read her first book. I'll be rectifying that mistake!!