The next novel from Stacy Halls, who is fast becoming one of the biggest names in historical fiction after recent successes with The Foundling and Mrs England.
The House Hold is set in 1847 and tells the tale of Urania Cottage - a refuge for fallen women (thieves, prostitutes and ne’er do wells)
I should start by saying that I don’t ordinarily read historical fiction, I’m aware of Stacey Halls’ other books but haven’t read any of them, so I come to The House Hold with fresh eyes.
It has a Dickensian feel, which ties in with the Victorian era setting. And I believe is partly based on true events involving Dickens himself, refuges which were set up to help give disadvantaged women a hope of getting out of a life cycle in the gutter. The imagery is bleak and depressing, which is often the way for lower-class characters and minorities in this period.
It’s a good story with interesting characters. It’s not enough to turn me onto the genre or read more of Halls’ books but overall it’s a good read
The House Hold is set in 1847 and tells the tale of Urania Cottage - a refuge for fallen women (thieves, prostitutes and ne’er do wells)
I should start by saying that I don’t ordinarily read historical fiction, I’m aware of Stacey Halls’ other books but haven’t read any of them, so I come to The House Hold with fresh eyes.
It has a Dickensian feel, which ties in with the Victorian era setting. And I believe is partly based on true events involving Dickens himself, refuges which were set up to help give disadvantaged women a hope of getting out of a life cycle in the gutter. The imagery is bleak and depressing, which is often the way for lower-class characters and minorities in this period.
It’s a good story with interesting characters. It’s not enough to turn me onto the genre or read more of Halls’ books but overall it’s a good read