BelEdit Book Reviews
The Woman in the Wallpaper is an intriguing blend of historical fiction and gothic mystery. Set against the backdrop of a wallpaper factory outside Paris during the French Revolution (inspired by the factory that produced ‘toile de Jouy’ wallpapers and fabrics), the story revolves around three women: sisters Sofi and Lara, and Hortense. These three very different women enable the reader to experience the turmoil of revolutionary France from different perspectives. Sofi is fiery and politically charged, Lara introspective and romantic. Hortense, initially insufferable, grows more complex and interesting as the story unfolds. Their lives intertwine around the enigmatic figure of a woman represented in the wallpaper that covers the walls of one of the rooms in the factory owner’s house, next to the factory. The woman in the wallpaper is a haunting, recurring motif that drives the mystery at the heart of the story; it’s unclear whether the ‘disturbances’ connected to the wallpaper are psychological or supernatural.
The settings and historical context of The Woman in the Wallpaper are vividly brought to life, from the sisters’ early years in their fathers’ workshop to the wallpaper factory and the city of Paris on the brink of revolution. In true Gothic style, the past haunts the characters – Sofi’s father’s misfortune, Josef’s mother’s mysterious death and Hortense’s nosedive from a pampered life at the Court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette – hanging over them like an inescapable pall.
There’s so much going on in this novel, so much action, and yet the pacing is extremely measured, balancing dramatic scenes with quiet, darkly atmospheric moods, building slowly towards the climactic ending. It’s captivating to read, with the slow scenes only serving to ramp up the tension, keeping you impatiently glued to the page anticipating the next events. The way the different narrative threads come together is skilfully done and satisfying to read.
The story keeps coming back to the perplexing woman in the wallpaper, heightening the unease that permeates the narrative. The wallpaper motif is cleverly used, tying the characters together and adding a sense of foreboding that keeps you guessing until the end. Yet despite these gothic taunts, the story is credible throughout. The characters are distinct and compelling, and each of them evolves as the novel progresses and the revolution looms. Sofi’s growing political passion, Lara’s quiet strength, and Hortense’s transformation from spoiled aristocrat to a more relatable figure are all expertly handled.
While the book is a slow burn, it rewards patience. To nitpick, part of me feels that I would have preferred the story as a straight-up historical novel with Gothic undertones but without so much of the supernatural aspects (admittedly, that would make it a very different story). Hence the 4-star rather than 5-star rating. The atmosphere, character development and historical detail make it an ultimately satisfying crossover of literary and historical fiction; the whole ‘woman in the wallpaper’ uncanny motif didn’t fully grab me. Makes for a great cover design, though!
Thank you to @NetGalley_UK, @LittleBrownUK and @lorajones.com for the ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.
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