The Doll Factory

By (author) Macneal, Elizabeth
Short description/annotation
The Doll Factory, the debut novel by Elizabeth Macneal, is a story of art, obsession and possession set in Victorian London.
Description

Sunday Times Bestseller – BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick – BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime

The intoxicating story of one woman''s dreams of freedom in Victorian England and the man whose obsession threatens to destroy them forever . . .

''A sharp, scary, gorgeously evocative tale of love, art and obsession'' – Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train

London. 1850. On a crowded street, the dollmaker Iris Whittle meets the artist Louis Frost. Louis is a painter who yearns to have his work displayed in the Royal Academy, and he is desperate for Iris to be his model. Iris agrees, on the condition that he teaches her to paint.

Dreaming of freedom, Iris throws herself into a new life of art and love, unaware that she has caught the eye of a second man. Silas Reed is a curiosity collector, enchanted by the strange and beautiful. After seeing Iris at the site of the Great Exhibition he finds he cannot forget her.

As Iris''s world expands, Silas''s obsession grows. And it is only a matter of time before they meet again . . .

''A dark delight and fans of The Miniaturist and The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock will love it'' - Red

Sunday Times Best Paperback of 2020 Pick – soon to be made into a major TV series!

Readers love Elizabeth Macneal''s The Doll Factory:

''Breathtaking'' *****
''I couldn''t put it down'' *****
''Spellbinding'' *****
''I never wanted it to end'' *****
''A plot to stop your heart'' *****

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A remarkable example of historical fiction . . . full of life, colour and intelligence
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Stunningly confident . . . thoroughly engrossing
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A must read . . . Elizabeth Macneal''s compelling debut is a darkly brilliant tale of Gothic suspense
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Fantastic - vivid, poignant, colourful, and elegantly horrifying
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Macneal is excellent on the tension between idealised women and the reality . . . The Doll Factory is a remarkably strong debut; clever and readable with flashes of wonderful, descriptive prose
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Astounding . . . I recommend it wholeheartedly
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This is a dark delight and fans of The Miniaturist and The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock will love it
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A deliciously gothic concoction that abounds with energy and imagination, conjuring up 1850s London life in all its Dickensian glory. Macneal marries art, obsession and possession in a plot that gains momentum and leaves the reader breathless
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I loved The Doll Factory from the very first page . . . an exquisite novel of obsession, delusion, resilience and love . . . breathtaking
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Astonishingly good . . . with and a plot that rattles like a speeding carriage to its thrilling conclusion. I couldn’t put it down. You won’t be able to either
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Magnificent . . . features an extraordinary, unforgettable cast of characters . . . you can''t help but be entranced by this uniquely evocative and arresting story . . . the tension ramps up to a breathtaking climax . . . if you love books like The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, Tulip Fever and Perfume then add The Doll Factory to your reading