The Doll Factory

I enjoyed how Elizabeth Macneal explored the different character's motivations and imbued each page with a simultaneous sense of wonderous optimism and despairing revulsion. I really felt drawn into the character's world. Despite the Victorian setting, the main character Iris was relatable, quite modern in her desire to follow her own path and explore the world of colour and art. She somehow remained ladylike but spirited. Usually in Victorian type novels the heroine is either completely rebellious and wild or prim and proper. Iris seemed to be “normal” in that you could easily picture her walking down the streets of London and not obviously pick her out as a fictional character.

This was a gripping tale from the start to finish. The use of metaphor was sublime. I look forward to perusing Elizabeth Macneal's future works.