My Five Word TL:DR Review: Well, couldn’t put it down

Victorian Psycho is gloriously, decadently, wickedly over the top.  I don’t even know what to say or think (although I will give it a shot).  This book took me by storm, I actually listened to the audio and to be honest I think listening to this gave the experience even more of a chilling and unsettling air because the narrator has absolutely nailed Winifred Notty’s voice.  Whilst I was listening I frequently found myself thinking ‘what?, what just happened’ or ‘did Winifred really just say that’.  This book is horrifyingly surreal,  It’s bloody and quirky and darkly humorous.  I loved it.

Winifred is the new governess at Ensor House, her two charges, Andrew and Drusilla, take an immediate dislike but little do they know that Winifred is made of stern stuff.  No shrinking violet (more like an exploding violent).  And, unbeknownst to the other inhabitants, Winifred isn’t here to teach a light spattering of languages or a splash of watercolours, she has a cunning plan that she is hiding beneath that serene exterior.  A plan that will most certainly be bloody.  Of course, wild horses couldn’t drag any spoilers from these lips.

What did I love about this.

Well, the writing is perfect.  I mean, this isn’t a particularly lengthy story, in fact it’s only around 200 pages (I think – and by the way it’s a perfect length for this style of story) and yet Feito catches the period perfectly.  There isn’t a single wasted word, the characters spring off the page, the dialogue is amazing and the descriptions make the place stand out without coming across as fussy.  I wish I took notes – but I’m really not that sort of reader so no quotes here – which is a shame because there were so many to choose from.

The characters.  Winifred is wicked.  Wickedly good in a bloody awful way.  As the story progresses you pretty soon realise that Winifred has very little filter.  She says the most terrible things but in such a way as to bring you up short, like you must have misunderstood – you didn’t.

I love a Victorian setting and this one doesn’t hold the punches – we even have a Christmas Spectacle with lush descriptions of the food during which Winifred’s dreadful plan really kicks in.

To be honest, I don’t really want to say too much more.  This is such a unique story, I have to read more by this author.  I love her writing and she’s clearly got a wicked sense of humour.  This is bloody delicious.  I can’t recommend this enough – although also you do need to be aware that this is plastered with blood and quite often absolutely unsettling.  Still, read it.

I bought an audio copy.

My rating 5 of 5 stars