A novel of George Orwell in 1920s BURMA
Historical novel set in later 19th Century HERTFORDSHIRE
19th December 2023
The Beholders by Hester Musson, historical novel set in later 19th Century Hertfordshire.
This is a rounded Victorian Gothic novel, that is perhaps a little slow in the scene setting but warms up well as the story develops.
Harriet is newly employed as a house maid (and later as a Lady’s maid) in the Gethin household, the home of MP Ralph Gethin, who rarely makes an appearance in the family home. His wife, Clara, is aloof and particularly cool with their young son, which Harriet finds curious yet compelling, and notes the woman’s demeanour as she goes about her tasks. Clara’s ethereal singing resonates throughout the house, adding a tingle of otherworldliness.
Finton Hall, set in isolation, is a cabinet of curiosities – items collected over the years by the master of the house as he travelled the world – and as Harriet dusts and cleans, she ponders what she sees. The story is told through her diary entries, which forms a smooth and cohesive narrative, enabling the reader to look over her shoulder and experience her everyday life and musings.
As the days pass. the prickle of unease seeps into her very core and she understands there is a veil of secrecy and lies hanging over the grand house, subsuming all who live there.
The body of a young boy is dredged from the River Thames and it would appear to be the Gethin son. Suspicious eyes naturally fall on Clara…
This is a deftly woven, well written and creepy story, which gradually builds to become a good and engrossing novel.
Tina for the TripFiction Team
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