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The Doll Factory

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The Doll Factory

By: Elizabeth Macneal
Narrated by: Tuppence Middleton
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Summary

This audiobook is read by Tuppence Middleton and includes an exclusive interview with Elizabeth Macneal.

Now a major TV series with Paramount+
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 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!

Listeners 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' *****

The Burial Plot, Elizabeth's latest cat-and-mouse thriller, is available to pre-order now!

 Historical Mystery Psychological Romance Thriller & Suspense Victorian Scary Fiction Suspense Exciting Heartfelt

Critic reviews

A remarkable example of historical fiction . . . full of life, colour and intelligence
Stunningly confident . . . thoroughly engrossing (Ian Rankin)
One of this year's best debuts tells the story of Iris, an aspiring artist in 1850s London . . . A clever and gripping read
Fantastic - vivid, poignant, colourful, and elegantly horrifying (Bridget Collins, author of The Binding)
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 (Book of the Month)
Astounding . . . I recommend it wholeheartedly (Jo Whiley, BBC Radio 2 Book Club)
This brilliant literary thriller gripped me from the opening page . . . a beautifully researched historical novel with a plot to stop your heart (Hannah Kent, author of Burial Rites and The Good People)
This is a dark delight and fans of The Miniaturist and The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock will love it
There is hardly an aspect of Victorian London that Macneal has not mastered in her lush, evocative Gothic, which chronicles a sadistic taxidermist’s sinister obsession with an impoverished young painter . . . a harrowing and bewitching adventure
Vividly rendered . . . captivating . . . engrossing
Bewitching and disturbing by turns, The Doll Factory is a glorious gothic romance (Laura Purcell, author of The Silent Companions)
I’ve missed subway stops to finish a book, but this is the first time I almost missed a plane . . . a perfect blend of froth and substance . . . a fascinating portrait of a talented young woman trying to negotiate the impossible sexual standards of her era: To acquire the skills she needs, Iris must endure society’s approbation, and to enjoy the romance she craves, she must keep her talent subordinate to her lover’s . . . magical storytelling (Ron Charles)
I loved The Doll Factory from the very first page . . . an exquisite novel of obsession, delusion, resilience and love . . . breathtaking (AJ Pearce, author of Dear Mrs Bird)
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 list
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
All stars
Most relevant
I really enjoyed this novel. Much more than I had anticipated. The author really brings the sights and smells of Victorian London to life. The novel has a great atmospheric quality as well as a good understanding of the taxidermy and painting processes. The little details about the PRB, the wombat for example really made me smile. This book made me want to pick up my paint brush again and, like Iris, escape my own prison.
I look forward to the next novel by Elizabeth Macneal.

Loved it!

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Having had a long held interest in the PRB and their work, the subject matter of this book really drew me to downloading this story.
Knowing a lot about the ethos and characters of the PRB made the book and the story a delight, however it was offered so many strands of thought, loneliness, love, fighting to make your mark, passions to name a few. Elizabeth also described Victorian London so authentically. It really was a visceral experience.
However the tension Elizabeth delivers in chapter 3 is terrifying, it was almost too hard to hear! Although capture like this is not unique, she writes it so well.. I was on the edge of my seat, like I was watching a horror film with my hands over my eyes!

A really fantastic listen and great first novel.

Utterly gripping

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I really liked this book. The story kept me engaged and wanting to know more. My reason for dropping a star is that I wanted to know more at the end about all the characters we got to know and found the ending a bit abrupt.

Great book

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enjoyed the story really good carictor and build up in the story but had to read the end twice because I felt it finished to soon

disappointed with the ending

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I found this audio book to be utterly captivating and empowering! I loved every minute of it!

Captivating!

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