In Victorian England, propriety was everything. But truth was often the price.
Three women bound by duty, class and expectation find their lives intertwined within the confines of a seemingly respectable household.
Julia Pennefather has spent her life longing for the security of a home and family. Ellen Fugill knows the price of loyalty in a world where servants are expected to see everything and say nothing. And talented Ada Ashley arrives concealing a secret past that makes her painfully vulnerable.
When disaster strikes, the women do not confront the truth but deny it. Stifling the voice of conscience, they each make choices shaped by fear, love and the limits placed on them by Victorian convention. Choices that cannot be undone.
As the consequences ripple through their lives, the cost of silence becomes impossible to ignore. In a society that offers women few options, and even fewer protections, survival depends on endurance. But sometimes that is not enough.
A richly atmospheric historical novel, A Fatal Choice explores the ways that women both support and betray each other, perfect for readers of Jessie Burton and Sarah Waters.
What did I think?
Wow! A Fatal Choice is one of the best historical fiction novels I have ever read and it is even more stunning when you read the author's note at the end and discover that it is inspired by real people and actual events.
It starts with a haunting excerpt from a newspaper about the death of a young lady and her baby and then Alison Baxter takes the reader on a compelling journey as we discover the story behind this tragic event. Told from the points of view of three women: Julia, Ada and Ellen, this is an unforgettable and poignant tale.
Julia Pennefather was left penniless after her father died but through the charity of her uncle she still leads a privileged life. Sharrock Dupen must see pound signs in his eyes when he meets Julia and as he is younger than her, Julia doesn't see the harm in knocking a few years off her age. Sharrock isn't exactly being honest with Julia either.
As Julia's story unfolds, two women enter her life: Ellen, her loyal servant, and Ada, the mysterious and aloof governess who is employed to school Julia's children. The excerpt from the beginning of the book was never far from my mind and I both wanted to read fast to discover what happened and slowly to prolong the life of one of the characters.
The stigma of being labelled a spinster in Victorian England must have been awful and it's no wonder that women chose to be a little creative with their age. It's also quite shocking how easily women were sent to asylums, not necessarily to get any help they might need but more as an excuse to get rid of them so their husband could remarry. I have to share a quote from one of Ada's chapters that really resonated with me:
"Hysteria is a convenient label with which to control women."
Immersive, evocative and completely breathtaking, A Fatal Choice is a book I will be recommending for a very long time. An easy five stars and a very highly recommended read.
I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the bookstagram tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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