I received this Audiobook from publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller Published by Penguin on 2014-01-23
Pages: 448
Source: Audiobook from publisher
Goodreads
Welcome to the world of the fabulously wealthy in London, 1909, where dresses and houses are overwhelmingly opulent, social class means everything, and women are taught to be nothing more than wives and mothers. Into this world comes seventeen-year-old Victoria Darling, who wants only to be an artist—a nearly impossible dream for a girl. After Vicky poses nude for her illicit art class, she is expelled from her French finishing school. Shamed and scandalized, her parents try to marry her off to the wealthy Edmund Carrick-Humphrey. But Vicky has other things on her mind: her clandestine application to the Royal College of Art; her participation in the suffragette movement; and her growing attraction to a working-class boy who may be her muse—or may be the love of her life. As the world of debutante balls, corsets, and high society obligations closes in around her, Vicky must figure out: just how much is she willing to sacrifice to pursue her dreams?
My Thoughts:
So, I was the worlds worst blogger earlier this year and I’m still playing catch up. Even so, I cannot believe I didn’t review this one. It’s certainly one of my favorites of the year! I loved the book itself and the audiobook narration is spot on.
In A Mad Wicked Folly we meet Victoria Darling, a young woman with her heart set on being artist. She has the talent and the drive. Unfortunately, it’s 1909 and women’s rights are still a novel idea. Vicky isn’t going to let anything get in her way. I adored this about her! I also really loved watching her character grow and change as she learned more about the world around her. In the beginning of the story she’s a fairly sheltered young woman (even considering all her daring!) As she becomes involved with the suffragette movement and meets people outside of her “class,” Vicky’s character gets more and more interesting.
As I mentioned before, Vicky is an artist. Her dedication to art and her ambition to attend the Royal College of Art add so much to the story. I loved learning more about what it was like for artists during this time period. From the French art students meeting at a cafe after class to Vicky going to buy her art supplies to the process of applying to the Royal College of Art… it all adds up to (pardon the pun) paint a picture of what the art scene was like.
The suffragette movement was an even more fascinating addition to the story. Any book about a upperclass woman of this time period wanting to do more than marry well would have to include it. I have a general knowledge about the movement but it was interesting to see it from the eyes of a person (even a fictional one!) who would have been involved. This also made for so many awesome female characters. And I loved that the book showed that it wasn’t just an issue for women. Men were involved and supported the movement. I especially liked the addition of a certain young police constable!
Audiobook Notes:
Yes. Stars, yes. If you’re an audiobook lover this is the way to go! Katherine McEwan is perfection as the narrator. I loved the pacing and hearing the story read aloud. Everything about it is perfection.
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