“But instead I shared the fate of all girls who are poor of pocket: I was tied to my work, like a needle tethered by thread.”
The Corset – Laura Purcell
After reading The Corset by Laura Purcell, I had to write a review about it because of how amazing it is, but don’t worry, I won’t be giving away any spoilers!
Purcell’s novel, The Corset, is an intricately woven, Victorian Gothic tale about Ruth, a poor seamstress with supernatural sewing skills. Ruth is imprisoned at 16 years old as a suspected murderess. Whilst incarcerated, she becomes the subject of Dorothea’s phrenological study.
Dorothea is an upper class, well educated woman, and throughout the novel she applies (what is now classified as pseudoscience) phrenology to Ruth. Dorothea’s goal throughout the novel was to prove that reformation through religion whilst incarcerated could change the shape of the skull because, theoretically, their soul would have changed and adapted to this new way of thinking.
“Phrenology is the only answer to the behavioural patterns of these women…It is all there, mapped out on the cranium.”
The Corset – Laura Purcell
What I found most interesting about their relationship is that Dorothea and Ruth’s relationship begins on the grounds of ‘science’ (albeit pseudoscience) and study; not a device that would usually be the foundations of a relationship built on friendship and trust, take Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, for example. However, Purcell uses it as a device to allow Ruth to subjectify Dorothea – to a certain degree – in order for Dorothea to listen to Ruth’s raw retelling of her own horrific hardships in life.
Ruth’s confessions are all-consuming for both the reader and the listener, Dorothea. I loved how blunt and matter-of-fact the sentences were because it built an incredible suspense! I thought this kind of writing technique may have a negative emotional impact, but it worked really well to build Ruth’s character and portray how much guilt she feels. Ruth asks the reader/listener questions throughout the novel, and this direct approach definitely has an impact on Dorothea’s character as she begins to question her own morals and sense of self.
“But look at your face, miss. You’ve never hated one of your fellow creatures, have you?”
The Corset – Laura Purcell
I’m always very apprehensive of a novel that swaps and changes character every chapter. Am I the only one that doesn’t like multiple narrators in a story?
But the two female narrators, although they have vastly different upbringings and social status, surprisingly worked well together.
It was almost kind of funny how contrasting the chapters were. Ruth’s are always so intense because of how descriptive everything is – even the gruesome parts (yes, you’re in for a few shocks).
Whereas, Dorothea’s chapters deal with simple matters that are very appropriate for a Victorian woman, for example, planning her birthday party and doing all of her correspondence. Her troubles in life are trying to avoid an arranged marriage, and hiding a secret relationship with a police officer from her father. But it all seems so trivial when you think of Ruth in a prison cell, awaiting her fate.
If you’ve never read anything Neo-Victorian before, The Corset would definitely be the best place to start.
However, if you’ve read anything by Sarah Waters, you will definitely love this book.
So far, I’ve recommended this book to everyone on my bookstagram; I’ve given my own copy to someone else to read; I’ve bought another copy as a gift for my auntie, and I’m now recommending it to all of you!
Leave me a comment below if you have already read the book because I would love to know your thoughts. If you haven’t read it and I’ve managed to persuade you to grab a copy, I must have some serious supernatural writing powers….
Xoxo
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