The Other Side of Mrs Wood: The most irresistible historical fiction debut of the year

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While Mrs. Wood lives in constant fear that journalist Mangus Clore, editor of the Spiritual Times, could soon expose her as a fraud, she doesn’t actually view herself as one.

I would definitely read another one of this author's books, though, particularly since this was a debut. While I wanted deeper characterization and themes explored, and perhaps a touch more emphatic plotting as well, much of it was very well-written. I often tire of the inclusion of letters or articles in books, even though they are common in period literature from this time, but they were skillfully done here--motivation revealed with polite but barbed words, cloaked in flattery and social graces. It also feels appropriately steeped in Victorian manners, though the claims of "witty" and "atmospheric" aren't really the words I'd use to describe this. Using two Victoria era mediums and their rivalry as inspiration, Lucy Barker tells a compelling tale of two con artists, I mean spiritualists, whose relationship highlights the financial precariousness of single women at the time, and the growing fight for independence championed by suffragettes.This was a dreadfully painful experience. More of a 1/1.5 star but I rounded up, mostly due to the purple cover that originally caught my eye. As Mrs. Wood mentors Miss Finch into the mediumship fold, the writing is on the wall. The characters are all very well-developed and have distinctive personalities and traits. The desperation of Mrs. Wood is aptly portrayed, and I found myself wanting to shake her on several occasions as she spiraled out of control. This is a really entertaining, sad, pathetic and fun story. But it's much more than that. At the heart of it, it's about the very limited power women had in Victorian society, and what they had to do to survive. It's about women who make their own living without men, yet who have to pander to the men in power - journalists in this case, and the men who are in charge of the main spiritualist publications, who ultimately dictate who is 'in' and who is 'out'. Emmie is in, not least because she's young, pretty, and willing to exchange sexual favours for power. Mrs Wood is out because she's aging, because she's only willing to go so far in propping up a man's ego. And sadly, for much of the book, the three central female characters are fighting each other rather than fighting the men. Ironically, most of their clients are women too - though the women can only afford their private seances by turning to their husbands for money. Power again. Money is power. Women didn't have much of it. What is wrong with a medium faking it, if it means she can survive? The central question in the book.

What an immensely clever, hugely enjoyable conjuring of Victorian high society - it's clearly so well researched.' Emma Hughes, author or No Such Thing As PerfectA book begging to be read on the beach, with the sun warming the sand and salt in the air: pure escapism. The Other Side of Mrs Wood is an irresistible historical comedy about two warring mediums in Victorian London, inspired by the real-life rivalry between famous spiritualists Agnes Guppy and Florence Cook in the 1870s.

Miss Finch is a well developed antagonist, it is possible to imagine her expressions and her manipulative character as she proceeds to fool those around her. The other characters who attend the seances and meetings are not fully developed beyond basic descriptions. The descriptions of the houses, food, clothes and scenes around London give some authenticity to the period, reflecting relevant research.

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Mrs Wood spots a way of spicing up her séances and agrees with the girl’s pleading and takes her on as a pupil, but is that all that Emmie Finch is after or is there something more behind that sweet and innocent face? I enjoyed the portrayal of Mrs Wood and Miss Finch as well as the supporting cast of characters. I could picture the clothing, the households, the carriages etc and feel the excitement as well as the manipulation and despair. Mrs Wood needs to spice up her brand. She decides to take on Emmie, a young protégé, to join her show. But is Emmie Finch the naïve ingenue she seems to be? Or does she pose more of a threat to Mrs Wood’s reign and, more horrifyingly, her reputation than Mrs Wood could ever have imagined?

A joy to read, completely fresh and original with a wonderful cast of characters, featuring rival mediums, dark secrets and some truly delicious double-crossing. Witty, evocative writing, a huge treat of a novel.” - Lucy Diamond Well-written and researched, Barker takes us on a journey to the past when spiritualism was considered mainstream, and even the most influential in society would consult with their mediums to determine their future. These mediums held tremendous sway over their clients and could lead them astray if they had nefarious intentions. Intriguing, witty and unique. A must read!' Sophie Irwin, author of A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting Mrs Wood is one of the most famous and respected medium in Victorian London. She's been around for decades and her devoted patrons ensure that her seances continue to be popular. But her loyal followers are getting older and they won't be around forever to keep Mrs Wood in a job. Not only that, but many of her peers are unmasked as frauds so she has an added job of disassociating herself from anyone caught up in the scandals. And, as younger, more exciting mediums enter the stage, she knows she has to up her game considerably to stay relevant and celebrated. The style is sometimes amusing, particularly in the descriptions of the preparations before the seances; but it is not really a comedy.This was great. Lucy Barker provides us with enough clues to deduce there’s something off with the almost preternaturally competent student, and we see Mrs. Wood’s desperation blinding her to all the signs. She’s not naïve (her mother ensured that), but her frustration with her clients’ constant need for more and newer propels Violet to not think things through before taking on the ingenue, and pushing away everyone in her life who actually cares about her. Enter ingenue Emmie Finch, a waif from the streets with an uncanny ability to conjure spirits. Will she be Mrs. Wood’s answer to prayers or her downfall? This is the premise of The Other Side of Mrs. Wood by debut author Lucy Barker.