Brimming with eventful seances and unforgettable characters, Barker’s effervescent tale of two competing clairvoyants in Victorian London is as hilarious as it is transportive.
‘I want your reputation’, the girl said to Mrs Wood. ‘I want everything you have…’
Mrs Wood is the London’s most celebrated medium, having survived decades in the competitive world of contacting the Other Side hosting packed-out séances for Victorian high society.
But, with rival young mediums dazzling audiences across the city, the allure of London’s most established star might be starting to wane. And then, at one of her routine gatherings, she hears something truly terrifying: a yawn.
So, Mrs Wood takes on a young protégé to spice up her show. But does her new pupil pose more of a threat to Mrs Wood’s reputation than she could imagined?
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780008597245
Number of pages: 368
Weight: 280 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 30 mm
‘I absolutely ADORED it. Such a juicy read and written so beautifully. Charming, gorgeous, an utter delight’ Marian Keyes ‘Intriguing, witty and unique. A must read!’ Sophie Irwin, author of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting ‘There’s much fun to be had in this vivid, delightfully original debut’ Daily Mail ‘A charming debut that sparks with fun and fizz’ Good Housekeeping 'The Other Side of Mrs Wood drew me in with its promise of ambition and rivalry on the Victorian séance scene. I found myself alternating between laughing, crying and an unsightly mixture of both as I followed Mrs Wood’s journey to stay on top in an industry that prioritises youth and novelty. This is an absolute triumph of a debut' Stacey Thomas ‘Wonderfully entertaining’ Harper’s Bazaar ‘Fans of Sarah Waters will love this clever debut’ Red Magazine ‘Engaging and wonderfully original’ Katie Fforde ‘Wildly entertaining and thoroughly gripping’ Reader’s Digest ‘Full of wit. Bubbling beneath its surface is a compelling commentary on the scant choices facing Victorian women determined to support themselves. Highly recommended’ Lianne Dillsworth, author of Theatre of Marvels ‘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 ‘Think All About Eve, but set in the spellbinding world of Victorian mediums. Brilliantly witty' Frances Quinn, author of That Bonesetter Woman ‘Crackles with wit and mischief, a delicious read’ Louise Dean ‘Storytelling at its finest’ Stylist
As someone who works professionally in the backstage theatre industry, I have always been intrigued by the idea of Victorian mediums. Not only is there a sense of showmanship and con artistry but it also links Stage... More
The Other Side Of Mrs Wood is a sharply witty and riotous novel about Victorian spiritualism, professional rivalry, secrets and most importantly: illusion. The novel follows Mrs Violet Wood, an established and... More
Mrs wood is a spiritualist medium who is top of her game. It's a risky occupation, with fraudsters being outed and shamed and shunned from society.
She takes on a strange apprentice who then turns into her...
More
Please sign in to write a review
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?
