The Woman in the Wallpaper by Lora Jones Review (Gifted/AD)

Hello Readers,
 
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eBook copy of The Woman in the Wallpaper by Lora Jones in exchange for an honest review. The copy I received didn’t include a cover, so I’m using an image found through Google (Fair use for review purposes). Since today is its official publication day, this review will be spoiler-free.
 
Happy Publication Day
 
Title: The Woman in the Wallpaper
Author: Lora Jones
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical, Mystery
Pages: 480
Cover Image:


Synopsis: 
Sometimes destiny is written on the wall.
Paris, 1788.

After the death of their beloved father, Sofi and Lara accept work at the Oberst company, renowned for producing beautifully intricate wallpaper. But they soon notice a peculiar pattern in the the same woman featured over and over again, the late wife of the owner, who died in mysterious circumstances and whose tragically short life is memorialised in the paper.

As Sofi's political fervour grows, Lara attracts the interest of the factory owner's son Josef. But there is something uncannily familiar about their interactions. Is Lara paranoid, or is her life at the factory mirroring the scenes illustrated on the wallpaper that lines her bedchamber?

Meanwhile Josef's new wife, Hortense, hates her life in Paris. Young, spoiled and aristocratic, she feels herself above the world of the factory. But she too becomes obsessed with the woman whose life is illustrated on the walls of her new home. With the mobs growing ever more violent, is she in danger of meeting the same untimely fate as the last Mrs Oberst?

Soon the lives of Sofi, Lara and Hortense collide in ways they couldn't have imagined. And as the fire of Revolution burns across France, can these three women escape a destiny that seems pre-ordained?

Miniature Review
 
The Woman in the Wallpaper is an engaging historical novel set during the French Revolution. The story revolves around three young women whose lives become tangled in a web of secrets, passion, and political turmoil. Much of the action takes place in a wallpaper factory near Paris, which produces a unique style of wallpaper that plays a key role in the plot, almost becoming a character itself.

Jones does an excellent job of bringing the world of pre-revolutionary France to life, with vivid descriptions that make the setting feel immersive. The attention to detail, especially when it comes to the wallpaper-making process, is impressive, though it can slow the story down a bit at first. As the story unfolds, though, you start to really appreciate the rich world she’s built, and it becomes easier to get lost in the characters' emotional journeys.

What really makes this novel stand out is how the wallpaper itself evolves into a symbol of the turmoil and growing tension of the time. What starts as a fascinating historical story soon becomes a thrilling, gothic adventure. Jones blends suspense with insightful social commentary, creating a gripping and thought-provoking narrative that will stay with you long after you finish reading. If you love historical fiction with a touch of gothic suspense, this one’s definitely worth checking out. 

Comments

Post a Comment