"London, 1756: In Newgate prison, Tully Truegood awaits trial. Her fate hanging in the balance, she tells her life-story. It’s a tale that takes her from skivvy in the back streets of London, to conjuror’s assistant, to celebrated courtesan at her stepmother’s Fairy House, the notorious house of ill-repute where decadent excess is a must…Tully was once the talk of the town. Now, with the best seats at Newgate already sold in anticipation of her execution, her only chance of survival is to get her story to the one person who can help her avoid the gallows."
The way Gardner presents Tully's story is very vivid, straightforward and the language is a faithful example of the 18th century English collocations. The descriptions are lavish, detailed, from the clothes to the furniture to the daily life of the upper and low classes. The atmosphere was rich and luxurious.
Most importantly, the depiction of the prejudices and the stereotypes imposed on women by their fathers and their husbands is brutally honest. This is a world where a woman has to use her body as a merchandise in order to retain or to gain some form of dignity and self-respect, to acquire the necessary means to live her life in some form of freedom, however controversial.
The magical realism element was a suprise but it is successfully woven into the story, adding an aura of mystery to Tully’s character. I do wish this element was explained more but I really enjoyed its inclusion.
People have described this story as erotica, I personally disagree. It does have graphic sexual scenes but it's plot and characters is foremost. And as for the racy scenes? Well, this is the 18th century and our main character is a courtesan, so that’s that. In any case, you can easily skip them if they bother you.
Tully is an engaging main character. Naïve, sincere, brave and unafraid of her sexuality. She tries to make her life better, using the means that are accessible at the given moment and I don’t think that the readers should judge her. We all struggle to live our lives as best as we can given the era, the circumstances and all the unpredictable factors. I refuse to judge her choices and probably would have made the same ones in her prediciment.
I personally thought that the speed that Tully feel in love with Avery was rushed. I would have liked if their relationship was fleshed out more and there was more time for the audience to get invested. They just sleep with each other a few times and I am supposed to believe they have a deep emotional, spiritual connection?
Overall a really good book that I personally enjoyed thoroughly. Won't be for everyone as it does have a very whimsical and otherworldly vibe to the whole thing, that is added to by Tully's ability to see ghosts.
Age Rating 16+. Very graphic sex scenes, rape and references to child rape. Not for the feint hearted.
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