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The Doll Factory

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The Doll Factory

By: Elizabeth Macneal
Narrated by: Tuppence Middleton
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About this listen

This audiobook is read by Tuppence Middleton and includes an exclusive interview with Elizabeth Macneal.

Now a major TV series with Paramount+
Sunday Times Bestseller – BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick – BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime

The intoxicating story of one woman's dreams of freedom in Victorian England and the man whose obsession threatens to destroy them forever . . .

'A sharp, scary tale of love, art and obsession' – Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train

London. 1850. On a crowded street, the dollmaker Iris Whittle meets the artist Louis Frost. Louis is a painter who yearns to have his work displayed in the Royal Academy, and he is desperate for Iris to be his model. Iris agrees, on the condition that he teaches her to paint.

Dreaming of freedom, Iris throws herself into a new life of art and love, unaware that she has caught the eye of a second man. Silas Reed is a curiosity collector, enchanted by the strange and beautiful. After seeing Iris at the site of the Great Exhibition he finds he cannot forget her.

As Iris's world expands, Silas's obsession grows. And it is only a matter of time before they meet again . . .

'A dark delight and fans of The Miniaturist and The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock will love it' - Red

Sunday Times Best Paperback of 2020 Pick – soon to be made into a major TV series!

Listeners love Elizabeth Macneal's The Doll Factory:

'Breathtaking' *****
'I couldn't put it down' *****
'Spellbinding' *****
'I never wanted it to end' *****
'A plot to stop your heart' *****

The Burial Plot, Elizabeth's latest cat-and-mouse thriller, is available to pre-order now!

 Historical Mystery Psychological Romance Thriller & Suspense Victorian Scary Fiction Suspense Exciting Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

A remarkable example of historical fiction . . . full of life, colour and intelligence
Stunningly confident . . . thoroughly engrossing (Ian Rankin)
One of this year's best debuts tells the story of Iris, an aspiring artist in 1850s London . . . A clever and gripping read
Fantastic - vivid, poignant, colourful, and elegantly horrifying (Bridget Collins, author of The Binding)
Macneal is excellent on the tension between idealised women and the reality . . . The Doll Factory is a remarkably strong debut; clever and readable with flashes of wonderful, descriptive prose (Book of the Month)
Astounding . . . I recommend it wholeheartedly (Jo Whiley, BBC Radio 2 Book Club)
This brilliant literary thriller gripped me from the opening page . . . a beautifully researched historical novel with a plot to stop your heart (Hannah Kent, author of Burial Rites and The Good People)
This is a dark delight and fans of The Miniaturist and The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock will love it
There is hardly an aspect of Victorian London that Macneal has not mastered in her lush, evocative Gothic, which chronicles a sadistic taxidermist’s sinister obsession with an impoverished young painter . . . a harrowing and bewitching adventure
Vividly rendered . . . captivating . . . engrossing
Bewitching and disturbing by turns, The Doll Factory is a glorious gothic romance (Laura Purcell, author of The Silent Companions)
I’ve missed subway stops to finish a book, but this is the first time I almost missed a plane . . . a perfect blend of froth and substance . . . a fascinating portrait of a talented young woman trying to negotiate the impossible sexual standards of her era: To acquire the skills she needs, Iris must endure society’s approbation, and to enjoy the romance she craves, she must keep her talent subordinate to her lover’s . . . magical storytelling (Ron Charles)
I loved The Doll Factory from the very first page . . . an exquisite novel of obsession, delusion, resilience and love . . . breathtaking (AJ Pearce, author of Dear Mrs Bird)
Magnificent . . . features an extraordinary, unforgettable cast of characters . . . you can't help but be entranced by this uniquely evocative and arresting story . . . the tension ramps up to a breathtaking climax . . . if you love books like The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, Tulip Fever and Perfume then add The Doll Factory to your reading list
A deliciously gothic concoction that abounds with energy and imagination, conjuring up 1850s London life in all its Dickensian glory. Macneal marries art, obsession and possession in a plot that gains momentum and leaves the reader breathless
All stars
Most relevant
I really enjoyed this book until the end. It felt a bit rushed and incomplete.

Good story but ending could have been better

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4.5 STARS
I really enjoyed it, but I wanted to love it more than perhaps I did. But Tuppence Middleton really pulled me into the story.
Art, desire, obsession and decay...everything I seek in a historic gothic tale.

The story, the dark eerie edge that swept along with all the beauty was captivating. The plot had me page-turning without exception.

It was the very end that jolted a little, maybe I just wasn't ready for it to finish. I'm the first to admit that a few details left to the imagination are sometimes exactly what the reader needs, but I wanted to know a little more of what happened afterwards; the resolve.

The writing; the prose was captivating to a point, but there were occasions where it felt a little too over-edited, too streamlined, and the author's voice sounded a little stifled; those parts left me wanting more...more depth of voice.
But overall a gloriously textured tapestry mapping the dark seedy alleyways of Victorian London.

Gorgeously Gothic!

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Took me completely by surprise, this story was so well-layered, researched and honest. As a child I was an avid reader and could never understand why nobody ever went to the toilet! I was devastated by Albie’s demise (crying and wailing while driving!) and might add that the roads of the Borders recently have been a tad treacherous as you built up the tension and my speedometer shot up (listened on audible)!
Elizabeth, you have done a stupendous job! The Lady of Shalott is my favourite picture so your attention to detail and skill in bringing the PRB to life was a luxurious pleasure. All I can say is thank you and I hope you can continue to enjoy the adventure! Your old godmother Elizabeth (my mother - just ask your mother!) is so, so proud of you.
I have always been a big bookworm till turned 50 and weirdly stopped reading for a few years, your novel has returned me to my true love - thank you!!! Suzanne xx

Wow!

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Not only is the story compelling in itself but it vividly brings to life the streets and culture of Victorian London - the Great Exhibition, the pre-Raphaelites and so, so much more. I loved it.

An enthralling, chilling, atmospheric story

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Not sure what the audible equivalent of "a real page turner"is - but this is it! Loved it.
Only problem was the last chapter was actually an interview with the author - which I enjoyed--but I thought I had a chapter left and wasn't ready mentally for it to finish!

Wonderful!

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