An heiress supports a house for fallen women, trying to offer its residents a second chance. Here, they may rehabilitate, learn valuable skills and start afresh.
Each with their demons, these women must fight for change in their lives.
Many people’s worlds collide at Urania Cottage, a home for fallen women in The Household by Stacey Hall.
The cottage is remote and its residents are initially unknown to one another. However, they have one thing in common, each is desperate to change their life.
Angela Burdett-Coutts, a wealthy heiress is a benefactor of this unique venture. She is no stranger to feeling a lack of freedom in life, having been stalked for the last decade.
Among others, Josephine and Martha take refuge and work in the countryside home. They soon become friends in their quest for rehabilitation. However, they’re both looking for someone and the temptation to escape the confinements of the cottage appeals to many.
Mrs Holdsworth manages the home, trying to keep the women content and safe.
As their lives become entwined, the cost of freedom is high and each woman must navigate her circumstances.
A house of fallen women desperate for freedom
The Household by Stacey Halls is a wonderful novel focusing on female characters in Victorian England.
Told from multiple perspectives, the novel slowly explores these main characters and their differing personalities and troubles.
It illustrates contrasts between the social classes and the female experience and is inspired by Dickens’ House for Fallen Women. It features the famed novelist in a cameo alongside the reimagined Angela Burdett-Coutts. It’s fascinating how Halls brings these inspired and complex characters to life.
Among other things, it explores poverty, prison and prostitution and ultimately, the desperation for freedom.
This novel draws you in with interesting female leads and well-researched historical fiction. You cannot help but empathise with these characters’ tumultuous lives and personal woes.
The Household by Stacey Halls is due to be released on April 11 2024 via Manilla Press.
I personally have read The Household. However, I did receive a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley and this post does contain affiliate links.
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