“[An] extraordinary, memorable and truly haunting book.” —Jojo Moyes, #1 New York Times bestselling authorLaura Purcell’s THE SHAPE OF DARKNESS is now out from Penguin!Some doors are locked for a reason. When Elsie married handsome young heir Rupert Bainbridge, she believed she was destined for a life of luxury. But pregnant and widowed just weeks after their wedding, with her … pregnant and widowed just weeks after their wedding, with her new servants resentful and the local villagers actively hostile, Elsie has only her late husband’s awkward cousin for company. Or so she thinks. Inside her new home lies a locked door, beyond which is a painted wooden figure—a silent companion—that bears a striking resemblance to Elsie herself. The residents of the estate are terrified of the figure, but Elsie tries to shrug this off as simple superstition—that is, until she notices the figure’s eyes following her.
A Victorian ghost story that evokes a most unsettling kind of fear, The Silent Companions is a tale that creeps its way through the consciousness in ways you least expect—much like the companions themselves.
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Lots to like about this spooker, from the well-written dual timelines to the gothic setting and witchy goings-on. I was impressed and will read more from Laura Purcell. Good stuff.
THE SILENT COMPANIONS is the first book I have read by Laura Purcell. This creepy novel had a Victorian/Gothic feel to it throughout both timelines: the main one in 1865, and touches of an earlier one in the 1600’s.
We begin with Elisie Bainbridge, who was widowed shortly after her marriage to a kind, wealthy businessman, Rupert–and newly pregnant. She is on her way to a long unused mansion that her husband’s family had owned for generations; his cousin, Sarah, joining her.
“. . . She could have loved him.”
I’ve seen this story often described as slow-burn horror, but I have to say that I felt the dread and mental terror all throughout. While it never let up, it DID increase as time went on. The mystery intensified and was conjured up by a mostly neglected mansion, her husband’s sudden death while getting it ready for her earlier, and later, the discovery of a “silent companion”. These wooden “statues” were made to look like people and children, but they used a pedestal to stay upright, as they were only two-dimensional.
The idea alone gave me chills, and once the one was brought out into the house, things really began happening in earnest.
I felt something for each of the characters. Whether I liked, disliked, or plain didn’t trust them, they all made an impression of some sort on me.
I won’t go into spoiler details, but will add that the novel had both psychological and physical horror present.
It’s always a treat to discover a new-to-me author who’s style I connected with, and I’m very pleased to say Laura Purcell is one of those. The story never felt like it was lagging, and I was constantly immersed in the world Elisie found herself thrust into. I’m already looking forward to future novels from this author.
Recommended.
This should appeal to fans of gothic chillers and is reminiscent of Jessie Burton’s The Miniaturist. It’s set in an asylum hospital in London and an ancestral family home in the country that, of course, hides dark secrets. It’s also a time slip novel set in 1635 and 1866. I won’t attempt to summarise the plot for fear of spoiling it for other readers; suffice to say there’s plenty of drama and ghostly goings on culminating in a fast-paced denouement. The author has done her research and both periods are brought to life very well. I particularly liked the descriptions of seventeenth century costumes and entertainments. At the heart of the story are the silent companions of the title. I’ve seen some of these painted cutout wooden figures in English country houses, so I can vouch for the fact that they’re uncannily lifelike and enigmatic. They were popular in the seventeenth century to amuse or play pranks on visitors. The prose is vivid, perhaps a little overdone at times, but then that does suit the genre. If anyone wants to know more about silent companions and see some photos, this is an interesting article from the National Trust who have numerous examples in their collections. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/meet-the-enigmatic-silent-companions-in-our-collections
The best Gothic horror novel I’ve read in a long time. Haunting, unsettling, and beautifully written, fans of atmospheric Victorian novels should look no further than The Silent Companions. I read it almost a year ago and am still thinking about it. Looking forward to more from Laura Purcell.
I adored this creepy tale and couldn’t read it fast enough. The story moves forwards and backwards across the centuries very smoothly and the ‘silent companions’ of the title will stay with me for some time! There’s also a great twist at the end of this book. I’m really looking forward to reading Purcell’s one!
Good premise, but failed to capture my interest. Getting to the point was too circuitous.
Well written and haunting! I couldn’t put this one down.
Not really a fan, did not grab me from the beginning.
Loved the story. Very well written. Truly enjoyable!
Possibly the best gothic novel I’ve ever read. If you like gothics, Get This Book! Fascinating story within a story within a story and a great ending twist!
If you are expecting Mrs. Danvers, don’t. The story begins with Mrs. Bainbridge in an asylum being convinced by her doctor wo write what happened to her during the fire which killed other residents in her home. Her story helps you to begin to know Mrs. Bainbridge from traveling to her now deceased husband’s estate and the unveiling of events after her arrival. Elsie (Mrs. Bainbridge) is traveling with her husband’s cousin Sarah who appears to take the death of her cousin more to heart than his wife. Meeting them at the estate is Mrs. Bainbridge’s brother Jolyon a partner in their family business with Elsie’s now deceased husband. Pregnant and not sure what to expect at this country estate you will read in Elsie’s words what she wrote for the doctor about the events that took place at the estate before and after the fire. An interesting gothic story with spins in the appropriate spots but for me it was missing something I could not put my finger on.