The Writing Greyhound: Book Review: The Animals At Lockwood Manor By
The Animals at Lockwood Manor: A Review
The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a novel written by Jane Healey. The book was published on March 10, 2020, and has been received well by its readers. Jane Healey is an author, editor, and journalist who has written for The Sunday Times, The Mirror, and The Daily Mail. She has previously published a memoir, The Saturday Girls, that was well received by readers and critics alike.
The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a historical fiction novel set in England in 1939, just before the start of World War II. The story focuses on Hetty Cartwright, a young woman tasked with evacuating natural history museum specimens to Lockwood Manor, a stately home owned by Lord Lockwood. However, soon after arrival, Hetty discovers that the animals are not the only things that need to be protected at the manor. She is met by hostile staff and faces strange occurrences that make her question her sanity. Hetty begins to uncover the secrets of Lockwood Manor, including its ghosts, a forbidden love affair, and its dark past. As Hetty struggles to complete her task, she must also confront her feelings for Lord Lockwood’s daughter Lucy, who is not what she seems.
One of the main themes of the book is the tension between science and superstition. Hetty is a scientist who believes in rationality, but she is faced with supernatural phenomena that make her question her beliefs. Through Hetty’s experiences, the novel explores the tension between the rational and the irrational, between science and faith.
The novel is also a feminist examination of gender roles in the past. Hetty is a woman in a male-dominated field, struggling to prove her worth as a scientist in a time when women were not taken seriously in the sciences. She is faced with misogyny and sexism, which make her job even more difficult. Hetty’s experiences highlight the challenges that women faced in the past and how they had to fight against societal norms to achieve their goals.
The writing style of the novel is well-crafted and engaging. Jane Healey has a talent for depicting the settings and characters in vivid detail. The prose is elegant and atmospheric, drawing the reader into the story. However, at some points, the pacing of the book can be slow, and it takes a while for the story to pick up. The novel’s strengths lie in its characters and setting, which are well-developed and intriguing. The novel’s weaknesses lie in its pacing. Some readers might find the plot to be slow-moving at times.
The Animals at Lockwood Manor can be compared to other Gothic-style novels. The book shares similarities with such works as Rebecca, Jane Eyre, and The Turn of the Screw. However, the novel also explores themes such as the tension between science and superstition and gender roles, which make it stand out from other Gothic-style novels.
In conclusion, The Animals at Lockwood Manor is an engaging novel that explores themes of science and superstition, gender roles, and the tension between the rational and the irrational. The book’s strengths lie in its characters and setting, which are well-developed and intriguing. The novel’s weaknesses lie in its pacing. Some readers might find the plot to be slow-moving at times. Overall, I would recommend the book to readers who enjoy Gothic-style novels and those interested in the themes explored in the novel.
FAQ:
Q: What genre is The Animals at Lockwood Manor?
A: The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a historical fiction novel with Gothic elements.
Q: When was the book published?
A: The book was published on March 10, 2020.
Q: Who is the author of The Animals at Lockwood Manor?
A: The author of The Animals at Lockwood Manor is Jane Healey.
Q: What are the main themes of the book?
A: The main themes of the book are science vs. superstition, gender roles, and the tension between the rational and the irrational.
Q: Is the book well-written?
A: Yes, the book is well-written. The prose is elegant and atmospheric, drawing the reader into the story.
Q: Is the book slow-paced?
A: At times, the book can be slow-paced. Some readers might find the plot to be slow-moving at times.
