Title: The Pleasures of Men
Author: Kate Williams
ISBN: 9781401324230
No. of Pages: 384
Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller
Origins: Hyperion Voice
Bottom Line: Having spent most of the novel fairly disgusted at the lack of answers and the very confusing narrator shifts, the novel’s resolution is actually a brilliant sleight of hand that I could only appreciate upon reflection. It is definitely a thinking person’s thriller.
“July 1840: The young Queen Victoria has just entered her third year on the throne when a major recession brings London’s desperate and destitute into its sweltering streets. While the city crackles with tension, orphaned Catherine Sorgeiul stays locked away in her uncle’s home, a peculiar place where death masks adorn the walls and certain rooms are strictly forbidden. Nineteen years old and haunted by a dark past, Catherine becomes obsessed with a series of terrible murders of young girls sweeping the city. Details of the crimes are especially gruesome–the victims’ hair has been newly plaited and thrust into their mouths, and their limbs are grotesquely folded behind them, like wounded birds–and the serial killer is soon nicknamed the Man of Crows.Catherine begins writing stories about the victims–women on their own and vulnerable in the big city–and gradually the story of the murderer as well. But she soon realizes that she has involved herself in a web of betrayal, deceit, and terror that threatens her and all those around her.”
Thoughts: Kate Williams’ debut novel, The Pleasures of Men, is more than a murder mystery. While a serial killer preying on young girls in a downtrodden part of London is a key figure in the novel, it is as much about Catherine’s search for happiness, or at least a sense of acceptance, in a society that is ultimately distasteful and foreign to her. Catherine’s initial impressions are not always what they seem. As such, a reader is then left to ferret out the clues and answers among the myriad of misdirection. It is a creative spin on a familiar story, and one that gives readers a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment for sticking it out until the end.
Catherine is quite the narrator. Her past is tumultuous, but a reader does not get a clear understanding of her history until well into the later stages of the novel. In the meantime, one is left wondering how reliable she really is. She freely admits that she is losing track of time and her belongings, and her writings about the Man of Crows become part of the story in their own right – further blurring the line between Catherine’s imaginings and the truth. Between her self-isolation, definite anti-social stance, and her mind’s wanderings, a reader must also determine if she is a sympathetic character. It is enough to leave a reader feeling decidedly off-kilter through much of the novel.
The Pleasures of Men is not designed for passive reading. In fact, everything about the story is designed to keep readers active, if not fully engaged. From the constant switch in narrators to Catherine’s madness, a reader is never 100 percent certain what is actually occurring, what is a figment of Catherine’s imagination, and what is seen from another character’s point of view. There are many questions, not enough answers, and what answers are given require a reader to weed through the extraneous details. A reader never gets a break from this constant uncertainty. It is a gamble on Ms. Williams’ part, and one that is only going to succeed with certain types of readers. However, for the right reader, it is a novel that will leave one stunned at its resolution and impressed at the dexterity with which Ms. Williams wove this very intricate story.
The Pleasures of Men is not the type of novel where one can sit down and escape to 1840 London for an afternoon. It requires a reader’s full attention from the very first page and makes a reader work for every secret revealed and every answer shared. Ms. Williams’ debut is also not the type of novel which readers can and will appreciate while in the throes of reading or even immediately upon finishing. It requires reflection and time to understand everything that she accomplished with her story, allowing even the most jaded of readers to grudgingly admit her adroitness and talent at storytelling. Given everything she accomplishes in The Pleasures of Men, Ms. Williams is definitely an author worth watching.
Yes, it takes the entire novel to understand where she is going with the story. I didn't think I would ever say that I liked the book, but I have to admit that I did. It just took me a while to get there!
Exactly. At first, I thought I was being overly picky about the book. It really did take writing the review where I could reassess my feelings for the story and recognize what the author accomplished. It is a story that definitely makes you think!
I really struggled with this one only because it was the complete opposite of what I was expecting. I had issues with it when I was reading it, but it was definitely a book that grew on me as I thought about it and what the author was trying to accomplish.
Oooh…sounds intriguing. ANd good to know that it is worth sticking with as it all pays off in the end.
Although intriguing I can see I'll have to be in the right state of mind to read this one. You know I get picky at times with my reading and feeling off kilter while reading can grate the nerves. Great review Michelle.
EEEE — I have this book at home, I'd forgotten about it, and now I remember and I neeeeeeed to read it. Your review is helpful — I got panicky when I saw your 'bottom line' but your comments make me think I might like it (after some gnashing).