A Mad, Wicked Folly

November 1, 2013
Vicky Darling is the rebellious, artistically talented daughter of a wealthy plumbing magnate, coming of age in Edwardian England at the height of the women's suffrage movement. The title ironically references Queen Victoria's condemnation of .".. this mad, wicked folly of 'Women's Rights' with all its attendant horrors on which her poor feeble sex is bent, forgetting every sense of womanly feelings and propriety." Vicky's personal struggles to become a respected artist are paralleled with those of the suffragists with whom she becomes closely involved when her arranged marriage with a wealthy scion of a well-bred family falls apart and she is cut off from the family finances. Vicky finally finds true reward when she is accepted into the Royal College of Art on her own merits. Her lower-class lover and sometime "undraped" art model, police constable Will Fletcher, finally agrees to an artistic partnership publishing the "tuppenny novelettes" he writes and she illustrates. Although the modern dialogue is jarring at times and the plot somewhat implausible, the narrative moves swiftly along, and the historical background is painted credibly and with a light touch. The moving and authentic portrayal of Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters will engage readers with an interest in the history of the women's movement. Author's notes at the end of the book on Edwardian life, the women's movement and the Pre-Raphaelite art movement, on which much of the fine art thread in the book is based, are helpful in establishing the context of the novel. An enjoyable historical romp. (Historical fiction. 12 & up)

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Starred review from February 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-In 1870, Queen Victoria made the astonishing declaration that women's rights were a "mad, wicked folly." This statement was the inspiration for Waller's impeccable debut novel about a young English woman who is talented, beautiful, passionate, and wealthy. Despite these advantages, Victoria Darling struggles with the harsh limitations imposed upon women prior to and during the Edwardian era of 1901-1910, which curtail her attempts to attend art school. While Victoria does not initially associate with the Suffragette Movement, she ultimately discovers that her fate is intertwined with the cause. The first-person narrative in her earnest voice helps readers to more intimately understand the rampant frustration felt by thousands of women during that time. Waller vividly describes the unbearably restrictive corsets for women, the force-feeding implemented to undermine protesters during hunger strikes, and notable individuals who helped in the movement. At equal turns humorous and heartbreaking, readers will chuckle at Victoria's exploits (climbing out a bedroom window, being stuck mid-curtsey before King Edward in court) and admire the brave sacrifices she makes to pursue her dreams. There is enough detailed information throughout to make this a useful and fascinating book to pair with nonfiction resources about women's history. A must-have first purchase.-Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY

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Starred review from January 1, 2014
Grades 7-12 *Starred Review* Historical fiction fans are in for a treat. Seventeen-year-old Victoria Darling scandalizes 1909 proper society when she poses nude for the fellow students in her life drawing class. Aghast, her parents hastily bring her home to London from French finishing school and attempt to salvage her reputation. They secure an arranged marriage to a wealthy young man who will join and later inherit the Darling family business: indoor flush toilets. But Vicky is not about to put aside her lifelong dream of becoming an artist, and she secretly applies to the Royal College of Art. She also discovers the suffrage movement and a handsome young constable who supports the suffragettes. This historical romance has all the elements dear to readers of the genre: forbidden love, great fashion details, and impossibly beautiful protagonists, but the feminist tone and art history focus distinguish the debut novel. Readers will appreciate the way Vicky takes the suffragette motto deeds, not words to heart, making the difficult decisions that allow her to grow into a strong and independent woman. Waller's intriguingly sympathetic characters, effortless and effective blend of history and romance, passion for her subject, and swift-paced plot make her a new YA voice to watch.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)