The Dark Lantern

Another smart Victorian novel that does not disappoint. Brightwell craftily depicts Victorian London from behind the draped curtains of middle-class society. This is a book that holds actual thematic weight and not just a promising plot. Through the weaving and interaction of characters the class line is drawn, but also crossed, which gives the story a classical feel and is probably due to the author’s schooled background in literature studies. Even though class separates the characters, secrets connect them, which places them all on a similar level of sorts. This idea had me thinking long after the story was finished and for that gem, I think it is intelligent and worth the reading time invested. I am a bit surprised this novel does show more not have higher ratings on other sites.

The story begins with Jane and although she remains a primary focus, Mina emerges to equal attention. This is an interesting topic for discussion, but had me asking for a moment, ‘Is this Jane or Mina’s story?’ There was a slight shift in importance when I believe the character’s story (Mina) could have been told without lessening the emphasis on the heroine Jane. Also as a reader, I found myself a tad cheated when it came to Sarah. I was taken in by the description of her and I kept waiting for this wilily maid to play a bigger role, but she never did. I was baited on the build up and was kicked out in the cold when her fate was so quickly swept a side. show less

I've never read anything by Gerri Brightwell before. In fact, I don't think she has written anything else. But if The Dark Lantern is any indication I think she will be writing more and I will be reading them.

Jane Wilbred is an orphan whose mother murdered someone and she has been living with that stain on her reputation ever since. She was taken from the orphanage to work for the minister and his wife so that she could be trained as a housemaid. Now she has found a position in London as a second housemaid. In order to get the position she forged her employer's reference letter and this ensnares her in one lie after another. Her new employer has a past that she doesn't want disclosed as well, the other servants also have their secrets show more and everyone suspects everyone else. A secondary plot line has to do with the conflict between fingerprinting and anthropometry to aid crime solving. As well accepted as fingerprinting is now it is hard to believe that at the end of the 19th century there were many people who felt that anthropometry, the measuring of people's physical dimensions, was a more reliable way to determine criminal identity. The discussion of this dispute and the minute description of the work involved in maintaining a household really added to the depth of the book.

There's a book club discussion guide at the back of the book and I think it would be a good choice for a book club interested in historical novels. show less

Set in London in 1893, the story centers around the Bentleys and their servants. Robert Bentley is involved in the study of anthropometry, the study of identifying criminals by their measurements. His wife, Mina, struggles to escape from her past. They are joined by the supposed widow of Robert’s brother, Henry, drowned at sea. In addition, there are the servants: Cartwright, the butler; Mrs. Johnson, the cook; Elsie, the scullery maid; Sarah, the shifty first housemaid; and Jane, the second housemaid. The novel opens when Jane arrives in London, trying to escape the secrets that she, too, harbors. A few days after her arrival, a burglar breaks into the Bentley home and rifles around in the study, triggering a series of events that show more are shrouded in mystery.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Although the premise is intriguing, I thought that this book isn’t quite as well-thought-out as it might have been. There are way too many things in Mina’s past that are merely hinted at; same thing goes for the widow and Jane. There’s not much in terms of explaining each character’s motives, and certain characters’ manipulation of others was a little too overt. I thought the comparison between anthropometry and fingerprinting was absolutely fascinating, however. And the ambience of the novel was deliciously chilling. But at the same time, I thought that the relationship between the Bentleys and their servants was a little too unrealistic. Yes, there probably was a lot of distrust on both sides, but not, I imagine, to the extent that the Bentleys distrust their servants here. Also, I thought the ending was a little half-baked; too many loose threads. Other than that, though, the book is quite convincing as an historical period piece, in an era where class distinction was quite rigidly defined. show less

I discovered The Dark Lantern through a post on Salon, recommending some historical fiction for the summer.In 1893, Jane Wilbred moves from her position as a maid to a clergyman's family in the country to join the staff of the Bentley family in London. Jane quickly learns that the family has many secrets, and she has secrets of her own to protect. It is, of course, only a matter of time until the webs of secrets and deceit are untangled into the conclusion.

I enjoyed the book, but I didn't love it. I felt like the element of mystery was too forced. And in a lot of ways, it had some similar themes to Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, and The Dark Lantern doesn't really stand up to the comparison. The climax didn't match the build-up to it. It show more was as though Brightwell expended much of her energy early on and ran out of steam when it came time to unveil the secrets. And no one was truly punished for their deceit. But it was a well-written book, and if I hadn't read Fingersmith just a few months ago, I probably would have enjoyed this book a lot more. And I look forward to Brightwell's future offerings; there is quite a bit of potential in her work. show less

This story takes place in the late nineteenth century and centers around a young servant girl from the English countryside. She has just taken the position of a housemaid in a London household and becomes immersed in a web of secrets, deceptions, and hidden pasts, not the least of which is her own. Brightwell cleverly uses a vivid depiction of 1890s London and the difficulties of a life in service to strengthen the atmosphere without overwhelming the plot.

A historical fiction mystery with lots of twists and turns. A young wife returned from Paris has been keeping secrets from her husband, a shipwreck that leaves a woman claiming to be a widow, a new servant that is learning the ropes and has lied to get the job. In addition there is discussions about anthropometry vs. fingerprinting. An book that kept me guessing and kept my interest.

What a lovely read. Perfect for a summer afternoon. Well-paced, good characterization, thoroughly engaging, clean direct prose, wonderfully intriguing. I read it in two sittings and consider it time well spent. Enjoy.