I found "Madam" quite dry to begin with - it was such a quiet and unassuming start to a novel that I almost gave up a few chapters in. But something kept me reading and I'm so glad it did - the twist, when it comes, is so deliciously cruel, and beautifully revealed. The author does a wonderful job of recreating the claustrophobic and insular nature of an elite girls' boarding school, and builds on the sinister feeling so well that it creeps up on the reader almost unawares.

A dark, disturbing, and eerie novel. Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rose Christie, a 26-year old Classics teacher, gets a job at Caldonbrae, an exclusive girls-only boarding school in a remote windswept coastal area of Scotland. Her excitement at this new challenge soon turns to dismay when she realizes that, at this elite establishment, not all is what it seems. The conservative mentality of the teachers and students is a culture shock for independent-minded Rose. However, this is just the start of her problems. There seem to be more sinister – and dangerous – secrets related to the departure of her predecessor. The more facts Rose uncovers, the greater her conviction that she should escape Caldonbrae. But considering the long-reaching tentacles of the institution, does she even have such a choice?

Phoebe Wynne’s debut novel is touted as a feminist Gothic work, with “shades of The Secret History”. This is what drew me to it in the first place, but I am sorry to say that I was quite disappointed, and it took some effort for me to complete the book. For a novel set in 1992, the facts described in the book are quite over-the-top (even though, admittedly, chauvinistic mentalities are still rampant thirty years later). So, perhaps, Madam is best approached as a fable or fantasy – not unlike the Dyachenko’s Vita Nostra, but with a more feminist slant and without the more abstruse fantastical elements. Even if one is fine with that, though, the story remains unconvincing and the dialogue and narrative style not particularly striking or original. The characters seem stilted and, for a feminist lead, Rose often comes across as rather pathetic. She spends most of the book going around asking questions and getting no answers – at one point, her students actually tell her “…stop asking us questions, it’s so frustrating” and it’s a feeling which, as a reader, I fully shared.

Despite my reservations I did find something to enjoy in the novel. The suffocating sense of dread was well brought out, the Gothic elements were suitably atmospheric and I liked the idea of the notes or summaries about women from Classical history and myth and the way their stories were worked into the tale. For fairness’ sake, I should also note that some reviewers have compared Phoebe Wynne to such luminaries as Naomi Alderman and Margaret Attwood. I must confess I’m less enthusiastic.

Rose, a Latin teacher, is approached by the mysterious and prestigious Caldonbrae Hall to lead its Classics Department. But once there, she discovers that all is not as she expected. Girls in long white dresses crowd the halls, mocking her attempts to teach them Greek and Roman myths. Secrets abound, such as why Rose's predecessor left so suddenly, and what the real purpose of the school is. Will Rose make it through her first year? Or should she run away as fast as she can?

This was a fairly derivative, top-heavy story, with flat characters and an identity crisis. I guessed the big twist early on, and it was agonizing waiting for Rose to get there too. The author held back from fully committing to her surprise: either go all in (and risk alienating some readers) or take out a couple of the more shocking scenes and tone down the story. Rose is incredibly naive, and time after time fails to fully understand the secrets revealed to her. Once she has a better idea of what's going on, I also found it kind of unbelievable that she kept hoping she could effect change.

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I appreciated the periodic stories of Greek and Roman women, including Medea, Medusa, and Dido. But I don't think they were woven into the story as much as they could have been. Instead, they just added to the length of the book, which could have been cut down and become more effective. Or the excess could have been reapportioned to other parts of the story, like Rose's history with her mother. The ending too, needed revision, not fully ambiguous, not fully concrete.

All in all, a rather disappointing read.

What an unpleasant book. Unpleasant characters, setting, happenings. A disturbing read and not one I enjoyed. I received an e-ARC from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review

This is the best book I've read in 2020, I literally spent the whole day absorbed in its pages.
Madam is unlike any other book I've read, it's full of mystery, intrigue and it's not until three-quarters of the way through do you find out the secret that's kept you so enthralled.

Rose is offered a classics teaching position in Scotland at an all-girls boarding school after the previous classics teacher leaves her position. Her pupils are insolent, they constantly question her teaching and Rose despairs with them, she feels as though they are withholding a secret from her.

Phoebe Wynne's writing is very clever and often at the beginning of each chapter, the reader learns about characters from the classics such as Dido, Medusa, Medea, and Agrippina. There is a reason for the introduction of these stories to both the girls in the book but also the reader and we find out the purpose towards the end of the novel.

To say I loved this book is an understatement, it would make an exceptional movie or tv series.

Madam, Pheobe Wynne

Rose is overwhelmed by her new job as Head of Classics at the secretive, all girls boarding institiution Caldonbrae Hall, as she struggles to navigate its peculiar traditions that seem to clash with her more modern feminist outlooks, Rose begins to wonder if the heart that beats at the centre of Caldonbrae is darker than she could have imagined.

Set in the 90s this Gothic feminist tale draws from the heroines and goddesses of legend, as, Boudica, Medusa, Lucretia. This eerie debut owes much to those that came before, the feminist strike of Atwood, the gothic haunting of the Brontés and Katie Lowes The Furies.

This one is a twisted tale to navigate, as ever with the Gothic, nothing is quite what it seems and the unsettling feeling will sit in your gut the entire way through. As a book heavily laden with feminism and patriarchal values sprung from centuries gone by (you’d hope but you never know!) this one is abundant with females to get behind and cheer for, Rose, Nessa, Daisy, Freddie etc. Every one of those girls you want to reach in, grasp hands with and form a strong sisterhood.

am writing a review in exchange for an advance reader copy from NetGalley.

Having read that this was a perfect read for Margaret Atwood fans, I dove straight in! It is enjoyably creepy, and kept me hooked from the first chapter to the end. The secrets of this book are slow to be revealed, perhaps frustratingly so in the first third or so, but once the story gathers pace the twists come thick and fast.

Caldonbrae Hall is not a place I would like to visit any time soon, but I’d recommend a trip within the pages of this book!

A novel about a boarding school where the classics have much more meaning than perhaps they should...

Good premise but the novel was far too long and contained far too much explanation of the Greek myths. I know it was based on/inspired by them but I have only just read Circe and found myself thinking back to what I learned there..

After reading this, I felt odd and unsure as to what I had read. It could well be me. I enjoy the classics to a certain extent but have never been a fan of myths and the Greek classics.

I feel very much on the fence about this book. On the one hand it is astonishingly antiquated in terms of the culture of the girl’s school and of course forms the main backbone of the story. On the other hand I had to read on to see if all my fears were confirmed and if the heroine puzzles out the mystery from the clues if not from the beastly girls themselves who attend there.

Once in a while a book comes along that you can't shake for days after you've finished reading it. Madam by Phoebe Wynne is one such book.

Rose is recommended to teach Classics at a prestigious but very remote school in Scotland. Alarm bells should have started ringing but she goes through with the posting.

This is definitely not the type of boarding school you will want to stay at and is as far removed from Malory Towers as possible.

Very atmospheric, and I'd like to hope that all these practices within the book are entirely made up.

A dark, feminist tale of mystery and intrigue.
Rose Christie, a 26-year-old Classics teacher, joins Caldonbrae Hall, a prestigious boarding school for girls. Rose is overwhelmed by the institution: its arcane traditions and unruly students. There's a mystery surrounding her predecessor's departure, but no one will answer her questions. Rose's classroom becomes her haven, where the stories of fearless women from ancient Greek and Roman history ignite the curiosity of her students but also the people in power within the school.
But as Rose uncovers the dark heart that beats in Caldonbrae, the lines between myth and reality grow ever more blurred. Rose and her students must find a way to escape the fate the school has in store for them, before it is too late.

"𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘔𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘮?"

I thought this book was fantastic. I was really pleased to be granted an ARC of this book and the book certainly met my expectations and in many ways exceeded them. It struck me as a blend of The Stepford Wives, Rebecca and The Twins of St Clare's, creating a compelling, dark and creative storyline.

When Rose Christie gets a job as the head of Classics at a prestigious and reclusive private school, she sees the opportunity as one to advance her career, to help her care for her ailing mother with the best care money can buy, all while giving the girls at the school a top classics education. When she arrives, however, things are far more complicated than that. What are the strange lessons on the timetable called 'Conversation', 'Worship' and 'Discipline'? Why are the girls' so concerned about their 'Value' and 'Promises'? Are the visitors on the Open Day parents or something more sinister? There is something far darker at the heart of this school and can Rose ever escape it?

The book is littered throughout with classical women, mirroring the girls' foray into their studies. I really loved how the book emphasised the women in classical civilisation as a way for the girls to empower themselves and ask more of their position. It was done very well and realistically (I say that as someone who also took Classics at A-Level). It didn't feel like extra padding and instead really added to the nuances of the storyline. I was completely gripped by the novel and the way the story unfolded and was desperate to read it as quickly as possible. I highly recommend this book. I will absolutely be buying myself a copy when it comes out.

This sounded just like the kind of book I normally enjoy. A very old house with lots of history and a harsh seascape setting. That's as far as my enjoyment went with this one I'm afraid to say.
The story is extremely slow and I found the first half of the book to be quite a hard slog.
The second half was slightly better but I found it very predictable.
I certainly wouldn't have continued reading if I hadn't received an arc of this book from Netgalley uk and Quercus Books

I was very intrigued by the blurb of this book: it didn’t quite come together and some of the storyline just didn’t quite hit right with me.

An interesting and twisty contemporary Gothic novel, but with a troubled sense of place and plotting--the twist wasn't as shocking as I wanted it to be, and with most of the plot action only occurring more than 50% through the novel, this was not a standout for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

'Madam' by Phoebe Wynne is set in a prestigious boarding school - Caldonbrae Hall - in Scotland. Rose, a young Classics teacher is excited to have been scouted for a post there, but as time goes on, and the power the school has over her and her families life increases, she comes to understand the real mission of the school.

At times reading this novel, I wondered if it would work better as a short story. I have read another review that describes this book as a slow burn, and I would agree with that. It also uses classic myths to frame aspects of the novel, and whilst I understood their inclusion, it felt a little heavy handed to me. Rose's actions, as well as the headmaster's sometimes didn't ring true; her with her outbursts (despite significant threat to herself/family), and him with the way he gave repeated chances for her to become more used to the way the school worked.

However, half way thought the novel I did ask myself whether I would give up on it, and I couldn't. The descriptions of the girls and other teachers were compelling, and there were certain events in the novel that were incredibly vivid and disturbing. I have already recommended the novel to a friend, and I suspect Phoebe Wynne will become a writer I will read and enjoy further novels from.

I am sorry but I found this a disappointment.

The idea is fascinating (- is its possible?) but the story was slow and the first 50% was - for me - very similar chapters with the main character in a confused state and doing very little about it! I felt irritated with her. I did like the chapters of Greek myths.

As the story progressed there were some shocking scenes indicating that something was very wrong and the final part of the book revealed the true situation. The final chapter at the school was another shocking episode but still, in spite of her shock, she couldn't do anything.
I am sorry but this is not for me.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book and it didn't disappoint! Rose is a classics teacher who takes a job as a new Head of Classics at an illustrious girls school in the wilds of Scotland. Not only does the school take care of its teachers and students, it also looks after their families too and Ruth's mother is moved to a private care home with the best facilities so that Ruth does not have to worry about her. Is this just another move to tie the teachers to the school and make them unable to leave?
Imagine Mallory Towers and St Claires meets a terrifying concept of how modern girls should be taught and brought up to play their part in life. I was shocked at part of it and found myself shouting at the characters and cheering Rose on as she came up against adversity!
Definitely worth a read if you like mystery and suspense novels!

I just don't know what to say about this book. Yes, I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC, but this was really my cup of tea. Yes, I love me some good mystery. But this was just okay. Nothing special. I must confess I expected much,much more.
I just could get our heroin. I just don't get how stupid she was in some parts of this book.
It is not bad, I think that most people will love this, but this just was a miss for me.
3 stars.

Caldonbrae Hall, a prestigious girls boarding school with a long history and tradition located on a remote Scottish peninsula, has hired a new teacher, which had not happened for a decade. Rose is a young Classics teacher who is very excited and honoured to be chosen to teach at Caldonbrae. However, as soon as she arrives in Scotland, it is obvious that this is an unusual school, and education does not appear to be the main focus here. 
Rose's story is enriched with mythological tales of strong women analysed at her lessons with her students. I wasn't sure at first what to think about that but as the book progressed I looked forward to these interludes.
Madam has an intriguing premise that will keep you guessing what on earth is the headmaster and everyone at the school up to. Although I would welcome more character development in the book, I found Madam an impressive debut novel and an enjoyable read. 
Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.