It was pretty clear from the start that I was not going to like this book, although I can see the appeal for many. The plot was slow and felt slightly hysterical and overplayed so much that I only managed about a quarter of it before giving up.

Sadly did not love this book. The story promised a gothic, feminist novel but it didn't quite hit these marks. There were some secondary characters that weren't needed and too much repetition for me. But the cover is stunning.

An elite boarding school, a surprise recruit, and some cleverly-hidden secrets make for a compelling, atmospheric mystery in Madam. I tore through this, swept along by the dark undercurrents of the school's real purpose, and enjoyed the brooding, claustrophobic feeling. A clever thriller about women's power and the different ways in which they can wield it.

Unfortunately this ended up being a DNF for me. I've put it down and come back to it so many times, wanting to finish - and enjoy - it, but between the unreliable, and frankly unlikable narrator, and the meandering story that seems to not go anywhere for the majority of the book, it was a really frustrating read. I love Classics, and wanted to get lost in their representation here, but sadly it just didn't do the subject justice.

A dark and gothic novel, with subjects of feminism, mental health and hierarchy. Fans of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and ‘The Stepford Wives’ will love this.

This book honestly poses such a scary prospect, of something that I’m sure happens today. Not in the way the book portrays it, but there are certain are certain idiosyncrasies that some of the characters posses that you can see in others. Set at an elite all-girls boarding school, this picture of perfection soon becomes a nightmare for the new Classics teaching. She soon realises the school’s true purpose; training girls to be excellent wives rather than aspiring minds.

“That’s the best thing a woman can do – learn how to rescue herself, without the need of a man; without the need on anyone.”

I really liked the way Wynne incorporated the classic stories. It was a clever way to introduced the concept of the protagonists manipulation and the effect this has on the girls she teaches. I was initially disappointed by the ending, but it is only when I went back to these stories that I truly understood it’s meaning. From Medusa and Medea; they all have tales to tell that we can relate to, even now.

Combining the gothic element of suspense with dystopian feel, Madam makes for an unsettling but utterly compelling read.

Loved the writing, the deliciously Gothic setting and atmosphere, and the classical influences, but I just felt that - plot wise - we've kind of been saturated with this particularly type of storyline recently. Just my persoanl opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for review.

Rounded down from around 3.5 Stars

Madam follows Rose, the new classics teacher at a mysterious and foreboding boarding school. Tradition, class and secrets run rampant throughout the school. Nothing is as it seems, and the power the school holds over Rose's life is more than she could have ever expected.

I absolutely loved the setting of this novel. The boarding school in the wilds of Scotland felt deeply disturbing and was a perfect back drop for a thriller. I found myself speeding through the first section of the book, I just could not get enough of the creepy setting. I also really enjoyed the parts involving Greek mythology. What I know about Greek mythology is from primary school, so I really learnt a lot from this book.

Unfortunately, the book fell slightly flat for me after this. There were definitely parts that I enjoyed, but I found it hard to connect to the characters, especially Rose. Rose just wasn't the heroine I was looking for, she left me feeling frustrated and confused. At times things felt a little repetitive too, Rose would gain strength to fight the powers that be, and then would submit again.

That being said, I think this was a great debut novel and I will be keeping my eyes out for more from Phoebe Wynne. I feel the ending could have been setting up a sequel, which I would definitely read, especially if it was set in another boarding school!! I want to thank NetGalley, the publishers and author for allowing me to read this novel and give my personal thoughts. I would recommend this book to thriller fans who want a different setting, especially those with an underlying interest in mythology.

A claustrophobic and unsettling read with the school setting as much of a character as the teachers and students. Superbly set with an atmosphere full of tension that gathers as you join Rose on her new life as Head of Classics. Almost set as a mystery, little clues are scattered amongst the chapters enticing you forward. With clever links to Greek Mythology and women of history, I loved how this was about enlightenment and sharing the truth.

Set in the beautiful surroundings of Scotland, Madam Rose is just beginning her new job at Caldonbrae Hall, the boarding school for girls. Everything seems great at first although the school is very set in very old ways. Things are about to get difficult for her though when during her second week of school she finds herself accused of grievous bodily harm by a student.

Her career is soon on the line when the young girl, Bethany begins to stalk her and she soon finds out she has an obsession with her.

What is Bethany’s connection to Rose? And why is she obsessed with her? And what happened to the teacher she replaced?

Every thing is soon made clear. All Rose can do is hope that she can clear her name.

I loved the character of Rose, it was great to read from a different point of view of a teacher who is trying to fit in at a new school and the challenges that they face as a teacher. I felt real empathy for her when she was been investigated due to an incident involving a student. Rose actually seems like a genuine, lovely teacher.

‘Madam’ reads as though set centuries ago which I loved but it actually takes place in late twentieth century. This really adds to the setting of the book.

The book is quite easy to read, I literally whizzed through it. There was a few suspenseful and tense moments until the big build up at the end.

‘Madam’ is full of intrigue and a dash of mystery.

I enjoyed this dark gothic thriller. Not quite there as a Rebecca, but still an entertaining read that'll keep you turning the pages with mystery and intigue.
Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

I’m sitting wondering how on earth to start this review of Phoebe Wynne’s debut novel Madam. I see this book polarising opinion. There will either be 1/2* reviews, readers being horrified and outraged, for differing reasons; or 4/5* reviews, readers enjoying being pushed outside of their comfort zones. This book will shock, and continue shocking as you read on.
Madam is what I would describe as a dystopian tale, set in the Gothic styled Caldonbrae School. Initially Caldonbrae appears to be a Victorian finishing school for Stepford Wives. If only!
Rose is a 26 year old Classics teacher, who is head hunted to be the new Head of Classics. A move which even surprises her, as the interview process seems cursory at best. The school itself is a foreboding structure, founded 150 years ago. You would be forgiven for wondering if it has been suspended within that time, somehow not changing with the outside world. The teaching staff and pupils all seem to be part of a dark secret, which Rose is not privy to, despite her best efforts. There is a growing sense of veiled, and not so veiled, threat, as time inches slowly on.
As I read through, my inner Emmeline Pankhurst and Emily Wilder Davison were wondering whether the last 100 years had actually happened.
There is so much I was wish I could say in this review, but I can’t without giving away huge spoilers. I genuinely hope and prey Caldonbrae is dystopian, but after considering some areas of British society, it sent a cold shiver down my spine. 
For me, the test of a really good book is whether you think about it, when you are unable to read. Madam absolutely did this to me. I found it thought provoking, intriguing and infuriating. I was 18 in 1992, the time setting for Madam. I was in the Upper Sixth, of a (whisper in hushed tones) State Secondary School. I found myself putting myself in the shoes of Rose, and her Fourths; but certainly not the Sixths, as I like my tea bag left in my green tea. Which simply will not do!
Madam is a 5* uncomfortable read for me. I will genuinely think about this book for a very long time. This is a story of courage, and the bravery to be who you are. To know you are enough, even if that path is incredibly hard. I will be very interested to read Phoebe’s work in future.

I enjoyed the gothic feel of this book and found it quite surprising. I spent much of the novel wondering what on Earth was going on- in a good way- and some of the revelations were really quite dark. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this.

I really struggled with the prose and found it really difficult to get into. Nevertheless, I think the basic premise of the book is excellent. I was quite surprise at the Victorianism of this school!

Plot wise Madam is not very original. A naive, overly feminist young woman in an elitist all girls school on a dark, isolated peninsula in Scotland. What can go wrong, right?! I am sure you are all full of scenarios so that I don't have to add anything to the rather explanatory synopsis. The only surprises as far as I was concerned were the fact I really couldn't believe such a school could exist in the '90s Scotland and maybe the sexual education scenes. Everything else came as a given and not necessary unbelievable if the story would have been set in the '50s-'60s. Also Rose as a character was annoying to say the least, but at the same time a great exponent of the feminist beliefs of the time, inflexible and unable to understand that not everyone wants the same things and yes some women will chose the material over anything else even without being brainwashed.

Why the 4 starts then, you'll wonder. Well for the subtle tension, the impeding sense of doom that grew and grew with every page. The atmosphere is very well constructed: from the outer setting: the cold and isolated peninsula with its foreboding weather to the secrets and inter relationships in the school to the unpredictability of Rose behaviour. I have been worrying for Rose at every turn. Despite her being the main character I felt she was in great danger and genuinely feared for her wellbeing. With contemporary books, with the ever present 'happy ending', I always struggle to feel any tension and the climax seems a sham. But not so here: I have finally managed to immerse myself in the story, so much so, that I even dreamed about it, lol.

Rose is delighted when she is offered the job at Caldonbrae, becoming the head of the Classics department at an exclusive girls school. Not only is it a significant coup for her career, it will also help her to care for her declining mother who has to live in a care home. However, once she arrives at Caldonbrae, not all is as it seems. The school is strict, but the girls do not seem interested in learning. There is a creeping sense of unease, and what exactly happened to Rose’s predecessor? It feels as though Rose is struggling to adhere to a rule book that she’s never been shown.

I didn’t know really anything about this book before I started it, which I think helped to add to the creepy atmosphere of the book, as the reader is as much in the dark as Rose, and is really finding everything out as she does. This is an effective, creepy tale and I didn’t really expect it to go where it ended up, which was great! It was interestingly written, weaving in elements of the Classics, which Rose is teaching to the girls, with the overall story, along with elements of feminism. I wasn’t entirely blown away with all of the characters, but I think that’s fine, with the nature of the story, I think it lends itself to a bit of ambiguity. I also think that this is a book that would stand up to re-reading, and would probably have clues scattered throughout that weren’t picked up on the first reading.

A great read, I would definitely recommend this as a good creepy read.


I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Madam is a gripping thriller set in a boarding school for wealthy girls nestled in a remote corner of the Scottish mainland. Isolated within its walls from the immediate community and the modern world, newly appointed teacher Rose must learn the archaic rules and regulations to fit in. However, under the veneer of perfection an unsettling truth emerges beneath the usual cattiness of teenage girls a darker vein of destructiveness is at work. Punishments are Victorian in their cruelty and the internal hierarchy a throwback to a bygone era. At times unsettling to read, Wynne has created a novel that highlights the power of truth and the bravery of the few who can see beyond the institutional line. The heroines are as complicated as the structure of Caldonbrae Hall, none as perfect as they might first appear. A very original book with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader hooked. An author to watch.

The theme of Madam sits alongside The Handmaid’s Tale. The protagonist, Rose, is a likeable character who confrontational against the system and stays true to her values. Not all characters were likeable so it made for a good balance. The pace was consistent with fast and slow points. I enjoyed the story however, I felt some areas could have been developed a little bit more. This version, which I hope is in the published version, needed to have scene break markers to know when the scene changed. Overall, it was a great story that showed insight into a disturbing and potential real-life scenario.

Thank you to Quercus and netgalley for the review copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:
For 150 years, Caldonbrae Hall has loomed high above the Scottish cliffs as a beacon of excellence in the ancestral castle of Lord William Hope. A boarding school for girls, it promises that its pupils will emerge 'resilient and ready to serve society'.

Into its illustrious midst steps Rose Christie, a 26-year-old Classics teacher and new head of department. Rose is overwhelmed by the institution: its arcane traditions, unrivalled prestige, and terrifyingly cool, vindictive students. Her classroom becomes her haven, where the stories of fearless women from ancient Greek and Roman history ignite the curiosity of the girls she teaches and, unknowingly, the suspicions of the powers that be.

Thoughts:
I really liked the setting of this and the characters.
I like a thriller where you are unsure who you can trust and who is on the protagonists side, and this book does this well.
The parts ofthe book are spliced with classic stories of goddesses, and they set you up for the following chapters' lessons and discussions - which I liked as I know relatively little of those stories, so was nice to have an overview so I can see how Wynne's references within in the text.
My only critique of this is that it wasn't as fats paced and suspenseful as I would have wanted.

it's pretty good, maybe my expectations were correctly leveled, I wasn't that disappointed or anything, it was properly feminist and intriguing, it's just the prose that wasn't 100% there, which can be expected from a debut writer. there's potential here

I really struggled with this book. When I read the blurb, there seemed to be lots of potential for this story, but I felt in reality it just didn't live up for me. The dialogue didn't really flow, the pacing just dragged, and it was just kind of depressing. I wanted to like this more than I did... I did love the tie-ins to classic stories and mythology, and did follow up researching them.

Trigger warnings are off the charts for this one. pedophilia. grooming, child abuse, racism, sexual harassment, homophobia... I'm probably missing something. Just be prepared if you choose to read it.

Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Madam.