Interesting premise. Took me a long time to get into it and almost DNF'd. The story picked up a bit in the second half. I thought the writing was a little uneven. Two of the three MCs are sisters and I had a bit of trouble distinguishing their voices. Overall a good read.

I loved this book! Lora Jones' "The Woman in the Wallpaper" is full of gothic intrigue and historical depth, weaving together themes of love, loss, obsession, and the inexorable pull of destiny. Set against the charged backdrop of pre-Revolutionary Paris, this novel is both a richly atmospheric period piece and a riveting psychological mystery.

The characters are exquisitely drawn, each with unique struggles and desires. Sofi's fiery political passion, Lara's quiet unraveling, and Hortense's aristocratic discontent all converge in a story that is as unpredictable as it is haunting. Their lives are forever changed by one man, Josef Oberst, whose mother died when he was a child. Since then, he has forever obsessed over his memories of her within the artistic designs of the family's intricate wallpaper.

But this isn't any ordinary wallpaper. The mysterious wallpaper, with its intricate patterns and ghostly echoes of the past, becomes almost a character in itself, drawing the women into its enigmatic spell.

Sisters Sofi and Lara are incredible artists who find their way to Oberst's wallpaper factory after the death of their father for work and housing. Both take an interest in Josef. He sees so many similarities to his mother in Lara that he can't stay away from her and has plans to propose, but his father has grander plans in store for his wealthy son that don't involve someone on their staff. While villagers and workers live on scraps - rich, spoiled, rude, and rotten, Hortense enters the picture as Josef's betrothed. Forced to marry but in love with Lara, he brings her into the home as his new wife's lady's maid, where things take a turn for the worse.

Jones's writing is so immersive, painting vivid scenes of the Oberst factory, the streets of Paris on the brink of revolution, and the ominous interiors of the Oberst home. The novel masterfully balances historical detail with suspense, keeping readers gripped until the final, heart-stopping twist.

Thank you, #NetGalley, #LoraJones, and UnionSquareCo, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of #TheWomanintheWallpaper.

Revolutionary Designs: A Review of Lora Jones's The Woman in the Wallpaper

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the French Revolution, "The Woman in the Wallpaper" weaves an intricate tale of two sisters whose lives become entangled in a web of family secrets, artistic passion, and class conflict. This atmospheric historical novel blends elements of Gothic suspense with keen social commentary, creating a narrative that lingers long after the final page.

The story follows Sofia and Lara Thibault, sisters whose contrasting personalities and shared artistic talents drive the narrative. When circumstances force them to leave their home in Marseilles, they find themselves at the Oberst wallpaper factory, where they encounter a cast of compelling characters who will alter the course of their lives. As political tensions rise and social upheaval threatens the fabric of French society, the sisters must navigate increasingly treacherous waters while pursuing their artistic ambitions.

The author's talent shines in creating richly atmospheric writing and multifaceted characters with genuine depth. Through Jones's skillful portrayal, pre-revolutionary France emerges in vivid detail. At the story's heart stands the wallpaper factory, its daily cadence dictating the flow of life for those who work there. The elaborate designs and manufacturing techniques mirror the characters' psychological landscapes, weaving together the physical and emotional elements of the narrative.

The relationship between Sofia and Lara forms the emotional core of the novel. Sofia's fiery temperament and revolutionary fervor contrast beautifully with Lara's gentler nature and quiet resilience. Their bond provides a touching exploration of sisterly love amid challenging circumstances. Jones populates her novel with vivid secondary characters, from the enigmatic factory heir Josef Oberst to the complex array of workers and aristocrats whose lives intersect with the sisters'.

The author's use of wallpaper as a recurring motif is particularly effective. The patterns within patterns, the hidden scenes, and the stories embedded in the designs mirror the novel's themes of perception, memory, and how the past can shape our present. Jones demonstrates remarkable skill in using these artistic elements to enhance atmosphere and theme without letting them overshadow the human drama at the story's heart.

The historical context is deftly handled, with the French Revolution serving as more than a mere backdrop. The political and social tensions of the era are woven seamlessly into the characters' dramas, highlighting how larger historical forces shape individual lives. Jones shows particular skill in depicting the class divisions and social inequalities that fueled the revolutionary period.

The novel's pacing slows in its middle section, particularly during passages focused on life at the factory. Some readers might find certain character arcs developing along predictable lines, though Jones generally manages to keep the story engaging through strong prose and atmospheric detail.

Overall, "The Woman in the Wallpaper" succeeds as both historical fiction and psychological drama. The author's careful attention to period detail and her exploration of timeless themes such as identity, ambition, and the power of art create a rich and rewarding reading experience.

This novel will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy atmospheric historical fiction, especially those drawn to stories featuring strong female characters and Gothic elements. Jones has crafted a compelling debut that skillfully balances historical authenticity with psychological insight, making "The Woman in the Wallpaper" a noteworthy addition to the historical fiction genre.

This review is of an advance reader copy provided by NetGalley and Union Square & Co. - a subsidiary of Sterling Publishing. It is currently scheduled for release on February 4, 2025.

An interesting concept that kept my attention through the story. Very atmospheric.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

4.5/5 stars

It's Paris 1789, just before the French Revolution, and we're introduced to three women who are beginning to find their place in the world and through circumstances find themselves at the Oberst's wallpaper factory. Sofi is a worker at the factory, her sister Lara is a Lady's Maid, and Hortense a young aristocrat. The sisters both notice something strange at the factory, as the same woman appears again and again in the illustrations on the wallpaper. But what does it mean and what will unravel when they begin to search for answers?

I love a multi-perspective story, and this was told wonderfully. Three totally intriguing characters, each with their own unique 'voice' that I enjoyed getting to know throughout the book. The story itself was beautifully written and cleverly constructed with plenty to say about the intricacies of sisterhood and relationships. I adored the backdrop of the French Revolution, especially as it begins to unfold in front of our characters and we see how it affects their lives in very different ways.

At it's heart it feels like a historical fiction, but there was so, so much more to this story. It had a mystery that run throughout, it was about the lives of 18th Century women across the classes, and it was about repeating patterns, and how grief shapes and changes us. I thoroughly loved this book - I have a digital copy but I NEED to buy a physical one to keep on my shelf, and to share with a few people I know who are going to love this too! It's a debut book with a lot of heart and I'm excited to see what Lora Jones does next.

Are some patterns destined to be repeated?

This is a fascinating story with a unique plot and plenty to think about!

Author Lora Jones wants readers to consider that the past isn’t really that foreign - that history repeats itself with few drastic changes. Her particular setting to showcase this concept of historic recurrence is Paris in 1793. By taking readers back to the events of the French Revolution and examining the heart of the conflict, the fight for change and the results, she offers us a mirror with which to view our present and our future.

To showcase her driving concept, she introduces us to three women from different sections of society and highlights their plight before, during and after the revolution. Sofi, a wallpaper factory worker; Lara, Sophie’s sister and a lady’s maid; and Hortense, an aristocrat, enlighten readers about the lack of real change and opportunity for women. Poverty is as much an issue then as it is now, harvest failures are still happening, food prices are soaring post-Covid and widespread social unrest still drives people to protest.

I loved Sofi’s thread and the chance to enter the Toile de Jouy factory. I was intrigued by Sofi’s claim that the scenes in the wallpaper bore a striking similarity to someone she knew and mirrored a history to which she soon became privy.

This was an original, entertaining and fantastic historical debut. It needs to be on your radar. Please check out the author’s page to see her contribution to fostering change.

I was gifted this copy by Union Square & Co and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.