I got this book when I went to the English Literature Festival in Bath with some friends. When we were there we saw 2 historical fiction writers, one was Celia Rees, the other was Mary Hooper (author of Velvet).
Velvet is a book about mediums in the 18 or 1900's. The story starts with Velvet working long, backbreaking hours in a steam laundary, but after she grabs the attention of spirtualist Madam Savoya, she cannot belive her good fortune. Now working as a lady maid for Madam Savoya, Velvet is given beautiful, elegant clothes
to wear and is living in a very posh house in the center of London. But soon Velvet realises Madam might not be what she first seemed, and the longer Velvet works for Madam, the more Velvet learns, and she knows that this knowledge could put her very life in danger.
When I first started to read this book I was a bit concerned that Mary Hooper would make it more of a horror ghost story, but in fact she makes it very obvious to the reader exactly whats going on and it is very interesting to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think you will too. A lot of my friends from school have also read Velvet and they all loved it too. The only other thing that might be worth warning you about is the bit about baby farms. It made my skin crawl!
B :0)
