⭐⭐⭐⭐
I never thought I would say it, but it was a real pleasure to read a story from the perspective of someone so utterly unhinged. Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito is not your usual historical novel – it’s a dark, twisted character study wrapped up in lace, corsets, and all the suffocating etiquette of the period. Instead of the usual proper and buttoned-up view of Victorian society, Feito gives us a narrator who is spiralling, obsessive, and, frankly, a bit terrifying. And that’s what makes it such a gripping read.
The voice Feito creates is both disturbing and strangely captivating. You’re pulled right inside the mind of this unstable character, watching them unravel bit by bit, and while you can’t condone their thoughts or actions, you also can’t quite look away. It’s claustrophobic at times, but in a way that keeps the tension high. There are moments where the sheer irrationality made me laugh out loud in disbelief, which only added to the unsettling charm of it all.
For me, the strongest part of the book is how it balances historical setting with psychological horror. The details of Victorian life aren’t just background dressing – they feed into the character’s madness, giving everything this heightened, oppressive quality. It’s a reminder that the rigid rules of the time could drive someone over the edge, and in this case, we’re front row for the meltdown.
Why not a full five stars? Personally, I felt there were a few points where the story lingered a bit too long on internal monologue. While it’s fascinating being in such a fractured headspace, the pacing occasionally suffers under the weight of it. That said, the prose itself is sharp, clever, and drenched in dark humour, which kept me hooked all the way through.
All in all, Victorian Psycho is unsettling, witty, and disturbingly fun. It’s not the sort of book you can relax with, but if you’re in the mood for something off-kilter that digs deep into a character’s unravelled mind, this is a rewarding read. I closed the final page feeling both uneasy and impressed – and that’s exactly what I think Feito was aiming for.
Gareth Ellis - Author 