Probably something of a niche volume, although I think it might appeal to short story aficionados, this collection of short stories are all about female hypnotists. The stories are all from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Some of my well-known writers like Louisa May Alcott and Arthur Conan Doyle and some are from people I’ve never heard of!
What struck me having read all of these stories is how similar they seem to be. It’s almost as if a female hypnotist is a particular species, culturally, socially and physically! Not possible? Or are we simply experiencing the writers’ imaginings of such a person?
There was something deliciously Gothic about several of the stories. And I’m wondering how much they appeal to the feminists out there. For to be sure it is the male of the species who seem to suffer throughout this collection of stories! But do all the women necessarily triumph? Maybe they do and maybe they don’t! I’ll not offer any spoilers here.
Stylistically all the stories are of their time. They are well written and completely accessible unless you are hellbent on books and stories that employ a more modern vernacular. But as one might expect the language is formal with much detail.
And if reading the stories whets your appetite to find out more there is one of the most extensive bibliographies I’ve come across in a long while. I have absolute admiration for Donald K Hartman, who must have compiled it.
My thanks to Librarything where I won the book in a giveaway.
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